If an employee has an accident caused by substance abuse resulting in injury or death, and if the company has no active policy, the company can be 100% liable for the actions of the employee as it has not taken  “adequate and reasonable steps” to prevent the accident from happening. 
 
It is advisable the subject of alcohol and drugs misuse at work is covered appropriately and forms part of a positive health and safety at work policy, actively promoted as a serious subject. This means that everyone should be made aware of the need to be drug and alcohol free at work, especially if they are driving or operating machinery.

By introducing a drugs and alcohol misuse policy, employers can help their employees to understand and address the issues, at the same time able to protect their business should the worst case scenario happen.