Guidelines on Alcohol and Drug Policy in NZ
07 January, 2022
The presence of alcohol and other drug impairments in the workplace can affect employee safety and performance. A safe working environment starts with an effective drug and alcohol policy. Managing safety risks requires regular monitoring of the employees’ health status to prevent accidents. Therefore, creating alcohol and drug policy guidelines requires a comprehensive approach that would integrate them into the standard operating procedures. The policy covers the basic scope of drugs and alcohol, including misuse, kinds of testing, and the conditions for violations. A traditional alcohol and drug policy in NZ includes testing alcohol and illegal substances through blood/urine and alcohol breath samples. Companies rely on effective devices like the BACtrack workplace breathalyser when performing breath tests. Other policies require companies to request the help of testing facilities for drug-related tests.
Under New Zealand law, employers and employees should ensure a safe working environment by managing work hazards. The guidelines on alcohol and drug policy in NZ protects everyone from risky behaviour resulting from substance impairment. Workplace drug testing helps prevent accidents and injuries by ensuring that all employees are free from substances that impair their performance and judgement. Likewise, employees must also comply with safety programs to safeguard everyone’s well-being, including drug and alcohol prevention. It promotes healthy behaviour to reduce alcohol consumption or drugs use. A workplace with an effective drug and alcohol policy would have significantly fewer accidents and better productivity.
Alcohol and Drug Policy in NZ: Providing Tests
A breath test is the most convenient and cost-efficient method to screen for alcohol in the workplace. The BACtrack workplace breathalysers are reliable alcohol breath testing devices that can measure the blood alcohol content (BAC) instantly. The BAC level determines the degree of intoxication of a person. Breath tests are highly accurate and reliable. The night before a breathalyser test, alcohol consumption can still be traced, depending on the amount of alcohol taken. Places with a zero-tolerance alcohol policy prohibit working with any amount of alcohol or other substances. Alcohol and drug usage could cloud judgment and impair a worker’s ability to operate equipment safely. Moreover, if there is a reasonable cause, an alcohol and drug policy in NZ allows the employer to test employees anytime. Without a doubt, this option is much needed, as it can drastically help reduce workplace accidents.
Managing risks is not easy, but an effective alcohol and drug policy in NZ has long-term benefits. When applied consistently, these policies can significantly improve workplace safety and boost employee morale. The employer may now arrange for on-site drug testing from certified laboratories not to disrupt workflow. Similarly, an alcohol test through a BACtrack workplace breathalyser can quickly determine if an employee has been working impaired. BACtrack workplace breathalysers use the same sensory technology as a police officer’s breathalyser.
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