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Tag: Responsible Service of Alcohol

  • How to Enhance your Alcohol Enjoyment

    Alcohol has been referred to as the “nectar of the gods” that can enhance health, relaxation, pleasure and social interaction but consumed in excess, alcohol like all things in life can be detrimental. When you go to a party would you eat the entire cake by yourself? No, of course not so why is that some people think they can drink in excess without any consequences?

    So if getting drunk is bad for you why is that it is so socially and culturally acceptable? In Victoria for example 40 per cent of drinkers admitted to consuming alcohol for the sole purpose of getting drunk to the point of slurred speech and lost balance. This is an overwhelmingly high number of drinkers engaging in binge drinking and probably a large number of them also engaging in other alcohol related misconduct.

    According to a survey by the group FARE (The Foundation for Alcohol and Research Educations), two thirds of Aussies believe it is acceptable to get drunk. The survey also revealed that almost a quarter of Aussie drinkers report not being able to stop drinking once they start. They have most probably conditioned themselves to drink excessively over a period of time which is why they cannot stop at one or two drinks.

    FARE’s survey also revealed that 3.5million Aussies suffer from drinker’s remorse. This is indicative of a problem of self-control and a culture of excessive drinking engrained into people from a young age. Most Aussies don’t feel comfortable in a pub, bar or club without drinking and some (Around 25 per cent) drink until they can’t remember anything.

    Another problem identified by the survey which is contributing to the culture of “drunkenness” is pre-drinking. Around 50 per cent of drinkers drink at home before heading out to a club, pub or bar, many are already intoxicated when they get there.

    Here are some tips to combating excessive drinking:

    1. Know your limits and stick to it. In addition to knowing the legal limits and what constitutes a standard drink, develop a system to understand your limits and quit drinking before you get drunk.

    2. Eat food while you drink. It is particularly good to eat high protein foods such as cheese and peanuts, which help to slow the absorption of alcohol into the circulatory system.

    3. Sip your drink. If you gulp a drink for the effect, you are losing a pleasure of drinking, namely tasting and smelling the various flavours, for example in wine.

    4. Accept a drink only when you really want one. At a party if someone is trying to force another drink on you, ask for ice or drink a non-alcoholic beverage.

    5. Become a connoisseur,learn to choose quality rather than quantity. Learn the names of fine wines, whiskeys, and beers. Learn what beverage goes with what foods rather than just drinking the cheapest drinks so you can consume more and get more intoxicated.

    I came across an interesting saying which basically sums up responsible drinking it says, “Drinking responsibly means never having to feel sorry for what happened while you were drinking”.  Ultimately this means not becoming drunk.

     

  • Police Commissioner Calls for Ban on Alcohol Advertising

    There seems to be growing support for the banning of alcohol advertising during live sporting broadcasts in Western Australia.

    The Police Commissioner, Karl O’Callaghan has urged Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to consider banning alcohol advertising during live sporting broadcasts.

    According to Abbott, alcohol advertisements are just as damaging to children as gambling advertisements and betting odds promoted during live sporting events. He is particularly concerned about the impact that alcohol advertisements will have on children who watch AFL, NRL and other popular sporting codes in Oz. He has often in the past condemned the alcohol industry’s campaigns which he believes target youngsters with their themes and appeal.

    This post on TheAustralian.com.au explains:

    Earlier this week, the federal Liberal leader said if he wins government in September he will scrap live betting odds from sports broadcasts unless the television industry takes action first.

    Today, WA’s top cop called on Mr Abbott to also consider alcohol ads in his prohibition, saying children tuning into AFL, NRL and other sporting codes were just as likely to be influenced by ads for beer as betting.

    “He thinks that is a loophole and that it means they (bookmakers) can advertise during G-rated programs for kids – the same actually applies to alcohol,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

    “It is the only time when someone can advertise alcohol at a time of day when kids could be watching.

    “My message to him is to have a look at both things. You have got an opportunity, so do it properly.”

    The WA commissioner has been a vocal critic of alcohol advertisers, regularly issuing official complaints through the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC) scheme, while labelling some advertisers “cunning” and “unethical”.

    He also put his case to police commissioners of every other state at a national meeting in April.

    Mr Abbott said he was ready to put the television industry “on notice” to clamp down on broadcasting live betting odds during sports coverage or face a legislated ban.

    Read more: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/call-for-ban-on-alcohol-ads-in-sport/story-e6frg996-1226638671649

    It seems the police commissioner’s concerns may be warranted as statistics show Aussie youth are drinking from a younger age than they did a few years ago and more teen are engaging in binge drinking than ever before.

