The most common causes of roadside and workplace accidents and injuries are alcohol impairments Therefore, more companies create and implement workplace testing policies. For example, a breath screening test can be a reliable safety measure to prevent alcohol-related incidents. In New Zealand, it is common for regulated industries to conduct drug and alcohol screening to manage occupational risks. It is a reliable and efficient procedure for deterring drug and alcohol use. Additionally, having regular drug and alcohol testing for employees can help promote better health and safety decisions. However, companies should follow the drug and alcohol testing standards to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the test results. Moreover, regulations help guide and protect companies and employees regarding the terms, conditions and repercussions when conducting workplace testing. 

Is Workplace Testing Required?

New Zealand companies are required by law to provide a safe and healthy working environment by reducing all preventable risks like alcohol-related accidents. Although testing is not mandatory, an alcohol test helps the company manage risks while reducing legal liabilities when workplace accidents occur. In addition, a workplace policy provides guidelines on how workers conduct themselves during working hours. Therefore, a workplace drug and alcohol testing policy can help companies maintain a safe workplace. If you seek a reliable breath screening test, various devices are suitable for workplace testing. For example, pro-grade breathalysers from Breathalysers New Zealand meet the requirements of a safe and effective breath screening device for workplace use. Visit Breathalysers NZ to view the complete selection of personal and workplace units.

Workplace Policies: Breath Screening Test 

Not all companies are required to conduct drug and alcohol tests in the workplace. However, many businesses search for reliable alcohol testing to minimize substance-related accidents or injuries. This is due to accidents incurring high expenses, hinder workflow, and significantly lower employee productivity and morale. Therefore, companies implement a comprehensive workplace policy to administer a breath screening test. The testing policy is a written document outlining the scope and specific safety procedures that all employees must comply with. Furthermore, the management and employees should discuss and agree with the policies, which can be a part of employment conditions. Finally, implementing a workplace testing policy ensures that all employees are not impaired by any harmful substances that may increase safety risks. A workplace alcohol policy should include the following information:

• Objectives and scope of alcohol testing
• Standard safety procedures
• Prohibited substances
• When and how is the testing conducted
• Available testing methods
• Repercussions of non-negative test results
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Educational and training programs for employees

Breath Screening Test: AS/NZ Certified 

The standards for substance screening help regulate high-risk industries like mining, aviation, transportation, and construction. These industries implement zero-tolerance policies for prohibited substances because of the safety-critical nature of the occupation. For instance, some workplaces involve testing the employees before they enter the premises. A reliable and convenient way to conduct alcohol monitoring is by breath screening tests. Companies may choose to avail of testing services or use testing kits and devices that meet the standard requirements for testing. Moreover, these testing standards help industries and the public select quality products and services. It includes guidelines for testing tools, handling, and reporting of specimens. Therefore, companies look for reliable devices with AS/NZ certification. Fortunately, Breathalysers NZ provides workplace alcohol testers with AS/NZ certification, which is perfect for workplace alcohol testing. 

Breath Screening Test: Alternative Testing Methods

Companies with workplace policies monitor employee substance use or impairment through various testing options. For example, urine or mouth swab tests can detect alcohol for up to 48 hours from the last consumption or exposure. A urine strip test will change colours if it traces alcohol or other drugs. Meanwhile, a saliva or oral fluid test involves swabbing the insides of the mouth. However, these two methods are commonly used for drug screening. On the other hand, a blood test is the most accurate yet intrusive of all testing methods. Due to its high cost and invasive nature, it is ideal as a confirmatory test to an initial screening with positive results. Therefore, a breath screening test through a breathalyser is an excellent option for alcohol detection.

Most companies use breath screening tests to check for alcohol use or intoxication. Breathalysers analyze the breath sample to determine the actual Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Workplaces use breathalysers like the BACtrack S80 Pro Gen2, and SHIELD utilises fuel cell sensors to get highly accurate results. Fuel cell breathalysers specifically analyse ethanol and do not react to other substances, which makes them less likely to produce false positives. Breathalysers with AS/NZ 3547 certification, like the BACtrack pro-grade devices at Breathalysers NZ, have undergone thorough testing and fulfilled the strict requirements for an effective alcohol tester. Therefore, companies can efficiently conduct on-site alcohol testing to ensure workers comply with workplace policies. 

Breathalysers NZ: Workplace Breathalyzers

Breathalysers NZ offers highly reliable and effective alcohol testers suitable for workplace testing. All workplace devices at Breathalysers NZ use advanced fuel cell sensor technology to trace alcohol over a complete BAC range. In addition, fuel cell sensors are the same sensor technology used by law enforcement officers conducting roadside breath screening tests. When using breathalysers, a person gives a breath sample by blowing into the mouthpiece and waiting for the BAC results. Therefore, anybody can use a breathalyser without needing a medical expert or licensed technician to administer a breath test. 

The following BACtrack pro-grade workplace breathalysers can measure the BAC accurately from 0.000 to 0.400%:

• BACtrack S80 Pro Gen2 
• BACtrack Mobile Gen2 

Conducting breath screening tests with these breathalysers can be beneficial. These devices have enhanced linear responses and advanced features like continuous temperature checking to ensure breath sample consistency. The BACtrack S80 Pro Gen2 also enables quick and efficient BAC testing through a one-touch operation. On the other hand, the BACtrack Mobile Gen2 is a smartphone breathalyser with Bluetooth connectivity features. The device pairs with any iOS or Android smartphone app to deliver the BAC results directly on the smartphone’s screen. Therefore, the Mobile Pro is an ideal device for remote testing and an excellent monitoring tool for off-site staff. 

Conclusion

Workplaces implementing workplace testing and searching for the perfect device for breath screening tests should choose AS/NZ-certified breathalysers. Using devices like the BACtrack workplace breathalysers from Breathalysers NZ enables employees to provide accurate and reliable BAC information. In addition, companies can easily and quickly conduct breath tests with a breathalyser for various situations. In addition, the BACtrack breathalysers can deliver precise BAC results within 10 to 15 seconds. Moreover, having an on-hand breath testing device enables more convenient alcohol testing. You may visit the Breathalysers Ne Zealand website to select highly effective alcohol breath testers.