A free template drugs and alcohol policy for construction companies to help them assess and manage risks in the workplace has been published by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

The template has been created by members of CIOB’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Advisory Panel, with support from K2 Occupational Health following feedback from many SMEs leaders who feel ill-equipped to manage the risks associated with drugs and alcohol impairment at work.  

It sets out clear definitions of alcohol and drugs, expectations on employees and managers, how testing for drugs and alcohol can be managed, and the consequences should anyone not comply with the policy.

Ben Powell, Chair of CIOB’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Advisory Panel, said: “Sadly instances of drugs and alcohol use impacting workplaces is not uncommon, and in the case of construction, the consequences can be fatal if employees are operating machinery while under the influence.

"While most larger companies have expert HR and legal teams to draft and uphold policies on matters such as drugs and alcohol use, many SMEs don’t, so find it difficult to undertake employee testing and manage issues effectively and with consistency.

"By publishing the template policy, we hope companies of all sizes will have the confidence to set out clear expectations of their employees, carry out appropriate checks, take action if problems arise and properly support anyone struggling with addiction.”

CIOB says fully understanding the extent of drugs and alcohol problems in workplaces is a challenge. There is currently no definitive figure for workplace accidents caused by drugs or alcohol in the UK as the RIDDOR reporting system does not require employers to divulge this information.  

A Considerate Constructors Scheme survey in 2016 however stated a third of workers had seen colleagues under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the workplace. Meanwhile, organisations including the Institute of Alcohol Studies estimated in 2020 alcohol-related lost productivity, including time away from work and underperformance, costs the UK roughly £7 billion annually.

CIOB is calling for RIDDOR to require the reporting of drugs and alcohol involvement in workplace accidents so the scale of the problem can be fully understood.

Powell continued:  "It's impossible to accurately tell how big, or not, the issue of drugs and alcohol use is in workplaces, but based on wider societal data, we can assume a problem exists. Drug driving offences for example have risen 28% in the last three years (2022-2025), showing a concerning and growing trend. To truly tackle the issue, we need to understand the severity of it, and having any drugs or alcohol involvement in accidents declared via the RIDDOR system is a logical way to gather some credible data."

Matthew Hoddinott, Director at built environment and wellbeing consultants, Olyi Ltd, said: “I welcome CIOB’s initiative as a practical step towards a safer construction industry. It combines clear expectations with compassionate and appropriate support to address underlying issues, helping to reduce stigma and prevent dangerous incidents.

“Better data will help us understand the true scale and nature of the problem, so businesses can act on evidence, prevent harm and support those who need help.”

The template drugs and alcohol policy can be downloaded from the CIOB website.