Everyone benefits when alcohol is served responsibly. If staff understand the product they are selling or hold a Responsible Service of Alcohol QLD certificate, then they understand the responsibilities that come with it. Servers will have a more pleasant work environment without rowdy, intoxicated customers. Excessive drinking makes life more difficult for people working in the liquor industry. They have to tolerate: Licensees should be aware that their premises are potentially more attractive and profitable, if they avoid the problems caused by intoxicated customers. Businesses should strive to improve their RSA QLD practices for the following reasons: When customers drink responsibly, it is good for business because other customers: If you want to learn more about how alcohol is served responsibly, take a look at our RSA Online Course and other hospitality courses. Club Training Australia offers a number of online course bundles so you get more bang for your buck as well!
Establishments like bars and clubs, as well as the communities they are part of, and that form around them, have a responsibility to their members and guests to ensure that they can provide a safe environment. This includes the responsible service of alcohol. Establishments that serve alcohol must minimise the risks of harm that arises from alcohol-related incidents.
Arising from the guidelines set out by the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998, the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training program aims to help establishments like bars and clubs develop policies and procedures aimed towards creating a safe environment for taking part in alcohol-related activities. Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) all over the country offer RSA training courses through face-to-face delivery, meaning they are in-person classes with certification issued in a fortnight from completion of the course.
Persons who work at establishments that serve alcohol, and are themselves involved in the service, sale, and handling of alcohol, are required to have RSA training. Below are the advantages of having RSA-trained personnel on board.
PLEASANT ATMOSPHERE
With responsible service comes responsible drinking. Responsible service leads to patrons who are drinking within their capacity, which lessens the incidents of unruly behaviour that arises from excessive drinking. As well, with responsible service, employees can rest easy that the possible effects of rowdy behaviour are minimised.
GOOD REPUTATION
When adhered to correctly, responsible service can give an establishment a good reputation. This reputation goes a long way toward community trust. Establishments that can be trusted not to serve alcohol to minors, for example, will have better patronage and standing within a community as opposed to an establishment that ignores responsible service and provides drinks to minors.
MINIMISE PROPERTY DAMAGE
Responsible service is the first line of defence against property damage from patrons. It can be challenging to avoid unruly behaviour from intoxicated patrons; however, it is the responsibility of establishments that serve alcohol to make sure that their service of alcohol is managed in a way that gives a safe environment for both patrons and employees. With responsible service, the risks of property damage brought on by inebriated patrons are kept to a minimum.
AVOID LEGAL AND FINANCIAL PENALTIES
Perhaps the most important part of responsible service is the legal responsibility of an establishment to provide a safe space in which patrons can partake in alcohol. It is illegal for servers to work in an alcohol-serving establishment without an RSA training certification or competency card. It is also unlawful for such establishments to facilitate or take part in the sale, service, or handling of alcohol without RSA-certified sellers, servers, or handlers. Responsible service states that minors should not be sold or given alcohol in an establishment that sells or serves alcohol, as well (this can incur a $10,444 penalty for bartenders, and a $32,637 penalty for licencees or approved managers). Selling to, or simply enabling, a disordly patron to consume alcohol, can result in a $10,444 penalty for bartenders, and a $65,275 penalty for the licencee or manager. Suspension or cancelation of a liquor licence is also one of the many penalties that can be incurred. Being aware of these regulations is part of RSA training, and covers a business’s liabilities with the service of alcohol.
These are the reasons why responsible service of alcohol is important for alcohol-serving and -selling establishments. Because these establishments are ubiquitous parts of any community, it is imperative that persons working in these establishments adhere to their RSA training when serving alcohol.
RSA training courses are readily available via RTOs. Enrol in a training course today.