RSA Course Online

Category: rsa course online

  • Alcohol Poisoning Claims another Life in Indonesia

    Yet another tourist has been killed in Indonesia after drinking alcohol which was actually poisoned. The young backpacker (23 year old), Cheznye Emmons from Britain died after drinking alcohol labelled as “gin” bought from a shop in Indonesia, the alcohol turned out to be methanol. The young women and her boyfriend along with another friend had consumed the deadly alcohol while trekking through the jungle. All 3 suffered serious health problems such as loss of sight, kidney failure and seizures, according to media reports.

    Guardian.co.uk reported:

    A British backpacker has died after drinking poisoned alcohol in the Indonesian jungle.

    Cheznye Emmons, 23, had bought a bottle labelled “gin” from a shop, which turned out to be deadly methanol. The beauty therapist from Essex had been trekking with her boyfriend and another man they met while travelling.

    All three suffered health problems after drinking the methanol, which can cause kidney failure, blindness, seizures and death. Emmons lost her sight and was taken through the jungle to the nearest eye clinic. She was referred to hospital where she was placed in an induced coma.

    Her parents flew to Indonesia where they eventually decided to turn off her life support machine.

    Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/18/uk-backpacker-dies-poisoned-alcohol-indonesia

    Tourists travelling to Indonesia have been warned to be very cautious about where they buy alcohol because home-brewed spirits are common in the country. It is thought that the country’s high alcohol tax (more than 200 per cent) is the reason why people opt to make their own concoctions at home but methanol produced is a by-product of poor distillation techniques and can be fatal.

    Although the home made method of making alcohol is illegal in Indonesia people often “disguise” the home made brew as regular commercially made alcohol by packaging it in that way.

    Who can forget the case of the Australian teenager who died in January after drinking methanol disguised as alcohol while on holiday in Indonesia. The government began cracking down on this illegal and extremely dangerous trend thereafter however there seems to be some cases that slip through the cracks especially in remote areas such as the Indonesian jungle, a very harsh reminder to anyone wishing to visit the tropical nation.

    The post on Guardian.co.uk went on to quote the following:

    A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We can confirm the death of a British national in Indonesia and we are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time.”

    Her brother, Michael Emmons, said: “We’re all just in shock. From what we understand, the shop poured the gin out of the original bottle and then replaced it with methanol. It was in the original bottle with the gin label on it. As far as we’re aware, the shop has been shut and there’s a police investigation.”

    Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/18/uk-backpacker-dies-poisoned-alcohol-indonesia

    Advice to tourists visiting Indonesia – while the Indonesian government has taken steps to root out these criminals profiting off other people’s suffering, they still have a long way to go to stamping out this illegal trade completely, so in the meantime if you are visiting Indonesia on holiday, be extremely careful about where you buy your alcoholic drinks and only drink from sealed bottles obtained from reputable and safe establishments such as the restaurant or bar at your hotel.

     

  • RSA Update: Quick Tips for Bartenders on Reducing Alcohol Related Harm

    Bartenders and serving staff of licenced venues have a role to play in reducing alcohol induced violence and harm. This is one of the reasons why authorities made Responsible Service of Alcohol training mandatory for all workers in the alcohol sales and service industry.

    There is no doubt that alcohol fuelled harm in Oz especially in entertainment districts has gotten out of hand, but there are some practical tips that bartenders and other workers in licenced venues can adopt to prevent contributing to alcohol fuelled harm.

    • Do not serve alcohol to minors. They are not responsible enough or physically developed enough to handle their liquor. They also have less self-control and restraint and therefore are more likely to abuse alcohol and binge drink, resulting in harm to themselves and possibly others.
    • Do not serve alcohol to anyone who you suspect is or is displaying signs that they may be unduly intoxicated. This is one of the biggest problems contributing to alcohol problems in Oz at the moment.
    • Do not serve the same person too many drinks, even if they do not display signs of physical intoxication. Keep track of how many drinks you serve each person.
    • Be aware of any new restrictions that may have been implemented in your district and adhere to them. For example Byrons Bay has recently introduced a number of measures to combat alcohol fuelled violence in the district such as a 1.30am lockout, refusal of entry to any person seen drinking within 50 metres of a venue and restrictions on takeaway sales after a set time. Learn the new rules and stick to them.

