NSW Trains is a drug and alcohol free workplace.
Our policy of having a workplace free from alcohol or drugs is part of our commitment to building a safer network for our customers and staff.
All permanent and contract employees - including frontline staff, those in safety-critical roles, administrative staff and senior management - are subject to random testing at any time while they are reporting to work or undertaking work.
The Rail Safety National Law was introduced in New South Wales on 20 January 2013 through the Rail Safety (Adoption of National Law) Act 2012 and Rail Safety (Adoption of National Law) Regulations 2012. It establishes a prescribed blood alcohol concentration of zero. The Rail Safety (Adoption of National Law) Act 2012 requires rail operators to conduct random alcohol and/or drug tests of not less than 25 per cent of rail safety workers each year. The level of testing conducted by NSW Trains during the 2013/14 financial year was significantly above the minimum legislative requirement.
Employees who fail drug or alcohol tests are removed immediately from safety-critical duties. The continuing employment of any employee who fails an alcohol or drug test is dependent on the successful completion of a rehabilitation, return to work and monitoring program. Serious or ongoing breaches may result in dismissal.
Contractors who fail drug or alcohol tests are not permitted to work on any NSW Trains worksite at any time.
Random alcohol testing
The following data shows the total random alcohol tests conducted on employees and contractors. A positive result is defined as any indication of alcohol.
Employees
| Jul 13 | Aug 13 | Sep 13 | Oct 13 | Nov 13 | Dec 13 | Jan 14 | Feb 14 | Mar 14 | Apr 14 | May 14 | Jun 14 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests conducted | 121 | 74 | 23 | 68 | 52 | 55 | 48 | 27 | 77 | 29 | 21 | 41 |
| No. of positive results | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| % positive results | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.82% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 4.76% | 0.00% |
| Financial Years | 2013/14 |
|---|---|
| Tests conducted | 636 |
| No. of positive results | 2 |
| % positive results | 0.31% |
Random drug testing
The following data shows the total random drug tests conducted on employees and contractors.
| Jul 13 | Aug 13 | Sep 13 | Oct 13 | Nov 13 | Dec 13 | Jan 14 | Feb 14 | Mar 14 | Apr 14 | May 14 | Jun 14 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests conducted | 16 | 79 | 39 | 28 | 56 | 52 | 55 | 28 | 109 | 13 | 67 | 39 |
| No. of positive results | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| % positive results | 0.00% | 1.27% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 3.57% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 2.56% |
| Financial Years | 2013/14 |
|---|---|
| Tests conducted | 581 |
| No. of positive results | 3 |
| % positive results | 0.52% |
NOTE: NSW Trains does not employee a significant number of contractors, therefore does not separate employees and contractors for the purposes of reporting drug and alcohol.