The University of Western Australia

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University Policy on: Alcohol and Other Drugs

Overtype “Policy Name” with the name of the policy.  This must convey specifically, accurately and succinctly what the policy addresses eg Award of Honours, Study Leave.

Purpose of the policy and summary of issues it addresses:

This policy sets out the principles that guide the University’s management of alcohol and other drugs by staff, students, contractors and visitors to the University.  This includes the requirement to comply with Federal and State legislation as well as to the University’s by-laws, statutes, regulations, rules and policies.   The University expects all of its community members to be responsible citizens and appropriate behaviour is required when participating in University related activities including studying, teaching, conducting research and University related social functions.

 

This must be in Normal, Policy style.

Provide a brief summary of the reasons for the policy and issues it addresses.  This section is designed to stand alone.  The aim is to provide the reader with enough information to make a decision about whether or not this is the policy they are looking for.  It must not be longer than 200 words. 

Example 1

This policy defines the nature and purpose of study leave provisions for academic staff and sets out eligibility criteria and other conditions that apply.

Example 2

This policy seeks to rationalise the award of honours across the University by addressing such issues as: entry standards, course content and structure, supervision, assessment, examination, grades, classifications, benchmarking and the maintenance and provision of documentation relating to these matters.  It is based on resolutions of the Academic Board flowing from the 1999 report of the Honours Working Party.

Definitions:

For the purpose of this policy,

“the University” is The University of Western Australia and for the purposes of this Policy includes the University Colleges and Guild as defined in the related Acts and By-Laws. 

“Drugs” are any substance that may result in physical, psychological or behavioural changes that may cause impaired performance, and include intoxicating products, licit medication (prescribed and non-prescribed) and illicit substances.

 “Impairment” is the alteration of the normal physical or mental function, which results in diminished ability to perform assigned tasks in a safe and productive manner.

“Supervisor” is the person responsible for day to day direction of staff or students.

 

Place your cursor immediately under the definitions heading to get the definitions style.

Policy statement:

 

1          The University’s Commitment to a Safe, Healthy and Productive Workplace for All

 

1.1        The University is committed to a safe, healthy and productive University for all.

 

1.2        The University recognises that an individual’s consumption of alcohol or other drugs may impair that person’s ability to perform safely or productively and may have an effect on others.    

 

1.3        The University does not condone binge drinking or the excessive consumption of alcohol or other drugs.

 

1.4        Persons impaired by alcohol or other drugs are not to drive or operate University vehicles, boats or machinery and are not to work in laboratories, workshops or other inherently hazardous locations.

 

1.5        The University contributes to the provision of a healthy and safe workplace in relation to alcohol and other drugs by -

 

·        adopting a responsible approach with regard to the service of alcohol in accordance with the Western Accord;

·        promoting events management to protect personal safety and security;

·        ensuring an inclusive environment for staff and students who choose not to consume alcohol;

·        providing a range of education and confidential support services for staff and students with respect to the prevention and management of alcohol and other drug problems. (Details of these can be obtained by clicking on the Procedures button below); and

·        taking appropriate action if alcohol or drug use is adversely affecting the health, safety or performance of an individual or group within the University, or brings the University into disrepute.

 

 

 

 

 

2          Responsibilities of Staff, Students, Contractors and Visitors

 

2.1        Staff, students, contractors and visitors to the University have a responsibility to take all reasonable steps to ensure that their use of alcohol or other drugs does not impair their ability or that of others to perform safely or productively.

