Safety briefing - drugs and alcohol

This briefing addresses the key risks associated with and control measures required for the management of drugs and alcohol.

What’s covered?

The aim of this Safety Briefing - Drugs and Alcohol is to ensure that all staff are fully aware of the potential risks associated with drugs and alcohol and what they should be doing to minimise the chances of an accident or incident.

Hazards and risks

The briefing identifies the risks associated with drugs and alcohol. This includes accidents, increased sickness absence, psychological problems including depression and alcohol-related illnesses.

Management

Control measures include not drinking or taking drugs before driving, whilst using machinery or completing any other task which would be adversely affected by alcohol.

Key points

Attendees must take note of the following key points:

• “Everyone should be aware of the alcohol and drugs policy of both your company and that of potential clients.
• All staff have a duty to care for their own health and safety and of others they may affect.
• If staff have a problem, or they know someone who does, it is important they seek help by speaking to their manager on a confidential basis in the first instance.
• The HSE guidance for drugs and alcohol - http://www.hse.gov.uk/alcoholdrugs/index.htm - should be followed.”