Alcohol Server Training
Encyclopedia
Alcohol server training is a form of occupation
al education
typically provided to servers, sellers and consumers of alcohol
to prevent intoxication, drunk driving and underage drinking. Usually underwritten by employers in the hospitality
, food-service and related industries, this training is regulated and mandated by state and local laws predominantly in North America
, and increasingly in other English
-speaking countries such as Australia. In North America
the primary purpose of this employee-training is to mitigate liability
during a lawsuit
involving intoxication by providing evidence of intent on the part of the establishment that serves and sells alcoholic beverages - a "reasonable efforts defense."
Secondarily, this training is considered effective in reducing incidences of over serving patrons to the point of intoxication, and in preventing sales to minors. For the establishment paying for this training, the most immediate tangible benefit is a reduction in liquor liability insurance
premiums paid by all organizations serving or selling alcoholic beverages. Another benefit is regulatory compliance. Increasingly in the United States (for example, in the States of Tennessee
, Texas
and Louisiana
), licenses or permits to serve or sell alcoholic beverages are contingent on obtaining this form of training for employees.
, this training is taught by a wide range of educational providers, from individuals to the state. The cost, quality and content of training varies widely from program to program, and from state to state. The term "alcohol server training", as a consequence, is often an umbrella attached to the overall intent of the training
, if nothing else. This training usually carries some testing and certification, related to local state regulations, but few programs are provided nationally to any standard. Some states allow online testing for certification but others, like Louisiana
require attendance at a class with a live trainer.
, this training is called Responsible service of alcohol or RSA training. It is mandatory throughout the country for all people serving alcohol including bar staff, sommeliers, waiting staff (in licensed premises), airline staff, people serving at catered events and so on.
Its primary purpose is harm minimization as set out in a National alcohol strategy by the Federal Government. Under this strategy, each State Government is responsible for putting legislation and strategies in place to minimize the harm alcohol causes to various vulnerable groups in society including Minors. One of the ways State governments are enabling this national strategy is through mandatory staff training.
This training is based on a national unit of competency called Provide responsible service of alcohol (SlTHFABOO9A) and forms part of a broader hospitality training package recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework
or AQF. Only a Registered Training Organisation
is allowed to deliver this training. While this national training standard exists, each State also has their own liquor licensing body and in some cases, they have specific training requirements, such as in Queensland where all training courses must be OLGR approved.
The type of training delivery allowed also varies between States, with States such as Queensland
, Western Australia
and South Australia
, accepting online delivery of the National RSA training, while Victoria
and NSW do not currently recognise online as a valid delivery channel for this type of training. Debate continues as to the benefits of online training versus classroom training, with advocates claiming it delivers benefits such as more consistent and provides better access to rural learners to deliver the training online, while opponents argue that classroom training delivers better learning outcomes.
Regardless of the delivery channel, RSA training is generally founded on the concept of Duty of care
and requires managers and staff to take all reasonable precautions to protect patrons and staff by preventing patrons from becoming disorderly and/or suffering alcohol intoxication. Other topics covered include blood alcohol content
, the effects of alcohol on human health, a standard drink
, how to serve responsibly and how to refuse service.
Profession
A profession is a vocation founded upon specialized educational training, the purpose of which is to supply disinterested counsel and service to others, for a direct and definite compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other business gain....
al education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
typically provided to servers, sellers and consumers of alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
to prevent intoxication, drunk driving and underage drinking. Usually underwritten by employers in the hospitality
Hospitality industry
The hospitality industry consists of broad category of fields within the service industry that includes lodging, restaurants, event planning, theme parks, transportation, cruise line, and additional fields within the tourism industry. The hospitality industry is a several billion dollar industry...
, food-service and related industries, this training is regulated and mandated by state and local laws predominantly in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, and increasingly in other English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
-speaking countries such as Australia. In North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
the primary purpose of this employee-training is to mitigate liability
Legal liability
Legal liability is the legal bound obligation to pay debts.* In law a person is said to be legally liable when they are financially and legally responsible for something. Legal liability concerns both civil law and criminal law. See Strict liability. Under English law, with the passing of the Theft...
during a lawsuit
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
involving intoxication by providing evidence of intent on the part of the establishment that serves and sells alcoholic beverages - a "reasonable efforts defense."
