Drugs & Alcohol Policy

DiveCo has a zero-tolerance policy to the abuse of alcohol and drugs on all their work sites. To manage the associated health and safety risks from alcohol or drugs, all employees and contractors must:

• Not come to work in an unfit state through the use of drugs or alcohol
• Not consume alcohol whilst at work
• Not use, possess or supply any drug whilst at work
• Not discontinue an agreed course of treatment for a drug or alcohol related problem without good reason
• Inform their Line Manager of any prescribed or over the counter medication being taken
• Inform their Line Manager if they believe they have a drug or alcohol related problem
• Undergo drug and alcohol testing when requested to do so

An Unfit State through Drugs

Being in an unfit state through the use drugs means having taken or had administered either a dosage of any drug that could adversely affect a person’s safety, performance, conduct or efficiency as well as the safety and wellbeing of others. This may include the use of either prescription drugs, over the counter medication and the use of illegal drugs.

An Unfit State through Alcohol

Being in an unfit state through the consumption of alcohol includes having:

• More than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, or
• More than 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, or
• More than 107 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine

Over the Counter and Prescription Medication

Over the counter and prescription medication, can affect your ability to undertake duties in a safe and responsible manner. You must inform your Line Manager of any prescribed or over the counter medication being taken and any potential side effects likely to impair your work performance or safety.

Due to the nature of specific medication used, you may have to work under restricted duties. These restricted duties may have to continue until you have stopped taking the medication.

Testing

All DiveCo employees and contractors are potentially subject to alcohol and drug testing:

• At pre-employment, pre-appointment and routine medical
• If there are grounds to suspect that an employee or contractor is unfit through use of drugs or alcohol
• Following an accident or serious incident
• Random / unannounced
• Where a credible report or employee use or evidence of drugs and alcohol consumption found on a work site

Breach of Policy

You will be in breach of this policy if you:

• Refuse to provide a breath/urine sample (this will be treated as a positive failure)
• The outcome of a drug and alcohol test is a positive failure
• Use, possess or supply any alcohol or drug whilst at work for the intent of consumption

If you breach this policy, it may result in disciplinary and possible dismissal action being taken.

Rights of Appeal

If you fail a drug and alcohol test, you have the right to appeal. More information is can be found in the DiveCo Health & Safety Manual.

Monitoring and Review

The Managing Director will monitor the effectiveness and review the implementation of this policy, regularly considering its suitability, adequacy and effectiveness. Any improvements identified will be made as soon as possible. Internal control systems and procedures will be subject to regular audits to provide assurance that they are effective in countering the use of alcohol and drugs on company premises or at any work site currently in operation.

All employees are responsible for the success of this policy and should ensure they use it to disclose any suspected danger or wrongdoing.