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Drug and alcohol safety under the new healthcare WHS Code

Drug and alcohol safety under the new healthcare WHS Code

The healthcare and social assistance industry has long been one of Australia’s most injury-prone sectors. In July 2025, Safe Work Australia released a dedicated Model Code of Practice to help workplaces in this field better manage their work health and safety (WHS) obligations.

While the Code covers a broad range of risks—from hazardous manual tasks to psychosocial hazards—it also has important implications for how healthcare providers approach drug and alcohol safety in the workplace.

Whether you're managing an aged care facility, disability support service, or hospital team, here’s what the new Code means for your drug and alcohol risk management.

A high-risk industry with new clarity

Healthcare and social assistance workers face a unique mix of physical and psychological hazards: long hours, high emotional demand, unpredictable environments, and frequent exposure to trauma. These factors can increase the likelihood of substance use, impairment at work, and burnout-related risks.

The updated WHS Code acknowledges these realities. It reinforces that Work Health and Safety responsibilities apply to everyone—including full-time employees, agency staff, contractors, gig workers, and volunteers. For any Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU), the duty of care now carries clearer expectations for assessing and managing all risks, including those that arise from drug or alcohol impairment.

What the Code says about substance risks

While the Code does not explicitly list drug and alcohol use as a standalone hazard, its guidance on fatigue, dynamic risk assessments, and impaired judgment clearly points to the need for proper controls.

  • Fatigue is flagged as both a WHS risk in itself and a contributor to other risks, including errors and injuries.
  • Case studies in the Code show home care workers encountering aggressive behaviour and drug/alcohol use in private residences, prompting risk reassessment and change of service delivery location.
  • PCBUs are reminded they must act on known risks—whether physical, psychological, or environmental—and eliminate or minimise them as far as is reasonably practicable.

Substance-related impairment fits squarely within this scope.

Your duties as a PCBU

Under the primary duty of care, employers must:

  • Provide a safe work environment.
  • Identify and control risks that may affect worker health and safety.
  • Consult with staff, offer training and instruction, and supervise appropriately.

Managing the risk of drug and alcohol impairment is part of this. A workplace that overlooks substance-related risks—whether by failing to act on obvious warning signs or neglecting to put a policy in place—is unlikely to meet WHS requirements under the new Code.

Building a compliant and fair testing program

Implementing a workplace drug and alcohol testing program is one of the most effective ways to control risks. But it must be done carefully, with fairness and transparency in mind.

Key steps include:

  • Creating a clear, written drug and alcohol policy that outlines expectations, procedures, and consequences.
  • Training supervisors to recognise signs of impairment and handle sensitive conversations.
  • Choosing compliant testing equipment that meets Australian Standards (e.g. AS/NZS 4308:2008 for urine and AS/NZS 4760:2019 for oral fluid).
  • Ensuring privacy and dignity throughout the testing process.

When testing is embedded as part of a broader WHS strategy—alongside consultation, education, and support—it builds trust and protects both workers and patients.

Supporting a safer, more resilient workforce

The WHS Code also makes it clear: early intervention is key. Ignoring the signs of burnout or substance use can lead to poor outcomes, from staff injuries to patient harm.

Instead of relying on disciplinary action alone, workplaces should take a proactive approach—through tools like EAP services, trauma-informed care training, and regular testing.

If you’re new to testing, the Andatech Drug and Alcohol Testing Starter Pack is a great way to begin. It includes:

  • The Andatech Sentry workplace breathalyser
  • A box of DrugSense DSO8+ saliva test kits (25 units)
  • A one-year calibration plan
  • Online breathalyser training
  • 100 mouthpieces
  • Free shipping Australia-wide

💰 You save nearly $600 with this bundle—perfect for organisations starting their testing program the right way.

Andatech Surety Starter Pack

Final thoughts

Healthcare and social assistance workplaces face complex safety challenges—but they also have a powerful opportunity to lead. Under the new WHS Code, it’s clear that substance-related risks must be managed like any other: with care, structure, and a commitment to prevention.

Now’s the time to review your policy, refresh your training, and ensure your workplace is prepared. Contact Andatech for free consultation on designing the right policy to fit your needs.