Random alcohol testing is common on Australian roads. Law enforcement would conduct mandatory alcohol screenings to test drivers for their blood alcohol levels. This is because alcohol-induced impairments can drastically increase the likelihood of road accidents. Drink driving is considered a criminal offence with severe penalties. Police officers would typically use breath testers to detect alcohol presence and determine a driver’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). In Australia, the legal alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC which translates to 0.05g of alcohol for every 100ml of blood. If you drive with a high BAC, you may face several penalties, including fines, license suspension, imprisonment, and an alcohol interlock program. Thus, it is vital to check your BAC before driving to avoid accidents or DUI violations.
Most random alcohol testing on the road or in workplaces uses breath testers or breathalysers. A breathalyser is a portable device that takes a breath sample, processes it through its sensors, and delivers instant BAC results. The device can estimate how much alcohol is in the blood. Additionally, the BAC level can indicate the driver’s degree of intoxication or impairment. The higher the BAC level, the greater the impairment. Excessive alcohol concentration can impair vision, hearing, coordination, reaction times, and reasoning. Consequently, high BAC levels can endanger drivers and workers on roads and workplaces. An excellent solution for keeping the alcohol level under control is through a personal or workplace breathalyser. Breathalysers Australia has a wide range of breath testers available for personal or workplace use.
Random Alcohol Testing in the Workplace
The workplace is one of the highly susceptible places to alcohol-related incidents. Most injuries at work occur because of alcohol or substance impairment. Additionally, the misuse of alcohol can bring safety risks into the workplace. Therefore, conducting an alcohol test is appropriate for many work conditions. Moreover, these tests can also significantly reduce workplace accidents and improve productivity. Although alcohol testing is not mandatory in Australian workplaces, it is essential in safety-critical jobs. In particular, high-risk industries implement a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and illicit substances. Moreover, an employer may carry out random alcohol testing through a comprehensive workplace policy.
Random alcohol testing is one of the cost-effective strategies employers can use to manage safety risks. However, before conducting any testing, the employer should be mindful of the Australian laws and standards. A workplace policy enables the employer to safely administer a drug or alcohol test following strict guidelines and protocols. When implemented correctly, alcohol testing can serve several benefits:
- Reduce accidents or injuries
- Minimise preventable hazards
- Improve productivity
- Decrease absenteeism and turnover rates
- Lower overall costs
- Deter alcohol use
- Identify employee with alcohol use disorder
Kinds of Alcohol Testers
Knowing the different testing options is essential for employers before conducting random alcohol testing in the workplace. An organisation may conduct breath tests with various procedures that fit their needs best. However, the most common form of alcohol screening is a breath test. A breathalyser is a practical and non-invasive method for alcohol detection. In addition, it can trace alcohol use for up to 24 hours from the last consumption. The other procedures for alcohol testing are urine, oral fluid, hair, and blood sampling. Moreover, the different sample tests have various detection windows:
- Breath: 12-24 hours
- Urine: 12-24 hours; 72 hours for advanced tests like EtG/EtS
- Blood: Up to 6 hours
- Oral Fluids: 12-24 hours
- Hair: Up to 90 days
Most workplaces use breath testers to facilitate random alcohol testing. A workplace breathalyser like BACtrack is efficient in monitoring the sobriety or BAC of employees. If an employee exceeds the alcohol limit, the organisation can apply appropriate actions according to company policies. The employer can follow up with a confirmatory test via blood or urine GC/MS test for positive test results. A GC MS test is the gold standard for accurate drug and alcohol testing. Additionally, the employer can refer employees with a substance abuse problem to appropriate treatment centres. Conveniently, you can buy breath testers at Breathalysers Australia online.
When to Conduct a Random Alcohol Testing
Employers carry out alcohol testing to manage safety risks in the workplace. Random alcohol testing is an undisclosed test designed to determine if employees secretly consume alcohol before or during work. Additionally, early detection can prevent accidents from happening. Another instance where alcohol testing is necessary is during pre-employment. The pre-employment test identifies job applicants who are possibly using drugs or alcohol. The tests are required for high-risk roles in the mining, construction, transportation, or manufacturing industries. It is valuable to determine if a prospective employee can compromise workplace safety.
Reliability of Alcohol Breath Testers
The validity of alcohol breath tests relies on the accuracy of devices or methods used. Random alcohol testing can be effective with reliable breath testers like the breathalysers from Breathalysers Australia. Additionally, many independent laboratories facilitate on-site testing to help manage safety hazards. Testing facilities conform to the Australian Standards to administer drug and alcohol tests. In particular, laboratories use a breath testing device with AS:3547 certification. The certification assures that the device complies with the international and federal requirements for effective alcohol breath screening. In line with this, the workplace breathalysers from Breathalysers Australia employ fuel cell sensors. Fuel cell sensors undergo an electrochemical process to measure the BAC accurately. Moreover, they maintain accuracy and consistency longer despite back-to-back tests. Lastly, fuel cell breathalysers have police-grade accuracy, and it is the same technology you can find in a police officer’s breathalyser.
Random Alcohol Testing with BACtrack
Consistent workplace testing can help deter alcohol use and minimise preventable accidents. Alcohol testing promotes safe and healthy practices and secures the well-being of employees. Random alcohol testing with the workplace breath testers from Breathalysers Australia is efficient, practical, and convenient. These breathalysers feature one-button operations for quick and easy use. You can start alcohol testing with just a press of a button. As soon as the device is ready, the employee must give a firm blow until the end of the beeping sound. It takes 10 to 15 seconds to analyse the breath and return the BAC results. Additionally, the BACtrack workplace breathalysers have advanced functionalities like continuous temperature checking and enhanced linear response. They can provide more accuracy by ensuring breath sample consistency and complete trace of alcohol concentrations.
The BACtrack workplace breathalysers featuring enlarged fuel cell sensors can accurately measure alcohol concentrations from 0.00-0.400% BAC ranges. Moreover, the BAC readings remain consistent up to 1,000 applications. The BACtrack professional devices like the S80 Pro, Mobile Pro, Scout, and Trace Pro have FDA and DOT certification for breath tests. A comprehensive range of alcohol breath testers for personal or professional use are available at Breathalysers Australia.
