Ignoring Substance Abuse on the Jobsite or Normalization of Deviance

By: Julian Toy, H.S.C. Substance Abuse Professional, Member of The Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals

OGCA Special Article

There is a long history of serious problems being ignored or overlooked by organizations.

The American sociologist Diane Vaughan coined the term “Normalization of Deviance” to describe this. She was involved in explaining the social causes of both the Space Shuttle Columbia and Challenger disasters. In both cases, NASA administration had explicit knowledge of problems which could destroy both orbiters which was then ignored or seen as normal because a disaster had not happened yet.

This ended up costing the lives of 14 astronauts and well over 4 billion dollars in equipment loss and investigation expenses.

In the ICI sector, there is no question there is greater awareness of Substance Abuse and how deadly and costly it can be.

One reason for this is the Ontario Court of Appeal decision in the R. v. Metron case. On Christmas Eve 2009, three workers and a site supervisor, employed by Metron Construction Corporation, plunged to their deaths from an overloaded and untested swing stage.

Tests revealed three of the four deceased, including the site supervisor, were impaired by marijuana at the time. Metron plead guilty to criminal negligence causing death, in part because the supervisor had allowed workers to be impaired on site and was fined $200,000 dollars. The Crown appealed this sentence and the fine was raised to $1,000,000 dollars.

I have spoken to quite a few different companies in the ICI sector who do not have a compliant Drug and Alcohol/Fit for Duty policy and have not done any Substance Abuse training of supervisors or employees.

I’ve been told on more than one occasion the reason for this is concern over the loss of workers on the site due to them needing to attend treatment or get into Recovery. These companies are aware of a problem – a large one likely based on concerns they will have a shortage of workers if Substance Abuse were to be properly addressed.

I think the biggest reason some companies remain comfortable with this position is the same as NASA’s - that nothing has happened to them yet.

With impaired workers on site, I’m certain an accident will occur. I just can’t say when.

Awareness of Substance Abuse on the jobsite will not prevent deaths, injuries, imprisonment, property damage and fines unless it is followed by specific actions.

1. Have a compliant Drug and Alcohol/Fit for Duty policy.
2. Train supervisors and workers on Substance Abuse specific to their positions.

I was hired by a company many years ago to train their employees and supervisors on Substance Abuse prevention and intervention. During the training I found out why I was hired. One of the company’s employees had walked off of a raised platform and fell to their death. During the court case, the company found out the employee had taken marijuana just prior to their fall.

It is my sincere hope that I am never hired by a company in the future for this reason.

In my next article, I will discuss some effects of easing COVID 19 containment measures on Mental Health.

If you have questions, need training or literature please contact Julian directly:

Direct Line: 905-866-7301
E-Mail: juliantoy@myaddictionexperts.com
Web: www.myaddictionexperts.com
Services: Fit for Duty/Drug and Alcohol training, COVID 19 Mental Health Training, Fit for Duty/Drug and Alcohol policy development, Defensible Documentation Training and employee Substance Abuse Assessments.
Literature: “Optimizing Mental Health during COVID 19” E-Booklet.
Preferred provider of Fit for Duty/Drug and Alcohol training and COVID 19 Mental Health Training - Eastern Construction Ltd.