• Section 1 - Purpose of Policy
• Section 2 - Application and Scope
• Section 3 - Policy Principles
• Section 4 - Policy Requirements
• Section 5 - Impairment Related to Drug and Alcohol Use
• Section 6 -  Testing
• Section 7 - Breaches of this Policy
• Section 8 - Information and Assistance
• Section 9 - Policy Review
• Section 10 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Section 11 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose of Policy

(1) The purpose of this Policy is to:

1. assist the University fulfil its obligations and duty of care to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all workers, students and visitors in the workplace;
2. assist workers, students and visitors to fulfil their responsibility to take reasonable care for themselves and others in the workplace;
3. preserve the reputation of the University in the community;
4. promote awareness of personal safety and security in relation to alcohol and drug consumption;
5. minimise the University's exposure to legal action arising out of the abuse or inappropriate use of alcohol and prohibited drugs;
6. ensure that individuals preserve the dignity and professionalism expected of them by students, co-workers and the community;
7. provide University workers, students and visitors with adequate information about the ways in which drugs and alcohol can impair safe and competent performance of work and the consequences of their inappropriate use; and
8. provide guidelines to workers who are in a supervisory role in relation to managing alcohol and drug problems in the workplace.

Section 2 - Application and Scope

(2) This policy applies to all University related work, coursework or research undertaken by University workers, students and visitors whether on or off campus.

(3) The Guidelines on the Use and Management of Alcohol at University Functions must also be considered in conjunction with this Policy.

Section 3 - Policy Principles

(4) Being affected by alcohol or drugs at work, particularly in high-risk environments, can seriously compromise the health, safety and welfare of workers, students and others in the workplace. It also may impair an individual's ability to perform their work competently and professionally.

(5) Inappropriate or unlawful conduct arising out of alcohol or drug use may expose the University to legal liability in some circumstances.

Section 4 - Policy Requirements

(6) Workers, students and visitors must not possess, distribute, sell or consume prohibited drugs in the workplace.

(7) Workers, students and visitors must not consume alcohol, medically prescribed drugs or over the counter drugs while at work, coursework or research, other than in accordance with this policy.

(8) Workers, students and visitors must not be impaired in their ability to perform their duties safely, competently and/or professionally by alcohol or drugs including medically prescribed or over the counter drugs.  Unless specified, a BAC of 0.05 will be considered a breach of this requirement

(9) The following University activities or locations have been determined as high risk and as such workers, students or visitors must not consume or be impaired by alcohol and/or drugs (i.e. their BAC is required to be 0.00):

1. While operating or driving any mobile equipment on campus grounds in the course of undertaking their work, coursework or research.  This includes private or commercial vehicles, lawn mowers, excavation equipment, forklifts, tractors and the like. This does not include driving for personal reasons such as to and from work. The Australian Road Rules apply in these instances.
2. Working in confined spaces, laboratories, workshops or at height which includes rooftops (unless they have been assessed as low risk in accordance WHS Risk Management Guidelines).
3. Undertaking medium to high levels of physical exertion during work, coursework or research, whether for short or long duration.
4. During the use or handling of medium or high-risk substances, (such as dangerous goods, hazardous chemicals, genetically modified organisms, bio-hazardous or radioactive substances).
5. Providing first aid or other emergency roles such as Emergency Coordinator or Building Warden. Therefore, any worker who is receiving a first aid allowance is not permitted to drink alcohol while on duty.
6. Operating equipment or handheld power tools.
7. Performing any construction work including any licensed work e. plumbing, electrical tasks.
8. Any other activity which has been determined as high risk upon completion of a risk assessment in accordance with the WHS Risk Management Guidelines.

(10) Workers, students or visitors should seek advice from their medical practitioner or pharmacist in regard to information on the possible effects of taking medically prescribed drugs or over the counter drugs. A risk assessment is to be completed in accordance with the WHS Risk Management Guidelines where a person’s ability to perform the requirements of their work is impaired.

(11) Workers, students and visitors must not possess, distribute, sell or consume prohibited drugs in the workplace.

(12) Assistance and support will be offered to workers where there is a perceived or identified substance abuse or dependency problem via the University’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Section 5 - Impairment Related to Drug and Alcohol Use

(13) The following actions must be taken if a worker, student or visitor, appears to be intoxicated or impaired to undertake their duties safely or adequately, or behaves in a manner which may cause harm to themselves or to others.

(14) The relevant Supervisor or Security is to be informed and actions required to make the workplace safe undertaken as reasonably practicable.

