The end of the year is fast approaching, and with it comes one of the busiest—and riskiest—periods for workplaces across Australia. Social events, warmer weather, end-of-year fatigue and the cultural expectation of “time to celebrate” all contribute to a substantial increase in alcohol and potential drug use during December and January.
In fact, research shows that Australians drink around 70% more alcohol in December compared to the yearly average. Emergency services consistently report sharp increases in intoxication-related callouts, with ambulance attendances tripling on New Year’s Eve alone.
For safety-critical industries, this seasonal spike poses a real and predictable risk.
In our latest LinkedIn Newsletter, Integrity Sampling explores what businesses can do to stay safe during the festive season. We cover:
- How to plan safer end-of-year events
- Why pre-holiday education is essential
- Whether your workplace should increase drug and alcohol testing
- National consumption trends and what they mean for risk management
We also include an important reminder for clients to book December and January testing dates early, as demand increases significantly.
Read our latest LinkedIn newsletter to make sure your workplace is prepared for a safer, more compliant festive season.




