ISSA Reports: Updates from the Leading Association for the Cleaning Industry Worldwide

Resources Available For Drug-Free Workplace

Workplace drug and alcohol abuse compromises the ability of any business, especially a small business, to be profitable, productive and safe. Some of the costs—increased accidents, absences and errors—are obvious.

Other costs, such as low employee morale, are less obvious, but their effects are equally harmful. To prevent these problems, many large businesses implement substance abuse prevention programs, commonly called drug-free workplace programs. However, small businesses may be less likely to address the issue because of a lack of resources.

A misconception also may exist among some small businesses that they are less likely to be affected by substance abuse problems than their larger counterparts simply because they employ fewer people. But the reverse may be true. Individuals who are unable to adhere to a drug-free workplace policy may purposely seek employment at firms that do not have one. The cost of just one error caused by an impaired employee has the potential to devastate a small company.

Help for small businesses
To help small businesses benefit from a drug-free workplace, the U.S. Department of Labor developed a Web tool — The Drug-Free Workplace Program Builder — to assist them in developing customized drug-free workplace policies and programs.

The Drug-Free Workplace Program Builder provides introductory information about drug-free workplace programs as well as separate information sections for each of the five components of a comprehensive drug-free workplace program: a written policy statement, supervisor training, employee education, employee assistance and drug testing.

Although drug-free workplace programs can be effective without all five of these components, it is recommended that businesses consider implementing each one. The Program Builder allows employers to examine each component and design a balanced program suited to the unique needs and challenges of their workplace.

The Program Builder’s Policy Development section prompts users to select answers to simple, pre-set questions in order to determine the most appropriate style of drug-free workplace policy for their company. This section is structured around 13 main questions, ranging from “What is the purpose/goal of your program?” to “How will your policy be communicated to employees?”

As users move through each section, they are told which standard statements will be automatically incorporated into their policy. Other statements are entirely optional, and users may choose to select or omit sections depending on their organization’s needs. For example, when choosing who will be covered by the policy, options include contractors, managers, supervisors, full- or part-time employees, and applicants. Users can select as few or as many of these categories as they want and have the ability to insert additional categories if appropriate ones are not represented.

Based on users’ responses, the system then generates a policy statement, which businesses can use as is or further modify if desired. (The answers selected by users and the resulting policy are not saved nor stored in a government database, but users are free to save the policy on their computers and print hard copies for their needs.)

After using the Policy Development section to lay the groundwork for their program, users may want to explore the Program Builder’s other sections. The Supervisor Training and Employee Education sections describe the essential elements for effective education on workplace substance abuse and the respective responsibilities of supervisors and employees to support the company’s drug-free workplace policy.

The Employee Assistance section reviews the elements and benefits of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), which can be effective vehicles for addressing poor workplace performance that may stem from an employee’s personal problems, including the abuse of alcohol or other drugs. The Drug Testing section helps employers learn about drug-testing issues and technologies and develop drug-testing policies for their companies if deemed appropriate.

Benefits of being drug-free
Drug-free workplace programs represent sound business practices and provide considerable benefits to employers, including higher quality applicants, fewer accidents and injuries, better overall job performance, improved employee morale, reduced medical and insurance costs, and reduced liability.
Businesses that implement a comprehensive drug-free workplace program do more than just protect their assets — they contribute to the improved safety, health and well-being of their workforce. Their employees gain the benefit of knowing that the drug-free workplace program applies to all the coworkers and managers on whom their safety and security depend.

Resources

• DOL Drug-Free Workplace Program Builder
  
• DOL Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace
  
• OSHA Workplace Substance Abuse
  

—By Elena Carr. Carr is drug policy coordinator and director of the Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace program in DOL’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy.

ISSA/INTERCLEAN Amsterdam has once again proved itself a leading meeting place for the cleaning industry worldwide.

A total of 535 exhibitors of cleaning, maintenance, and building-management products and services welcomed 25,294 visitors to this biennial event, which took place May 9-12 at the Amsterdam RAI Exhibition and Congress Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The diversity of the crowd was impressive: Nearly 60 percent of visitors came from at least 120 countries outside of the Netherlands while the exhibitors represented 31 different nationalities. Adding to the event’s success was the strikingly large volume of business that was transacted during the four-day exhibition.

“With representation from a record number of countries and an unprecedented display of product and service innovations, I believe ISSA/INTERCLEAN Amsterdam 2006 can be called nothing short of a great success from both the exhibitor and attendee perspective,” said ISSA Executive Director John Garfinkel.

“We were especially proud of those exhibitors who traveled from North America to participate. I encourage other companies to consider joining them in the future—and not just manufacturers. This year’s show featured many advanced European products that were technologically and environmentally superior to those sold in the United States. Distributors and contractors would be wise to attend future ISSA/INTERCLEAN Amsterdam shows to gain access to products that can differentiate their offerings by adding unique products not generally available within the United States.”

Simplify Cleaning Tasks
Designed as a training tool for BSC supervisors or as a guide for cleaning professionals to help boost productivity, 14 Basic Custodial Procedures is a full-color booklet that contains 14 commonly performed cleaning jobs. Written in an easy to follow, step-by-step approach to increase professionalism, the booklet includes a sample custodial inspection form, a preventative maintenance checklist, required supplies and equipment for each procedure, and much more.

14 Basic Custodial Procedures also is available in Spanish.

To purchase the booklet, contact the ISSA Customer Service Department at 800-225-4772; e-mail; Website.