 

2.2        Staff and students’ responsibilities include

 

• promoting and supporting responsible drinking practices in accordance with the Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol;
• avoiding unsafe drinking practices including binge drinking, drinking to intoxication and other high risk practices;
• ensuring that they do not attend the University if impaired through the use of alcohol or other drugs;
• advising their supervisor when taking prescribed or over the counter medications that may impact upon work performance;
• notifying the relevant supervisor if they perceive that the ability of a staff member or student to work or study is impaired by alcohol or other drugs (this is a legal requirement under Occupational Safety and Health legislation); 
• complying at all times with the Road Traffic Act and other legislation when in control of plant, equipment and vehicles;
• making themselves aware of and complying with statutes, regulations, rules and policies of the University which apply to them, including the  UWA Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics and the Charter of Student Rights and Responsibilities;
• adhering to the UWA Workplace Related Social Functions guidelines for functions held on or off University premises;
• notifying the organisers of events held in accordance with the UWA Workplace Related Social Functions guidelines if they perceive that a person is impaired by alcohol or other drugs and is a danger to themselves or other persons;
• complying with the UWA Consumption of Liquor on Campus Policy; and
• upholding the reputation of the University whilst engaged in University related activities.

 

2.3        Supervisors’ and Event Managers’ additional responsibilities include

 

• ensuring that staff, students, contractors and others under their control are aware of the requirements and responsibilities of this Policy;
• investigating observations or reports that persons under their control are impaired by alcohol and/or other drugs; and
• taking appropriate action, including reporting to Human Resources (staff), reporting to the Registrar and Head of School (students), reporting to the Director, Facilities Management (Contractors), and reporting to UWA Security (visitors) when gross and / or repeated breaches of this Policy occur.  

 

 

2.4        Contractors’ and Visitors’ responsibilities whilst engaged in any University related activities include

 

• ensuring that they are not impaired by alcohol or other drugs that might subject themselves or others to risk of injury or harm
• conducting themselves in a manner consistent with the UWA Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics

 

 

3          Consumption of Alcohol on Campus

 

3.1        Licensed Premises on University Lands

 

The operators of licensed premises of an ongoing nature such as the Guild Tavern and The University Club on University land are required to undertake a full risk assessment, provide training to staff in responsible serving of alcohol and have a system for tracking and reviewing any incidents related to the consumption of alcohol.

 

3.2        Occasional Liquor Licences

 

The University administers the consumption of liquor on campus under the terms of the Liquor Control Act 1988 and cooperates with the Liquor Licensing Division in issuing liquor permits and monitoring functions on campus where liquor is consumed. For more information, refer to the UWA Consumption of Liquor on Campus Policy.  In most cases an approved Events Management Plan is required.

 

 

4          Identification and Management of Persons Impaired by Alcohol or Other Drugs

 

4.1        The use of alcohol and other drugs becomes an occupational safety and health issue if a person’s ability to exercise judgement, coordination, motor control, concentration and alertness is affected at the workplace, leading to an increased risk of injury and illness to themselves and others. However other possible causes of impairment, such as fatigue and stress, should also be considered in any assessment.

 

4.2        If the behaviour of a member of staff, student, contractor or visitor relating to the use of alcohol or drugs is unlawful or is a breach of a University Statute, by-law, regulation, rule or policy, the provisions of the relevant law, Statute, by-law, regulation, rule or policy apply to any action that may be taken as a consequence.

 

4.3        Supervisors and event organisers are required to identify and initially manage staff or students who are observed or reported to be impaired by alcohol and other drugs (Details of these can be obtained by clicking on the Procedures button below).

 

4.4        For situations where a staff member discloses their use of medication that may affect work performance, they are not required to disclose the illness for which the medication is being taken.  Supervisors of staff are advised to contact Human Resources in this situation to discuss grounds for requesting a medical certificate. In the case of a student, supervisors who have concerns should discuss the matter with their Head of School and the Registrar (as required).

 

 

 

5          Emergency Arising from the Use of Alcohol or other Drugs

 

5.1        Medical or other emergencies arising from use of alcohol or other drugs must be dealt with in accordance with the University’s Emergency Procedures.

 

5.2        If a person is intoxicated or behaving in an unruly fashion as the result of consumption of alcohol or other drugs and is considered to pose a threat to people or property or a danger to themselves, contact the University’s emergency number for assistance (Details of these can be obtained by clicking on the Procedures button below.)

 

 

 

 

6          Use of Illegal Drugs or Criminal Activity

 

6.1        Where the use of illegal drugs or criminal activity related to the use of alcohol or other drugs are identified, such matters will be referred to the Police.

