New York State Department of Labor Safety and Health

Drug and Alcohol Prevention

A business that seeks the Workplace Safety and Loss Prevention Incentive Program (WSLPIP) credit can adopt these model safety programs.  Employers may adapt all or any of this model to their business needs.  But, to qualify for a credit under the WSLPIP, the program must meet the requirements of Industrial Code Rule 60. 

Safety:

There are many sound business reasons to implement a safety and health program. These programs can prevent occupational illnesses and injuries by:

• identifying, 
• preventing, 
• evaluating, and
• controlling workplace hazards.

Injuries at work cost employers some $50 billion in direct wages and medical payments each year.  The indirect costs are $80 to $200 billion a year.     Injuries and illnesses at work increase:

• workers' compensation costs,
• retraining costs,
• absenteeism, and
• production problems.

Likewise, they decrease:

• productivity,
• morale, and
• profits.

The right workplace safety program can boost an employer's bottom line and financial performance.  Businesses operate more efficiently with safety programs. They can reduce injury and illness costs by 20 to 40 percent. 

Attention to safety issues can help businesses:

• avoid legal costs,
• improve morale,
• boost productivity, and
• reduce turnover.

Employers with good workplace safety policies also save on insurance. 

Safety Program (open in a new window)

Cost-Benefit Analysis - Safety (open in a new window)

Drug and Alcohol Prevention:

 

Substance abuse can threaten the safety of workers by contributing to accidents and injuries.

 

Many studies, reports and surveys suggest that substance abuse has a very negative effect on the workplace. Drugs and alcohol cause lower productivity.  They also increase:

• accidents
• absenteeism
• turnover and
• medical costs

Substance abusers are:

• three to four times more apt to be involved in workplace accidents, and 
• five times more likely to file a workers’ compensation claim.  

Users can cost employers from $7,000-$25,000 per year.  Drug and alcohol prevention programs:

• teach employees the dangers of using drugs and alcohol at work, 
• prevent accidents that stem from drug and alcohol use, and 
• help employees solve drug and alcohol problems that affect their work

Employers save $5-$16 for every $1 invested in such programs.  A drug and alcohol prevention program can reduce an employer’s costs for:

• disability,
• medical,
• pharmacy, and
• workers' compensation.

Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program (open in a new window)

Cost-Benefit Analysis – Drug and Alcohol Prevention (open in a new window)

Return to Work:

 

This affects:

• psychological
• medical
• social and
• economic well-being

Return-to-work programs cut disability costs to employers. They help workers get back on the job as soon as medically possible after a job-related injury or illness.  These programs provide fair and consistent guides to ensure a timely and safe return to work. 

 

Return-to-work programs reduce:

• lawsuits,
• the frequency and length of lost time,
• the need to hire new workers, and
• productivity losses.

These programs also offer financial savings by cutting:

• workers' compensation costs,
• wage replacement costs,
• medical and indemnity costs, and
• use of short-and long-term disability benefits and FMLA.

Studies show that employers that start return to work programs save hundreds of thousands of dollars.  These programs also improve:

• labor relations,
• employee morale, and
• supervisor satisfaction.

Return to Work Program (open in a new window)

Cost-Benefit Analysis – Return to Work (open in a new window)

Additional Resources

 

 

Program Development Resources – Safety (open in a new window)

Program Development Resources – Drug and Alcohol Prevention (open in a new window)

Program Development Resources – (open in a new window)Return to Work (open in a new window)