Whats News Jan 09 - 9 Steps to implementing a drug free workplace

9 Steps to implementing a Drug Free Workplace

The use and impact of illicit drugs in organisations is often considered insignificant. Yet many organisations experience significant improvements in many areas as a result of implementing a drug free workplace program.

According to The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (Australia’s national health and welfare statistics and information agency) 2004 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS), 38% of the Australian population aged 14 years and over had used any illicit drug at least once in their lifetime, and 15% had used any illicit drug at least once in the previous 12 months.

Marijuana/cannabis is the most common illicit drug used, with one in three persons (34%) having used it at least once in their lifetime and 11% of the population having used it in the previous 12 months.

There are a variety of negative impacts on the workplace as a result of illicit drug use. These possible impacts include accident costs, costs to the employee directly such as low self esteem and incapacity, costs to other workers as a result of an unsafe workplace, absenteeism and staff turnover costs.

WIKS has put together a 9 step checklist to assist with implementing a "Drug Free Workplace Program".

1.	Check the legal and regulatory requirements for your industry. Such as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority(CASA) requirements for the aviation industry, the ITSRR requirements for the independent transport industry (NSW) which relates particularly to rail but covers public transport in NSW the specific rail safety regulation is Rail Safety Regulation D&A 2008 , and the Security Industry ACT 1997 - SECT 39B which regulates the security industry.
2.	Devise a Drug Free Workplace Policy, WIKS has a Drug Free Workplace Policy ready to implement http://www.wiks.com.au/drugfreeworkplace
3.	Decide on the types of testing and objectives. Consideration needs to be given as to whether to implement urine drug testing, saliva drug testing or a combination of both. Refer to our information on workplace drug testingfor more information.
4.	Complete awareness training with all current employees/ contractors and add it to your company’s induction program for employees and/or contractors. This ensures employees are aware that it is an organisation wide program as well as reinforcing a "drug free workplace" that is designed to assist your organisation in providing a safe workplace for all staff, contractors and visitors.
5.	Decide on testing officers and organize training, where required, for testing officers. WIKS has available nationally recognised training.
6.	Decide on a laboratory for your confirmatory testing. We recommend the toxicology unit for confirmatory urine testing, their details are printed on the testing forms when you purchase our drug smart cup tests. You may prefer to engage a local laboratory.
7.	Commence random testing and pre employment screening.
8.	Stand any employee with a positive initial result down and send urine test to laboratory for confirmation.
9.	Report your summary statistics to management include status against initial objectives, inductions completed, number of tests completed.

WIKS has developed a kit to simplify the process of implementing a "Drug Free Workplace" whilst ensuring your organisations' requirements are met. The kit contains a drug free workplace policy, testing procedures and testing forms, awareness training and record of training forms. The kit is currently on special until 31st January for $10 more than the cost of the tests alone.

Purchase your "Drug Free Workplace Kit" online today.

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PO Box 610, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153

Web: www.wiks.com.au Email: mail@wiks.com.au Phone: 0414 754 190

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Christmas Offer Extended

Get the Kit for Just $10 more

This offer is for the Alcohol Free Workplace Kit , Drug Free Workplace Kit and the Noise Management Kits for January we are offering just $10 more than the cost of the physical products for the kit.

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FREE Drug Smart Cup Training

We have now included on our site a free video demonstrating how to correctly use Drug Smart Cups. Click here to go straight to the video.

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