Drugs and Alcohol National E-Learning Programme Launched

AIMED AT addressing the sobering issue of drugs and alcohol in the UK and Irish construction industries, the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s new ‘Drugs and Alcohol e-learning’ course has been launched to explain how contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and clients can take practical measures to safeguard and protect the workforce from drugs and alcohol.

The online course, which is now available on the Scheme’s Best Practice Hub, is a free, go-to industry resource, receiving 2.6 million views since its launch.

The effects of drugs and alcohol abuse include impaired awareness, reduced concentration, loss of muscle function, reduced stamina, diminished judgement and loss of coordination. Any of these effects can be dangerous in the construction industry where working at height and operating vehicles and heavy machinery are commonplace.

National E-Learning Programme

Drugs and alcohol e-learning follows on from the Scheme’s ‘Spotlight on…drugs and alcohol’ campaign. Its subsequent update to the campaign, and its handy drugs and alcohol policy template – are all still available on the Best Practice Hub. Considerate Constructors Scheme Chief Executive, Edward Hardy said, “The impact of drugs and alcohol on the construction industry is extremely serious and an issue which the industry is working hard to address.

“We all know that our industry is only as strong as our workforce and it is therefore essential to ensure that everyone in our workforce is well looked after, both physically and mentally. As drugs and alcohol has a huge impact on both the physical and mental wellbeing of everyone, we see our Drugs and Alcohol e-learning as an essential way of extending the Scheme’s reach to help educate and further raise awareness to help address this issue.”

Click here to take the Drugs and Alcohol e-learning course.