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Master Builders Australia welcomes phased approach to enforcement of drug & alcohol fitness for work amendments

The new fitness for work amendments under the Building Code 2013 will commence on Friday, 16 October.

Master Builders Australia welcomes the phased approach to implementing the drug and alcohol fitness for work amendments for the building and construction industry under the Building Code 2013.
The new fitness for work amendments under the Building Code 2013 will commence on Friday, 16 October. This will require contractors to have a comprehensive policy for managing drug and alcohol issues in the workplace which includes mandatory drug and alcohol testing on Commonwealth funded projects.
Fair Work Building and Construction will be responsible for monitoring compliance and will have a three stage approach to auditing the drug and alcohol testing requirements.
FWBC will initially help industry understand the implications of the policy through education. The second stage will consist of audits with a view to providing feedback on their compliance with the requirements and assisting them with voluntary rectification to achieve compliance. The third and final stage will consist of audits and if compliance and rectification are unmet, FWBC will undertake the usual processes to give consideration for further actions under the Building Code.
“To be eligible to work on Federal Government projects (where the Federal Government’s contribution is at least $5 million and represents at least 50% of the total construction value of the project or is at least $10 million) contractors must also comply with new drug and alcohol testing policies on building sites as head contractors will be required to ensure that anyone undertaking work, including employees of contractors and sub-contractors are subject to the testing regime,” said Wilhelm Harnisch, CEO of Master Builders Australia.
“The inclusion of compulsory drug and alcohol testing policies is a win for safety on building sites and the three stage implementation approach outlines by Fair Work Building and Construction (FWBC) will help maximise compliance by all contractors.
“While the amendments to the Building Code will officially take effect from 16 October 2015, FWBC will not commence audits until 1 February 2016 to give contractors time to put in place Code compliant arrangements. The regulator will then take action if non-compliance is not voluntarily rectified.
“This is a welcome and sensible approach to implementing this important safety policy,” said Mr Harnisch.
More information on the amendments to the Building Coe 2013 can be obtained by visiting the FWBC website or telephoning Fair Work Building and Construction on 1800 003 338.
See original article HERE
Fit for work drug tests are available at MediNat Australia, if you have any questions regarding the most suitable test for your workplace, please do not hesitate to contact us 
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