 

 

 

 

 

Policy or Procedure?

Policies are statements of the principles¹ which govern decision-making.

Procedures are the functional steps used to implement policies.

¹ Principles in this context are to be understood as being both broad and detailed.

The policy statement makes clear the intent of the policy.  It must be written in clear, precise and direct language.  Short sentences are preferable.  Any specialist words or acronyms must be defined at the beginning of the statement.  (A guide to writing styles will be available soon.)

If the policy includes procedural elements you will need to identify these as Procedures by including this word above the relevant text.  The procedures style from the styles drop-down list must be applied to the whole of the procedures text, including the word Procedures.  Note: Administrative procedures can be approved by the relevant Director.

Related forms: (Link)

Provide links to any forms associated with the policy (eg Approved Leave form) and/or to information on on-line submission.

Note: Forms are a means through which policy is processed, not made.  Forms must reflect policy and must not be used to create policy.

 

TRIM File No: F590 Insert the appropriate TRIM file number.  All policies must have a TRIM file for storing information relating to policy development and other related information.  Note this is not the policy number.  Apply for a TRIM file number at http:/intranet.uwa.edu.au/page/38742

Contact position: Director, Human Resources State the name of the position that is to be contacted for any queries regarding the policy, eg University Secretary.  Note: As this will link through to the University’s Contact Directory, the position name must be given exactly as it appears in that directory.

 

Related Policies or legislation:     Please note that this list may not be exhaustive   Academic Staff Agreement Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol Charter of Student Rights and Responsibilities. General Staff Agreement Liquor Control Act 1988 Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 Occupational Safety and Health Policy Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 Procedures for Managing Unsatisfactory Performance and Workplace Behaviour: Professional and General Staff Regulations for Student Conduct and Discipline Road Traffic Act WA 1974 Statute 17 (Discipline) Regulations made under Statute 17 University of Western Australia Lands By-Laws UWA Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics UWA Consumption of Liquor on Campus Policy UWA Contractor Safety Handbook UWA Emergency Procedures UWA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) UWA Workplace Related Social Functions WA Guidance Note Alcohol and Other Drugs at the Workplace 2008     Western Accord.  The Western Accord commenced in October 1997 as an agreed Code of Practice involving all local licensed premises operators, the Western Australian Police Service, the Towns of Cambridge, Claremont, Cottesloe, and Vincent, the City of Nedlands, the Shire of Peppermint Grove, the Health Department of Western Australia, Liquor Licensing Division representatives, other relevant agencies and the community.  Copies of the Western Accord are available on request from UWA Security and Parking. Provide details of, and, if appropriate, web links to, other policies, legislation or committee resolutions that relate to the subject of the policy, if known, eg Statute(s), University General Rule(s).  If unsure what these might be, try one or more of the following: Conduct a search on TRIM. Make an enquiry to Archives and Records. Seek help from staff in the relevant section.  If related policies are stored in University Policy format on the University Policies site, please provide the relevant policy number(s).

 

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Check the content of the document for clarity and accuracy.

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When the document is approved -

if the policy does not already have a University Policy number, apply for one by completing the form at http://intranet.uwa.edu.au/archives/new_university_policy_number (Control and click to follow the link.)

include the University Policy number in the relevant table box in the template; and

complete the relevant approval date and any other table boxes at the end of the template that have not yet been completed.

Save the document in Filtered HTML format to a convenient location on your network drive (Go to File – Save As and select Web Page, Filtered from the drop-down list under the filename box.)

Apply the style-checker as follows:

Go to the following URL http://www.admin.uwa.edu.au/policytidy (Control and click to follow the link.)

Browse to find the policy document you have saved in Filtered HTML.

Hit “Submit” to bring up the preview of the converted document.

Check for errata and mis-processed characters.

Once the document is correct, click on “Download Document” to download the document to the preferred folder on your network drive.

Appropriate Director emails (rorett@admin.uwa.edu.au) the policy to University Records for storing in TRIM and publishing on the University Policies website.