Looking to Keep Your Ohio Business Insurance Premiums Down? Keep Your Company Drug and Alcohol Free

One of the biggest risks of running a business is that an employee could be involved in a workplace accident. Even if you’ve implemented the strictest occupational health and safety guidelines, accidents can still occur. Drug or alcohol affected employees can be particularly at risk of sustaining an injury so ensuring that your workplace is a drug and alcohol free environment could help reduce the risk of a claim. Keeping claims of any nature to a minimum can, in the long term, save you money on your Ohio business insurance and workers compensation coverage.

According to a 2010 study conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 8.4 per cent of full-time workers over the age of 18 used illicit drugs, while 11.2 per cent of part-time workers did. That’s quite a big risk.

Just like driving under the influence, working while intoxicated is extremely dangerous. Workers impaired by illicit substances are putting their own safety, their colleagues’ safety and the general public at risk. SAMHSA figures suggest that those working while intoxicated are more than three times more likely to be involved in a workplace accident and five times more likely to make a workers’ compensation claim.

Several Ohio business insurance companies provide premium discounts for employers who make their workplace a drug and alcohol free environment. Speak to your insurance agent to find out if your business qualifies and what programs you have to participate in or implement to be considered a drug free zone. Running a substance-free workplace won’t just save you money on insurance costs - it will also limit your risk of having unproductive and unreliable staff, absenteeism and personal injury.

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