Alcohol
Breathalysers are the preferred method for detecting alcohol. The device used must comply with the Australian Standard AS 3547:1997 "Breath alcohol testing devices for personal use".
Drugs
For drugs other than alcohol, the collection of a urine sample and the subsequent analysis for drugs is a procedure called urinalysis. The whole process must comply with the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4308:2008 "Procedures for the specimen collection and the detection and quantitation of drugs of abuse in urine".
Copies of the standard can be obtained from the Standards New Zealand website http://www.standards.co.nz in their product search area.
Accreditation
The Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Testing Programme at ESR has been awarded accreditation under the International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) Laboratory Accreditation. The accreditation is for chemical testing conforming to ISO 17025:2005. As part of our accreditation process we were also assessed according to our compliance with AS/NZS 4308:2008. We have accreditation for Urine Drugs of Abuse Testing specifically related to the AS/NZS 4308:2008 standard.
Protocols for the AS/NZS 4308 standard
The sample is collected and transported to the accredited laboratory in a manner that ensures the integrity of the sample is retained and chain of custody is documented.
Urinalysis is carried out in two phases. The first is a screening process that gives either a negative or a tentatively positive result. No further action is taken with negative results. The second phase of testing is then conducted on the tentatively positive results. This testing, using GCMS or LCMS, can accurately confirm not only the presence of the drug and/or its metabolite, but also the level of the drug in the employee's urine sample.
Certain cut-off levels are determined for each drug at both the screening and confirmatory phases. This means that even if a drug is detected during either of the first or second testing phase, the result will still be counted as a negative if the drug level is below the cut-off. These cut-off levels have been established to indicate recent and/or regular use.
In New Zealand, these standards dictate that confirmation analysis is mandatory, as its results are considered irrefutable. This is consistent with international practice. Mass spectrometry is the only process currently available that meets international testing standards. Mass spectrometry provides scientifically conclusive and forensically defensible proof of the presence of the identified drug in the specimen tested.
There are only three laboratories in New Zealand who can carry out testing to meet the requirements of international standards (i.e. who are able to offer Mass spectrometry services for confirmation). It is important to be aware that there are now alternative tests available in New Zealand that do not comply with the Australian/New Zealand Standard. Such tests include "On-site" tests and laboratories conducting the "Screen only" tests. These options can give erroneous results and the tests would not withstand legal challenge.
Under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, and its 2003 amendments, employers have an obligation to take "all practicable steps" to ensure the safety of employees while at work. Drugs and Alcohol are listed in the amendments as being a potential hazard. The introduction of workplace drug testing, particularly in safety sensitive areas, is one way in which employers can meet their obligations. Workplace drug testing must, however, take account of several laws including the Privacy Act 1993, the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, and the Human Rights Act 1993.