• Section 1 - Purpose and Scope
• Section 2 - Principles and Key Requirements
• Section 3 - Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities
• Staff and Students
• Contractors and Contractor Managers
• Section 4 - Monitoring, Review and Assurance
• Section 5 - Recording and Reporting
• Section 6 - Appendix
• Definitions
• Support

Section 1 - Purpose and Scope

(1) The University of Queensland (UQ or the University) is committed to fostering a safe, respectful and supportive environment, and preventing and reducing harm caused by the unlawful and irresponsible use of alcohol and other drugs while undertaking UQ related activity.

(2) The University of Queensland recognises alcohol and other drugs as a risk factor for both physical harm and psychosocial hazards, including harassment, sexual harassment, bullying aggression and violence.

(3) This Policy applies to all members of the UQ community while undertaking UQ related activity.

Section 2 - Principles and Key Requirements

(4) Unlawful, inappropriate and irresponsible use of alcohol and other drugs can impair judgment, decision-making performance, health, relationships and safety. It can also result in injury or harm to individuals, damage to property and equipment, and adversely affect the rights, comfort and enjoyment of others.

(5) Risks associated with alcohol and other drugs will be eliminated or minimised so far as reasonably practicable in accordance with the hierarchy of controls.

(6) The use of alcohol and other drugs at UQ is guided by the following principles and requirements:

1. UQ is committed to preventing and reducing alcohol and drug-related harm and damage to its people, to its property and facilities and to its reputation.
2. Members of the UQ community must not be impaired by alcohol or other drugs while undertaking UQ related activity.
3. UQ permits the responsible sale and consumption of alcohol. Alcohol at UQ events must be managed in accordance with the Event Approval and Control Procedure.
4. UQ permits the lawful and responsible use of legal drugs, insofar as it is undertaken in compliance with appropriate legislation, UQ policies and procedures, their intended prescribed use and consideration of relevant cultural conventions.
5. When undertaking a UQ related activity, members of the UQ community are required to behave in accordance with the expected standards of conduct as set out in:
   1. For UQ staff – the Staff Code of Conduct.
   2. For UQ students – the Student Code of Conduct and Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy.
   3. For all other members of the UQ community, Part 3 of Schedule 1 of the University of Queensland Act 1998 and the Use and Management of UQ Land, Buildings and Facilities Policy.
6. Risks associated with alcohol at work related events including the increased risk of inappropriate behaviour and harm must be identified, assessed and managed.
7. Alcohol consumption does not excuse inappropriate behaviour. All workers are expected to maintain professional standards at all times, including at work related social events.
8. UQ considers a number of activities to be of higher risk from a safety perspective. Members of the UQ community who undertake higher risk activities, as defined in section 6, must:
   1. have zero blood alcohol concentration; and
   2. notify their supervisor (or appropriate UQ personnel) if they are using a drug that may impair their ability to carry out the activity safely or could impair their ability if they do not take prescribed medication.
9. Support is available to all members of the UQ community who wish to address their use of alcohol or other drugs, or experience adverse impacts through the use of alcohol or other drugs (see ‘Support’ provisions – clauses 15-20).

Section 3 - Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Heads of Organisational Units

(7) Heads of Organisational Units are responsible for:

1. communicating and implementing this Policy within their areas of responsibility;
2. ensuring the activities of their respective Organisational Unit are conducted in accordance with this Policy;
3. proactively identifying and controlling risks associated with alcohol use in work contexts, including psychosocial risks.
4. identifying and addressing work performance issues that may be associated with alcohol or drug use;
5. addressing identified risks to the wellbeing or welfare of any member of the UQ community, or damage to UQ property due to the misuse of alcohol or drug use; and
6. reporting any incidents which may contravene this Policy through the appropriate channels as referred to in documents noted under ‘Principles and Key Requirements’ (clause 4(e) above).

