ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND MEDICATION

Transcription

1 Policy ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND MEDICATION Alcohol Drugs and Medication.docx Page 1 of 5

2 KIFSA Policies and Procedures Policy and Procedure: Alcohol, Drugs and Medication File Location: Management/Policies & Procedures Relevant Forms: Code of Conduct Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol Fair Work Australia Act 2009 (Cth) Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 Date Adopted: 23 March 2015 Date of Next Review: Number of pages: 5 National Standard: 1,6 March 2017 Purpose of this Policy Alcohol, Drugs and Medication The intent of this policy is to protect and promote the health, wellbeing and safety of staff, contractors and visitors to KIFSA through the management of alcohol and other drugs. This policy sets out the principles that guide KIFSA s management of alcohol and other drugs by staff, contractors, volunteers, clients and visitors to the organisation. The Policy Whilst a KIFSA employee is caring for a client, there is a zero tolerance policy i.e. the employee is not permitted to have a blood alcohol level above 0.00 while they are supporting a client, nor are they permitted to have any illicit drugs in their system. KIFSA is committed to ensuring a safe work environment for all workers and visitors to its premises. Staff have a duty of care to clients to be drug and alcohol-free at all times they are supporting a client. Definitions: Drugs Drugs are any substance that may result in physical, psychological or behavioural changes that may cause impaired performance, and include intoxicating products, licit medication (prescribed and non-prescribed) and illicit substances. For the purpose of this policy the word drug, unless Alcohol Drugs and Medication.docx Page 2 of 5

3 otherwise stated, refers to all psychoactive (mind and/or mood altering) substances, including: illicit drugs (heroin, cocaine, etc) legal drugs (alcohol, tobacco, etc) prescription medication over the counter medication Under the influence As part of KIFSA s efforts to achieve the highest standards of safety and health, Under the influence for the purposes of this policy will be taken to mean any amount of alcohol above level of 0.00 blood alcohol level (BAC) or any amount of illegal drugs in a person s system. Procedures 1. Any staff member taking prescribed drugs (medication), which may impair their ability to carry out their work in a safe manner, e.g. antihistamines, which may cause drowsiness, must inform their supervisor before commencing work. 2. No KIFSA employee, volunteer or visitor is to consume or use alcohol and/or illegal drugs during any direct support work with any KIFSA client. 3. Where any KIFSA staff member is rostered to support a client, they must ensure that they have a blood alcohol reading that does not exceed 0.00 before they start work with the client, and at all times they are in the company of the client. Where a staff member is rostered for an early morning shift, the person needs to limit their alcohol intake the prior evening to ensure that their blood alcohol reading is not more than 0.00 by the time they start their shift. 4. Any KIFSA staff member who witnesses another staff member distributing or consuming illegal drugs will be reported immediately via an incident report to the Coordinator. The Coordinator will then alert the Manager Client Services and CEO who will take appropriate action by reporting this to the relevant authorities (e.g. the police). 5. Where a support worker witnesses a client using illicit drugs, the support worker is to advise the client that they are required to leave because they are not permitted to be in the presence of any person consuming illicit drugs. The support worker should then leave the client and immediately complete an incident report and submit to the Coordinator. 6. The consumption of alcohol at a KIFSA office is not permitted at any time unless authorised by the CEO or Board Chairperson. 7. Some clients may have written into their individualised support plans to visit bars/restaurants/events where they may intend consuming alcohol. Alcohol Drugs and Medication.docx Page 3 of 5

4 This is a legitimate goal for any person of adult age whose primary carer and/or physician has not specifically disallowed alcohol consumption for that person. The Support Worker is not permitted to also consume alcohol while they are supporting the person with the disability. Support Workers are required to support the client in adhering to responsible consumption of alcohol guidelines at all time. 8. A worker, contractor, volunteer or visitor will not be allowed to enter any area that is under the control of KIFSA, or any work environment on behalf of KIFSA, where a manager or the CEO has reason to suspect that the worker, contractor or visitor may be affected by alcohol or other drugs. 9. Where a Coordinator, Manager or the CEO has reason to suspect that a worker, contractor or volunteer may be affected by alcohol or other drugs and wishes to rule out the possibility of alcohol or other drugs being a contributing factor to a workplace incident, the manager or CEO may request that the person undertake a blood alcohol/drug test at the closest approved testing facility, prior to being allowed to commence work. KIFSA will contact the facility to book the test, and arrange immediate transport to such facility. An employee will not receive payment for the time not at work. A refusal to submit to any drug and alcohol test without strong mitigating factors will constitute grounds for disciplinary action and possible termination. 10. Where an employee fails a drug and alcohol test, the employee will be suspended for a week without pay employees with leave credits may apply for annual leave. The employee may be required to attend drug and alcohol counselling prior to returning to work. A first and final warning will be issued to the employee and a copy of this retained on the employee s personnel file. A second failed drug and alcohol test will result in instant dismissal. 11. KIFSA acknowledges that alcohol may be consumed at some events involving employees, including KIFSA-initiated functions. When attending a public function as a representative of KIFSA, employees should never consume more than two standard alcoholic drinks, and must conduct themselves responsibly and professionally. If an employee has driven to an event, the employee must not consume any alcohol. Alcohol Drugs and Medication.docx Page 4 of 5

5 12. KIFSA will not be liable for the consequences (property damage, injury etc) of any illegal or inappropriate actions of any employee, contractor or volunteer whilst he/she is affected by drugs and/or alcohol. The employee, contractor or volunteer will be held personally liable in such circumstances. Compliance Failure to comply with this policy will be viewed seriously and may result in disciplinary action that may include dismissal. Review of the Policy This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis. However, if at any time the legislative, policy or funding environment is so altered that the policy is no longer appropriate in is current form, the policy shall be reviewed immediately and amended accordingly. Alcohol Drugs and Medication.docx Page 5 of 5