There’s no doubt that construction is big in the NT, with the industry employing more than eight per cent of working Territorians. However, stats indicate it’s also one of the riskier industries to work in, which makes constructing a case for drug testing in the NT construction industry easy.
Construction in NT is big business
As we highlighted in the opening, construction in the NT is big business. The industry employs nearly 11,000 people, which is just over eight per cent of the working population in the Northern Territory.
From a safety perspective, however, it’s also one of the leading industries when it comes to compensation claims. According to NT WorkSafe, in 2022-23:
- The construction industry in the NT accounted for 11% of all claims.
- Over 16% were claims for serious injuries (where the employee needed at least one week off work).
- Total lost time from safety incidents was 372 weeks.
- Total claims cost nearly $5 million.
- The main occupations for those seriously injured were plumbers (11.9%), miscellaneous labourers and related workers (9.5%) and structural steel and welding (9.5%).
- The main risks that led to serious injury were being hit by moving objects (26.2%), body stressing (26.2%) and falls, trips and slips (21.4%).
Drug testing in NT construction one of the ways to improve safety
There are many things that are being done and can be done to improve safety and reduce the risks in the NT construction industry, including workplace drug testing.
With heavy machinery, tools, falls and other hazardous work environments forming part of daily operations, anyone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol poses a significant risk. As we know, drugs and alcohol can significantly compromise decision-making, reaction times and overall job performance, potentially leading to serious accidents, injuries or even fatalities.
This is why implementing a robust drug testing program is vital. Here are just a few reasons to begin testing in your NT construction business:
- Impaired employees are more likely to make errors, jeopardising not only their safety but also that of their coworkers.
- Drug testing in the NT construction industry ensures workers are fit for duty, reducing the likelihood of accidents caused by impaired judgment.
- Substance use can result in absenteeism, reduced productivity and lower team morale. Regular testing helps identify and address issues early, ensuring projects remain on schedule.
- Drug testing demonstrates compliance with workplace safety regulations and reduces the risk of penalties or legal issues.
Contact our Northern Territory branch
Integrity Sampling has locations in the Northern Territory in Alice Springs, Katherine and our NT head office of Darwin.
If you work in the construction industry, we can help with all aspects of implementing a workplace drug testing program. This includes developing a drug and alcohol policy and relevant procedures before beginning testing, as well as helping to educate your employees.
To construct a better approach to safety in your organisation, contact Integrity Sampling today by phoning 1300 725 482.
FEATURED IMAGE CAPTION:
Constructing a case for workplace drug testing in the NT construction industry is easy, when you consider the safety risks that workers face.
