A survey released today by the National Safety Council (NSC) found that cannabis use can have a major impact on employee safety. The survey was conducted between April and May 2021 with 500 employers and 1,000 employees. Among the findings:

• One-third of responding employees said they have observed cannabis use during work hours
• Less than half of responding organizations had a written policy addressing cannabis use
• Employees indicated a need for clear communication on cannabis use and employer policy
• More than half of employers who eliminated THC testing from drug screen panels reported an increase in incidents or other workplace performance concerns
• Less than half of employees reported they would feel comfortable telling supervisors they were too impaired to work

“As more states legalize cannabis for recreational and medicinal use, employers must take clear, strong stances to ensure worker safety,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC president and CEO. “Research clearly shows that cannabis impacts a person’s ability to safely perform their job, and we hope employers everywhere will heed our recommendations.”

The NSC has developed employer guidance that encourages business leaders to take the following  actions:

• Establish a clear, fair cannabis policy that prevents impairment in the workplace and provides support for employees
• Build a safety-focused, trusting culture for employees to report cannabis use in the workplace
• Advocate for increased access to employee assistance programs and health care benefits for those with substance use disorders
• Train supervisors to recognize and respond to impairment in the workplace

Click here for the survey results. The NSC will introduce Impairment Recognition and Response Training for Supervisors and three courses on related topics at its annual Conference & Expo next week in Orlando, Fla. Look for WorkCare in the exhibit hall to learn about how we help employers prevent and manage health and safety exposure risks and impairment on the job.