     

  • Alcohol Servers, Be Prepared for Christmas Rush

    Be Prepared for Christmas Rush

     

    Christmas is around the corner and according to marketing research liquor buying will increase by about 10 per cent this year. This growth can be attributed to Australians growing thirst for premium drinking options. In fact after online sales, liquor sales are expected to top the growth charts this year, according to marketing research company,IBISWorld.

     

    Although liquor sales are always good at this time of the year, the growing popularity of premium liquor brands signals an above average increase this year according to researchers. Aussies preferences in premium wines, cocktails, craft beers and cider are strongly influencing revenue growth in the industry.

     

    Over the next year it has been forecasted that Australians will spend about $33 billion on alcohol and most of that will be in the form of premium drinks rather than traditional beer. And over the next 5 years $39.9 billion in alcohol spending is expected regardless of the increase in alcohol costs.

     

    So for alcohol industry stakeholders the focus should be on cocktail and other premium alcoholic drinks which should in turn correspond with an increase in alcohol revenue.

     

    The researchers also found that over the next year around $15.9 billion of the expected $33.1 billion revenue is to be spent in bar and pubs, good news for licenced venue owners. Liquor retailers can look forward to a $17.2 billion rise in alcohol income, for this reason the entire industry can expect growth and good festive season profits.

     

  • Hidden Camera Reveals Underage Drinking

    I recently found an interesting story that parallels the situation we are currently faced with in O, regarding underage drinking. A hidden camera investigation was carried out in a Canadian restaurant which revealed that underage drinking is a problem in that country as well. Australia is not the only country battling to come to a solution to the woes that result from teenage drinking and more specifically the serving of alcohol to minors.

     

    The hidden cameras revealed that a number of establishments are selling alcohol to minors and perhaps a similar approach can be implemented in problem areas in Oz to root out the guilty parties.

     

    This post on Cbc.ca explains in more detail

     

    In the investigation, a group composed of three 18-year-olds and one 17-year-old was sent to four establishments. The CBC asked the three males and one female to order alcohol, but not to drink it if they were served. Provincial laws prohibit anyone under 19 years old from being served or sold liquor.

     

    All four teens went together to Ebisu restaurant on Robson Street in Vancouver where they ordered a pitcher of beer and were served within minutes of sitting down.

     

    The same night, the Keg Steakhouse & Bar on Still Creek Avenue in Burnaby served red wine to two of the 18-year-olds, who went in as a couple. Another Keg waitress served beer to the two other teens who were sitting in the bar area.All four left their drinks untouched and later left.

     

    Outside the restaurant afterwards, the teens offered their own theories about why they were served.

     

    “It was just really casual,” said Jack Hu, 17. “I guess [the server] just thought we were older.”

     

    Aidan Ponton, 18, said he suspected the waitress sympathized with them.

     

    “I guess she just saw us, just some younger kids and she knew what it was like, she’d been in that position before and she didn’t hesitate,” Ponton said.

     

    These four teens checked out four restaurants in a CBC investigation. (CBC)

     

    Ben Roberts, 18, saw a monetary motive.”They are making money off of it, a lot of money and I don’t think that’s their main priority to obey the law.”

     

    “[If] your employer’s not forcing you to ID then you’re not going to,” said 18-year-old Katherine Gillard.

     

    When later confronted with the results of the CBC News investigation, the management at Ebisu said they were shocked and embarrassed and promised to be more vigilant in checking identification.

     

    A Keg spokesperson admitted its servers did not follow procedures and the restaurant chain will now redouble its training.

     

    http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/11/15/bc-hidden-camera-underage-drinking.html

     

    In Canada similar to Oz, there are hefty fines for selling alcohol to minors which doesn’t seem to be enough of a deterrent to sellers. In Canada the penalty for a first offence ranges from $7,500 to $10,000 (Canadian) or a 10-to-15- day licence suspension. Licensees can either accept the penalty or request an enforcement hearing.

