As a business owner or site manager, you have a legal obligation under the Work Health and Safety Act (WHS) to provide a safe environment for your employees. This includes managing the risks associated with drugs and alcohol.
However, implementing a testing program can feel like a legal minefield. Here is a simple guide to doing it right in Australia.
1. The "Duty of Care"
You are legally required to identify hazards. An employee operating machinery under the influence of Ice or Benzodiazepines is a critical hazard. A robust testing program is not just allowed; it is often expected in high-risk industries like construction, transport, and logistics.
2. Why AS/NZS 4760:2019 Matters
If you conduct a test that leads to disciplinary action, that test must be defensible. Using a cheap, unverified kit from an overseas website will not hold up if challenged by a union or lawyer.
You must use a device verified to Australian Standard AS/NZS 4760:2019 (Procedures for specimen collection and the detection and quantitation of drugs in oral fluid). This ensures the device has been rigorously tested for accuracy and cut-off levels.
3. Policy Before Action
You cannot spring a surprise test on staff without groundwork. You must have a written Drug and Alcohol Policy that outlines:
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When tests will occur (e.g., random, post-incident, or "for cause").
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What happens if a result is non-negative.
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How privacy is protected.
4. Why Saliva is the Preferred Method
Saliva testing is less invasive than urine testing and does not require a bathroom. This preserves employee dignity and allows testing to be done openly in a site office or break room, ensuring transparency.
Need a compliant solution?
The Drug Check Express SalivaTracer™ is fully verified to AS/NZS 4760:2019 standards.