Drugs, Alcohol and Testing Policy

Wyn Construction Ltd is committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of its employees and those affected by its activities. It will take all reasonable steps to reduce, if not eliminate, the risk of injuries or incidents occurring due to individuals suffering from the effects of alcohol or substance abuse. We recognise that for a range of reasons individuals can and do misuse drugs and alcohol, and that this represents a problem for the individual and for the business. The effects of drug and alcohol misuse range from absenteeism, low productivity and increased disciplinary action to injury in the workplace.

This policy applies to all employees and all persons coming onto the Company premises. It does not form part of employees’ terms and conditions of employment and may be subject to change at the discretion of management.

Wyn Construction Ltd prohibits the drinking of alcohol by employees and contractors in the workplace or on Company business other than reasonable drinking of alcohol in connection with Company approved social functions, e.g. a Company Christmas party or any functions where you are representing the Company.

The Company regards drinking to an ‘unreasonable level’ as any or all of the following situations:

• The individual is over the legal limit stipulated for driving (i.e. 35µcg/100ml of breath alcohol concentration in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; 22µcg/100ml in Scotland).
• In the opinion of management, the individual’s performance is impaired. This may be at less than the legal limit stipulated for driving.
• In the opinion of management, the individual’s behaviour may cause embarrassment, distress or offence to others.
• The individual continues to drink when instructed to stop by a manager.

Wyn Construction Ltd will take all reasonable steps to prevent employees and contractors carrying out work-related activities if they are considered to be unfit/unsafe to undertake the work as a result of alcohol consumption or substance abuse.

We expressly prohibit the use of any illegal drugs or any prescription drugs that have not been prescribed for the user. It is a criminal offence to be in possession of, use or distribute an illicit substance. If any such incidents take place on Company premises, in Company vehicles or at a Company function, they will be regarded as serious, will be investigated by the Company, and may lead to disciplinary action and possible reporting to the police.

No employee or other person under the Company’s control shall, in connection with any work-related activity:

• Report, or endeavour to report, for duty having consumed drugs or alcohol likely to render him/her unfit and/or unsafe for work;
• Consume or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol whilst on duty (unless, in the case of alcohol, with the agreement of line management for the purposes of official Company entertaining);
• Store drugs or alcohol in personal areas such as lockers and desk drawers;
• Attempt to sell or give drugs or alcohol to any other employee or other person on the Company premises.

Employees must inform their Line Manager regarding any prescribed medication that may have an effect on their ability to carry out their work safely, and must follow any instructions subsequently given e.g. drugs that cause drowsiness must not be used whilst at work.

Any employee suffering from drug or alcohol dependency should declare such dependency, and the Company will subsequently provide reasonable assistance, treating absences for treatment and/or rehabilitation as any other sickness absence. (Failure to accept help or continue with treatment will render the employee liable to normal disciplinary procedures.

Disciplinary sanctions

Drug and alcohol misuse may become a matter for disciplinary action in accordance with the disciplinary or capability procedure, subject to the letter and spirit of this policy, particularly where help is refused and/or impaired performance continue.

• Dismissal may result from disciplinary action.
• Possession of and dealing in illegal substances will be immediately reported to the police in all cases.

Testing

The organisation reserves the right under this policy to exercise alcohol and drug testing of its employees. Employees may also be tested as reasonably requested by the client on a client site.

This policy applies to all employees, including management.

The Company adopts the alcohol limit In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, which is in force.