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Alcohol and Drugs Policy

Purpose

A M Water Services Ltd operates a strict zero-tolerance approach to alcohol and drugs because the safety-critical nature of our work in water infrastructure and grab operations means any impairment poses unacceptable risks to everyone's safety and our reputation as a trusted contractor.

Scope

This policy applies to all employees, contractors and agency workers across all our premises, vehicles, work sites and any time when representing our company, including business events and on-call periods.

Policy Statement

We maintain a completely alcohol and drug-free workplace to protect our team and the public. Nobody should report for work under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, and we prohibit any consumption of alcohol during working hours including breaks. All alcohol is banned from our premises and vehicles, with an absolute zero alcohol limit applying to anyone operating our grab lorries, excavators or working on water network sites. We recognise that operating heavy machinery near underground services and working in excavations requires complete alertness, and even small amounts of alcohol or drugs can impair judgment with potentially fatal consequences.

Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited in any form - nobody may use, possess or distribute them at any time. If you're taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that might affect your ability to work safely, you must tell your supervisor before starting work so we can assess any risks together. This is particularly important for roles involving driving, operating machinery or working in confined spaces common in water main installations.

Testing and Support

We conduct random drug and alcohol testing as part of our commitment to safety, and anyone reasonably suspected of being impaired will be tested immediately. Testing also follows any safety incident or near miss. Refusal to take a test is treated as a positive result. While we operate zero tolerance for violations, we also recognise that addiction is an illness, so we'll support anyone who voluntarily seeks help before an incident occurs through referral to appropriate services and consideration of alternative duties during recovery where possible.

Responsibilities and Implementation

Our directors lead by example and ensure this policy is properly resourced and implemented. Supervisors monitor their teams for any signs of impairment such as unusual behavior, declining performance or the smell of alcohol, handling any concerns sensitively but firmly. Every employee must comply with this policy as a condition of employment, cooperating with testing when required and reporting any concerns about colleagues who may be impaired - this isn't about getting people in trouble but keeping everyone safe.

Many of our clients, particularly water companies, have their own strict drug and alcohol policies which may include additional testing or lower limits than ours. We ensure all our people understand and comply with these site-specific requirements through briefings before starting any new contract. We provide substance awareness training at induction and regular toolbox talks to keep this critical safety issue at the forefront of everyone's mind.

Review

This policy is reviewed annually to ensure it remains effective and compliant with current legislation including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Transport and Works Act 1992, and client requirements.

Signed:

Aaron Mason Director A M Water Services Ltd 1st July 2026

Where this policy is implemented

This block is portal navigation, not part of the policy. The policy wording and the Word controlled copy below are unchanged. It links the policy to the procedures that deliver it and the records that evidence it.

Local controlled copy

Word version of this controlled document (for offline / paper records):

Download POL_HSQE_02 (.docx)

The page above and the Word copy are the same policy. The Word copy carries the AMWS letterhead and the Director’s signature and is the signed original, so where the two ever differ on the approval date or the issue, the Word copy governs and the page is corrected to it.

Document control

Document Reference POL_HSQE_02
Revision 3
Issue Date 1st July 2026
Next Review 1st July 2027
Status Uncontrolled when printed