Recognition of the problems emanating from an increasingly impaired workforce is growing, says Jim Coyle, cofounder of Advanced Training Products.

Coyle’s contacts at OSHA Region 2 say they have not collected data on workforce impairment — it’s not a requirement — but they estimate 15% of workers are impaired on the job at any given time. His discussions with NIOSH arrived at a similar estimate.

Impairment has many causes beyond drugs and alcohol, says Coyle.  “NIOSH made very clear to us that fatigue, dehydration, heat stroke, the flu and many other things can cause an employee to be impaired.” Other factors include misuse of prescription drugs, stress, personal crises, anxiety and burnout.

Driving the number of impaired workers includes 24 states having legalized marijuana for adult recreational use and more than 40 states allowing access to cannabis for medical therapeutic purposes. Studies indicate more than 30% of people suffer from sleep deprivation, with demanding work schedules and technology among causes. The Stress in the Workplace Report 2025 found 90% of employees reporting feeling stressed on the job.

In an email to ISHN, Coyle made these points:

• The National Safety Council estimates that a majority of workplace injuries are caused by impairment. Bradford Health estimates that 65 percent of incidents are caused by drug or alcohol impairment. 
• Estimates for daily cannabis users run between 10 and 20 percent of the workforce between age 20 and 35. Cannabis is now more widely used that alcohol.  And cannabis users are more likely to develop a cannabis use disorder than a drinker is to become an alcoholic.
• Estimates for lost productivity caused by impairment run as high as $400 billion per year.  Road crashes and home injuries caused by impairment could increase the economic costs in excess of $1 trillion.
• Labor union contacts in construction tell Coyle that 15 percent of their members have substance abuse disorders. Someone with a substance abuse disorder is nine times more likely to commit suicide as someone who does not have a drug disorder.  The suicide rate in construction is four times the national average.
• Between 30 and 50 percent of workers’ comp claims are caused by impairment.  It’s probably higher as most claims do not include a drug test.  In New Jersey, where Coyle is based, the average cost of a claim is about $28,000.  This is why many insurance companies are interested in bringing impairment under control.

Coyle is struck by how little attention impairment on the job gets, even in the safety community.  On the OSHA 300 Log, there is no question regarding impairment and OSHA has no standard for impairment. 

Addressing workforce impairment can include:

• Developing comprehensive impairment policies that go beyond drug testing;
• Training supervisors to recognize warning signs and document related behaviors;
• Removing employees from duty if a safety risk is present and following strict company and legal protocols, which can involve documentation and safe transportation.
• Using employee assistance programs and accommodation protocols for workers seeking treatment.
• Reviewing legal guidance on managing substance use disorders and accommodations through the National Drug-Free Workplace Alliance.