Objective: To examine the magnitude and role of drug and alcohol in occupational injuries at a 20,000+ employee transportation company; and to compare injury risks in workers who use drugs and alcohol on the job versus other workers. Methods: Using 1995 and 1996 drug and alcohol test results, we computed the proportion of injuries that were substance-involved and the odds ratio of substance-involvement in injury cases versus random tests. To compare injury rates among workplace substance users versus other workers, we are currently linking 1990 to 1999 injury and discipline data using unique identifiers. Results: Approximately 3,300 workplace injuries were reported annually. Injury cases were 2.2 and 2.4 times more likely to be drug- and alcohol-involved, respectively, than random tests. A greater proportion of injuries involved drugs (usually marijuana and cocaine) compared to alcohol (2.7% versus 1.2%, respectively). Safety-sensitive employees were more likely to test positive. Conclusions: The greater odds of substance involvement in injury cases suggests a relationship between drug and alcohol use and injury risk. This relationship is currently being explored by examining the relative risk of injury in workers disciplined for on-the-job substance use compared to other disciplined workers and non-disciplined workers.
Learning Objectives: Describe characteristics of a worker with elevated injury risks. List the prohibited substances most likely used on the job. Discuss benefits and limitations of using drug and alcohol testing data
Keywords: Substance Abuse, Risk Assessment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: CSAP Workplace Managed Care Grant #1 U1K SP08096-02
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.