• Latest
  • Trending

FASD – a problem that employers can help to address in the workplace

September 8, 2015
AR Controls Well Positioned to Ride Copper, Cobalt and Nickel Wave in Africa and South America

AR Controls Well Positioned to Ride Copper, Cobalt and Nickel Wave in Africa and South America

July 6, 2022
Weir Minerals Africa has Big Plans for Electra Mining

Weir Minerals Africa has Big Plans for Electra Mining

July 6, 2022
Zest WEG Poised For African Growth

Zest WEG Poised For African Growth

July 5, 2022
Trafo’s Flexibility on Show at Electra Mining

Trafo’s Flexibility on Show at Electra Mining

July 5, 2022
Zijin Joins Hands with MTN and Huawei to Build Southern Africa Region’s First 5G-enabled Metal Mine

Zijin Joins Hands with MTN and Huawei to Build Southern Africa Region’s First 5G-enabled Metal Mine

July 4, 2022
DHL Global Forwarding Appoints New CEO & Vice President to Drive Innovation in Middle East & Africa

DHL Global Forwarding Appoints New CEO & Vice President to Drive Innovation in Middle East & Africa

July 4, 2022
President Masisi of Botswana visits Antwerp Diamond Industry

President Masisi of Botswana visits Antwerp Diamond Industry

July 1, 2022
Dealing with Fire Risk in a Mining Environment

Dealing with Fire Risk in a Mining Environment

July 1, 2022
The Changing Role of Surveillance in Mining

The Changing Role of Surveillance in Mining

June 30, 2022
ELB Equipment New Range of Powerscreen Mobile Conveyors

ELB Equipment New Range of Powerscreen Mobile Conveyors

June 30, 2022
South Deep mine’s latest results show a sustained improvement in its turnaround

How Mining Ongoing Culture Challenge Affects Output

June 28, 2022
SA’s mining future rests on exploration turnaround

SA’s mining future rests on exploration turnaround

June 28, 2022
Africa Mining Brief
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Home
  • News
  • Events
  • Industry
  • People
  • Projects
  • Press Releases
MAGAZINE ARCHIVE
ADVERTISE
  • Home
  • News
  • Events
  • Industry
  • People
  • Projects
  • Press Releases
No Result
View All Result
Africa Mining Brief
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Events
  • Industry
  • People
  • Projects
  • Press Releases
Home ALCO-Safe

FASD – a problem that employers can help to address in the workplace

Newton Mthethwa by Newton Mthethwa
September 8, 2015
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0

 Rhys Evans, Director of ALCO-Safe

RELATED POSTS

Prevent Accidents With Full Lockout/Tagout Solution From Brady!

Science of Safety is Key to Mining’s Social Licence to Operate

Foundamentality and IsoMetrix Renew Partnership

Global health organisations warn of the dangers of alcohol abuse during pregnancy, as drinking can cause a wide range of health problems that may continue well into adulthood. Despite doctor recommendations to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy, however, in South Africa drinking during pregnancy remains a problem. Employers can help to curb FASD by implementing comprehensive and holistic alcohol abuse programmes within their organisations, with a combination of effective education and strict policies, backed up by periodic testing for alcohol consumption.

 In fact, statistics estimate that nearly one million adults and children suffer the on-going effects of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The most well known of these is Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a term that covers a range of issues, all of which are characterised by numerous behavioural and developmental problems. FASD is a lifelong illness, but is one that is entirely preventable by limiting or eliminating alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Many women in South Africa are unaware of the ill effects that their drinking has on their baby as a result of lack of education.

 FASD is most frequently the result of heavy drinking or binge drinking every day throughout pregnancy, which is sadly a reality for many of those addicted to alcohol. The condition often produces infants with mental deficiencies as well as physical deformities, in particular of the head, face, limbs, heart and central nervous system. Even if a physical deformity is not evident, babies with FASD are likely to have problems in later life including vision, learning, behavioural and social issues.

 In addition, it has been observed that sufferers of FASD generally lack the ability to make sound judgements, and they are more likely to suffer from mental disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression and anxiety. Further to this, FASD sufferers are more likely to develop a drinking problem of their own, perpetuating the cycle.

