The Health & Safety in Employment Act 1992 was replaced with the new Health & Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) which came into effect on 4 April 2016.

A primary objective of the Act is that PCBU’s must actively identify and manage risk, risks come from many directions. Workers and contractors who attend work under the influence of drug or alcohol use create significant risk.

The purpose of a drug and alcohol policy with supporting procedures is to ensure that those with the responsibility of managing the workplace understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to identifying potentially effected workers and the ability to apply appropriate drug and alcohol testing.

A compliant drug and alcohol policy forms an integral part of Risk Management, it applies to all management, workers, contractors and visitors.

Employers are required to ensure that hazards are identified, assessed, and action is taken to eliminate or minimize, having an implemented drug and alcohol policy ensures that workers know when they attend for work, that they are not affected by alcohol, prescription or over the counter drugs or illegal drugs, which may compromise the safety of themselves or others in the workplace or affect work performance.

Contact us if you think you have an issue or want to put in place policies and processes in order to ensure that drugs and alcohol are limiters in your business