Secondarily, this training is considered effective in reducing incidences of over serving patrons to the point of intoxication, and in preventing sales to minors. For the establishment paying for this training, the most immediate tangible benefit is a reduction in liquor liability insurance
Liability insurance
Liability insurance is a part of the general insurance system of risk financing to protect the purchaser from the risks of liabilities imposed by lawsuits and similar claims. It protects the insured in the event he or she is sued for claims that come within the coverage of the insurance policy...
premiums paid by all organizations serving or selling alcoholic beverages. Another benefit is regulatory compliance. Increasingly in the United States (for example, in the States of Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
), licenses or permits to serve or sell alcoholic beverages are contingent on obtaining this form of training for employees.
United States
In the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, this training is taught by a wide range of educational providers, from individuals to the state. The cost, quality and content of training varies widely from program to program, and from state to state. The term "alcohol server training", as a consequence, is often an umbrella attached to the overall intent of the training
Training
The term training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. It forms the core of apprenticeships and provides the backbone of content at institutes of...
, if nothing else. This training usually carries some testing and certification, related to local state regulations, but few programs are provided nationally to any standard. Some states allow online testing for certification but others, like Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
require attendance at a class with a live trainer.
Australia
In AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, this training is called Responsible service of alcohol or RSA training. It is mandatory throughout the country for all people serving alcohol including bar staff, sommeliers, waiting staff (in licensed premises), airline staff, people serving at catered events and so on.
Its primary purpose is harm minimization as set out in a National alcohol strategy by the Federal Government. Under this strategy, each State Government is responsible for putting legislation and strategies in place to minimize the harm alcohol causes to various vulnerable groups in society including Minors. One of the ways State governments are enabling this national strategy is through mandatory staff training.
This training is based on a national unit of competency called Provide responsible service of alcohol (SlTHFABOO9A) and forms part of a broader hospitality training package recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework
Australian Qualifications Framework
The Australian Qualifications Framework provides the hierarchy of educational qualifications in Australia. It is administered nationally by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Few qualifications outside the system are accepted by employers or for...
or AQF. Only a Registered Training Organisation
Registered training organisation
A registered training organisation in Australia, is a vocational education organisation that provides students with training that results in qualifications and statements of attainment that are recognised and accepted by industry and other educational institutions throughout Australia.Registered...
is allowed to deliver this training. While this national training standard exists, each State also has their own liquor licensing body and in some cases, they have specific training requirements, such as in Queensland where all training courses must be OLGR approved.
The type of training delivery allowed also varies between States, with States such as Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
and South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, accepting online delivery of the National RSA training, while Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
and NSW do not currently recognise online as a valid delivery channel for this type of training. Debate continues as to the benefits of online training versus classroom training, with advocates claiming it delivers benefits such as more consistent and provides better access to rural learners to deliver the training online, while opponents argue that classroom training delivers better learning outcomes.
Regardless of the delivery channel, RSA training is generally founded on the concept of Duty of care
Duty of care
In tort law, a duty of care is a legal obligation imposed on an individual requiring that they adhere to a standard of reasonable care while performing any acts that could foreseeably harm others. It is the first element that must be established to proceed with an action in negligence. The claimant...
and requires managers and staff to take all reasonable precautions to protect patrons and staff by preventing patrons from becoming disorderly and/or suffering alcohol intoxication. Other topics covered include blood alcohol content
Blood alcohol content
Blood alcohol content , also called blood alcohol concentration, blood ethanol concentration, or blood alcohol level is most commonly used as a metric of alcohol intoxication for legal or medical purposes....
, the effects of alcohol on human health, a standard drink
Standard drink
A standard drink is a notional drink that contains a specified amount of pure alcohol. The standard drink is used in many countries to quantify alcohol intake. It is usually re-expressed as a measure of beer, wine, or spirits for convenience. One standard drink always contains the same amount of...
, how to serve responsibly and how to refuse service.
External links
- http://www.rgl.wa.gov.au/
- http://www.nt.gov.au/justice/alcohol.shtml
- http://www.olgr.qld.gov.au/
- http://www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/olgr_default.asp
- http://www.ors.act.gov.au/BIL/WebPages/Industries/liquor.html
- http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/justlib/DOJ+Internet/Home/Alcohol/
- http://www.treasury.tas.gov.au/domino/dtf/dtf.nsf/0/748D301C532E4968CA2572F0000119CD?OpenDocument
- http://www.olgc.sa.gov.au
- http://www.rsa.edu.au