Why Should Supervisors Get Drug & Alcohol Training?

Every company wants to operate safely and efficiently, and one of the best ways to achieve this goal is to formulate—and enforce—a drug-free workplace policy. Substance abuse is, unfortunately, something that doesn’t just affect the abuser, but people around that abuser. This is one of the reasons why more companies should thinking about getting drug and alcohol training for supervisors.

The Dangers Of Substance Abuse

The one thing any company would like to avoid is substance abuse that goes on so long it results in an accident. It’s bad enough if poor judgment from drug or alcohol use results in problematic interactions with staff, or even alienated customers and clients. It’s worse, however, if impaired reflexes while using equipment result in the injury, or even death, of a client, customer, or another bystander, leaving a company open to a negligence lawsuit once drugs or alcohol are confirmed as the cause.

This is one of the reasons why the Department of Transportation has mandated drug testing for companies and suspicion training for supervisors. But even if you don’t have to comply with DOT regulations, suspicion training can be useful. 

Enforcement Requires Training

With proper drug and alcohol training for supervisors, management right on the frontline can spot potential problems before they turn into accidents or tragedies. People who abuse substances drop plenty of hints along the way before any negligent action results in an accident. It’s just a matter of being perceptive enough to see those hints.

If you want to make sure that you have a productive drug free workplace, it’s not enough to just lay out new rules. Getting your supervisors trained to spot potential problems before they get bigger is one of your best means of prevention. Even if you don’t need to worry about DOT compliance, you can look into supervisor training that will give your management the tools they need to be vigilant and make your workplace safer.