Toolbox Talk: Impairment – Alcohol and other drugs

Drinking and drug taking while at work covers any instance that impacts negatively on the workplace, even if it happens outside work hours and away from work.

Introduction

Many work situations involved high risk activities, to work safely all works must be physically and mentally alert.

It is a proven fact that any alcohol consumed has some effect. Drinking and drug taking while at work covers any instance that impacts negatively on the workplace, even if it happens outside work hours and away from work, e.g., if a person turns up to work after an evening of drinking and is unable to function properly, having slower reaction times and impaired decision making.

Impairment by alcohol, drugs or other substances

A person must not enter or remain at the workplace while the person's ability to work is affected by alcohol, drugs or other substances to ensure they do not endanger themselves or anyone else.

Fellow workers must ensure that the worker has the ability to work without risk to his or her health and safety, or to the health and safety of any other person and is not impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Alcohol and other drugs (AOD) policy

Having an AOD policy on site protects everyone. We are all here to look out for and support each other.

Take this opportunity to go through your organisation's AOD policy with your teams, hand out a copy, or explain where to find a copy. Reinforce to everyone that the policy is about:

Minimising harm associated with AOD use.
Helping workers who may have a problem with AOD.
Giving workers the information they need to take the right actions with anyone affected by AOD.
Promoting a sensible and responsible attitude.

It's really important to go through the following parts of your policy well:

Why the policy is important to your organisation.
Who is responsible for what – workers’ roles, supervisors’ roles and managers’ roles.
What, if any, testing the organisation carries out - i.e. random. pre-employment.
Where they can find tools to help themselves, such as drink check self-assessments.
The availability of help for people with AOD issues, such as EAP. the Alcohol and Drug Helpline or other providers.
The consequences of disregarding the AOD policy.

Reinforce these 3 key messages:

No Drugs and alcohol on site

Your policy will outline what is acceptable on site. While working, drugs and alcohol is a big NO. Not only does it impair workers, but it can also have devastating health and safety consequences.

The AOD policy is about supporting the prevention of harm in the workplace with a focus on education, training and rehabilitation if required. The AOD policy does not simply mean stopping work, banning alcohol from the workplace. or suggestion staff abstain in their lives beyond work.

I'm fit and ready for work

Being alert and physically ready for work in a high-risk industry is crucial. Turning up to work tired, hungover or stoned reduces a person's ability to perform work safely and effectively in a demanding job. It can also put your colleagues and everyone else on site at risk.

We look out for each other

Making sure you don't harm yourself or your workmates.
Helping colleagues who may have a problem.
Giving colleagues the support they require to do the right thing when someone may be having problems with AOD.
Promoting a sensible and responsible attitude to AOD use.

Q and A

Here are some questions to have a think about:

Have they seen any impacts of alcohol and drugs in the workplace? E.g., injuries, lateness, decreased, performance, etc.
How many times have you come to work still feeling the effects of AOD from the night before?
When was the last time you had an alcohol-free day?
Are your workmates turning up to work glassy-eyed or still smelling of alcohol?
Does the drug prescribed by a doctor affect your ability to work safely? Check with your doctor.

If you want to make changes to your behaviour around alcohol, you can talk to a site manager about getting support. They are there to help keep you and everyone else at work safe.