Australia National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers 2024 2.2.5: Drug and alcohol testing interface: Pre-placement or change of category assessments may include a drug or alcohol test depending on jurisdiction and operator policy, Periodic Health Assessments do not routinely include one, and where misuse is declared, intoxication is suspected at examination or an assessment is triggered by drug or alcohol concerns the health professional assesses the worker, may test, and classifies a suspected or confirmed intoxicated worker Temporarily Unfit for Duty and notifies the operator

What does 2.2.5 require?

The Rail Safety National Law requires operators to ensure rail safety workers are not impaired by alcohol or drugs, and workers themselves must not work while impaired; testing under the operator's drug and alcohol management program is separate from health assessments under the Standard. A Pre-placement or change of risk category assessment may include drug and alcohol testing where the jurisdiction's legislation and the operator require it, but Periodic Health Assessments should not routinely include it, although testing may form part of a return-to-work program for a worker with a substance misuse condition. If a worker declares drug or alcohol misuse, appears intoxicated at the examination, or the assessment was triggered by drug or alcohol concerns, the Authorised Health Professional assesses them and asks about possible reasons, may conduct a drug and alcohol test or assessment in line with the relevant Australian standard, and where intoxication is suspected or confirmed categorises the worker Temporarily Unfit for Duty and notifies the rail transport operator. The health assessment system is the minimum mechanism for managing workers with potential drug or alcohol problems and does not preclude additional operator testing or return-to-work requirements.