World Fence News

September 2016

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24 • september 2016 • world fence news How your company can establish and maintain a workplace free of drug abuse Tony Rosa, president of San Diego Fence Company for many years, was an avid devotee of maintaining a drug- free workplace and preventing all of the problems that are associated with drug use on the job. He also was very concerned with the effects of drug use on his employees and their families. Tony is now deceased, but his philosophy and practices ring as true today as then. This an excerpt from a presentation he made at a FENC- TECH show several years ago. Com- pany owners and managers, give this some thought: What made us think we might have a drug problem? • A constant increase in injury ac- cidents, such as: an employee shoot- ing the same thumb twice with a nail gun and another shooting himself in the knee with a nail gun, with both tools having double safeties; employ- ees falling off ladders, falling down banks, or trying to lift huge objects without leverage. (The kind of acci- dents that just do not happen to sober people.) • Constantly losing skill saws, extension cords, grinders and even ladders, and always blaming it on the other crafts on the jobsite. • Blowing engines in company trucks because of failure to keep them filled with oil. • Damage to equipment or trucks, followed by explanations that just do not make sense. • Unexplainable mistakes on jobs that shouldn't happen. • Labor overruns on repetitive work. • Chronic tardiness and absentee- ism. • Public complaints about the way our trucks were being driven. • Reduced job margins. • Increased problems with verbal and written instructions being carried out accurately. • A worsening attitude toward our customers and their needs, as well as toward fellow employees. Five steps to take in providing a drug-free workplace 1. Decide that you really want a drug-free workplace. 2. Decide what you want your policy to be, and put it in writing. a. Passive steps 1. Provide education and offers of counseling where appropriate. 2. Provide an Employee Assis- tance Program (EAP) that offers pri- vacy to those who want help with their problem. b. Active steps 1. Provide a screening program to identify users. 2. Make users accountable, and institute clear consequences. 3. Introduce the program to your employees. Explain why you are installing a program, and what the benefits are, i.e., safety is the most common reason for a drug-free workplace. Give employees who don't want to change their lifestyle 30-60 days to find employment elsewhere. 4. Give each employee a written copy of the policy and have him or her sign one for your personnel files. 5. Be gentle and loving in your handling of the problem. The key is not what you do that gets you in trou- ble, but how you do it. Your goal is not to fire, but to help them change their lifestyles so as to become the best persons they can be and the persons you thought you had hired in the first place. (Remember to consult with an attorney or business advisor when in- stituting a program or taking enforce- ment steps to be sure you do not vio- late an employee's rights and that you follow proper procedures.) Drug and alcohol policy Here are some of the conditions of the drug and alcohol policy of one very prominent fence installation company. As mentioned above, you will want to consult your company attorney and other professional advisors before put- ting your own policy in place. This is for informational purposes only. First, state the purpose: Compa- ny personnel are in agreement that a drug-free workplace will provide a safer place to work and build confi- dence within the community that we can deliver a good product at a com- petitive price, on time. To this end, we (potential employ- ees) accept the following conditions of our employment with the company. We recognize that the use of ille- gal drugs, even in small amounts, may impair the eyes for up to 72 hours, which increases our vulnerability to accidents and injuries. Therefore: 1. The use, sale, purchase or distri- bution of illegal drugs, or legal drugs procured illegally, or being under the influence, is prohibited. 2. We agree that we must be ac- countable for our actions at all times while employed by the company, and to help us say "no" to the temptation to continued on page 26 ORDER BY 6 PM FOR SAME DAY SHIPPING 1-800-295-5510 ACCESSORIZE OUTDOORS π SHIPPING SUPPLY SPECIALISTS • Quick Installation with Notched Rails • Hidden Picket Fasteners (Patent#US 7.152.849 B2) • Assembled Sections for Ease of Installation diggerspecialties.com 1-800-446-7659 Security • Safety • Peace of Mind • Worry Free & Low Maintenance • Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Grades • Welded U-Frame Gates

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