Alcohol and Drug Testing

This process applies to:

• all persons who undertake University of Adelaide activities that are inherently high or very high risk (i.e. the activity is high or very high risk prior to controls being implemented.  Examples would include working with hazardous chemicals, working with hazardous plant or equipment, working with large or potentially dangerous animals);
• all persons who access University of Adelaide facilities where inherently high or very high risk activities may be undertaken (e.g. laboratories, workshops, field sites, etc).

This process does not apply to:

• anyone undertaking inherently low risk activities whilst working in inherently low to medium risk areas. 

Where there are concerns regarding the behaviours of staff in low to medium risk areas please seek advice from your HR Advisor.

NOTE:  This policy is not intended to exclude or impinge on the operation of the policies or procedures of student placement providers, research partner organisations or other organisations with whom we may have co-located staff or students

Where the Head of School/Branch has determined that there is a reasonably held belief that the individual is currently putting themselves or others at risk, in accordance with the HSW Handbook chapter (Section 5.1), the Head of School/Branch is to:

• Direct the individual to see one of the University’s pre-arranged medical practitioners (refer to the webpage below for bookings and locations) who will undertake any tests they deem necessary in order to determine if the individual constitutes a risk to themselves or others working in a higher risk workplace. 
• Complete the top section of the “Fitness for higher risk work assessment” form.
• Arrange for the individual’s transportation to the clinic and consider the transport options should the opinion of the medical practitioner confirm they are unfit to undertake higher risk duties (or results pending). 
• Provide the individual with the partially completed assessment form to take with them to their appointment. (The medical practitioner will email the completed form with the results of their assessment back to the Head of School/Branch.)

After the assessment, if the individual is assessed as unfit to undertake higher risk duties due to drugs and/or alcohol (or results pending):

• Seek advice from the appropriate source (HR Advisor, Student Affairs or the Contract manager)
• Discuss the results of the assessment with the individual and their supervisor after the results have been received.
• Arrange to take appropriate short term action. This may include:
  • having the individual sent home in an appropriate manner if they have returned to work.
  • putting measures in place to ensure that the individual does not return to the higher risk workplace or activity.
• Work with the appropriate source of advice (HR Advisor, Student Affairs or the Contract manager) to determine longer term actions that may include one of more of the following:
  • providing access to counselling or other forms of support (Refer to the University’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) website for information and locations for free confidential counselling support.)
  • arranging for the individual to take an appropriate period of leave to allow them to seek medical or other assistance
  • establishing a return to work or remain at work plan which may include further assessment or testing to monitor compliance
  • counselling the individual regarding their conduct
  • referring the matter to the Area Manager, where you believe that further disciplinary action may be required.  e.g. staff, student or to the contract manager to manage under the terms of the contract).
• Treat any information received through this process sensitively and with an appropriate level of confidentiality.

The screening and testing is conducted by accredited collectors by the University’s contracted Service Provider. The testing is completed at the Clinic and will involve collection of urine or oral fluid/saliva samples (for drug testing), or breath screening (for alcohol testing), depending on the individual situation. Onsite screening will provide an initial result, and non-negative results will be sent to the laboratory for confirmation testing, results for which may take up to 72 hours.

The Head of School/Branch will receive the advice from the Medical Practitioner via email. The Medical Practitioner will advise if the person is fit or unfit to undertake the higher risk activities. If the person is unfit, the Head of School/Branch will be advised if it is due to the presence of drugs or alcohol.

No other medical information beyond what is captured on the form will be provided to the University through this process by the medical practitioner.