July 18, 2025

Workplaces and Substance Use: Forestry Industry

  • Workplace

Read this research brief

About this research brief

Provides key context, data, and recommendations on improving the substance use health of employees for employers and other partners (e.g., unions, associations, health professionals) in the forestry industry, based on input from the focus group study with workers from the forestry industry. This brief is part of the Workplaces and Substance Use series.

Three key points of interest you will find in the document:

  • About 5 in 10 (49%) forestry workers and managers in safety-sensitive positions, and 1 in 10 (11%) forestry workers and managers in non-safety-sensitive positions reported consuming alcohol or other drugs within two hours before or during work, or being hungover, intoxicated or feeling high while at work.
  • About 1 in 4 forestry workers and managers thought it was generally acceptable in their work culture to consume alcohol (24%) or cannabis (25%) before or during work.
  • Additionally, about 3 in 10 (26%) forestry participants thought that substance use was an issue in their workplace.