     

    The incident in Canada has resulted in the restaurant assuring that it will increase the training of its staff. However in Australian responsible service of alcohol training is mandatory for every person serving or selling alcohol.

     

    One of the biggest benefits of RSA training is that it teaches you to serve alcohol in a manner that maintains the good reputation of the establishment. Ensuring that you do not suffer the consequences that come from serving alcohol to unduly intoxicated patrons or minors means that you will enjoy a pleasant working environment and be confident that each time you go to work you will be safe rather than being exposed to alcohol fuelled violence.

     

     

  • Alcoholism’s Effect on The Community

    The Effects of Alcoholism

     

    Recently alcoholism’s effect on the aboriginal community has been a huge topic of debate because of the negative consequences these communities have been suffering which has made unemployment and other social problems more prevalent.

     

    But alcoholism is not limited to disenfranchised communities, they can affect people from any social standing or background.

     

    Alcoholism is a universal problem and scientists believe that an addictive gene present in some people makes them more vulnerable to developing an addiction.

     

    Not only does alcohol affect a person’s health, cause accidents and diseases etc, it also has an effect on the wider community.  A range of adverse social consequences exist for both the over-drinker and for others in the community. These consequences include harm to family members, children and to friends and workmates, as well as to bystanders and strangers occasionally. The entertainment districts are an example of the harm that can be done to innocent people who are in the wrong place at the wrong time and fall victim to alcohol fuelled violence, assaults and brawls.

     

    Adverse effects on the community include noise, litter, offensive behaviour, vandalism, aggression, petty crime, assaults and major road safety issues. In fact drink driving is one of the greatest causes of deaths on our roads and especially affects the teenage population, according to statistics.

     

    Alcohol is often linked to an increase in crime, with studies suggesting that alcohol is involved in up to half of all violent crimes like domestic violence.

     

    So alcohol servers have a responsibility to keep excessive amounts of alcohol out of the hands of alcoholics. Be cautious, alert and remember your RSA training because if you don’t, you are contributing to these negative consequences on the community.

     

  • Retailers Crack Down on Underage Liquor Buying

    Crack Down on Underage School Liquor Buying

    Liquor retailers have been receiving a lot of criticism lately because of their sale of alcohol to underage minors. Now retailers are doing something about it by hiring special staff to police their stores for underage school leavers attempting to obtain alcohol during Schoolies Week.

    Hot spots have been identified and security staff will be stationed at these points in an attempt to root out minors trying to obtain alcohol.

    BWS and Dan Murphys are leading the pack in cracking down on underage alcohol purchasing by hiring an additional 60 guards to be stationed around the country especially in holiday spots where school leavers frequently congregate to celebrate.

    Underage people will not be able to enter liquor stores and those teenagers attempting to gain alcohol from the over 18 counterparts will also be watched. Those school leavers that are over 18 and attempting to purchase alcohol on behalf of the underage friends will also be refused alcohol by the guards.

    This post on Brisbanetimes.com website has more:

    Liquor retailers are hiring security staff to crackdown on underage school leavers getting hold of alcohol during Schoolies Week celebrations.

     Dan Murphy’s and BWS, both owned by supermarket giant Woolworths, will have security staff on the door at designated Schoolies “hot spots” over the week-long festivities.

     About 60 guards will be employed across the nation, in particular at popular Schoolies locations such as Surfers Paradise, the Sunshine Coast and Byron Bay.
     The guards will prevent underage people from entering stores as well as keeping an eye on teenagers attempting to use over-18s to purchase alcohol for them.

     Staff and guards have been directed to refuse service to any member of a group they believe may be purchasing alcohol for minors, even if that person has identification proving they’re over 18.

     Security staff will also be used to deny access to stores to intoxicated people.

     “BWS and Dan Murphy’s are committed to the responsible service of alcohol and in the lead-up to Schoolies we are reinforcing the importance of this to our customers and staff,” BWS and Dan Murphy’s national liquor licensing manager Shane Tremble said in a statement.

