Safety council discourages cannabis use for safety-sensitive positons
The National Safety Council (NSC) has called on employers to restrict cannabis use for workers in safety-sensitive positions regardless of the state's position in a policy position.
Recognizing that safety concerns are paramount as decriminalization of cannabis continues in states throughout the U.S., the National Safety Council (NSC) calls on employers to restrict cannabis use for those in safety sensitive positions – regardless of whether cannabis consumption is allowed by their state. In a policy position, NSC defines safety sensitive positions as those that impact the safety of the employee and the safety of others as a result of performing that job.
“Research clearly shows that cannabis impacts a person’s psychomotor skills and cognitive ability,” said Lorraine M. Martin, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. “In order to protect our employees and those around them, we need to acknowledge the impairing effects of cannabis. We urge employers to implement policies stating no amount of cannabis consumption is acceptable for those who work in safety sensitive positions.”
In a 2019 NSC survey, employers expressed the following about cannabis:
- 81% were concerned about the drug having a negative impact on their workforce
- 71% indicated their organization’s written policies cover employee use of illicit cannabis, while only 54% said their policies cover employee use of legal or prescribed cannabis
- 24% indicated they would dismiss an employee found to be misusing legal cannabis, such as being under the influence while on the job, while only 7% said they would relocate the employee to a position of lesser responsibility.
National Safety Council (NSC)
– Edited from an NSC press release by CFE Media.
Original content can be found at Control Engineering.
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