Impairment and addiction program in the Australian construction industry

Background - Safety performance is an ongoing challenge for employers - Estimated 640,700 persons suffered a work-related injury or illness in 2009-2010 and 337 lost their lives as a result in 2009-2010, in Australia - Very little is known about what proportion of accidents are directly attributable to the effects of AOD – despite AOD consumption being relatively prevalent + clear link with declines in cognitive and behavioural performance. Evidence - Anecdotal evidence highlights issues of AOD and its association with safety risk on construction sites - Some studies but very limited (i.e. sample size, specific groups or locations, out dated, measurement variation) - No clear evidence on the prevalence and risk of AOD use among Australian construction workers - Mental health (AOD) is an accepted industry safety concer