     “The secondary supply of alcohol to minors is a significant issue for our stores, the authorities and the community. We know that very few underage drinkers attempt to buy alcohol themselves, preferring to ask others to buy it for them so it is important we tackle this issue head-on.

    Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/liquor-stores-hire-schoolies-security-20121113-299g9.html#ixzz2C62Bhpb7

    Although there may some patrons that are refused alcohol during this time, the companies have reiterated that their main objective is keeping alcohol out of the hands of under aged youth who  have a tendency to abuse it.

    These retailers have a larger plan in motion which will see customers having to produce their ID if they look under the age of 25. Although just being implemented by retailers, this is part of Responsible service of alcohol legislation anyway.

    Liquor retailers will also have signage posted around their stores to warn customers that it is a crime to buy alcohol for underage people.  Schoolies week will see about 30,000 students flocking to the Gold Coast to celebrate and hopefully measures like these will reduce the alcohol induced harm that occurs each year at the celebrations.

     

  • RSA Update on Wine

    Are there benefits to Wine drinking?

     

    There has long been raging a debate as to whether or not wine presents any benefit to the health of its drinkers. Certainly a good argument has been that In ancient times when wine was the alcohol of choice people lived longer and healthier lives. In countries where wine is produced and forms part of everyday life the life span seems to be longer, such as in Mediterranean countries such as Italy and Spain. So does drinking a glass a day really have health benefits?

     

    Well according to numerous studies done wine has many health benefits, when enjoyed in moderation, a few glasses a week. Red wine in particular can be good for you although white wine also presents its benefits. According to research drinking red wine can lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and Alzheimers, due to the grapes that make up the wine.

     

    Grapes contain in their skin miracle nutrients and are packed with Resveratol which actually protects the body’s cells. Saponin also contained in the grapes skin binds together with bad cholesterol and sifts it out of the body. The third magic component Flavonoids interfere and interrupt the multiplication of deadly cancer cells in the body.

     

    Non-alcoholic phytochemicals in wine, such as flavanoids and resveratrol, act as antioxidants and prevent molecules known as “free radicals” from causing cellular damage in the body.  Although some studies which have focused on the health benefits of resveratrol use much greater dosages than you’ll find in an average glass of wine, resveratrol has been shown to prevent blood clotting and plaque formation in arteries by altering lipid profiles and plasma viscosity.  Findings from a recent study suggest that resveratrol can produce potent anti-thrombotic agents that can potentially improve cardiovascular health and lower the risk for coronary heart disease.  In animal studies, resveratrol reduced tumours forming by affecting one or more stages of cancer development.

     

    The Documented Benefits of Wine Drinking

     

    It reduces the risk of a heart attack. Evidence collected by The Harvard School for Public Health suggests that moderate wine drinkers suffering from high blood pressure are 30 per cent less likely to have a heart attack than non-wine drinkers.

     

    Wine apparently promotes longevity.  Wine drinkers have a 34 per cent lower mortality rate than beer or spirits drinkers according to a Finnish study of 2,468 men over a 29-year period, published in the Journals of Gerontology, 2007.

     

    Wine can also reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes in drinkers according to a study by Amsterdam’s VU University Medical Centre who conducted studies on 369862 people found that moderate drinkers were 30 per cent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes that non-drinkers.

     

    Wine drinkers have a lower chance of a stroke because the possibility of suffering a blood clot–related stroke drops by about 50 per cent in people who consume moderate amounts of alcohol. This according to a study of 3176 people in 2006 by a Columbia University. The university also found that the problem of brain decline is another problem that aging causes. Brain function declines at a markedly faster rate in non-wine drinkers than in moderate drinkers.

     

    A problem that often plagues aged people, cataracts can be reduced by 32 per cent compared to people who drink beer.

     

    Wine consumption also cuts the risk of colon cancer by an astonishing 45 per cent, research by a Stony Brook University revealed in 2005.

     

    Although the benefits of wine have been well documented and the fact that moderate amounts of alcohol can raise your good cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) and thin your blood there are also negative consequences of wine abuse. Red wine in particular is better for your health than spirits and beer.

