Fitness for Work Policy

Purpose: To outline Orange Sky’s fitness for work policy.

Scope: This policy applies to all members of the Orange Sky family, namely board members, employees, volunteers and contractors.

Introduction

Fit for work (FFW) means that an individual is in a state (physically, mentally and emotionally) that enables them to perform assigned tasks competently and in a manner that does not compromise or threaten their own safety or health or that of others.

An individual’s FFW may be affected by many factors including but not limited to fatigue, injury, stress, alcohol or other drugs. An employee/volunteer/contractor who is less than fit for work increases the risk of safety incidents (involving self or others), and property damage.
The policy includes the following parts:

1. Responsibilities/Obligations of each member of the Orange Sky family
2. Drugs and Alcohol
3. Fatigue Management
4. Managing Fitness for Work Issues

Obligations of members of the Orange Sky family

It is the obligation of all members of the Orange Sky family to present for work fit to carry out the duties of their position. It is also the obligation of all members of the Orange Sky family to monitor their own health to ensure that they remain fit for work.

Drugs and Alcohol

The consumption, sale or supply of illegal drugs or alcohol will not be tolerated at Orange Sky. In circumstances where a criminal offence and/or serious misconduct may be involved, an investigation into the circumstances will occur which may result in the police (or other relevant authority) being contacted and disciplinary action being taken up to and including termination.

Alcohol

A blood alcohol content reading of zero is required by all persons whilst on Orange Sky premises or other sites where Orange Sky carries out its services. Any persons found to be consuming alcohol or bringing alcohol to any site where Orange Sky operates a service will be deemed to be in breach of this Policy and will be terminated.

Drugs

A zero drug concentration is required by all members of the Orange Sky family at all times whilst at Orange Sky premises or at sites where Orange Sky provides its services, or at any time conducting duties relating to Orange Sky. Any person found to be taking such substances or have them in their possession at work or at Orange Sky services will be deemed to be in breach of this Policy and will be terminated.

Substance Testing

Random Testing

Whilst no substance random testing is regularly conducted at Orange Sky, members of the Orange Sky family must comply with Orange Sky Drug and Alcohol procedures as required in the course of their work. In these circumstances, no member of the Orange Sky family shall be exempt from any of the Alcohol and Drug Testing protocols.

Reasonable Cause

Where the SLT or volunteer leader has a reasonable concern, through observation of behaviour, evidence of related objects (e.g. drug paraphernalia/alcohol containers) or sensory information (e.g. smelling alcohol on breath), that a member of the Orange Sky family is affected by alcohol and/or drugs whilst at an Orange Sky site, independent Drug and/or Alcohol Screen tests will be undertaken to determine whether the individual is in breach of this Policy.

Transportation in Orange Sky vehicles

Drug and/or Alcohol Screen tests may be undertaken prior to, during or subsequent to any member of the Orange Sky family undertaking any major journey in an Orange Sky vehicle. who have agreed to undertake such a journey will complete and sign a questionnaire related to the transportation of Orange Sky vehicles.

Reportable Incident

Where a reportable incident has occurred at an Orange Sky service, testing may occur to ensure that the members of the Orange Sky family involved in the incident are not in breach of this policy.

Refusal by a member of the Orange Sky family, without legitimate cause, to submit to or cooperate fully with the administration of a substance test, will constitute a breach of this policy. Tampering with a sample will be treated as a serious misconduct and will result in immediate termination.

Fatigue Management

Orange Sky seeks to reduce the risk of incidents due to fatigue. Members of the Orange Sky family who feel they are affected by fatigue or who believe they are unfit to attend work or a shift have a responsibility to notify their leader immediately. Leaders have a responsibility to act on any notification by an employee/volunteer/contractor in relation to fatigue or fitness for duty related matters. Fatigue risk factors will be assessed to ensure that no fatigue risk factors would increase the likelihood of accidents and injuries occurring. This will include, but not be limited to, the number of hours worked in a day and where applicable, the culmination of hours worked that may prevent adequate time for restorative sleep to occur.

Hours of work shall not be scheduled to exceed 14 hours per 24 hours. For a volunteer this should include the hours spent on any employment in addition to the volunteering requirements of Orange Sky and travel requirements. This limit may be extended in an emergency or in extenuating circumstances but only after the relevant Leader and the SLT have assessed the risk and given prior authorisation for this extension to occur. The minimum rest break between two (2) periods of work is 10 hours. Members of the Orange Sky family are required to maintain an adequate number of hours sleep in a given 24-hour period to ensure their fitness for work status.

Managing Fitness for Work Issues

If a member of the Orange Sky family is deemed unfit for work for any reason the following action will be taken:

• They may be immediately withdrawn from the place of work or location of service and may not be permitted to drive a vehicle;
• If necessary, arrangements will be made regarding their transportation home;
• They will not be permitted to return to work until the individual can demonstrate they are fit for work. This may require a medical assessment by a medical practitioner - a medical certificate may be required.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Orange Sky will limit its concern to legitimate health and safety concerns and will only become involved when an individual’s behaviour has the potential to interfere with safety in the workplace.
All relevant information will be treated as confidential and will be held as required under Privacy legislation.