Everyone has a duty of care while in the workplace for their own safety and that of those around them. There is no direct law that can incriminate workers in Australia for being under the influence of alcohol or drugs while at work but alternate methods can be used to stop such behaviour.
It is well know that when someone is under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs within a working environment they instantly become a health and safety issue for themselves and everyone around them. Being under the influence changes the natural mechanics of your brain, making you act and behave in ways you may have not acted otherwise. Having a boost in confidence or the opposite; becoming sluggish and paying less attention to your surroundings can end in catastrophic outcomes.
Below are a few key Australian facts relating to workers being under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Key Messages
- People in the workforce are more likely to have consumed alcohol or illicit drugs in the past 12 months than people who are not in the workforce.
- Contrary to popular opinion, the greater costs to employers do not arise through the behaviour and habits of alcohol and drug dependent workers, but through the greater number of moderate drinkers when they occasionally or infrequently drink to excess or infrequently use illicit drugs.
- The impairment that comes from both acute and chronic symptoms of alcohol and illicit drug use could lead to health and safety issues for both the workers who consumed these products and other people they work with.
- Considering the length of time that people spend at work, the workplace is ideally situated to change attitudes and behaviour in regards to alcohol and other drug use.
- A workplace policy on alcohol and drug use should be developed in consultation with all members of the workplace, applied equally to all levels, clearly stating what is acceptable behaviour and the consequences of any unacceptable behaviour and be clearly communicated to all members of the workforce.
Below is a table showing the number of standard drinks of alcohol for risk of short and long term harms for males and females.
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risk Low risk Risky High On any one day |
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Males
Females
|
Up to 6 No more than 3 days Per week up to 4 No more than 3 days Per week |
7 to 10
5 to 6 |
11 or more
7 or more |
For risk of harm in the long term
|
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risk Low risk Risky High On any one day |
|||
Males Females |
Up to 4 Up to 2 |
5 to 6 3 to 4 |
7 or more 5 of more
|
Overall weekly level |
|||
Males Females |
Up to 28 Up to 14 |
29 to 42 15to 28
|
43 or more 29 or more |
SafetyFirst support The Building Trades Group Drug & Alcohol Program. They have a great website that contains information on policies and guidelines, training and education, HIV/AIDS and general information for workers in the construction industry.
Website - The Building Trades Group Drug & Alcohol Program
Alcohol and the Body - Australian Drug Foundation
Dangerous drugs in the workplace - an educational video showing the dangers of being under the influence of drugs and alcohol at work.
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