    While on this topic one cannot help but recall a recent article in which we discussed a study which provided evidence that young people are encouraged to start drinking by alcohol advertising. The group expressed fears that alcohol advertising and marketing messages are portraying the wrong message to the youth, that alcohol is the way to happiness and success.

    The study for the European Commission found that children in the UK are more exposed to alcohol marketing than even adults are, with 10 to 15-year-olds seeing 10% more alcohol advertising on television than their parents do and 50% more ads for pre-mixed drinks. Perhaps even more concerning is the advertising of alcohol products on social media, which is mostly frequented by young people.

    Debates such as this one highlight even more the need for the enforcement of Responsible Service of Alcohol. It is RSA staff’s responsibility to ensure that people under the age of 18 do not get their hands on alcohol in licenced venues. It is important to ask anyone who looks young for an ID and refuse them alcohol if they cannot provide it.

     

  • Drink Driving Leads to Crash in Milton

    According to Roads Transport and Maritime Services NSW, drink driving is a factor in about one in every five crashes in NSW where someone loses their life. Of the drink drivers who are killed, 97 per cent are men and 64 per cent are under the age of 40.

    The consequences of driving while under the influence of alcohol have once again been demonstrated by an incident that took place in Milton last month. A man driving while intoxicated has been charged after causing a crash on the Princes Highway.

    The middle aged man was charged after being found with an alcohol reading of point 060. This type of behaviour is however not uncommon, another driver in Ulladulla has been found driving almost 2 times over the legal limit.

    Powerfm.com.au reports:

    A man has been charged with drink driving after a crash in Milton last month.

    The crash happened about 8PM on Sunday April 21 at the intersection of the Princes Highway and Matron Porter Drive.

    A 49 year old Morton man who was driving a Flacon Ute has been charged with drink driving after returning a blood alcohol reading of point 060.

    He has been ordered to appear in Milton Court next month.

    Meantime a 58 year old Ulladulla man has been charged with drink driving after returning a reading more than twice the limit.

    He was stopped in Petty’s Ave Ulladulla.

    Source: http://www.powerfm.com.au/nowra/index.php/news/36921-drink-drive-charge-after-crash

    One of the most important issues to remember is that you don’t have to be drunk to be affected by alcohol. You might feel normal but no one drives as well as they should after drinking alcohol. Also Roads Transport and Maritime Services NSW reminds road users that novice drivers in particular should not drink before driving, even though the legal limit is 0.05, learner drivers should refrain from alcohol altogether because they are at a much higher risk of crashing than more experienced drivers. It is for this reason that learner and provisional licence holders are restricted to a zero alcohol limit.

    Another misconception is that by drinking coffee, eating a meal or apples you can bring down your alcohol level. Sobering up takes time and no amount of coffee, food, physical activity or sleep will speed up the process. Police will take any excuses if your blood alcohol level is over the limit.

    In NSW, police have the power to stop drivers at random to test for alcohol and subsequently arrest drivers who have an illegal blood alcohol level. They may also arrest drivers they believe are impaired by drugs including alcohol and conduct a blood and urine test. Police may require a driver to undergo a sobriety test in certain circumstances. Do not think that you can get away with drink driving, last year NSW police conducted millions of breath tests (around 4.5 million).

    The Random Breath Test has been highly successful in deterring drink driving and stopping accidents since its inception in 1982. According to statistics provided by The Roads Transport and Maritime Services fatal crashes involving alcohol have dropped from around 40 per cent of all fatalities to the current level of 19 per cent since breath testing has been introduced.

     

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol Update: Serving Alcohol to Underage Minors

    An incident which occurred in Wollongong, Fairy Meadow recently should serve as an example for staff of licenced venues about the consequences of serving alcohol to minors.

    Under Responsible Service of Alcohol law serving alcohol to minors carries major fines for workers, management and owners of establishments, but the real cost of serving teenagers are the social consequences, such as teenage drink driving, teenage pregnancy and teenage violence.

    There are also serious consequences for RSA staff if they are caught. Two liquor store employees have narrowly escaped criminal convictions after their actions allowed alcohol to get into the hands of a minor in Fairy Meadow.

    An article on www.illawarramercury.com.au detailed what happened:

    Wollongong Local Court magistrate Alison Viney yesterday released Fairy Meadow BWS employee Nicholas Jason Field, 25, and store licensee David Claydon, 46, on separate good behaviour bonds after the pair admitted their momentary lapses of judgment allowed the incident to occur on September 8 last year.

