The ADA Australia facilitation team recently visited the North East Link Project to conduct our drug and alcohol awareness program. The training was delivered for Spark: a multi-national consortium of construction companies and one of the largest road tunnel operators in Australia.
The North East Link is, incidentally, Victoria’s largest road project with thousands of workers employed in its construction.
The ADA Australia training was delivered for people leaders involved in the project – managers, supervisors and team leaders. This training is to promote better understanding of drugs and alcohol (and addictive behaviours) on both physical and mental wellbeing, and on the workplace risks posed by these substances.
This training puts a focus on warning signs around substance use, on recognising struggle, and on the impact of heavy drinking and drug-use on health and wellbeing. It also covers impairment and detection periods, and, importantly, on how to broach a conversation with a co-worker who may be showing signs of struggle and need some support and assistance.
Promoting better understanding of workplace obligations around drugs and alcohol, and of the short and longer-term impacts on judgment, capability and wellbeing, is not only good for the health and wellbeing of everyone at the workplace, but can also contribute to building a stronger team culture and a safer work environment, a clear priority for Spark.
The hard truth is that drugs or alcohol continue to factor in workplace deaths and in reportable workplace incidents. It is a work health and safety matter demanding attention of both workers and management.
Whether around AOD or better understanding of mental health and psychological injury at work, training your managers, delegates, or people leaders is a logical place to start for a mentally healthy workplace. It can be a first step to improving awareness and getting the culture right.
If you’d like to learn more about this program, or any of the other training programs we offer, please call ADA Australia on 1300 378 429 or email: enquiry@adaaus.com.au
Additionally, if this information raised any concerns for you, please do speak to your GP, they can help you back to good health, or call a helpline: LIFELINE 13 11 14 or BeyondBlue 1300 22 4636.