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Carriage, Handling and Storage of Dangerous Goods along

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2.3.4.6 Drug <strong>and</strong> Alcohol Policy<br />

RECOMMENDATION<br />

Port <strong>and</strong> terminal operators should develop a drug <strong>and</strong> alcohol policy.<br />

Challenge<br />

PORTS AND TERMINALS 39<br />

A number <strong>of</strong> ports <strong>and</strong> terminals included in the risk analysis did not have specific policy for drugs <strong>and</strong><br />

alcohol. Port/terminal operators should take drug <strong>and</strong> alcohol abuse as a serious matter <strong>and</strong> absolutely<br />

prohibit the use, sale or possession <strong>of</strong> alcohol or non-prescribed drugs while on the port/terminal<br />

premises. Port <strong>and</strong> terminal operators should reserve the right to dem<strong>and</strong> a drug or alcohol test <strong>of</strong><br />

any employee at any time or based upon reasonable suspicion. Reasonable suspicion includes, but is<br />

not limited to, physical evidence <strong>of</strong> use, involvement in an accident or a substantial drop-<strong>of</strong>f in work<br />

performance. Port <strong>and</strong> terminal operators should also caution against use <strong>of</strong> prescribed or over-thecounter<br />

medication which can affect the ability <strong>of</strong> personnel <strong>of</strong> performing their job properly <strong>and</strong> safely.<br />

References<br />

• Guidelines for the Control <strong>of</strong> Drugs <strong>and</strong> Alcohol Onboard Ship, OCIMF, June 1995.<br />

ACTIONS<br />

Technical <strong>and</strong> Management<br />

Ports <strong>and</strong> terminals should have a clearly written policy on drugs <strong>and</strong> alcohol abuse that is easily understood<br />

by all personnel. The policy should be clearly communicated to all personnel. Furthermore,<br />

to enforce their policy, companies should have rules <strong>of</strong> conduct <strong>and</strong> controls in place. Information<br />

should be provided to personnel regarding:<br />

• the effects <strong>of</strong> alcohol <strong>and</strong> other drugs on health, safety <strong>and</strong> work performance;<br />

• alcohol <strong>and</strong> other drugs <strong>and</strong> its retention in the blood stream;<br />

• the consequences for personnel who fail to comply with the drug <strong>and</strong> alcohol policy; <strong>and</strong><br />

• who to approach for assistance with an alcohol/drug problem.<br />

Port/terminal operators should be equipped with breathalysers <strong>and</strong> test equipment <strong>and</strong> regularly<br />

organise r<strong>and</strong>om screening/testing for alcohol <strong>and</strong> drugs to detect abuse in due time.<br />

Institutional <strong>and</strong> Capacity Building<br />

Relevant line agencies should define the maximum permissible blood alcohol content (BAC) to act as<br />

a legal reference point to control the use <strong>of</strong> alcohol. An awareness programme should be developed.<br />

Member Countries should establish regulations to measure the BAC <strong>of</strong> personnel in case <strong>of</strong> an<br />

accident/incident at a port or terminal, similar to the procedure following road accidents.

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