    The court heard Claydon was outside having a cigarette and Field in the store speaking on the phone when the under-age person approached the counter with two bottles of Sol beer.

    Defying company policy, which directs employees not to take phone calls when serving customers, Field continued with the call while the young person dropped the cash on the counter and walked out of the shop.

    The incident was observed by an off-duty police officer who knew the young person was under age.

    Field was charged with supplying liquor to a minor on a licensed premises and Claydon charged with allowing liquor to be sold to a minor as a licensee.

    Advocating on behalf of the men yesterday, barrister Jane Healey said they both deeply regretted the incident.

    Read more: http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1436726/no-conviction-for-selling-alcohol-to-minor/

    This incident highlights the need to check identification before serving alcohol in order to avoid selling to minors. But as this incident proves failing to do so can have severe consequences not only for the youth who are served by also for the employees that serve them, including facing criminal charges in some cases.

    It also highlights the importance of Responsible Service of Alcohol training. Every worker in a licenced venue must undergo this training in order to learn about what the law says about serving alcohol responsibility and how to enforce RSA regulations.

    It should be noted that all it takes is one lapse in judgement for an incident such as the one above to occur. RSA staff most often do not purposely serve alcohol to minors but in certain situations servers may make a mistake, one which could land them and their employer in hot water. For example during peak times when the bar is busy, servers may fail to ask for an ID hoping for the best and having lots of impatient customers to serve, it is in these circumstances that these lapses in judgement may occur.

    An even more problematic issue that affects teens who drink are teens that develop a habit of alcoholism. Alcoholism is a substance abuse disorder in which the sufferer has problems managing how much alcohol they drink, and their lives as a result.

     

  • Healthy Lifestyle Ads Blocked

    The issue of alcohol advertisements and promotions which certain members of the public say “entice” young children into drinking have once again come under the spotlight as a father has been blocked by the AFL and Cricket Australia from taking out advertisements promoting healthy living because sporting bodies feel it would conflict with their sponsorships from alcohol companies.

    The incident has public health experts up in arms and they have accused sporting codes of “bowing down to corporate bullies”.

    Read about the controversy below, taken from TheHerald.com.au:

    Tasmanian Aaron Schultz tried to buy advertising space at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval to promote his ”Game Changer” campaign against the marketing of junk food and alcohol towards children through sport.

    He hoped to run four 30-second advertisements on the big screens during the North Melbourne versus Sydney game on April 13 at a total cost of $1500, but was told via email by North Melbourne that the AFL ”could not accommodate” the ad.

    It carried the slogan ”tackling unhealthy advertising in sport” and the gamechanger.org.au website.

    Mr Schultz also approached Cricket Tasmania, which have permanent signage rights at the ground, willing to pay up to $15,000 for a space.

    But an email response from Cricket Australia sent on March 26 said; ”Unfortunately your campaign contradicts with some of our contracted partners.”

    Public health expert Mike Daube, director of the McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth, said he was amazed sporting bodies would censor public health messages.

    ”It is appalling that alcohol and junk food companies can prevent the communication of healthy messages,,” he said.

    Source: http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1478342/sports-reject-healthy-living-ad-series/?cs=2373

    Schultz launched the “Game Changer” campaign in January this year after he became concerned that advertisements during sporting events was having an impact on his children who displayed an interest in cricket and began to watch it a lot on television and live in Hobart. He then realised that high levels of alcohol and other junk foods products being promoted were sending the wrong message to children and in fact all Australians.

    The article on TheHerald.com.au also went on to discuss the recent analysis of 3 AFL final series games where alcohol promotions were shown an average of 244 times which worked out to more than 20 minutes a match.

    A spokesman for the AFL said that the code had no contracts with any of its partners or sponsors that banned advertisements such as Game Changer but the advertisement did oppose the beliefs of the AFL because according to the AFL people should make their own decisions about what they drink and eat and also do so on behalf of their families. He also said that the AFL supported messages around responsible use of alcohol but not imposing restrictions.

    The spokesman went on to say:

    A Cricket Australia spokesman said the responsible drinking category was already filled.

    ”Cricket Australia and Carlton & United Brewery’s ‘Know When to Declare’ responsible use of alcohol advertising is the only advertising of this type we carry,” he said.

