According to the 2016 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, 1.3 million Australians over the age of 14 have used methamphetamines.

WorkCover reports that in serious workplace accidents where drugs or alcohol are involved, 80 per cent of the injured people are not users.

Police are testing drivers for illicit drugs (about one in nine tests are positive in NSW) to keep them off our roads but who is looking out for the safety of workers?

One organisation is being pro-active, Drug-Safe Workplaces, established in 2000 by anti-drug crusader Michael White who has expanded his network into the Illawarra where Andrew and Leigh Ransley have become the managing owners of Drug-Safe Workplaces - Illawarra, Coast and Highlands.

“Employers must abide by duty of care and Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) legislation which includes identifying potential risks and putting controls in place to minimise them - to ensure the safest possible working environment for their employees,” Andrew said.

This advertising feature has been sponsored by the following business. Click the link to find out more:

Leigh added, “Our alcohol and drug program is tailored to each individual business and it not only protects workers it helps protect the business asset.”

When Drug-Safe Workplaces are conducting a normal test they’re not surprised to find at least 10-15 per cent of the staff tested indicate the presence of an illicit drug, which can lead to compromised safety for other employees and the public.

“It can also cause serious economic effects for the business such as damaged equipment, loss of reputation, theft or fraud, fines and damaged reputation,” Andrew said.

“Creating a Drug-Safe Workplace isn’t onerous. We show employers just how simple the process is through the proven Drug-Safe formula of Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) policy development, education, training and awareness workshops, and a range of testing solutions, carefully structured to meet the particular industry type, to enable businesses to manage the greatest threat to ensuring WHS.”

Call Drug-Safe Workplaces on 0490 830 501, email leigh.ransley@drugsafe.com.au or visit drugsafe.com.au.

Drugs that can be detected

The combination of world-best technology and two decades of in the field experience means Drug-Safe Workplaces provides employers in the Illawarra with the most comprehensive drug detection solution.

Local Drug-Safe Workplaces representative, Andrew Ransley, said they have two screening methods.

“We conduct on-site testing of workers or surface drug scanning such as work vehicles, desks, phones and bathrooms. On-site tests involve a breathalyser, and either oral or urine sampling for cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, cannabis/THC, opiates and benzodiazepines at levels above the Australian standards – also synthetic cannabis, methadone and Fentanyl.”

When a screen test displays a drug the sample is sent to the laboratory for confirmation. Within 24-48 hours the employer is notified of the result.