Information, education and training at the workplace

Information, education and training at the workplace

One important strategy for preventing problems is to provide information, education and training
to all people at the workplace about the effects of alcohol and other drugs and their risks to safety
and health, and the alcohol and other drugs policy and supporting procedures if developed.
Providing information about alcohol and other drugs also contributes towards developing a
workplace culture where workers are aware of the potential risks to safety and health and are
prepared to encourage each other to work safely.
For sources of information:
• see Appendix 3 for information on alcohol and other drugs and Appendix 1 for organisations to
contact, in particular the Alcohol and Drug Information Service; and
• see Appendix 2 for places where information, treatment and referral may be obtained.
Education may also be presented in the form of posters, leaflets, general health information,
meetings, newsletters or magazines, or through safety and health or medical personnel.
Workers should make themselves aware of any assistance available at the workplace or of support
offered by external agencies. If a worker believes their safety or health is impaired by alcohol and/
or other drugs, the worker should seek assistance through recognised treatment.
Holding information sessions on the operation of any alcohol and other drugs policy provides a
useful forum for people at the workplace to familiarise themselves with and have queries answered
about alcohol and other drugs related safety and health issues.
Information and education are key parts of any alcohol and other drugs policy and, to be effective,
they should be clearly and transparently supported by management.
Issues to consider addressing in training programs include:
• why there is a workplace alcohol and other drugs policy and supporting procedures and the
rationale for their implementation;
• how the workplace policy defines acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in relation to alcohol
and other drug use;

• the effects of alcohol and other drugs on safety and health and work performance. In some
instances, this might include the impact of late night drinking and/or drug taking (see the
information in Appendix 3 or contact one of the organisations listed in Appendix 1, in particular
the Alcohol and Drug Information Service);
• specific safety and health hazards and risks that could arise at the particular workplace (see
sections 2.1 and 2.2);
• relevant occupational safety and health and other legislation regarding drug use (see section 1);
• an outline of workers’ responsibility to ensure their own safety and health at work and not affect
that of others at the workplace (see section 1.1);
• what will happens if certain situations arise in relation to alcohol and other drugs usage, for
example dealing with a worker impaired by alcohol and/or other drugs;

• workplace procedures for referral of workers to internal and external services;
• where assistance may be obtained at the workplace or from external agencies, if there is an
alcohol and/or other drugs problem; and
• training of supervisors, managers at all levels and elected safety and health representatives,
where they exist, as all have a role in preventing alcohol and other drugs safety and health
problems and implementing policies and supporting procedures. An issue to consider is training
these people on how to enforce the alcohol and other drugs policy while ensuring their own
safety.
See also the guidance in the next section on training people who will be required to do the
identification.