On the surface, media articles about roadside drug testing, drug seizures and tough industrial manslaughter penalties in New South Wales mightn’t seem to have much in common. However, there is at least one important link and it’s something many workplaces should know about.
Truck blitz nabs three in NSW roadside drug testing
According to an article in Big Rigs, a two-day blitz on heavy vehicle drivers by the Walgett Highway Patrol has resulted in three positive roadside drug tests, in addition to other offences.
The roadside drug testing positives included one truck driver who was stopped twice on successive days. On both occasions he allegedly tested positive for cocaine and methamphetamines.
Furious reaction to police operation
In another New South Wales police operation in the western part of the state, dubbed Operation Furious, more than 45kgs of cannabis was seized by police.
The five-day operation, which aimed to reduce injury and death on local roads, included 420 random breath tests and numerous drug tests. Among the notable infringements during the operation included:
- A driver who tested positive for cannabis during roadside drug testing. A search of the vehicle also resulted in the seizure of 8.5kgs of cannabis.
- A driver who was found in possession of 40.8kgs of cannabis and cash in his car.
- In total, the two seizures had an estimated street value of nearly $750,000.
Workplace drug testing in NSW can help prevent significant penalties
As we highlighted in the introduction, the roadside drug testing, other traffic infringements and drug seizures don’t seem to have much in common with another media article on industrial manslaughter laws in NSW. However, there is a key link.
Workplace owners and managers need to understand that if there are people who are prepared to take risks with drugs on roadsides and in the community, there will also be people in their organisation who will be prepared to take risks in the workplace. And if you’re not managing these risks, you could face the consequences.
In the case of the new industrial manslaughter laws, these consequences can include up to $20 million in fines to the workplace. And it can mean up to 25 years’ jail for owners or managers.
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said “Every worker deserves to go home to their loved ones at the end of the day. No government should ever want to have to use these laws. The offence of industrial manslaughter will apply to the worst of the worst cases where gross negligence has caused the death of a person in a workplace,” Cotsis said.
Is it time to improve your management of drugs and alcohol in your NSW workplace?
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Is it time to improve your management of drugs and alcohol in your NSW workplace? New industrial manslaughter laws would suggest so.
