The Master Painter Australia - April 2016 Vol. 1 | Page 37
THE MASTER PAINTER AUSTRALIA
037
processes that will apply in the event of a
positive result or deemed positive result
(i.e. a failure to submit to a test).
Principal contractors must also outline in
their fitness for work policy how workers
who attend for work affected by drugs or
alcohol will be counselled and assisted,
apart from any disciplinary process that
might apply.
HOW WILL FWBC MONITOR THE
DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING
REQUIREMENTS?
FWBC will audit a principal contractor’s
fitness for work policy to ensure that the
minimum standards for drug and alcohol
testing are adequately addressed. FWBC
will also audit projects to ensure that
the drug and alcohol requirements of
the fitness for work policy are being
implemented.
ARE THERE SANCTIONS FOR NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THE DRUG AND
ALCOHOL TESTING REQUIREMENTS?
Yes. Where serious breaches occur
FWBC report them to the Code
Monitoring Group, which in turn may
make recommendations to the Minister
regarding exclusion sanctions. However
in the first instance, FWBC will be
educating building industry participants
on the requirements and seeking
rectification measures where noncompliance is found.
WHERE CAN I GET FURTHER
INFORMATION?
On Friday 18 September 2015, the
then Minister for Employment
Eric Abetz issued a media release
announcing that the government
has introduced amendments to the
Building Code to improve workplace
safety for construction sites. For further
information on these amendments
please see:
• Media release
https://ministers.employment.gov.au/
abetz/
government-building-code-nowrequires-drug-andalcoholtesting-policies-construction-sites
The fitness for work policy of the principal contractor must
require the use of an objective medical testing method to
detect the presence of drugs or alcohol in a worker’s system.
• Amendments to the Building Code
and the Explanatory Statement
https://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/
F2015L01462
WHERE CAN I GO FOR ADVICE?
FWBC has responsibility for ensuring
compliance with the Building Code.
FWBC will provide advice to assist
you to meet the requirements of the
Building Code.
For further information on the Building
Code and what it means for your
company:
• Visit FWBC’s website at
www.fwbc.gov.au/building-code
• Call the FWBC Hotline on
1800 003 338
• Email your enquiries to
[email protected]
• Visit the Department of Employment’s
website at
www.employment.gov.au/building-code