Drug and Alcohol Risk

Managing drug and alcohol related risks in adventure activity operations is critical to ensure the safety of all people involved - clients and staff.

The Adventure Activities Regulations require operators to include a drugs and alcohol policy in their safety management plan. The policy must include:

1. An assessment of level of risk posed by activities run by the operator
2. An assessment of the level of risk posed by the nature of the operator’s workplace.
3. How the operator will manage these risks?
4. What processes the operator will adopt if a staff member is found to be under the influence of tested positive

Follow WorkSafe NZ’s guidance document to ensure your drug and alcohol management system meets good practice and legal requirements. 

Knowing how to identify and deal with staff who are unable to safely fulfill the responsibility of their role due to impairment can be difficult. Your SMS should include reasonable cause indicators and a process to follow if anyone on your team feels that a staff member is unsafe. For an example see the SOP's template for reasonable cause indicators and processes.