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Drug-Free Workplace Alliance About the Drug-Free Workplace Alliance About the Drug-Free Workplace Alliance The Drug-Free Workplace Alliance is a DOL cooperative agreement focused on improving worker safety and health through drug-free workplace programs. It is focused on the construction industry, which research shows has high rates of worker alcohol and drug abuse—a serious concern given that it also tops the list of industries with the highest rates of occupational accidents and injuries. The Alliance is led by DOL’s Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace program and managed cooperatively with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). It launched in October 2004, when U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao signed the original agreement with the presidents of four international labor unions. An addendum to the agreement adding four additional unions and five contractor/owner associations was signed in July 2006. Then, in October 2006, all 13 members signed a renewal agreement continuing the Alliance agreement for another two years. Drug-Free Workplace Alliance Members Unions:
Associations:
Drug-Free Workplace Alliance Goals Ultimately, the Alliance strives to increase the number of construction industry workers who work in environments that:
To this end, Alliance activities center around three main goals:
Drug-Free Workplace Alliance Accomplishments Training and Educational Programs Early on, Alliance members identified the need for a variety of training and educational materials, including worker-friendly brochures and presentations, on workplace alcohol and drug abuse prevention. DOL subsequently developed several products, including:
As part of the Alliance, DOL also developed Building Drug-Free Workplaces in the Construction Industry, a PowerPoint® slide presentation intended for delivery to construction owners/contractors about steps they can take to prevent alcohol abuse within their workforce and industry. It includes a suggested script, but both the script and the slides may be modified as appropriate for specific audiences. Conferences and Publications One way DOL and Alliance members spread the message about the value of drug-free workplaces is by speaking and distributing information at industry conferences and special events. DOL representatives and Alliance members have joined forces to speak and disseminate drug-free workplace information at numerous events attracting construction industry employers and workers and occupational safety and health professionals. For listings of specific events, read the Drug-Free Workplace Alliance’s Annual Reports. DOL and Alliance members have also worked together to raise awareness about the topic of workplace alcohol and drug abuse through articles in members’ publications, as well as industry-wide publications, such as Construction Safety News. Drug-Free Work Week A major Alliance initiative is national Drug-Free Work Week, an annual public awareness campaign that educates about the importance of working drug free to workplace safety and health. During Drug-Free Work Week, Alliance members distribute drug-free workplace materials to members, publish articles in member publications and help facilitate local-level training and educational activities. Drug-Free Work Week is held each October, and organizations in all industries, not just construction, are encouraged to participate. To learn how, visit the Working Partners Web site’s Drug-Free Work Week page. Working Drug-Free Works Poster and Sticker
Involvement in National Campaigns The Drug-Free Workplace Alliance also works to support other nationwide alcohol and drug abuse prevention efforts and awareness campaigns. For example, each September, Alliance members help promote National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month) by sharing information about related resources with their members. In addition, members have assisted by reviewing a guide for unions on alcohol and drug use disorders and have been interviewed during webcasts about the role of organized labor and employers in supporting the recovery movement. National Methamphetamine Awareness Day, held November 30, 2006, also benefited from Alliance support. Members used the occasion to inform their members about new resources available to help them understand how methamphetamine may affect their workplaces, including a web page and presentation developed specially for employers and employees about the issue. Drug-Free Workplace Alliance News Releases
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