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13.1 How can drugs and alcohol cause health and safety risks?

13.1.1

A worker's fitness to work can be affected by medication, drugs, and alcohol. This can create a risk to their health and safety and the safety of those around them.

13.1.2

Do not allow workers to work if they are affected by:

  • alcohol or illegal drugs
  • prescription or over-the-counter medication.

13.1.3

You must engage with your workers when making decisions about ways to eliminate or minimise work risks and when proposing changes that may affect their health or safety.

13.2 What are possible control measures?

13.2.1

Table 12 explains possible control measures to take.

Possible control measure Examples
Put a drugs and alcohol policy in place
  • With workers, establish a drug and alcohol policy which includes strategies to deal with illegal drugs and prescription/over-the-counter medications, and alcohol use during work hours.
  • Make sure the drug and alcohol policy contains the position on the consumption of alcohol or drugs on site:
    • what action will be taken if a worker is suspected of being affected by drugs or alcohol while at work
    • what the drug testing regime is.
  • Consider supporting workers who want to seek help for drug or alcohol problems.
Include your alcohol and drug policy including drug testing in inductions and training
  • Make sure all workers understand the policy.
  • Regularly remind workers of the policy during team meetings.

Table 12: Possible control measures to manage the risks from drugs and alcohol

13.3 More information

13.3.1

For more information, see Resources webpage

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