     

    Red wine provides much more resveratrol compared to white. That’s because the longer the skin is kept on the grape during the wine making process, the greater the concentration of resveratrol in the wine. In white wine production the grape skin is removed before fermentation giving white wines a lower concentration in resveratrol compared to red wines.

     

    The Negative Side Effects of Wine

     

    Higher Risk of contracting breast cancer. Studies have shown alcohol can increase oestrogen levels and raise tumour progression in women rather than destroy it as in other cases.

     

     Causes Migraines. Wine is often a big trigger for people who suffer with migraine headaches. Although white wine contains more sulfites than red wine (sulfites are added to white wine to preserve its light color), red wine seems to be a much bigger migraine trigger due to the accumulation of histamines and tannins from prolonged contact with the skin.

     

  • NSW Course Online – Now Available!

    RSA Online – NSW Approved!

     

    Great news!  Finally NSW residents can get their RSA course online!  After years of only allowing face-to-face training in NSW, the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR NSW) announced on 1 July 2012, that a twelve month trial of an Online RSA course in NSW would be launched.

     

    OLGR have allowed a select group of existing Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s) to offer the course, and have engaged strict guidelines for the RTO’s to comply with, particularly relating to student ID verification, including complying with the BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR DELIVERING ONLINE RSA TRAINING form, and also the AQTF national training guidelines.  The content of the course has been supplied by OLGR NSW, and must be used consistently by each RTO, within their own online portal systems, sometimes known as Learning Management Systems (LMS).

     

    The OLGR documentation has this to say about the content of the new course:

    In this course you’ll learn the principles and practices of the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA).

     

    RSA training is governed by NSW State liquor laws and completion of an RSA course is mandatory for licensees, serving and security staff.

     

    There are four topics you need to complete:

     

    1. Introduction to RSA

     

    This topic will help you to understand the purpose of Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA).

     

    In this topic you will learn about the principles of RSA, and the role of the Government in developing and enforcing RSA legislation  in NSW. Government officers and experienced licensees will explain many of these details so that you gain a thorough understanding.

     

    1. RSA legislation

     

    This topic covers the skills and knowledge to sell or serve alcohol according to NSW legislation.

     

    In this topic you’ll learn about the legal requirements of RSA. Industry professionals will explain the key aspects of RSA legislation and how it applies to your role in industry.

     

    1. Impact of alcohol

     

    In this topic you’ll hear about the risks to your patrons, including long-term health problems, associated with alcohol consumption.

     

    In this topic you will learn how alcohol impacts on personal and community health. A health professional will outline issues related to the sale and service of alcohol for different types of customers, especially those at risk. You will also see how  to provide accurate information to customers on alcoholic beverages.

     

    1. RSA strategies.

     

    This topic will give you a range of skills that will help you to comply with the requirements of the liquor laws.

     

    In this topic you’ll look at role plays demonstrating best practice in RSA strategies. You’ll also hear from licensees about how RSA is typically applied by staff in the workplace.

     

    Once a trainee has completed the course and online assessments, they receive a Statement of Attainment from the RTO.  This document contains their unique ID number, thus forming part of the ID verification process.  The RTO then submits their application to the OLGR NSW portal, and then emails an Interim Certificate to the trainee.  Once the trainee has received this they make an appointment with a local Post Office, to go in and have their photo ID verified, and get a Photo Competency Card issued by Australia Post.

     

    OLGR and Australia Post charge $70 for the competency card (which is a requirement for face-to-face, or online training).  This $70 is usually included in the price of training.

     

    The new delivery methodology launched on the 1st of July, but it seemed no RTO’s were ready on that exact day.  By early in the week, there were two providers, available online, the most economical being www.rsaonlinensw.com at $139 including the Photocard fee.

     

    This development from OLGR NSW makes it SO much more convenient to do your RSA Online (NSW), by avoiding the long hours involved with face-to-face training.

