The Australian Safety and Compensation Council reported that 2.5 per cent of the workforce last year attended work under the influence of illicit drugs.
Last year, South Australia came out as the state with the highest number of workers in safety-sensitive industries – nearly as many as 5000 – turning up to work despite being under the influence of methamphetamines in Australia.
This October’s National Safe Work Month sees an increasing number of organisations outsource their drug and alcohol testing to third-party testing. It is more affordable and customisable to each organisation’s unique needs.
The benefit of third-party alcohol and drug testing was experienced by one company, who saw its average positive readings halved from 6 per cent to 3 per cent since commencing the test earlier this year.
Jaka Exstrada, business development manager of drug and alcohol testing equipment supplier Andatech said, “Organisations may not realise that on-site drug testing services, either urine or oral, can be set up for as little as one person per year.
“In addition, they can also opt for education and awareness presentations and inductions, and policy and procedure development.”
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation has reported that Australian businesses have lost $6 billion to productivity issues every year due to substance use.
“This abuse contributes to adverse productivity outcomes such as absenteeism, lateness, a decrease in attention span, poor coordination, difficulty in comprehension and slower reaction time,” Exstrada said.