Download TOOL BOX TALKS

TOOL BOX TALKS
Dugs and Alcohol
OHS Legislation
• Sections 8 (1&2) requires an employer to
ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of
employees and others in the workplace.
All places where work is undertaken by
staff is regarded as the workplace
• Section 20 of the OHS Act 2000 places a
legal obligation on all employees to ensure
the health and safety of others whilst at
work.
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 still present.
Personal and lifestyle stresses that
contribute to drug/alcohol problems
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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
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Acceptable/not acceptable behaviour
Reporting Observed Impairments
Managers/supervisors’ responsibilities
Counselling/Disciplinary Procedure
Testing practices if applicable
Privacy