A conversation this week highlighted a challenge many businesses face but rarely talk about openly – what happens when safety risks collide head‑on with staffing pressures?
One real incident – captured on a dash‑cam – pushed a hesitant business owner into a decision he’d been avoiding, and what he uncovered was far more serious than he expected.
A Story That Forced a Turning Point
My friend shared a situation involving his client, who runs a service‑based company that has always struggled to attract staff. They can’t compete with FIFO wages, the work is demanding, and turnover is already high. Because of that, the owner had always been hesitant to introduce drug testing. He feared it would drive away the few workers he could keep.
But then something happened. Every company vehicle in the business had been fitted with two‑way dash cameras (recording both the road and the driver). One day, footage revealed two employees smoking marijuana inside a work vehicle.
Not after-hours….. Not off-site…. But during work time, in a company car, on public roads. The owner was hesitant but implemented drug testing (as well as the correct policy, procedure and training).
The Results? 90% percent of his workforce returned unconfirmed/ not‑negative drug tests requiring laboratory confirmation which he was reluctant to proceed with.
What Would You Do If Faced with a Similar Situation?
It’s easy to judge from the outside. But for a small business already struggling to recruit, this is a real dilemma…
Do you risk losing your workforce?
Do you look the other way & hope nothing goes wrong?
Neither path feels easy; but one carries consequences that could destroy lives AND your business. It might feel inconvenient now – but it can come back tenfold if something goes wrong.
Can you continue operating knowing staff are consuming drugs during work hours, in company vehicles and on public roads? Once You’re Aware, You Own the Risk. If an incident happens – there is no defence. Even with recruitment challenges – is a bum on a seat really a justification for keeping someone who puts others at risk? … Not When Lives are On The Line
What Can a Business Do?
Start by reviewing the business model.
If it’s hard to attract the right people, something needs adjusting – wages, roster design, incentives, or even the type of services offered.
Price your services to match your safety standards.
When reliability and safety are essential, pricing must reflect the true cost of doing the job properly. Undercharging inevitably leads to corner‑cutting.
Invest in Training.
Many workers don’t fully understand how drug and alcohol testing works or the safety and legal implications. Knowledge changes behaviour.
Strengthen the workplace culture.
Clear expectations, consistent processes, and leaders who model safety create a culture where people want to do the right thing.
Put a fair drug and alcohol testing program in place.
Drug and alcohol testing shouldn’t be punitive – it should be protective.
Protective of your workers, your customers, and your community.
Not About Catching People Out – It’s About Keeping People Safe
When employees drive vehicles, work unpredictable hours, and represent your business in the community – safety can’t be optional. Drug and alcoholo use at work isn’t just a policy breach – it’s a real, tangible risk to people’s lives.
And ignoring it doesn’t eliminate the risk. It only eliminates your ability to prevent it.
Contact Us
If you want to safeguard your workers, strengthen compliance, and reduce operational risk, our team can help you get there. Reach out to our team here.