    Source: http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1478342/sports-reject-healthy-living-ad-series/?cs=2373

     

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol Update: Man Arrested for Sly Grogging

    An elder statesman in The Odin’s Warriors outlaw motorcycle club has been arrested for sly-grogging. The motorcycle club then handed over the remainder of their stash of booze from their Moorooka clubhouse to the government.

    The man, Sergeant-at-arms Brian Whowell, 64, received a fine of $3000 for selling alcohol without a licence. He pleaded guilty in the Holland Park Magistrates Court.

    A reporter from www.News.com.au had this to say about the incident:

    The partially-deaf grandfather-of-three, who was without his hearing aid in court because it was sent away for repair after he stepped on it, took the rap for the sale of beer and spirits at a party at the bikies’ clubhouse on March 15.

    Police raided the Unwin St clubhouse where they found a throng of people drinking, a band playing, and drinks on display with a price list.

    Whowell was cooperative with police and told them he had the authority to take responsibility for the act, his lawyer Louisa Pink said.

    Magistrate Col Strohfeld ordered the alcohol be forfeited to the Crown, and referred Whowell’s fine to the State Penalties Enforcement, “or you can pass the hat around at the next meeting”.

    “I think we’ll have to,” Whowell replied.

    Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/odins-warriors-motorcycle-club-member-fined-for-selling-alcohol-without-licence/story-e6frfkp9-1226624412994#ixzz2RAdVspKP

    One of the reasons why sly-grogging is such a serious offence is because of it’s potential to cause damage to the community. The sale and supply of alcohol needs to be strictly regulated and monitored to ensure that it is not being sold in excess. That is one of the responsibilities of a licenced venue, to ensure that alcohol is being sold in a responsible manner that is not damaging to society.

    People who sell alcohol illegally are not adhering to the law and certainly are not observing Responsible Service of Alcohol laws. For example one of the rules of responsible service of alcohol is not providing alcohol to any unduly intoxicated patrons – it is highly unlikely that sly-groggers observe these regulations and therefore are causing harm to the individual being excessively served as well as the community.

    Servers of alcohol (including waitrons, barmen and security staff of licenced venues) must undergo Responsible Service of alcohol training in order to learn who to serve alcohol and to whom alcohol service should be denied. Training also includes how to enforce RSA laws.

    In addition to the harm that serving unduly intoxicated patrons can cause, servers are also making themselves liable to fines if caught by authorities.

    Remember servers and managers, as well as owners will be held responsible by authorities for everything that occurs within the walls of their venue. Intoxicated customers are more at risk than sober individuals when returning home as they are more vulnerable to car crashes and attacks. So you have a responsibility to yourself and to your patrons to ensure you act responsibly in your service of alcohol.

     

     

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol Update: Doctors Warn Public about Impact of Excessive Drinking

    RSA staff, even more motivation for you to enforce responsible service of alcohol laws has come to light, with doctors and surgeons across Oz urging the nation to change its culture of drinking to reduce alcohol related harm from accidents and brawls.

    Doctors say the number of people being brought into surgery as a result of drunken violence is unacceptable. Injuries such as shattered jaws and severed tendons are now common in hospitals with doctors now describing much of their work as focusing on ”preventable tragedies” rather than paying attention to the people with natural diseases.

    People suffering from injuries, both self-inflicted and at the hands of some other drunken person are taking up space in hospitals and doctors time, time that could be spent on people with life threatening illnesses.

    I came across an interesting article on SMH.com.au which detailed the doctors’ frustration and the reason for their calls for more responsible drinking:

    Whether those people being wheeled into operating theatres are victims of their own drinking or other people’s, the vice-president of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Michael Grigg, says surgeons were referring to the situation as an epidemic.

    ”Surgeons are now spending an inordinate amount of time on alcohol-related injuries,” Professor Grigg, a vascular surgeon and professor of surgery at Melbourne’s Monash University, said.

    ”As a result of that we have commissioned our own internal report on this issue to guide our advocacy efforts. We expect to come up against the carefully marshalled forces of the alcohol industry. But we owe it to the community to highlight the extent of the damage being wrought by the abuse of alcohol.”

    While surgeons had previously worked with government to introduce legislation around blood-alcohol levels and drink-driving, a vascular and trauma surgeon at Sydney’s Liverpool Hospital, John Crozier, said clinicians were now tackling more alcohol-related injury and violence.

    More than 350 people died in Australia and 14,000 were hospitalised because of someone else’s drinking every year, he said.

