Alcohol and farmers

Alcohol is widely used as a social drug, but it can cause many health, social, and safety problems when not used responsibly.

Farmers must take special care not to be under the influence of alcohol while using farm equipment, tractors, bikes, other vehicles or handling animals. Alcohol will affect your judgment and put you and others at greater risk of farm accidents.

Alcohol can also contribute to violence, road accidents and family conflict.

If you drink, limit your alcohol to no more than two standard drinks a day. High risk drinking is when you drink more than 4 standard drinks on one occasion. It can cause serious short and long term health effects.

Used excessively for a long time, alcohol can cause a range of health effects including (but not limited to) high blood pressure, liver damage, cancer of the mouth, throat and brain injury.