 In South Africa, the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR) has reported a steady increase in the occurrence of FASD in school-entry children. The 2001 prevalence rates indicated an alarming frequency of FAS at 8.8% in the Western Cape. Other studies in Gauteng have reported a commonness of 2.2% in Soweto, 1.2% in Lenasia and 3.7% in Westbury. Recent research also completed by the FARR in the Northern Cape revealed an increase of 10.2% in this area. FASD is clearly a significant problem, caused entirely by the abuse of alcohol, which effects on average one in every 50 South Africans.

 Although alcohol abuse is often regarded as a social issue, the problem goes much further than this, having an on-going negative economic impact. It also affects employers of alcoholics, resulting in lack of productivity, potential health and safety violations, increased number of sick days and more. When adding pregnancy to the mix, and considering the dire consequences of drinking throughout a pregnancy, companies need to increase their efforts to assist to reduce these incidents.

ADVERTISEMENT

 This requires first and foremost for employers to implement comprehensive education programmes around the dangers of alcohol abuse, particularly while pregnant. In addition, policies should be implemented to ensure that employees are sober during working hours, and come to work sober. This not only helps to curb excessive consumption, it also makes the workplace safer for all employees, including pregnant women. These policies should be backed and enforced by regular testing for alcohol consumption using breathalyser equipment.

 The effects of FASD are permanent and affect sufferers their entire lives, while also having a negative impact on the economy and communities. This entirely preventable condition can only be curbed by reducing maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and employees can play a significant role in this. Through education and comprehensive policies backed by regular testing, alcohol abuse in the workplace and at home can be significantly reduced. There are a variety of solutions available to suit a variety of needs that can curb alcohol use in the workplace and deliver significant benefits where the health of female employees is a crucial consideration.

 

 

ShareTweetPin
Newton Mthethwa

Newton Mthethwa

Related Posts

Company Profiles

Prevent Accidents With Full Lockout/Tagout Solution From Brady!

October 2, 2019
Science of Safety is Key to Mining’s Social Licence to Operate
Occupational Health and Safety

Science of Safety is Key to Mining’s Social Licence to Operate

January 31, 2019
Company Profiles

Foundamentality and IsoMetrix Renew Partnership

January 29, 2019
Company Profiles

AECOM Appoints New Water Business Line Lead for Africa

September 19, 2018
Company Profiles

Sensor-Based Sorting And Dredging Integration

September 17, 2018
Company Profiles

Ashanti Gold Corp recruits John Robins as a strategic advisor

April 4, 2018
Next Post

TORRE INDUSTRIES RENOWNED BRANDS SHOWCASED AT BAUMA

Zimbabwe Mining & Tax Law 2015

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

April – June 2022 Magazine

AR Controls Well Positioned to Ride Copper, Cobalt and Nickel Wave in Africa and South America
Press Releases

AR Controls Well Positioned to Ride Copper, Cobalt and Nickel Wave in Africa and South America

by Dennis Ayemba
July 6, 2022
Weir Minerals Africa has Big Plans for Electra Mining
Press Releases

Weir Minerals Africa has Big Plans for Electra Mining

by Dennis Ayemba
July 6, 2022
Zest WEG Poised For African Growth
Press Releases

Zest WEG Poised For African Growth

by Dennis Ayemba
July 5, 2022
Trafo’s Flexibility on Show at Electra Mining
Press Releases

Trafo’s Flexibility on Show at Electra Mining

by Dennis Ayemba
July 5, 2022
Zijin Joins Hands with MTN and Huawei to Build Southern Africa Region’s First 5G-enabled Metal Mine
Mining News

Zijin Joins Hands with MTN and Huawei to Build Southern Africa Region’s First 5G-enabled Metal Mine

by Dennis Ayemba
July 4, 2022
Africa Mining Brief

© 2021 African Mining Brief - Powered By Clivo.

Navigate

  • About AMB
  • Advertise
  • Announcement
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Events
  • Industry
  • People
  • Projects
  • Press Releases

© 2021 African Mining Brief - Powered By Clivo.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In