    ”The tragedy is so much is preventable,” Dr Crozier said. ”Whether harm is occurring through an impulsive act by an intoxicated young person who ends up injuring themselves or someone else, or someone is harmed through an act of aggression by an intoxicated person, the end result can be horrific injuries and death.”

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/doctors-tired-of-alcohol-damage-20130427-2ilc7.html#ixzz2RwP1T7Vn

    The post went on to explain how every area of surgery is being affected by this epidemic, from plastic surgeons having to repair tendons of youths who get drunk and punch windows or orthopaedic surgeons having to fix the legs of people who get drunk, then have a fall.

    The doctors have called for stricter measures to be employed such as increasing tax on beverages proportionally to their alcoholic content and reducing the availability of alcohol in the community because as they point out prevention is better than cure.

    The post also documents the case of Damien Delgado who lost his leg in the 900 metres between the bar and his home. The man lost control of his ute in the rain and because he had consumed a few drinks before driving his judgement was impaired resulting in a crash which almost claimed his life. Doctors are urging people not to follow in Damien’s footsteps but rather learn from his mistakes and learn to drink moderately and responsibly.

    (Read the full story at: http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/doctors-tired-of-alcohol-damage-20130427-2ilc7.html#ixzz2RwP1T7Vn)

     

  • Tips for Responsible Drinking

    Practicing responsible drinking is the only way to enjoy alcohol, binge drinking on the other hand leaves behind negative effects that can be felt long after the “buzz” has worn off.

    It is important that drinkers learn about the ways to keep their alcohol intake in check and learn how to drink responsibly.

    Being a responsible drinker involves making sure you’re safe, making sure those around  you are safe, actively avoiding dangerous situations, minimising the risks to yourself and others andhaving a positive overall drinking experience.

    How can you ensure a responsible drinking experience?

    • Be knowledgeable about what you’re drinking. Know what a standard drink is and use it as a way of keeping track of how much you’re drinking. Consider the alcohol content in each drink you consume and make sure that you space out your drinks throughout the night instead of downing them one after the other. Alternate one alcoholic drink with one non-alcoholic one or a glass of water to sustain you over the night. It takes up to an hour for your body to process each unit of alcohol. So have a break between drinks.
    • When drinking shooters or shots, keep in mind that they usually have a higher alcohol content. Also drink water between your drinks to help you keep hydrated and keep the hang over at bay.
    • Avoid mixing alcohol and other drugs. The impact of mixing alcohol and other drugs whether medication or recreational can be devastating and land you in the emergency room. If you’re on medication, check the information in the box to see what it says about drinking alcohol.

    Some of the side effects of combining drinking and drugs include death from internal bleeding, heart problems, difficulty breathing, headaches, drowsiness, fainting and loss of coordination, problems only made worse when behind the wheel of a car.

    • Arrange safe transport home. Don’t drink and drive. Alcohol is a depressant drug which slows down your reaction speed, which means if you need to think and act fast, you probably won’t be able to.  If you’re going out with a group of friends have a designated responsible driver who remains sober and make sure everyone gets home safely.  If no one wants to have a sober night, bring enough money for a taxi.
    • Wait until you’re old enough. Underage drinking is not only against the law, but can be detrimental to your health and physical as well as mental development. Under Responsible Service of Alcohol law serving alcohol to minors carries major fines for workers, management and owners of establishments, but the real cost of serving teenagers are the social consequences, such as teenage drink driving, teenage pregnancy and teenage violence. Teenagers who attempt to buy alcohol can also be fined, as can other parents who attempt to provide alcohol to their children’s friends without their parents’ consent.
    • Finish your drink too quickly and you’ll feel pressured to get another. Instead, make your drink and your evening last longer. Enjoy your drink and your night out by chatting, sipping, snacking, drinking water and getting fresh air.

     

  • Risks Involved with Drink Driving

    One of the aspects of responsible drinking is ensuring that you arrange safe transport home and do not engage in drink driving.

    Although most people think they can handle driving after a few drinks, countless studies (and statistics) have proven that alcohol reduces a person’s ability to drive safely. Even those who show few visible signs of alcohol in their system do not drive as well as usual after drinking. This is because alcohol affects most areas of the brain, and these effects are wide-ranging and impossible to compensate for. The brain being responsible for your movements and reflexes, it becomes difficult to engage in complex tasks once it has been affected by alcohol.

