TOOL BOX TALKS Drugs and Alcohol

WHS Legislation Section 19 requires an employer to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of workers and others in the workplace. All places where work is undertaken by a worker is regarded as the workplace Section 28 of the WHS Act 2012 places a legal obligations on all workers to ensure their own health and safety and the health and safety of others whilst at work.

Organisational commitment to safe and healthy workplace Management commitment Responsibilities of employees and others Concerns for health and safety of workers and participants

Effects of drugs and alcohol Impaired coordination Impaired judgement Impaired intellectual capacity and ability to act quickly Blurred vision Impaired problem solving ability Trouble concentrating Move and think more slowly Impaired ability to relate with others

Facts and Myths Eating whilst drinking alcohol will slow down the time required to reach maximum intoxication but not the level of intoxication The liver metabolises 95% of ingested alcohol thus eliminating it from the body The metabolism rate is set by the weight, age, level of fitness of the individual A person eliminates between 7ml and 12ml of alcohol from the body per hour – average of 9.5ml/hr. Even for chronic users with higher tolerance levels functional impairment will still be present.

Personal and lifestyle stresses that contribute to drug/alcohol problems Marital or personal relationship problems Grief and bereavement Trauma or stress Health issues or concerns Gambling or financial problems Habituation or addiction

Employee Assistance Program Counselling service with expertise with drug/alcohol problems Confidential service Free of charge for ? Sessions Referral procedure Contact phone number ………… Sick leave provisions for users of service

Company Policy Provisions Acceptable/not acceptable behaviour Reporting Observed Impairments Managers/supervisors’ responsibilities Counselling/Disciplinary Procedure Testing practices if applicable Privacy