How to Create a Drug and Alcohol Policy in Tasmania: A Practical Guide for Businesses

The thought of developing a drug and alcohol policy for your workplace in Tasmania might be enough to keep you up at night. After all, writing any policy is hardly something most of us look forward too. But here’s the good news: once you’ve got a solid policy in place, we’re confident you’ll sleep much easier—knowing your business is better protected from the risks associated with drugs and alcohol in the workplace.

From legal obligations to practical tips, this guide (inspired by an article in a WorkSafe Tasmania Workplace Issues magazine) will help you navigate the process. Plus, we’ll share an even easier way to get the job done—with a little help from your friends at Integrity Sampling.

Our guide for developing a drug and alcohol policy for your Tasmanian workplace

1. Understand your legal duties. Under Tasmanian Work Health and Safety laws, a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must actively manage risks from alcohol or drugs at work. That includes identifying whether workers are coming to work under the influence and creating measures to deal with that hazard.
2. Assess your workplace for factors that contribute to substance misuse—such as shift work, high stress, bullying or unreasonable workloads. Consult staff and look for ways to reduce these stressors. If you perform high‑risk tasks, you may need a zero‑tolerance approach—decide this in consultation with employees and reflect it in safe work procedures and your policy.
3. Start writing your policy. A compliant policy should clearly state:
   1. Drugs and alcohol are not permitted at work, with exceptions only for legitimate prescription or over‑the‑counter medication, or specific workplace events.
   2. How the workplace will reduce or remove these substances.
   3. Procedures and disciplinary actions for breaches.
   4. A hierarchy of consequences (e.g. formal warning, referral for treatment, suspension, dismissal).
   5. Importantly, enforcement must be fair and consistent. If applied selectively, courts, unions or WorkSafe will likely consider that a policy isn’t being followed properly
4. Policy development should involve workers or their representatives—this improves buy‑in and legal defensibility. Once developed, ensure everyone has a copy (email, noticeboard, staff meetings), receives training (inductions and regular refreshers), and understands how breaches are handled and what disciplinary steps mean in practice.
5. Consider conducting drug and alcohol testing, where appropriate (i.e. if your workplace is safety sensitive). For example, transportation, aviation, mining, manufacturing, etc. If testing is conducted in your Tasmania workplace, details should always be included in your policy. For example, the types of tests, who conducts testing, handling of results, privacy, the right to refuse, and clear consequences for positive tests.
6. Most workplaces will need to include special provisions to address alcohol use at workplace events. This is likely to cover, for example, responsible serving, availability of non‑alcoholic drinks, food, alternative transport, designated supervisors, and clear start‑stop serving times.
7. Support for employees with substance issues is also important and this should be detailed in your policy. If you don’t have the ability to provide on-site support, don’t worry. Support services in the community can be sourced.

An Even Easier Way: Integrity Sampling Can Help

We can almost hear you groaning as you read through the above steps. You’re probably thinking, “Isn’t there an easier way?” Thankfully, there is.

Creating or reviewing a drug and alcohol policy doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Integrity Sampling supports Tasmanian businesses by:

• Drafting or updating tailored policies and procedures.
• Advising on risk assessment and consultation.
• Delivering staff education and training packages.
• Conducting compliant workplace drug and alcohol testing in Tasmania.

We operate from three Tasmanian locations—Hobart, Launceston and Devonport—making personalised support accessible across the state. Find your nearest branch and get in touch via our Tasmania contact page.

FEATURED IMAGE CAPTION:

Looking for a clear path to help you develop a drug and alcohol policy for your Tasmanian workplace? Our guide makes it easier—plus, discover how Integrity Sampling can help with policy creation, training and testing. Credit Ken Cheung https://unsplash.com/photos/aerial-view-of-beach-during-daytime-Rh0qfwLlMf8 (image modified).