To view or download this policy as a PDF click Employee and Employment Related Policies Documents
Title | Smoking, Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy |
Policy Number | P69 |
Type | Council Policy |
Document Owner | Regional Manager, Risk & WHS |
Approval Date | November 2023 |
MaGiQ Document ID | 691444 |
Review Date | November 2026 |
Council Resolution Number | OC154/2023 |
The Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) aims to provide a healthy workplace environment which protects the health and wellbeing of all employees, clients, contractors and visitors visiting our facilities and accessing our services.
CDRC will provide a smoke, drug and alcohol free workplace in all council facilities and fleet (vehicles, plant and machinery).
CDRC will facilitate risk mitigation strategies to eliminate Drugs and Alcohol being consumed in the workplace by implementation of a WHS Drug and Alcohol Procedure which outlines that random, cause and incident testing will take place regularly.
This policy applies to employees, contractors, volunteers, clients and visitors (including Councillors and Local Authority Members) to Council premises and any other locations where activities are undertaken by Council representatives or on behalf of Council.
Employees, contractors and volunteers will be subject to the WHS Drug and Alcohol Procedure. Visitors and clients will not be subject to the WHS Drug and Alcohol Procedure.
The aims of this policy are to:
Smoking: Includes smoking tobacco or any other substance by any means, including vaping.
Alcohol: All substances that contain alcohol – including foods and medicines.
Drug: A substance other than food intended to affect the structure or function of the body.
Over the counter drugs: Drugs which can be purchased legally without a prescription.
Prescription drugs: Drugs prescribed by a Medical Practitioner and issued by a pharmacist or clinic.
Prohibited substances: Drugs that are illegal under state or national law.
Random: having no specific pattern, purpose or objective.
Workers: includes, employees, contractors, and volunteers.
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Regulations 2011
Tobacco Control Act 2002
Tobacco Control Regulations 2002
NT Worksafe Code of Practice - How to manage work health and safety risks
Relevant Australian Standards
Central Desert Regional Council Enterprise Agreement
Work Health and Safety Commitment Policy P69
WHS Drug and Alcohol Procedure PR003
The following table outlines responsibilities relating to development, implementation, communication and education on this policy and associated procedures:
Responsible | Responsibilities |
Chief Executive Officer and Directors Other Officers who have a duty or obligations under the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 |
|
Regional Managers/Managers/Coordinators (anyone with direct supervisory role) |
|
Risk and WHS Team |
|
Employees |
|
WHS Committee |
|
CDRC will promote awareness of health and safety implications of smoking, drugs and alcohol. CDRC will support staff through various free-of-charge smoking cessation programs.
Employees who want to quit smoking can access support to quit through:
Employees who identify as having a drug and/or alcohol problem will have access to worker support mechanisms (EAP) as outlined in section 6.7 of the WHS Drug and Alcohol Procedure.
Council has a duty to protect workers against the health impacts of smoking, including exposure of smoking to others. Council also has a duty to protect those who use our services and visit our facilities, services and programs.
The objectives of Council in providing a smoke free work place in Council facilities and vehicles are to:
a. PROHIBITED AREAS
Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) will provide a smoke free workplace within all Council owned and managed facilities, vehicles and accommodation and especially:
b. SMOKING DURING WORK HOURS
Workers may only smoke during official breaks. This is consistent with employment contracts and conditions, which do not include smoking breaks.
CDRC has a responsibility to prevent and eliminate the usage of alcohol and other drugs in the workplace. To assist in prevention of the consumption of alcohol and other drugs in the workplace CDRC requires a .000g/210L blood alcohol concentration level and drug free workplace.
a. DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING
Workers may be required to undergo drug and alcohol testing including but not limited to;
Council will test for the following prohibited substances;
Drug and Alcohol testing will be undertaken in accordance with the WHS Drug and Alcohol Procedure.
When a worker or visitor presents for duty in an unfit state, CDRC reserves the right to remove the person from the worksite (noting such action must be approved by the CEO in accordance with the Council’s Delegations Register).
Each worker or visitor is responsible for any civil penalty that results from their being under the influence of drugs or alcohol or smoking in a prohibited area.
Employees found in breach of this policy could be subject to disciplinary actions, which may include termination of employment.
Breaches of this policy include but are not limited to:
Date | Details |
24 October 2012 | Adopted by Council (CRN424/2012) |
5 December 2016 | Reviewed and adopted by Council |
25 September 2019 | Previously named Smoke Free Workplace Policy. Reviewed and adopted by Council. |
30 September 2022 | Reviewed and adopted by Council |
24 November 2023 | Reviewed and adopted by Council (OC154/2023) |