Guidelines for Health and Safety on Board Small Fishing Boats

Drug and alcohol abuse on the vessel can cause serious problems. This makes it a serious health and safety issue.

Alcohol and drug use affects the:

• Ability to make good decisions
• Co-ordination
• Motor control
• Concentration and alertness.

Some crew members may use prescribed drugs for health conditions. The skipper needs to know about this, and of how to manage any side effects from medication or from the health condition requiring the medication.

Why is the use of Alcohol and Other Drugs on board the vessel a hazard?

Here is a list of problems that might happen when people use alcohol and other drugs on board:

• Potential for misuse of machinery or equipment
• Increased risk of causing harm of injury to self or other employees
• Falling from heights, into holds, overboard, boarding and leaving vessel etc.
• Decreased skills, poor judgement, slower reaction times
• Inappropriate behaviour, like fighting, abusive language
• Increased risk of fatigue.

Legal Requirements

• Alcohol and drugs are defined in the HSE Act as hazards. Employers should check to see if they are a significant hazard on the vessel.
• The Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 makes it an offence for anyone to procure (buy or receive), or have in their possession, or consume, smoke or other use, any controlled drug. It is also an offence to supply or offer to supply or administer, and Class C controlled drug to any other person.
• It is illegal to bring controlled drugs onto a vessel. The possession or use of illegal drugs on the boat should not be condoned or allowed.
• It is also illegal to possess instruments (pipes, bongs, syringes etc) for the purpose of taking illegal drugs.
• Parents and guardians are the only people who can supply alcohol to people under the age of 18.
• If you have an accident or are injured while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, this can affect your ability to claim insurance.

Action Points for everybody

• If there is an alcohol and drug policy for the vessel, follow it.
• Don't bring illegal drugs on board the vessel.
• Don't use illegal drugs on board the vessel.
• If you are allowed to drink alcohol on the vessel, don't drink too much or too close to when you need to be ready for work.
• Don't use machinery or steer the vessel when you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

For the Skipper

• Develop a policy on the use of alcohol and other drugs at work. The policy should apply to everyone. It should be developed in consultation with crew and given to each new and existing crew member.
• Make sure that everyone who works on the boat is regularly reminded of the policy on the use of alcohol and other drugs at work and the consequences of not complying with it.
• It is strongly recommended that the use of alcohol and other drugs be banned on board the vessel. The use of alcohol and other drugs can impair judgement and result in people affecting the health and safety of themselves and others on board the vessel.
• State and reinforce that it is unacceptable behaviour to bring illegal drugs onto the vessel, or use them on the vessel.

How do I develop an Alcohol and Drug Policy?

An alcohol and drug policy is a way to set out what you expect of all those working on the vessel. The policy should aim to eliminate or minimise the hazards associated with the use of alcohol and other drugs in the workplace. Develop the policy in consultation with all those who are going to be affected by it.

The policy should cover the following areas:

• Why a policy is needed – the importance of preventing harm and managing hazards
• Scope – that the policy covers everyone who comes on board the boat, including visitors
• Infringements – what is an infringement, and what will happen if someone doesn’t follow the policy
• How to tell when someone is affected by drugs and alcohol – list the common signs and symptoms of being under the influence
• How to deal with an intoxicated person
• Information and training – explain what training and information around managing the hazards of alcohol and drug use will be given and what it will cover
• Workplace induction – how skippers/crew/sharefishers/visitors will be made aware of the policy
• Confidentiality – make sure everyone understands that any action taken under the policy will be confidential and how you will ensure this happens
• Screening/testing – if applicable, explain the company’s screening and testing procedures.

It is strongly recommended that the use of alcohol and other drugs on board the boat be prohibited.

If alcohol is used on board the boat, an alcohol policy also needs to cover:

• When it is considered appropriate to drink alcohol;
• Acceptable standards of work performance; and
• A prohibition on being drunk on the boat.