1. This procedure applies to all kaimahi, ākonga, and visitors undertaking work, study, or contract activities at Otago Polytechnic; learning sites, or while representing Otago Polytechnic in any capacity.
1.1 Otago Polytechnic sanctioned functions are approved and endorsed by Formal Leaders or Te Kāhui Manukura, or for food and beverage-related courses/programmes of study where alcohol is consumed are the only exceptions.
2. Concerning alcohol and drugs the following are not acceptable actions or behaviours for kaimahi, ākonga, and visitors:
2.1. Participating in any Safety Sensitive Activity (refer to Appendix 1), operating machinery, or driving an Otago Polytechnic vehicle, their own or a hire vehicle on Otago Polytechnic business while impaired by alcohol, or illegal drugs, or while on a course of prescribed medication if such activities are against medical advice and/or where there is a risk of serious injury while being so impaired.
- This includes any activity undertaken by kaimahi, ākonga, and visitors deemed to be part of Otago Polytechnic business where there is a risk of serious injury or harm while impaired by alcohol or illegal drugs.
2.2. Introducing, consuming, or possessing an illegal drug/controlled drug or alcohol, or any prescription medication not prescribed to the person on, or in, any Otago Polytechnic learning sites and ākonga accommodation** or any situation where ākonga, are under the supervision of kaimahi. **Ākonga under the age of 18 must not be accommodated with older ākonga in Otago Polytechnic -managed accommodation.
3. The exceptions are alcohol for Otago Polytechnic sanctioned functions approved and endorsed by Formal Leaders or Te Kāhui Manukura, or for food and beverage-related courses/programmes of study.
4. If ākonga are taking any prescribed drugs or medication which are known to exhibit side effects, and/or impair performance they must discuss this in confidence with their Programme Leader, at the earliest opportunity to ensure the safety of themselves and others at all Otago Polytechnic learning sites. Depending on the situation, permission will be sought, if applicable, to disclose this information to work/clinical placements or work experience supervisors to assess the risk and put in place a plan.
5. If kaimahi is taking any prescribed drugs or medication which are known to exhibit side effects, and/or impair performance, they must discuss this, in confidence with their Formal Leader, or a member of the People. Culture, and Wellbeing team at the earliest opportunity so work-related activities may be assessed appropriately.
6. Otago Polytechnic will provide a well-being and safety preventative education and representation for kaimahi and ākonga during their Health and Safety induction and educational kaimahi and ākonga forums to raise the awareness of the contents of this policy, the process that will be followed during testing, and the support services available to kaimahi and ākonga.
7. For the avoidance of doubt, by bringing personal property onto Otago Polytechnic premises, kaimahi or ākonga is deemed to have consented to their property being searched or inspected in accordance with this procedure and in accordance with the relevant Te Pūkenga policies.
8. Otago Polytechnic may employ specialist drug detection technology and/or a drug detection dog team to conduct a search of an Otago Polytechnic site or building (including Otago Polytechnic accommodation). If the dog or equipment indicates recent possession and/or use of illegal/controlled drugs by kaimahi and ākonga then Otago Polytechnic may require that person to undergo drug testing in accordance with Te Pūkenga Tohutohu Whakamātautau Pūroi / Guidelines for Drug Testing.
9. Kaimahi and ākonga under reasonable cause on a first occasion may use their discretion to leave Otago Polytechnic premises or Otago Polytechnic earning activities for the remainder of the day and return to work/study the following day without further question.
10. In the event of any repeat occurrence under reasonable cause within eighteen (18) months Otago Polytechnic will require kaimahi and ākonga to undertake alcohol and/or drug testing.
11. When ākonga are on placement/work experience, and the organisation where they are located has its own Alcohol and Drug Policy, that organisation’s Alcohol and Drug Policy is followed in the first instance. Where no policy exists on placement/work experience this Otago Polytechnic procedure and Te Pūkenga Tohutohu Whakamātautau Pūroi / Guidelines for Drug Testing is deemed to be in place.
12. If ākonga are off campus at a learning site or learning activity i.e.: work/clinical placement/work experience, and they have reasonable cause or concern about drugs or alcohol they:
a) ask ākonga to leave and contact the relevant Otago Polytechnic Programme Leader or Health and Safety to advise of the action to be taken in respect of their concerns; or
b) contact the Otago Polytechnic Programme Leader or Health and Safety and request the ākonga be instructed to immediately leave the work/clinical placement/work experience.
c) The Programme Leader or Health and Safety will log a near miss on VAULT and carry out an investigation.
13. In the event of reasonable cause being suspected or established a visitor will be asked to leave by the Formal Leader or the manager/supervisor if an Otago Polytechnic-managed event or in the event of neither of these being available Health and Safety or delegate and if the visitor is non-compliant the Police will be called to remove the visitor.
14. In the event of drug testing taking place, no information relating to any testing or rehabilitation will be disclosed to an external party without the written consent of ākonga concerned and all records will be destroyed after eighteen (18) months from the date of the test.
- Otago Polytechnic kaimahi will not be trained in how to conduct alcohol or drug tests.
15. For the following refer to Te Pūkenga Tohutohu Whakamātautau Pūroi / Guidelines for Drug Testing – all apply to kaimahi and ākonga.
a) Principles of Guidelines for Drug Testing: refer to Section 2.
b) Process: Refer to Section 3; Decide 3.2-3.7, Inform 3.8-3.11, Test 3.12-3.14 and Evaluate 3.15-3.22.
- For ākonga Te Kaihāpai will consider their explanation may deem that the explanation is unreasonable in the circumstance, then ākonga will be required to take the test or face disciplinary action in accordance with the appropriate Te Pūkenga policies and Otago Polytechnic policies and procedures.
c) Testing for Drugs and Alcohol refer to Appendix 1, 2 and 3.
d) Rehabilitation: refer to Section 4.
- Otago Polytechnic recognises that drug and alcohol abuse comes in many guises and in extreme cases may be considered an illness. If test results are positive for alcohol and/or drugs, kaimahi and ākonga will be offered help and/or referral for counselling for alcohol and/or drug-related issues and/or addiction, if deemed appropriate. In all cases, discussions will be kept confidential.
e) Self-referral: refer to Clauses 4.2-4.3 - applies to kaimahi and ākonga.
- If ākonga voluntarily wishes to seek help, then Otago Polytechnic will also support this.
