The Construction &
Other Industries Drug & Alcohol Program Inc. was established by employers and
workers in the construction industry to address the issue of unsafe work
practices caused by drugs and alcohol in the workplace. It is run by a
committee of worker and employer representatives together with experts from the
drug and alcohol field.
Principle
People dangerously affected by alcohol
or other drugs are a safety hazard to themselves and all others present in the
workplace.
Focus
Objectives
-
To inform workers about the
Construction and other Industries Drug & Alcohol Program and to have the
policy adopted on site.
-
To increase the awareness of workers
of the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol.
-
To provide safety committees with
the skills to effectively intervene in the event of unsafe work practices
caused by alcohol and other drugs.
-
To inform workers of the
availability of drug and alcohol assessment and treatment services.
Education & Training
The program teaches workers to take responsibility for their own safety and that
of their fellow workers through a peer based safety program.
It does this by:
-
Increasing
workers awareness of safety and health issues related to the use of alcohol
and other drugs by construction workers.
-
Educating safety
committee members, delegates and workers on implementing the program, using
a specially designed training course incorporating training video and
various promotional materials.
-
Presenting the
program and its policies to apprentices and pre-vocational students at TAFE
colleges throughout South Australia.
We
can train your employees and supervisors to prevent and recognise problems in
the workplace caused by drugs and alcohol.
Training includes:
-
What constitutes harmful drug and
alcohol use
-
Dealing with the long term user or
those intoxicated in one off situations
-
The effects of alcohol and drug use
on health, safety and work performance
-
General statistics on workplace drug
and alcohol use and related injuries and incidents
-
The consequences for employees who
fail to comply with company drug and alcohol guidelines.
Policy
We
can provide assistance to employers in developing and implementing a workplace
drug and alcohol policy.
The first step for employers in dealing
constructively with drugs and alcohol in the workplace is to formulate a
comprehensive workplace policy. The aim of any policy should be prevention,
education, counselling and rehabilitation and it should be part of an
organisations overall occupational health and safety strategy.
Structure
 The
Construction & Other Industries Drug & Alcohol Program Inc. is a not for profit
association. A committee of management consisting of
the following members currently manages the Program.
-
Maurie
Howard Master
Builders Association (Chairperson)
-
Justin
Feehan Construction
Forestry Mining and Energy Union (Secretary)
-
Alan
Suridge
Building Industry Redundancy Scheme Trust (Treasurer)
-
Trevor
Sharp National Co-ordinator - BTGU Drug and Alcohol Committee
-
Ken
Pidd
National Centre for Education & Training on Addiction
In February 2007 Jack Owens was employed as the programs full time education
officer. Jack has worked in the commercial construction industry for many
years as a labourer. His experience in the industry and ability to
communicate with industry participants at all levels make him an ideal education
officer for the program.
Award Winning Program
The Program
has been officially recognised for it's contribution to Occupational Health and
Safety in South Australia.
The program has also be adapted to
other workplaces - if you would like to arrange a meeting in your workplace or
would like more information on the program you can contact Jack Owens on 0418
847 180.
Further information and a full
copy of the policy is also available at the
Building
Trades Group Drug & Alcohol Program website.
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