vii) Safeguards in relation to use of medications

vii) Safeguards in relation to use of medications

Another issue that may be addressed is the management of workers impaired by medication,
including prescription and over-the-counter (non-prescription) medication such as cough medicines
purchased at a pharmacy.
This issue may be addressed in the policy on alcohol and other drugs or could be considered
separately.
A number of steps may be taken to minimise the risk of injury or harm caused by medication use:
• if a worker's ability to work safely may be impaired as a result of medication, the worker should
inform the employer, supervisor or, where they exist, their safety and health representative of
the effects of the medication. It is not necessary for the worker to disclose the illness for which
they are taking medication;
• it may also be appropriate for the worker to provide some means of verification as to the sideeffects
of the medication, such as a medical certificate, especially if medication is to be taken
over an extended period of time;
• it should also be noted that, where a company nurse or doctor issues medication at work,
including non-prescription, the potential impairment resulting from either the injury or illness or
the medication must be assessed when determining if that worker should be returned to usual
duties at that time;
• if a worker can perform their usual work duties safely, depending on the situation, an
appropriate person should be assigned the task of monitoring their safety performance; and
• if a worker is unable to perform their usual work tasks safely, the worker should not be
assigned them. Where practicable, a worker should be given reasonable alternative work until
consumption of the medication ceases.