Toolbox Talk: Alcohol and the Job

TOOLBOX TALK: “ALCOHOL AND THE JOB”

Working under the influence of alcohol is in most workplaces in most countries is strictly prohibited This means more than just not drinking on the job. Tests have shown that alcohol can still have an effect on your body up to 18 hours after you have stopped drinking. Alcohol use is a legitimate on-the-job safety issue – and not just an attempt to control off-the-clock lifestyles. Alcohol is one of the leading causes of accidents, leading to many injuries and deaths. Because alcohol is a depressant, it slows down the brain and affects the body’s responses.

Drinking alcohol:

• affects our judgment and reasoning

• slows down our reactions

• upsets our sense of balance and coordination

• impairs our vision and hearing

• makes us lose concentration

• makes us drowsy.

People who have been drinking are more likely to take risks, further increasing the likelihood of accidents. After drinking, you are no longer in a position to assess your own capabilities. You don’t have to be drunk to have some impairment. If you can’t make it through the day without a drink, you could have a problem and should seek professional help. If you have been drinking, your risk of accidents is increased in two ways – firstly, the likelihood of you having an accident is increased, and secondly, if you are injured, the seriousness of your injury is likely to be greater than if you were sober.

It may be your refuge from the world, but accidents in the home are extremely common. And alcohol is the biggest single cause of accidents in the home. If you have been drinking, do not drive, operate machinery, swim or take unnecessary risks. Look out for friends who may be behaving recklessly. Remember that your performance and judgment could still be affected by alcohol the day after a heavy drinking session. What should you do about a co-worker who is drinking on the job? Should you ignore the situation or report it?

Most people would ignore the situation because they do not want to cause problems on the job or do not want to get involved. People would prefer to avoid conflict at almost any cost. But look at it this way — the drinker, no matter how nice a co-worker, is not doing you any favor. It’s a fact that the drinker is less productive. Who has to pick up the slack? You do. It is a fact that the drinker is more 1ikely to be involved in accidents.

Who else is he or she placing at risk? You! Whatever you do, make sure you do something. Watch out for your co-worker as they may need help. If you don’t, you may pay dearly for someone else’s mistake.

“It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action and discipline that enabled us to follow through.” Zig Ziglar

Thanks, TO