10 Reasons to Implement a Drug-Free Workplace Policy

To protect your business and employees, consider the following 10 reasons to establish a drug-free workplace policy.

1. CREATING A POLICY IS EASY

To create a drug-free policy at work, a business has many options. All policies should be in writing and effectively communicated to all employees. It can be as simple as adding a drug-free provision to an employee handbook stating:

“Employees are prohibited from unlawfully consuming, distributing, possessing, selling, or using controlled substances while on duty. In addition, employees may not be under the influence of any controlled substance, such as drugs or alcohol, while at work, on company premises, or engaged in company business. Prescription or over-the-counter medications, taken as prescribed, are an exception to this policy. Anyone violating this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.”

2. REDUCE WORKPLACE INJURIES

One in six workplace deaths, and one in four workplace injuries, involves drugs or alcohol use. By implementing and communicating clear rules and consequences of using drugs or alcohol during work, drug use as well as the number of work-related accidents and injuries should significantly decrease.

3. IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY

Employees who frequently use drugs or alcohol tend to miss work or run late more often than non-users. Additionally, those who use drugs are twice as likely to change employers three or more times in a year than non-users. Help curb these behaviors by instituting a drug-free workplace policy and holding workers accountable.

4. ESTABLISH SAFE, HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENTS

By implementing a drug-free workplace program, you show a commitment to having a safe, healthy work environment.

5. DECREASE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS

The National Institute of Drug Abuse found that substance users cost employers twice as much in workers’ compensation and medical expenses as non-users. Additionally, substance abusers are five times more likely to file workers’ compensation claims. By reducing drug use among employees, you can reap safety benefits and workplace savings.

6. DECREASE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION PREMIUMS

To encourage businesses to implement drug-free workplace programs, some states, such as Florida, Georgia, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, have passed laws that enable businesses to receive workers’ compensation insurance premium credits of as much as 10 percent if they employ a drug-free workplace program.

7. EDUCATE EMPLOYEES

A drug-free workplace program should contain an educational component that informs employees on the health and safety risks drug use imposes on all employees. You should also point out to employees the costs drug use has on your company’s bottom line, productivity, and increased healthcare costs.

8. SHOW EMPLOYEES YOU HAVE A VESTED INTEREST

A drug-free workplace program shows employees that you care about their health and safety. By providing helpful resources, such as confidential hotline numbers or names of treatment centers to assist employees who have substance abuse problems, you illustrate your commitment to seeing your employees get help and improve their quality of life.

9. OVERALL COST SAVINGS IMPROVE THE BOTTOM LINE

Benefits from implementing a drug-free workplace program include lower absenteeism, increased productivity, reduced workers’ compensation filings, and fewer accidents. More discrete savings include improved employee morale, creativity and emotional stability. As a result of these savings and cost reductions, the net profit of your business improves.

10. POSSIBLE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

If your business wants to contract with the government, you must have a drug-free policy in place. Under the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1998, most companies seeking contracts with the government must maintain a drug-free workplace. Additionally, the Department of Transportation requires companies operating any commercial vehicle in interstate commerce to have a drug-free workplace policy.

MOST COMMON INJURIES IN 2018

MOST COMMON INJURIES IN 2018

As we start 2019, it’s a great time to review how to make your workplace safer. Your organization can start by focusing on systems and processes that have the greatest potential to cause injury as well as the most common injury types. Below are the injury types reported most frequently to Workers Compensation Fund of Utah in 2018.

Slips and Falls 20%
Cuts 19%
Hit By/Against 17%
Misc 14%
Strains and Sprains 13%
Strain by Lifting 7%
Caught in Object 5%
Motor Vehicle 3%
Burns 2%

HAND AND WRIST INJURY PREVENTION

Wrist and hand injuries accounted for 17% of WCF Insurance's claims in 2017. By recognizing hazards, using personal protective equipment, and following established safety rules and procedures, you can save your hands from injury and yourself from an unnecessary disability. 

Halloween Has The Highest Number of Claims by 81%

National Fire Prevention Week

This week is National Fire Prevention Week. Please follow the below link for great info on fire prevention.

National Fire Prevention Week

If you have any questions or want more info please call our office at 435-674-2221 or you can visit us on our website at www.msiagency.com.

A Fall Checklist of 10 Things You Gotta Do Before Winter Sets In

At Main Street Insurance Agency we like to help our clients prevent future claims as much as possible. Here is a great article that has some ideas on some items to do before winter gets here.

A Fall Checklist of 10 Things You Gotta Do Before Winter Sets In

For more tips or to get a quote on home, auto, commercial, life or health please give us a call at 435-674-2221.

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month

September is life insurance awareness month. Here are a few myths about life insurance:

Myth: It’s too expensive.
Truth: Many people can be insured for the price of a daily cup of coffee.

Myth: I’m not old enough to need life insurance.
Truth: Anyone can get life insurance. The younger and healthier you are, the easier it is to get a life insurance policy at a cheaper rate.

Myth: I can get it later.
Truth: Age and health can make it tough to get the coverage you want. You may develop a condition that makes you uninsurable – or worse, you may fall victim to a tragic accident.

Myth: I don’t need life insurance.
Truth: Life insurance has many, many uses. It can cover bills, pay for funeral costs, replace income in a household, serve as an inheritance for a loved one, fund education goals for a child, provide an important and sizable donation to a charitable organization and so much more.

Give us at call at 435-674-2221 to talk to an insurance agent that can guide you through your questions about life insurance.

Summer Safety Tips

Main Street Insurance Agency Acquires Hafen Insurance in St George, Utah

Ladder Safety

Most of us use ladders from time to time. However, few of us take time to review the basics of ladder safety. The following guidelines can help those who use ladders to do so properly and prevent injuries.

General Guidelines
• Avoid climbing unless absolutely necessary.
• Select the proper ladder for the job, (i.e., aluminum, wood, fiberglass, step, extension or a straight ladder). For instance, never use an aluminum ladder around electricity.
• Choose a ladder that fits the job. If ladders are too short, people will climb too high leaving them without proper handholds. Ladders that are too long are difficult to handle. They also tend to be erected askew and may be highly unstable.
• Never use a ladder for a purpose that it was not designed for.
• Inspect the ladder’s condition before use. Discard any damaged ladder.
• Wear slip resistant footwear.

Inspection
• Ladders should be inspected and documented by a competent person on a periodic basis. Items to look for should include:
-Any structural damage such as cracks, bends, kinks or distortions.
-All rungs are in place, secure and free of grease or oil.
-Safety feet are in good condition and functional.
-Any missing parts.
-Working spreaders.

Placement
• A ladder should not be placed in doorways, passageways or other locations where it can be disturbed.
• Make sure the ladder is set on a level stable surface.
• A non-self-supporting ladder should be placed at an angle of approximately 75̊. The distance from the wall to the foot of ladder should be about ¼ the ladder’s total length.
• When using a non-self-supporting ladder to access a point to where you will dismount, the ladder should extend at least 3 feet beyond the support point. The ladder should also be lashed as close to the support point as possible.

Climbing and Descending
• Face the ladder while climbing or descending and hold on to it with both hands.
• Always maintain at least a 3-point contact with either two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand.
• Keep centered on the ladder.
• Never lean beyond the side rails, or move, shift or extend the ladder while on it.
• Never climb past the second step from the top on a stepladder.
• Take one step at a time.
• If tools are needed, use a tool belt or a bucket attached to a hand line.
• Allow one person on a ladder at a time.

Please click here to learn more about OSHA's penalties.

Give Main Street Insurance a call at 435-674-2221 for more information on safety programs or you can e-mail us at info@msiagency.com.