Record on accidents improved

Fletcher Challenge Forests introduced a drug and alcohol policy in 1998 to ensure its 1500 employees are not exposed to unacceptable risk.

Richard Parker, legal counsel and corporate human resources consultant, says forestry has always had a high rate of accidents and there are often issues with cannabis.

Drug and alcohol tests are carried out before employment, when there is an accident and when there is reasonable cause - such as a worker being aggressive, regularly late, or often absent.

ESR does the testing. A urine sample is taken to detect cannabis, opiates, cocaine, amphetamines and prescription drug levels that exceed the accepted international standard.

A breath test is used to determine whether alcohol exceeds the level set by the Land Transport Safety Authority - 400 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

Workers who fail a test usually are referred to a rehabilitation programme.

"Overall, the policy has been very successful," Parker says. "We like to think we have a higher standard of worker.

"We would like to say we have changed the culture of forestry to being drug-free, particularly at sawmills."

Gavin Williamson, manager of health, safety and environment, says the biggest effect probably has been on safety.

The policy - plus other measures such as hazard management policies and better staff training - has brought a reduction in time-loss injuries from 40 hours per million worked to eight hours.