Occupational health co-operation in the management of substance abuse-related harm
Occupational health co-operation is systematic and goal-oriented co-operation between the employer, employees, occupational safety and health and occupational health care. With regard to substance abuse-related problems, occupational health co-operation is a preventive measure aimed at providing guidance and counselling to work communities and individuals as well as identifying and addressing substance abuse problems in working life.
The prevention of substance abuse-related harm requires close occupational health co-operation based on researched information, agreed practices and a clear division of work between the employer and occupational health care. In the occupational health co-operation, a substance abuse programme is prepared on early support and monitoring practices.
The workplace’s procedures in situations related to substances are defined in the substance abuse programme. Its aim is to increase occupational safety and well-being at work, prevent harm caused by substances and reduce health problems and costs. The substance abuse programme is prepared in co-operation with the organisation’s management, employees, occupational safety and health and occupational health care. The guidelines, policies and rules of the substance abuse programme apply to everyone at the workplace. Occupational health care plays an important role in the planning and implementation of treatment as well as in the preventive role, for example, through workplace surveys. However, the workplace and its management are primarily responsible for the substance abuse programme.