If you’re concerned about the impact of drugs and alcohol in your Tasmanian workplace, the first step in taking control is to develop a drug and alcohol policy.
According to WorkSafe Tasmania, a policy can help your business manage the hazards associated with drugs and alcohol in your workplace. However, for many businesses, creating a drug and alcohol policy can be confusing.
Here are some tips from WorkSafe Tasmania to develop a drug and alcohol policy:
- The key things your policy should cover include your commitment that drugs or alcohol are not allowed in your workplace (barring medication for genuine reasons), the ways you will reduce or eliminate drugs and alcohol, and the procedures and consequences if someone is caught with drugs or alcohol or suspected of being under the influence.
- Don’t just create a policy. Enforce it, fairly and consistently.
- Provide regular awareness about the policy so that everyone understands their responsibilities.
- Your policy should include information on the dangers of drugs and alcohol in the workplace. While safety is the main concern, inappropriate use of drugs or alcohol can also lead to damage to equipment, absenteeism and reduced productivity.
- There are potential legal ramifications for not managing drugs and alcohol in the workplace, as both employers and workers have responsibilities under workplace health and safety laws.
- For employers, this includes the development of policies. You must also be identifying if people are coming to work under the influence (e.g. by conducting drug and alcohol testing).
- For employees and other workers, there are potential legal consequences if they consume alcohol or drugs at work, or if they come to work under the influence.
- It’s not just about policies, drug and alcohol testing and education. Support is also important. If a worker has an issue with drugs or alcohol, act confidentially and be supportive. Provide assistance if possible through an employee assistance program, their own doctor or specialist external services.
Developing a robust drug and alcohol policy may be the first step but it’s not the only thing you should be doing. As highlighted above, education and support are also important.
So too, for some workplaces, is drug and alcohol testing. Testing is the only way to be sure whether someone is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Get help with Integrity
If you need further help, developing your drug and alcohol policy or educating your workforce, help is at hand. Integrity Sampling can help your Tasmanian workplace reduce the risks associated with drugs and alcohol. We can also conduct drug and alcohol testing in your workplace.
Give us a call on 1300 725 482 to discuss your needs today.
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While it’s not the only thing you will need to do, a policy is your first step when taking control of drugs and alcohol in your workplace.
