Restrictions on alcohol, legal and illegal drugs in the workplace

• Pages: 12-13

12

5. Restrictions on alcohol, legal and illegal drugs

in the workplace

5.1. Restrictions on alcohol

5.1.1. The employer or those persons otherwise responsible, after consultation

with workers and their representatives, should consider restricting or prohibiting the

possession, consumption and in sale of alcohol at the workplace, including the

enterprise's canteen, cafeteria, and dining area.

5.1.2. The employer, after consultation with workers and their representatives,

should consider withdrawing alcohol as an item for expense account reimbursement, or

restricting it to well defined situations and within certain well-defined limits of quantity

of units consumed.

5.1.3. The employer should apply the same restrictions or prohibitions with

respect to alcohol to both management personnel and workers, so that there is a clear

and unambiguous policy.

5.1.4. The restrictions or prohibitions referred to above may vary significantly

depending on the nature of the work and the national, cultural and social environment.

5.2. Availability of non-alcoholic beverages

5.2.1. The employer should ensure that non-alcoholic beverages, including

water, are made available in locations where alcohol is available in the enterprise.

5.3. Restrictions on legal drugs

5.3.1. Where the use of medications may result in significant impairment, the

individual should consult a qualified occupational health professional and give timely

notice to the supervisor according to normal procedures for absence for health reasons.

A qualified occupational health professional should then determine fitness for work

with any necessary restrictions.

5.3.2. In countries where specific substances have been declared legal, the use of

those substances at the workplace will be governed by the laws and regulations of those

countries.