    It is also because alcohol is a depressant which means it has the following effects:

    • Slowing brain function making it difficult to respond to situations, make decisions or react quickly.
    • Reduces a person’s ability to judge how fast they are travelling or the distance from other cars.
    • It gives a person false confidence. People take greater risks because they think their driving is better than it really is.
    • Makes multi-tasking difficult. When it comes to driving, while you concentrate on steering, you could miss seeing traffic lights, cars entering from side streets or pedestrians.
    • Affects the sense of balance which is especially important for motorcycle riders.
    • Causes sleepiness.

    From these effects it becomes obvious that operating any machinery or vehicles once intoxicated is not only irresponsible but selfish because you could do more harm to others than you do to yourself. It is not only car or truck drivers that can injure or kill people and damage property as an incident in Brisbane recently proved. An elderly man was charged with operating his motorised wheelchair while intoxicated. The man was without any remorse although being found to be 4 times over the legal limit. It seems the man’s motorised wheelchair overturned probably due to speeding or reckless driving.

    Read what this post on Brisbanetimes.com.au reported on the incident:

    Ray Vivian Hodges, of Buderim on the Sunshine Coast, recorded the alcohol reading after police found him sprawled on the ground, shirtless and mumbling incoherently, beside his overturned scooter at Mooloolaba in late March.

    With the aid of a walking stick, Mr Hodges has faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court for what was his fourth drink-driving charge since 2008.

    Mr Hodges who admitted consuming 10 large glasses of wine, recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.209.

    He had “taken offence” at some police allegations particularly the categorisation of his scooter as a vehicle, saying “on this occasion, the wheelchair was my legs [and] as my legs, it was the only way I could get home”.

    Mr Hodges was disqualified from driving for 18 months and sentenced to four months in jail, suspended for two years.

    Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/elderly-man-nabbed-drink-driving-on-motorised-wheelchair-20130416-2hx8b.html#ixzz2QhgXkVBE

    The magistrate said that in light of the recent death of a scooter rider, Kim Horrigan, who was hit by a van at Currimundi, people like Mr Hodges need to be stopped before they kill themselves or someone else.

     

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol Role in Reducing Bar Brawls

    Bar brawls seem to have become a common occurrence in Oz regardless of the fact that police are out in full force each weekend attempting to keep revellers at bay. It is concerning to think that in Australia 16 per cent of bars account for 60 per cent of bar brawls. Obviously certain licenced venues are not concerned about the safety of their customers and employees and it is unlikely these venues are enforcing Responsible Service of Alcohol rules.

    Drinkers who engage in bar brawls are not deterred by negative consequences (such as minor injuries, tension among friends, or trouble with the police), all of which tend to be delayed. The perceived rewards are more immediate and include feeling right about fighting for a worthy cause, increasing group cohesion among friends, getting attention, feeling powerful and having entertaining stories to tell. Also most often these people are so intoxicated that they have been freed from all inhibitions so the consequences of their actions is the furthest thought from their mind.

    Binge drinking and underage drinking have been identified as 2 of the major contributors to alcohol fuelled violence. Binge drinking in particular is a problem contributing to the major of bar fights.

    Responsible service of alcohol laws dictate that drinkers be cut off after reaching a number drinks, regardless of the situation or how irate they may become at being denied another drink. If bar fights are something that happen often in your establishment, undoubtedly it will quickly develop a bad reputation and more responsible patrons will avoid it. Therefore waiters need to know how to properly recognize and respond to drunken patrons.

    Tact is needed and you should always remain respectful and understand that the person is intoxicated and probably unreasonable at this stage.

    You may need to remove a patron from the bar if they refuse to accept your decision to stop serving them.  That is why the best thing to do is to inform the customer beforehand that they will not be allowed more alcohol. You could politely mention to the customer that they will only be served one or two more. Then you should inform other servers as well as any bouncers or security along with your manager that a particular patron is close to their limit. It is much easier for a customer to understand this news before they are extremely intoxicated and unmanageable.

    In order to learn all the other responsibilities of an RSA employee and how to reduce the number of bar fights and violence associated with your bar or licenced venue, every staff member needs to undergo Responsible Service of Alcohol training. Each employee’s certificate should be kept on file at the premises to be provided to authorities as and when requested. This training will teach employees all the skills needed to avoid situations such as bar brawls and alcohol fuelled violence as well as the consequences for their actions.

    If you or any of your workers have not undergone the RSA course, you need to do so immediately not only to avoid legal prosecution but also to ensure that your venue remains safe and profitable.  Visit our homepage to get more information.