Drug, alcohol testing for bus drivers

Service operated by NZ Bus. Photo / NZ Bus website

Random drug and alcohol testing is being rolled out for all bus drivers at the country's largest bus company, it's been announced.

NZ Bus says it has worked with union representatives to "further strengthen" it existing alcohol and drug free policy to "reflect the shared commitment of management and staff to a best practice approach to health and safety in the workplace".

The company already tested for the substances pre-employment or transfer, and after a crash or other incident, but the changes unveiled today would not include random testing and cover all employees and contractors regardless of their role in the company.

NZ Bus had a "great track record on this front", chief operating officer southern, Tonia Haskell, said

"For example, over the past year a number of staff have been tested after incidents, with none having tested positive for drugs or alcohol. But the introduction of random testing reflects the seriousness with which both management and staff of NZ Bus take health and safety."

The random drug and alcohol testing is being introduced as part of the companies "continous improvement in health and safety", she said, which included an employee wellness programme and a new incident and hazard reporting system.

NZ Bus had seen a 5 per cent reduction in lost time injuries, and a 16 per cent reduction in motor vehicle crashes year-on-year since 2014, the company said today.

First Union, which represents bus drivers declined to comment on the announcement.