Supervisors, Managers and Academic Principal Advisors

(8) Supervisors and staff supervising students are responsible for:

1. ensuring staff and students under their supervision are aware of this Policy;
2. addressing identified risks to the wellbeing or welfare of any member of the UQ community, or damage to UQ property due to the misuse of alcohol or drug use;
3. identifying and addressing work performance issues and/or academic performance issues that may be associated with alcohol or drug use;
4. monitoring behaviours and addressing any risks of inappropriate conduct, including sexual harassment, during work related activities where alcohol is available;
5. responding effectively to incidents that occur, include those which involve external organisations;
6. reporting any incidents which may contravene this Policy through the appropriate channels as referred to in documents noted under ‘Principles and Key Requirements’ (clause 4(e) above); and
7. if a supervisor considers that someone is adversely affected by alcohol or other drugs, to the extent that they are a risk to themselves or others, the supervisor will direct them to cease work or academic activities immediately, ensure the person’s welfare and safety and provide details with respect to support options at an appropriate time (e.g. when the person is no longer affected by alcohol or other drugs).

Staff and Students

(9) Staff and students who are impaired by alcohol or drugs must not undertake work or academic activities, nor represent UQ with respect to work or academic activities.

(10) To be fit for work staff must not be affected by residual effects of alcohol or other drugs (e.g. fatigue, impaired judgement).

(11) Staff and students are responsible for:

1. reporting any incidents which may contravene this Policy through the appropriate channels as referred to in documents noted under Principles and Key Requirements (Section 2);
2. self monitoring their behaviour to ensure the alcohol or drug consumption does not lead to actions that could harm themselves or others, including behaviours that could be considered aggressive or harassing; and
3. seeking assistance if support is required in dealing with an alcohol or drug problem.

Contractors and Contractor Managers

(12) Contractors who are impaired by alcohol or drugs must not attend any UQ facilities. Contractors are responsible for reporting any incidents which may contravene this Policy to the relevant Contractor Manager.

(13) Contractor Managers are responsible for ensuring contractors are aware of and provided with a copy of this Policy.

Section 4 - Monitoring, Review and Assurance

(14) The Director, Health, Safety and Wellness has overall responsibility for the monitoring and review of this Policy and providing assurance on its effectiveness.

(15) The Office of the Chief Operating Officer through the Human Resources Division and Property and Facilities Division (P&F) (Security and Events) will monitor compliance with this Policy by staff and other members of the UQ community.

(16) The Academic Registrar will monitor student compliance with this Policy.

Section 5 - Recording and Reporting

(17) The Director, Health, Safety and Wellness (with necessary support from the Academic Registrar, and the Office of the Chief Operating Officer, through Human Resources Division and P&F) will produce reports for the Vice-Chancellor and the University Senior Executive Team regarding risks and issues associated with alcohol and other drugs, and overall compliance with this Policy.

Section 6 - Appendix

Definitions

Support

(18) The University acknowledges that some staff and students will experience problems as a result of their own or others’ alcohol and drug use. Supervisors are expected to be aware:

1. that work and study impairment is commonly associated with the misuse of alcohol and drugs; and
2. of the sensitivities and mechanisms for supporting those affected.

(19) While alcohol and drug related problems cannot be accepted as an excuse for poor performance, unsafe work practices or inappropriate behaviour, the University will seek to help those who seek support for in a caring, confidential and constructive manner.

(20) Seeking confidential assistance from the various University services, alcohol and drug treatment agencies, other health professionals or chaplains, or being referred to them will not result, by itself, in disciplinary action nor will it affect the personal or professional situation of the individual in the University setting.

(21) Counsellors and others assisting individuals with a drug and/or alcohol problem will respect the privacy and confidentiality of those who seek help unless the health and safety of the individual and others is potentially at risk.

(22) Staff can access free, confidential support from or be referred to the Employee Assistance Program or seek support from community health facilities and alcohol and drug treatment services.

(23) Students can access free, confidential support from or be referred to, a range of student support options, including Student Counselling Services (UQ Counselling), UQ Health Care, Student Support Services, Chaplaincy Services, among others, or seek support from community health facilities and alcohol and drug treatment services.