     

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol Update : Police Chief Advocates Ban On Alcohol Advertising

    Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has cited the lack of regulation of alcohol purchases as a contributing factor to the stubbornly high volume of domestic violence cases.  The link between bottle store purchases and domestic violence has led the commissioner to advocate among other possibilities, the idea of limiting alcohol advertising on television to after 8:30pm.

     

    A new alcohol policy working group consisting of senior police and bureaucrats will investigate the suggestions by Scipione and the link between alcohol consumerism and domestic violence. Scipione has suggested that high rates of domestic violence can be attributed to the ease of alcohol availability which according to him is especially affecting women and children in the community. He said that while figures for non-domestic violence was declining, the number of domestic violence issues remained stubbornly high which is why the problem needs to be rooted out.

     

    According to TheHerald.com.au:

     

    The group, formed this year, is conducting a comprehensive review of the state’s alcohol licensing system in response to an offer by Premier Barry O’Farrell last year to give police whatever support they need to tackle alcohol-related violence.

     

    The group will also examine venue and outlet density, which it believes is a ‘‘critical issue’’ for alcohol policy in NSW.

     

    In an interview about measures the police are taking to combat alcohol-related violence, Mr Scipione said the numbers of non-domestic violence, alcohol-related assaults have been falling significantly for the past few years.

     

    ‘‘The bit that is not falling as much is the domestic violence, where alcohol is a factor – that’s the frightening bit,’’ Mr Scipione said.

     

    ‘‘Of course, that’s predominantly being fed through takeaway bottle shops. I think it’s worth looking at the impact and necessarily the sort of policy we might need to develop to inform government in this area.’’

     

    NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data shows that between 2007 and 2011, the average annual rate of alcohol-related domestic violence fell 2.6 per cent. This compared with a 5.3 per cent drop in other alcohol-related assaults.

     

    Mr Scipione said the visible effects of excess drinking on weekends and at major events was the ‘‘tip’’ of the issue, but domestic violence was emerging as the ‘‘iceberg’’ of alcohol policy in NSW.

     

    ‘‘That’s what worries me: when there are incentives given to people to come in and fill up the car [with alcohol] and if you wanted to buy it over the bar you would have severe restrictions,’’ Mr Scipione said.

     

    Source: http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/inquiry-bottle-shops-and-violence-link/2554206.aspx

     

    Fosters and Diageo have criticised suggestions by the News South Wales police commissioner Andrew Scipione to revise alcohol advertising by adding restrictions that prohibit it from appearing on television before 8:30pm.

     

    The Police Commissioner blamed alcohol sellers for the high rate in domestic violence and cited alcohol advertising for contributing to the problem. However members of the alcohol industry have reiterated that their advertising is aimed at adults who have the right to the product knowledge conveyed through advertising.

     

    According to TheShout.com.au:

     

    Ban on alcohol advertising misses the point: Foster’s

    Foster’s and Diageo have both rejected suggestions by the NSW police chief of a ban on alcohol advertising on television before 8.30pm.

     

     In a wide-ranging sermon about alcohol-related harm, NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione today inferred bottle shops were to blame for high rates of domestic violence.

     

    Alcohol advertising was also on his radar, with the police chief quoting a national poll conducted for the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation, published last month, which showed 69 per cent of adults supported a ban on alcohol advertising on television before 8.30pm.

     

    But Foster’s spokesman Jeremy Griffith told TheShout that advertising “drives brand choice not consumption”.

     

    “The fact that alcohol consumption per person has been either declining or flat-lining for 30-plus years, despite millions of dollars spent in advertising, highlights this point,” he said.

     

    “Our per capita consumption now sits at around 20 per cent below its peak (reached in the 70’s) and continues to fall,” Griffith said.

     

    A Diageo spokesperson said consumers have every right to have brand and product information communicated to them.

     

    “All our products are aimed at adults, and therefore all our advertising is aimed at adult audiences. Not only is this sound marketing, it is also part of our ongoing commitment to responsible drinking in our community.” 

     

    Source:http://www.theshout.com.au/2012/05/14/article/Ban-on-alcohol-advertising-misses-the-point-Fosters/CFFWFKFMXJ.html

     

  • Our new intro video

    Our new intro video: