Every switch flipped, turbine turned, and pipeline pressurised depends on human precision. In the energy and utilities sector, one distracted or impaired moment can set off a chain reaction disrupting supply, damaging infrastructure, or putting lives at risk. These industries operate on the assumption that every worker on site is alert, capable, and ready for duty. Maintaining that standard means more than compliance; it requires an active, measurable approach to managing drug and alcohol risks.
That’s why many organisations across power generation, oil and gas, water utilities, and mining are formalising drug and alcohol (D&A) testing programs designed not only to meet regulation, but to prevent incidents before they occur.
Why drug & alcohol testing matters in energy and utilities
From turbine operators and control room staff to maintenance crews in the field, every role in this sector involves safety-sensitive work. The consequences of impairment are magnified in these environments: a brief lapse could cause an outage, damage equipment, or trigger a site evacuation.
Employers are legally required under Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws to ensure that staff are “fit for work.” In practice, this means having clear policies and systems to prevent and detect impairment. D&A testing provides an objective way to uphold this responsibility protecting employees, contractors, and the public.
The highest-risk roles include:
- Plant and field technicians, who manage complex systems or high-voltage equipment
- Maintenance and repair teams, working in confined or hazardous environments
- Transport operators and drivers, responsible for moving materials, fuel, or personnel
By making D&A testing routine and transparent, organisations build consistency into their safety framework—reducing uncertainty and improving decision-making when it matters most.
Building an effective testing program
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Each operation, whether a regional power station or a remote gas site, faces different risks. However, the most effective programs tend to combine several types of testing and clear procedural boundaries.
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Random testing
Maintains vigilance and fairness across teams. Random selection removes predictability, ensuring all workers remain accountable throughout their roster cycles. -
Pre-shift alcohol screening
Often mandated for high-voltage or refinery environments, pre-shift alcohol testing ensures anyone entering the site is fit for duty. Many organisations now use wall-mounted or automated access-point breathalysers, which integrate with entry systems for fast, auditable screening. -
Post-incident and “for cause” testing
After a safety breach or near-miss, immediate testing establishes whether impairment was a factor. Quick turnaround devices are essential to maintain data integrity and support investigations. -
Pre-employment and periodic testing
Pre-employment testing helps filter risk before workers enter critical roles. Ongoing or periodic checks maintain standards and support rehabilitation pathways for returning employees.
Together, these measures form a layered prevention model, one that combines compliance with operational reliability.
Setting clear expectations: Turning policy into daily practice
The most effective drug and alcohol programs aren’t built on testing frequency, they’re built on clarity and consistency. Every employee, from senior engineers to FIFO contractors, needs to know exactly what’s expected of them and what will happen if those expectations aren’t met.
Setting these boundaries early creates a shared understanding of safety responsibilities and removes uncertainty when enforcement becomes necessary. It’s about creating a transparent system that workers trust rather than fear.
Here’s how leading energy and resources companies put that into practice:
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Define standards clearly in every role
Each position within a power plant, refinery, or utility site carries different levels of risk. Employers should spell out fit-for-duty expectations by role, for example, stating explicitly that all plant operators and maintenance technicians must maintain 0.00% BAC at all times on site. Including this in job descriptions, onboarding documents, and safety briefings ensures there are no grey areas. -
Incorporate testing policy into inductions and refresher training
Workers often receive initial D&A briefings at induction, but reinforcement is key. Annual or biannual refreshers keep the message alive and help integrate it into everyday site culture. When staff know the why behind testing such as protecting themselves, their team and critical infrastructure, compliance follows naturally. -
Standardise policy across contractors and employees
One of the biggest challenges in the energy sector is managing a blended workforce. Contractors might arrive on site under different employer policies, creating inconsistency in enforcement. A unified policy applied to everyone (employees, subcontractors, and temporary workers) simplifies compliance and reduces conflict. -
Outline consequences and support pathways
Transparency also means defining what happens when someone fails a test or self-reports an issue. Workers should know the difference between disciplinary action and rehabilitation. Many companies now include Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or offer confidential support channels to encourage early intervention before an incident occurs. -
Make leadership visible in enforcement
Supervisors and managers set the tone. When leaders model responsible behaviour such as voluntarily taking part in random testing or communicating results openly, it reinforces trust and fairness. A program that feels top-down but consistent earns far more cooperation than one that feels punitive. -
Communicate updates and review regularly
Safety and D&A policies shouldn’t remain static. Periodic reviews aligned with site audits or legislative updates keep the program relevant. Regular communication like posters in break rooms, digital notices or toolbox talks helps reinforce that D&A management is part of everyday safety, not a once-a-year compliance checkbox.
Managing Contractors and FIFO Crews Under One Policy
Energy and utilities operations depend on an extended network of subcontractors, service providers, and FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) teams. Managing these groups under separate policies creates confusion and enforcement gaps.
A unified D&A policy simplifies governance and ensures every person on site operates under the same standards—no matter who pays their wages. With portable and connected testing tools, safety teams can:
- Conduct testing across multiple sites using handheld or mobile breathalysers
- Log and share results instantly via cloud-based systems for full audit trails
- Manage calibration schedules and reporting from a central dashboard
This integrated approach makes it easier to maintain compliance across large, dispersed workforces and remote locations.
Protecting infrastructure and operational continuity
In the energy sector, unplanned downtime doesn’t just cost money. It can destabilise supply chains and public confidence. By embedding D&A testing into daily operations, companies reduce the likelihood of avoidable incidents that halt production or trigger regulatory investigations.
A robust D&A program supports:
- Lower incident frequency and faster response after near-misses
- Improved workforce reliability, especially for shift-based roles
- Reduced insurance and compliance costs through proactive risk management
It’s a pragmatic, measurable safeguard that protects both people and infrastructure—reinforcing the sector’s core responsibility: uninterrupted, safe energy delivery.
Closing thoughts
In an industry where precision and reliability are non-negotiable, prevention is the most practical form of protection. A well-designed drug and alcohol testing program isn’t just a compliance tool, it’s an operational control that directly influences safety outcomes, workforce integrity, and service continuity.
Talk to Andatech about building a fit-for-purpose drug and alcohol testing program for your energy or utilities workforce. From automated entry-point breathalysers to portable testing kits for remote teams, our solutions are designed for safety-critical operations.
