SENATOR ANWAR, ORGANIZED LABOR ORGANIZATIONS CALL FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TO BE CONSIDERED OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD WITH STRONGER SUPPORTS FOR WORKERS
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Senate Chair of the Public Health Committee, and State Senator Jan Hochadel (D-Meriden) joined representatives of the International Union of Operating Engineers and the Connecticut State Council of Machinists to to advocate for treating substance use disorder as an occupational hazard, aiming for a more worker- and business-friendly approach to the condition.
Such an action would provide benefits to both workers and businesses, as studies have confirmed workers receiving treatment for such conditions are more reliable workers than the general workforce while their employers see significant cost-savings due to reduced worker turnover and lower costs of training.
“If a worker is injured on the job, they receive treatment, but if that job pushes them toward seeking relief through substances, that’s considered a personal failing. That disconnect in perception prevents people from getting the treatment they need and stigmatizes substance use disorder and mental health,” Senator Anwar said. “Accepting these conditions makes it easier for individuals to pursue care, especially if we can recognize that laborious, stressful and repetitive jobs are more likely to lead to injury – and possibly self-medication. Workers who receive treatment are more productive and stable in their careers; employers who take their needs seriously experience better productivity from their employees. This is a situation where we can provide strong benefits in our industries, and I would like to see the legislature pursue this policy next session.”
“As an advocate for teachers and tradespeople, I’ve seen firsthand how a compassionate approach to addiction can not only be life saving, but benefit both workers and employers,” Senator Hochadel said. “When we prioritize treatment and view addiction as an illness and occupational hazard, we give our colleagues a real chance at recovery all while reducing turnover and creating a more stable and productive work environment.”
“Connecticut State Building trades in conjunction with IUOE local 478 is providing Naloxone to all trade unions in Connecticut,” said Kyle Zimmer, Local 478 Health and Safety Director and Members Assistant Program Director, and Ashley Dwyer, Local 478 Members Assistant Program Coordinator. “This has been made possible due to partnership with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. 5000 doses have been provided so far. We view this as a life saving device, much like AEDS ( Automated External Defibrillator) . We will continue to provide training and Naloxone as needed”
A number of industries are impacted by substance use disorder and opioid use, especially those with long, repetitive tasks, those with increased risks of on-job injury and ones with greater exposure to risk. The Midwest Economic Policy Institute said injury rates for construction workers were 77% higher than the national average and more than half of workers’ compensation claims involved opioid prescriptions for on-job injuries. The American Farm Bureau Federation said nearly 75% of farmers and farmworkers were directly impacted by opioids. Manufacturing and nonprofits also see increased rates of injury, access and risk of opioid use.
Approaching substance use disorder in a different light is vital to improve the health and safety of workers in the field. According to the National Safety Council, this approach may aid workers’ health as well as employer productivity; studies found that workers in recovery from substance use disorder miss fewer days of work than the average worker, while those self-medicating or with untreated disorders miss a significant number of days more than the average worker.
Further connecting these ties between workers and employers on the issue at hand, workers with substance use disorder are 40% more likely to have multiple employers in a year. When training and retraining replacement workers can cost up to half of a worker’s annual salary, a more hands-on, supportive approach can benefit patient outcomes and business productivity alike.
Reevaluating substance use disorder is even more pressing in the light of the continuing opioid crisis, as some fields see significant opioid abuse on the job. According to the National Association of Home Builders, construction workers as one example represent about one-quarter of all fatal opioid overdoses among workers – and opioid addiction often begins after someone is injured and prescribed opioids for pain management, further intertwining these issues. When a worker dies, their colleagues struggle with mental health concerns and the loss of a treasured colleague, while businesses lose $5 billion a year from lost production and pain and suffering after construction-related deaths, the Midwest Economic Policy Institute found.
By considering substance use disorder as an occupational hazard or occupational condition, we can connect workers directly to the resources they need and allow our business environment to shift to one focused on reducing injury or damage to workers, which can increase productivity and benefit workers and employers all at once. Substance use disorder doesn’t discriminate and reorienting how we consider it can lead to significant improvements for everyone involved.
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