Drugs (including prescription drugs), alcohol and other substance abuse in the workplace and within the transport industry is, as with any health and safety risk, everyone’s responsibility.

Driving under the influence of a drug or alcohol is an offence under section 112 of the Road Transport Act 2013 (NSW).

Under NSW work health and safety legislation, workers need to ensure they take reasonable care of their own health and safety and not put others at risk. This includes complying with drug and alcohol laws and co-operating with any reasonable business policies.

In some occupations including road and rail transport, maritime, aviation and mining occupations, the law sets down a legal blood alcohol level and requires testing of workers. You need to manage the work-related risks associated with alcohol and other drugs.

Some companies have explicit policies to test their workers for alcohol and illicit substances. This is particularly important if a worker could kill or seriously injure themselves, another worker, or a member of the public.

It is dangerous for drivers to take stimulants and other illegal drugs. Cannabis, cocaine and similar drugs affect driving skills and concentration, even though you may think you are driving well.

This includes the misuse of medicines prescribed by a doctor or available from a pharmacy. If a worker is impaired at work, the business needs to address the situation. It should be raised with a supervisor or manager or a safety representative.

It is the worker's responsibility to notify the business if they are taking medication that may affect their ability to safely perform tasks.

A formal alcohol and drugs policy makes it clear to all workers what behaviour is acceptable.

How to manage the risks of alcohol and other drugs in the workplace

The alcohol and other drugs in the workplace guide has information on how to create a policy for managing the misuse of alcohol and other drugs in the workplace.

The Safe Work Australia website has information on work-related alcohol and drug use.

The National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) has also produced a series of data and information sheets to assist workplaces to respond to alcohol and other  drug (AOD) related harm in the workplace.