The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA) knows that businesses in the infrastructure industry take workplace safety seriously. But how do the best operators make their drug and alcohol policies and enforcement strategies the best they can be? Here are five tips from TDDA to ensure your policy is fit for purpose and effective in protecting your people, assets, and organisation’s reputation.
1. Get professional help to create a comprehensive policy
Professionals help to ensure your policy is legally robust and effective in reducing workplace risk. Substance use policies must cover illicit, synthetic and prescription drugs and alcohol, as well as a range of situations and scenarios that may arise. Emerging and dangerous opioid substances like fentanyl and tramadol are appearing in testing results across Australasia. Ensure that your policy covers them.
2. Ensure your policy engages testing when needed
Pre-employment testing is your best due diligence tool for hiring, and keeps problems from entering the workforce. Regular random testing programmes encourage compliance and deter use. Post-incident testing can indicate the presence of drugs and alcohol after a situation has occurred. Reasonable or just cause testing covers when an employee is presenting signs of impairment. Having a clear plan ensures that testing is completed efficiently, and allows an organisation to take the next steps while remaining compliant.
3. Craft a policy that recognises and plays to the strengths of different testing methods
Workplaces can use a range of testing methods. Urine or oral fluid testing can quickly screen for drug presence, and can provide cause for further confirmatory laboratory testing. Hair testing is great for pre-employment testing as it reveals habitual usage patterns. Lab-based analysis can accurately identify a much wider spectrum of substances and the levels present, giving you analysis that can withstand legal scrutiny.
4. Clearly and regularly communicate your policy and expectations
Make sure your employees understand your drug and alcohol policy before they sign a contract – this sets expectations on day one. Ensure that employees are educated on and regularly reminded of the policy. Finally, ensure that your managers and supervisors are trained in the application and use of the policy.
5. Use independently accredited testers
Independently accredited testers follow internationally recognised and ethical processes that avoid contamination and tampering, and ensure that a strict chain of custody is maintained. They have expertise and relationships with recognised drug testing laboratories that analyse samples with high reliability. Using an accredited provider like TDDA ensures the highest quality of testing process, and negates inaccurate results that could lead to bad consequences like legal proceedings, turning away or letting go good employees, or allowing the risk of substance users to remain on dangerous worksites.
TDDA offers 24/7 mobile drug and alcohol testing, tailored training and education programmes, and expert guidance on workplace substance‑use policies. An independently accredited testing agency with experienced staff across New Zealand, TDDA helps businesses – from high-risk infrastructure operations, to corporate offices – create drug-free workplaces. To learn more about reducing the risk of drugs and alcohol in your business, visit www.tdda.com.