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Crane Hot Line

Drug-Free Work Week Brings Awareness to Substance Abuse

September 29, 2008 • Workplace substance abuse is a widespread problem in all industries across the United States. The use of alcohol and illicit drugs negatively affects job performance, increases absenteeism and operating costs, and lowers employee morale. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, approximately 13 percent of construction workers between the ages of 18 and 49 admit to heavy alcohol abuse and almost 21 percent report illicit drug use during the past year.

As part of Drug-Free Work Week, Oct. 20-26, The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC), the country's largest union contractors' organization, continues to battle this danger with ongoing programs, including its partnership with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Drug-Free Workplace Alliance. The nationwide alliance of public and private organizations aims to educate workers on safety and productivity hazards created by drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace.

 

“TAUC's top focus is advancing the safety and health of the union construction industry,” said TAUC CEO Stephen Lindauer. “Preventing workplace drug use reduces mistakes and injuries, and enhances overall performance. We remain absolutely committed to promoting and preserving a safe work environment.”

 

TAUC is an association of 2,500 union contractors from across the United States, primarily engaged in steel erection, industrial maintenance and construction. The mission of TAUC is to act as an advocate in advancing and enhancing the value of the union construction industry through an educated and action driven membership that fosters the promotion of labor-management cooperation, workplace safety and health, and collaboration with construction users in order to help union contractors compete more effectively in the marketplace.




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