Best Practices to Combat Substance Abuse in the Construction Industry
The construction industry is one of the most hazardous industries, which alone accounts for 1 in 5 worker fatalities. The hazards of this type of work – including falls, being struck by or caught in heavy machinery, and injuries from overexertion – result in higher injury and fatality rates than in other sectors.
According to the most recent federal analysis tracking substance use by industry, construction consistently ranks among the highest of any sector — and more recent data suggest the crisis has only deepened. The CDC reports more than 162 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 construction workers, the highest rate of any occupation in the country.
Among full-time construction workers, the numbers are stark:
- 12% have an alcohol use disorder, compared to 7.5% nationally
- 11.6% reported using illicit drugs in the past month
- 15% have a diagnosable substance use disorder — nearly double the rate for the general adult population
The opioid crisis has hit the industry especially hard. Construction workers are seven times more likely to die of an opioid overdose than workers in other industries and account for roughly 25% of all fatal opioid overdoses among employed Americans. A 2025 CDC study added a new dimension: researchers found that construction had among the highest rates of fatal synthetic opioid overdoses also involving stimulants — a pattern they linked to workers using stimulants to sustain alertness and productivity through physically punishing shifts.
Combating Substance Abuse with Proven Best Practices
Associated Builders and Contractors created the Safety Performance Report to present a clear picture of the remarkable impact of leading indicator use on a company’s safety performance. Of all the leading indicators they researched, substance abuse programs rose to the top of the list of actions construction companies can take to impact workplace safety. According to the report:
Robust substance abuse prevention programs/policies with provisions for drug and alcohol testing where permitted lead to a 70% reduction in TRIR and a 73% reduction in DART rates.
Key components of a successful substance abuse program include:
A safety policy with strict rules regarding drug and alcohol use, supervisor training, recordkeeping, and active enforcement.
Drug and alcohol testing pre-hire, randomly and with reasonable suspicion.
An employee assistance program and available education on substance abuse prevention.
ABC’s Key Components of Safety
The ABC has compiled the components of a substance abuse program that contributes to a world-class safety program.
Best in Class Program
- The company’s safety policy explains its substance abuse program
- The policy includes random, pre-employment and reasonable suspicion substance abuse testing
- The policy is consistent and actively enforced
- Supervisory personnel are trained in workplace substance abuse recognition
- Employee substance abuse prevention education initiatives are offered
- The company has an employee assistance program (EAP)
- The company keeps counseling and testing records
- Specialty contractors are contractually required to have programs equal to or exceeding the general contractors
Solid Program
- The company has substance abuse verbiage in the employee safety policy
- Substance abuse testing is for pre-employment only
- The company makes a minimal effort to enforce policy
- Supervisors are trained in hazards of substance abuse on the job
- Specialty contractors are contractually required to conduct pre employment testing
Mediocre Program
- The company has substance abuse verbiage in its safety manual
- Drug/alcohol testing is inconsistent
- Company makes no or little effort to enforce the policy
- Subcontract language does not include compliance
Poor Performing Program
- The company has no policy regarding substance abuse testing
How many of these high-performing components do you have in your program?
How Novara Helps Construction Companies Maintain a Drug-Free Workplace
Novara is here to help you maintain a comprehensive substance abuse prevention program with our software and training.
Construction companies can manage and distribute drug and alcohol policies with Novara’s EHS software platform. Assign policies to new hires and track their acknowledgments. You can send follow-up reminders to ensure all employees comply.
Deliver training to your teams as well. Novara offers several online drug and alcohol courses, including:
- Alcohol in the Workplace (FMCSA-Compliant)
- Drugs in the Workplace (FMCSA-Compliant)
- Drug-Free Workplace Programs
- Reasonable Suspicion Testing
- Responsible Alcohol Service
Assign and track these courses using Novara’s integrated learning management system.
Use the pre-built checklist when a manager or supervisor suspects drug or alcohol use based on the physical appearance and behavior of the employee.
One-third of all incidents on construction job sites are drug- or alcohol-related. Take action now to make your job sites a safer place to work.