(15) In the case of suspected impairment, the person’s Supervisor will discuss the observed impairment with the worker at the earliest opportunity.  This should include outlining the behaviours that have been observed and asking if there is a reason for this. Mitigating factors provided by the worker which may be provided by the person.  This may include but not limited to:

1. unexpected impairment from prescription or over the counter medication
2. side effects from medical treatment or an illness or injury
3. impairment from fatigue due to a personal trauma, sleep deprivation or other issue, or
4. any similar factor that may cause impairment but is not the result of alcohol or other drug consumption.

(16) The Supervisor of the worker must submit a SafetyNet report pertaining to their observations regarding the impairment and inform the Chief People and Culture Officer if a worker, or appropriate Executive Dean if a student, including any mitigation factors that have been identified with the person.

Section 6 -  Testing

(17) In the case of a worker, the Chief People and Culture Officer, or delegate will make an assessment on information provided by the supervisor to determine whether the worker will be directed to undergo drug and/or alcohol testing at the earliest opportunity. 

(18) Testing will be organised and paid for by the University.

(19) Testing will be conducted by a qualified medical practitioner at a nearby test facility and follow the relevant Australian Standard. Test samples will be handled and disposed of in line with the facility’s procedures.  

(20) The worker may have a support person attend the test facility with them.

(21) Transportation will be provided. The worker must not drive to the test facility.

(22) If the worker provides a negative test result, or a result lower than the acceptable levels identified in this policy, the person will be permitted to recommence or resume their normal duties.

(23) If the worker provides a positive test result or a result higher than the acceptable levels identified in this policy, they will be deemed unfit to work and arrangements will be made to transport the worker home. The worker will then be required to submit for a further test at the first available opportunity on the next working day before being able to resume their normal duties.  The worker will be required to take leave until they are deemed fit for work.

(24) If the worker refuses to undertake testing as directed this will have the same consequence as a positive result, i.e., the worker will be deemed to be under the influence of drugs/alcohol.

Section 7 - Breaches of this Policy

(25) The University views any breach of this policy as extremely serious. Depending on the severity of the breach, a worker, student or visitor may face disciplinary action in accordance with the University's disciplinary procedures, which may include a warning, final warning or dismissal.

(26) Where appropriate, the University may recommend or direct a worker, student or visitor to attend internal or external drug and alcohol counselling.

Section 8 - Information and Assistance

(27) The University is committed to providing information to workers and as such, education forms a key part of the implementation phase of this Policy. Information on alcohol and prohibited drugs is available via the EAP website or upon request to the WHS Unit.

(28) The University will support any worker requiring assistance with drugs or alcohol related issues via the EAP, which includes confidential counselling services at no cost. For further information on the EAP contact one of the P&C Business Partners via telephone on 02 4221 5902, Manager WHS on 4221 3204 or self-refer on 1300 361 008.

Section 9 - Policy Review

(29) This Policy will be reviewed as required or at least every 5 years.

Section 10 - Roles and Responsibilities

(30) Executive Deans and Directors are responsible for:

1. the implementation of this Policy in their area;
2. compliance with the Guidelines on the Use and Management of Alcohol at University Functions

(31) Heads of School, Managers and Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that this Policy is implemented and communicated to their workers, students and visitors. This includes ensuring that:

1. all workers, students and visitors in their units are made aware of the Policy;
2. risk assessments are undertaken on work tasks in consultation with workers and students as per the WHS Risk Management Guidelines;
3. any concerns or issues are addressed proactively and expediently to ensure health and safety of all workers, students and visitors;
4. any suspected breaches of this Policy are reported to the Senior Manager, Wellbeing, Health and Safety and to seek advice on management of that specific case;
5. the Guidelines on the Use and Management of Alcohol at University Functions are implemented;
6. any necessary action is taken under the Student Conduct Rules in relation to student consumption of drugs or alcohol in a manner contrary to this Policy.

(32) All workers, students and visitors must fulfil their responsibilities and obligations as outlined in this Policy. This includes:

1. observing all directions from their supervisor in regards to this Policy;
2. notifying their supervisor if they have a concern, or believe they or a co-worker presents a threat to the health and safety of themselves or others;
3. notifying their supervisor where their work performance could be affected by alcohol or drugs and to implement appropriate risk control measures;
4. not undertaking duties if their ability to perform their duties safely, competently and/or professionally is impaired by alcohol or drugs;
5. not consuming alcohol while on duty, other than in accordance with this Policy;
6. not possessing, distributing or otherwise consuming any prohibited drugs while on duty or on University premises;
7. compliance with the Guidelines on the Use and Management of Alcohol at University Functions.

(33) The WHS Committee will be considered the main forum for consultation with workers and students on this Policy.

Section 11 - Definitions