COMPANIES need to ask themselves a series of ‘what ifs’ when writing their workplace drug and alcohol policy for drivers.

These range from how to avoid accidentally drink-driving the morning after company events to how to handle company car-driving employees with a serious drink problem.

Roger Singer, consultant at risk management firm Avoidd, warned that ‘morning after’ drink-drivers accounted for one-fifth of motorists who came through the company’s drink-driving course. Firms also need to consider how to handle the relatively modern phenomenon of drug-driving staff, he claimed.

Singer pointed out that even cold remedies could impair an employee’s ability to drive.

He said: ‘Often many people take more than the recommended dose, which could have an impact on their driving abilities.’

He added that a credit card-sized card containing the company’s policy should be given to all drivers, to show to pharmacists to check whether they are safe to drive after taking any prescribed medicines.