Drug and alcohol testing policies now required on construction sites

Amendments to the Building Code have been introduced by the Australian Government, with the code now requiring drug and alcohol testing on construction sites to ensure higher standards of workplace safety.

The building and construction industry has come under focus due to the high levels of risk associated with the use of heavy or mobile machinery or working from heights, which is accentuated by the effects of alcohol and drug use.

Fair Work Building and Construction will be responsible for auditing contractors to ensure those subject to the code have in place a fitness for work policy that is compliant with the Building Code. 

“It is essential that workers on construction sites do not present a risk to themselves, their co-workers and the public by having drugs and alcohol in their systems,” Minister for Employment Senator Eric Abetz said.

“Safety is a paramount consideration on construction sites. It is simply an unacceptable risk to the health and safety of employees and the public to have workers affected by drugs or alcohol on construction sites.”

Contractors who are subject to the code will have 28 days to ensure they have a compliant policy in place. 

Senator Abetz said the requirements under the code to test for the presence of alcohol and drugs are modelled on those that previously applied under the former Victorian Construction Code. 

Source