Sobercheck Assist With Drug & Alcohol Testing In The Workplace

Testing of employees for drugs or alcohol is becoming increasingly common in New Zealand workplaces. The main reason employers decide to test is that, depending on the type of work being performed, impairment by alcohol or drugs gives rise to a very real health and safety hazard.

Employers are required by law to take reasonable steps to protect employees and others from hazards at work and drug and alcohol testing is a reasonable step that can be taken, especially now that testing services are readily available in New Zealand. Whether employees can be tested for drugs in the workplace will depend on a variety of factors

The Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 places a duty on an employer to provide a safe workplace. This may sometimes justify workplace drug testing. This is more likely to be the case if an employee works in a safety sensitive area, shows signs of being affected by drugs, or has recently been involved in a workplace accident or "near-miss". Sober Check realise it is not an easy task getting drug and alcohol testing implemented in the workplace so they are there to assist employers.

They advise that as a company the employer will need to identify what they are trying to achieve in their workplace. Usually it is a safe working environment which is free of alcohol and drug impairment. They will also need to consider their legal requirements under the Health & Safety Act, Employment Relations Act, Privacy Act and AS/NZS4308:2008 Standard for Workplace Drug Testing.

Employers will need to work out what is and isn't acceptable in their workplace, when testing will be carried out, why it will be carried out, and how it will be carried out.  Then they will need to specify consequences/actions depending on results. Writing effective policy is not easy, and the team at Sober Check are happy to recommend policy writers to help out.

Having a drug and alcohol policy which is implemented correctly has great benefits to a company,  resulting in improved productivity, improved staff morale, less absenteeism and fewer accidents, so for more assistance in this very important matter, please visit the Sober Check website at http://www.sobercheck.co.nz .