Alcohol and Drugs Human reaction time to the unexpected is about one second. Fatigue, medicine, alcohol and preoccupation affect reaction time. Reaction time may be lengthened in a panic situation. Keeping alcohol free and drug free will help to make a safer working environment. Smoking reduces work capacity as much as 10 percent because of carbon monoxide in the smoker's blood.
Tobacco smoke contains up to four percent carbon monoxide.
Blood absorbs carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide has a greater attraction to the hemoglobin of blood than oxygen does. It remains in the blood during respiration. Blood carrying carbon monoxide can't be used for respiration. A smoker becomes short-winded and has reduced work capacity, especially right after smoking, because of the decrea ed oxygen carrying capacity.