Workplace and employee safety is an essential aspect of any industry. Managing safety risks needs careful planning and execution of well-designed policies. Among the strategies for sustaining a hazard-free environment are providing adequate training, safety procedures, and workplace testing. Drug and alcohol misuse can cause accidents and affects performance and productivity. Therefore, industries that involve heavy equipment operations rely on consistent drug and alcohol tests for job safety. Investing in a drug and alcohol test for job sites in New Zealand is one way to minimise occupational hazards effectively. 

Keeping the workplace drug and alcohol-free protects the business and employees’ well-being. Employees perform better when their surroundings are safe and secure. Substance use or impairment at work causes poor concentration and is highly prone to errors. These impairments can affect the senses, perception, motor functions, or coordination necessary for fulfilling tasks effectively. A drug and alcohol test for job sites helps prevent serious incidents and injuries. It also helps deter the harmful use of drugs and alcohol long term. Nowadays, companies can effectively monitor alcohol intoxication through the breathalysers from Breathalysers New Zealand. A breathalyser is a portable device that can detect and measure alcohol levels through breath samples. 

Importance of Drug and Alcohol Test for Job 

Many individuals consume alcohol in their free time or after work hours. In moderate amounts, alcohol creates euphoric effects and a general pleasing sensations. Alcohol can make people relaxed or stimulated. However, consuming higher doses in a quick span leads to adverse consequences. Likewise, drug misuse has detrimental health effects and can increase safety risks. Additionally, alcohol and illicit substances can stay in the system for longer periods. For instance, an individual can consume excessive alcohol at night and work the next day intoxicated. A drug and alcohol test for job sites can ensure employers that their workforce is fit to work. 

Employers and employees share the responsibility of keeping the workplace free from harm. Alcohol and drug use is a preventable hazard through an effective policy. Employers must apply all practical actions to reduce occupational risks. A drug and alcohol test for job sites in New Zealand is a cost-effective measure to minimise the harmful effects of substance use. Nowadays, drug and alcohol testing is a must for safety-critical industries. For example, the mining, construction, and transportation sectors require all employees to submit a breath test before entering the premises. A workplace breathalyser like BACtrack efficiently screens alcohol to monitor sobriety. Moreover, employers can conduct a drug and alcohol test for the following reasons:

• Pre-employment requirement for a safety-sensitive role
• After an accident or near-miss
• Reasonable suspicion – an employee show obvious symptoms of impairment
• Return-to-duty – employees returning from treatment or hospitalisation

Kinds of Drug and Alcohol Test for Job Sites

There are many procedures available for drug and alcohol tests in the workplace. The most common tests are breath tests for alcohol and urine or saliva test for drugs. Companies or testing laboratories commonly use breathalysers to detect alcohol usage. A drug and alcohol test for job sites utilises reliable devices or procedures to ensure the accuracy of test results. A breathalyser uses sensor technology to screen for alcohol and measure the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Furthermore, the BAC indicates the intoxication level. For instance, the more you consume alcohol, the higher the BAC level. Employers typically set their alcohol limit to 0.00% BAC. For safety-sensitive industries, a zero-alcohol tolerance policy is a must. 

A drug and alcohol test for job sites detects ethanol and commonly used illegal substances. For instance, testing centres collect urine samples to determine drug exposure, including misuse of prescribed medications. Moreover, the drug screening identifies substances like cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines, and opiates. The urine test is the standard method to detect drug use. It is less invasive than a blood test, and it can trace substances for up to 48 hours. Alternatively, a mouth swab test is also cost-effective for screening recent drug use. Drug test kits are available in pharmacies. Companies can purchase effective workplace breathalysers from Breathalysers New Zealand online. 

Policies for Drug and Alcohol Test for Job Sites

A business can only execute a drug and alcohol test for job sites in New Zealand through a comprehensive policy. Employers must comply with federal or state laws to implement workplace testing. Furthermore, companies must seek legal advice and collaborate with employees to design an effective program. The workplace outlines the objective and scope of the tests, methods, types of substances, and consequences for positive test results. Likewise, employees must also understand and agree to the policies. Therefore, an employee consent form is crucial to secure safety and mitigate legal liabilities. Moreover, a workplace drug and alcohol policy should tailor to the company’s specific needs. An effective workplace policy should: 

• Be consistent, fair, reasonable, and applicable to all personnel
• Focus on proactively minimising health and safety hazards
• Consider employer and employee rights
• Mitigate legal liabilities
• Include education, counselling, and employee assistance
• Help deter the harmful use of drugs and alcohol

Accuracy of Workplace Alcohol Testers

An effective drug and alcohol test for job sites depends on the reliability and accuracy of the devices. Thus, a dependable workplace breathalyser is critical in alcohol breath testing. As an employer, choosing a device with FDA and DOT approval is vital. For instance, laboratories use breathalysers with fuel cell sensors to measure the BAC level accurately. Fuel cell breathalysers are sensitive to ethanol, making false-positive results less likely. They also maintain consistent BAC readings over high-volume testing. Therefore, they give precise BAC test results. Additionally, fuel cell breathalysers have pro-grade accuracy, the same technology you would find in a police breathalyser. In line with this, the BACtrack workplace breathalysers employ enlarged fuel cell sensors to trace alcohol concentrations accurately.

BACtrack: Workplace Breathalysers in New Zealand

The BACtrack breathalysers are dependable devices used in a drug and alcohol test for job sites in New Zealand. Breathalysers New Zealand has a comprehensive selection of BACtrack alcohol testers ideal for professional or high-volume use. Furthermore, you can use a workplace breathalyser like BACtrack independently. The BACtrack breathalysers have a one-button operation making alcohol breath testing efficient and easy. Upon pressing the On button, the device immediately initiates a countdown timer. Employees must provide a firm blow at the start (blow) signal. Then, the sensors analyse the breath sample and deliver the BAC results within 10 to 15 seconds. 

A drug and alcohol test for job sites through a breathalyser can help protect the workplace and the general public. Moreover, the BACtrack breathalysers are also suitable for individual use. A personal breathalyser can help you monitor your BAC so you will not go over the legal limit. Many people use a personal breathalyser like BACtrack to help them moderate alcohol consumption. Furthermore, personal breathalysers can help prevent road crashes and drink driving charges in NZ. Monitoring your BAC level helps keep you safe while driving or working. Make better-informed decisions with the workplace or personal breathalysers available at Breathalysers New Zealand.