Alcohol drinking can lead to issues in the workplace. Going to work after drinking can harm productivity and safety. Moreover, vigilance and sobriety are essential for safe and healthy working conditions. Many Australian companies utilise breath alcohol tests for work to reduce the number of alcohol-related incidents. Similarly, health facilities, institutions, and law enforcement officers use breath alcohol testing to assure correct medicine application and public safety.
Improper alcohol consumption before and during work hours might represent a serious safety risk in the workplace. One of the most challenging difficulties that companies face is managing occupational risks. This is because employees frequently consume alcohol during their free time. When impairment impacts work performance and causes accidents, it becomes a safety problem. Additionally, widespread alcohol consumption can stifle growth. Employers use a variety of measures to maintain the workplace alcohol-free. Furthermore, an alcohol test for work is a low-cost way to reduce the detrimental effects of drinking. Breathalysers Australia offers professional workplace devices for monitoring workplace sobriety through BACtrack breathalysers.
What is a Breath Alcohol Test?
When you drink alcohol, it enters your body through your internal organs. The substance is subsequently taken into the bloodstream and carried throughout the body, including the lungs, brain, and other organs. When you exhale, the alcohol in your lungs moves outside the body through your breath. A breathalyser measures the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream during a breath test. A breathalyser is a portable device that uses sensors to catch and electrochemically process sample breath. The presence of alcohol in the breath causes tiny electrical currents that calculate the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). The breathalyser shows the BAC level, measured in milligrams (mg) of alcohol per 100ml of blood. When employers conduct an alcohol test for work, they use a breathalyser to get accurate results.
It is critical to understand that an employee will most likely get impaired when their blood alcohol level rises. Employers typically utilise an alcohol test for work to verify if alcoholism exists in the workplace. Also, to let potential employees know they do not accept alcohol abuse in the office. An employee contract should include the drug and alcohol policy to ensure that all employees know and understand the procedure. The policy should spell out the conditions and consequences of refusing to take the test and what happens if they receive a positive result.
Benefits of Workplace Breath Test
An alcohol test for work is required to maintain a healthy and safe working environment, which involves taking a person’s BAC to determine their level of intoxication. As a result, avoiding accidents in the workplace requires preventing alcohol-impaired individuals at work. At least once a week, a large majority of the Australian workforce consumes alcohol. Furthermore, one in every three adults consumes more than the recommended number of standard beverages in a single sitting. As a result, there are options for people to deal with the impacts of alcohol. Intoxication with alcohol impairs concentration, thinking, and coordination. It is pretty dangerous, especially when operating machinery. Employers enforce an alcohol test to:
- Promote a Safe Environment – Everyone in the workplace will benefit from preventing alcohol abuse. Misuse of alcohol results in impaired judgment and significant mood changes. Avoiding these consequences will help the working environment. There will be fewer alcohol-related accidents when the risk of working while intoxicated is reduced.
- Increase Productivity – Being present at work has a significant impact. Moreover, alcohol abuse is the primary cause of absenteeism. An increase in employee attendance will produce immediate results and enhance productivity.
- Cost-Effective – Reduced alcohol misuse will result in decreased costs for employers. They will not have to be concerned about the costs of workplace accidents caused by drinking. Furthermore, companies will not be required to participate in the rehabilitation programs and face legal issues.
When to Conduct It?
Alcohol-related accidents and injuries are significant safety concerns in the workplace because it leads to higher costs, higher absenteeism, and lower overall productivity. As a result, establishing a workable policy to reduce the negative impacts of alcohol is critical. Also, an employer with a thorough alcohol program can conduct an alcohol test for work safely and legally. Alcohol testing is beneficial in the following situations:
- Pre-employment – In safety-critical occupations, pre-employment alcohol tests are required. It can assist in identifying whether a job applicant has unsafe drinking habits that could put the workplace at risk.
- Post-incident – This test determines whether or not alcohol or other substances played a role in an accident. Professionals should conduct this test a few hours after the incident to ensure accuracy.
- Random – Employees with current impairments but show no symptoms can be identified via unannounced tests. To avoid mishaps, early detection is vital. It’s also helpful in identifying people who have an alcohol problem.
- For-Cause – Suspected employees may be subject to alcohol testing. Thus, preventing alcohol-related risks.
Alcohol Test for Work: Options
The breath alcohol test for work is used in workplaces and testing centres because it is trustworthy, accurate, and less intrusive. Nonetheless, there are other options for alcohol testing. Employers can use various test protocols to ensure the accuracy of the results gathered from employees. Other test methods include:
- Urine test – Companies commonly use a urine sample for drug and alcohol testing, especially for pre-employment screenings. Urine tests, which are considerably more accessible than blood testing, deliver valuable results in 48 hours and advanced examinations in 72 hours.
- Mouth swab test (Saliva) – Within 6 to 24 hours, saliva can disclose drug and alcohol usage. Furthermore, it is more convenient and less invasive than a urine or blood test. A mouth swab test is a typical method for drug screening at roadside checkpoints.
- Blood test – The most precise test is a blood test. It is, however, the most expensive and invasive surgery. Using this as a follow-up test to confirm an initial positive result is also possible.
- Hair follicle test – Hair sample tests are used to identify whether or not someone has used alcohol or drugs. Hair screenings have a longer detection window than urine testing and can track substance use for up to 90 days. As a result, it aids in determining whether or not a person has a substance abuse problem.
BACtrack Breathalyser: Best Tool for Alcohol Testing
Breathalysers, such as the BACtrack, are highly successful in detecting alcohol in the system. They are a non-invasive way to check for recent alcohol use or impairment. Fuel cell breathalysers are reliable and have become the industry standard for breath testing in the workplace. It is the same testing instrument used by cops on the side of the road. Breathalysers eliminate the need for employers to wait for testing agencies to process samples. Furthermore, breathalysers are simple to use and have a quick turnaround time, allowing organisations to control safety issues quickly. BACtrack breathalyser offered by Breathalysers Australia is an efficient tool so employers can conduct alcohol tests for work.
