You must always be able to safely carry out your duties in a fit state and not cause increased risk to yourself or others.
This also includes being ‘in readiness for work’ if you are placed on an on-call roster. You must be able to demonstrate that you are fit for work. You must immediately notify a supervisor or manger if you have any concerns about your current or potential fitness to work safely.
It is important that you are aware of your legal requirement to take reasonable care of the health and safety of others and to co operate with your employers efforts to comply with occupational health and safety requirements and to ensure you are not in a state which may endanger your own safety or the safety of any other person at work.
High risk work activities
High risk work activities are generally those which require a licence to operate equipment or perform certain tasks.
Examples of High Risk Work requiring a licence are:
- Crane and hoist operation
- Forklift operation
- Pressure equipment operation
- Scaffolding work
- Rigging work
- Dogging work
- Some States require licences for other types of Load shifting Equipment.
The following activities are considered unsafe work practices and are specifically prohibited
- Drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs at work.
- Operating machinery or performing high risk work while affected by alcohol or other drugs.
High risk work activities already have an increased risk associated with them. Use of alcohol and other drugs impair judgement and ability to perform these tasks.
Remember: Increasing risk is against the law.