Industry News & Updates

To meet evolving WHS obligations, organisations need more than just testing tools – they need education, clarity, and confidence. Alcolizer Technology offers a full suite of training, policy review, and support services designed to empower teams, ensure legal compliance, and foster a culture of safety. From nationally recognised specimen collection training to tailored operator certification and policy guidance, we help workplaces build programs that are fair, effective, and future-ready.

Delta Electricity’s Vales Point coal plant completed a critical safety upgrade — replacing six breathalysers with Centurion Quantum devices, ensuring every test now meets the latest AS 3547.1:2019 standard.

In workplaces where risks and responsibilities are constantly evolving, generic compliance modules just don’t cut it. Our refreshed online courses deliver practical, real-world insights – designed to be engaging, easy to access, and aligned with current standards.

The Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator’s data shows drug detections are over 22 times more likely than alcohol – yet most tests still target alcohol. This highlights a key opportunity to align Drug & Alcohol testing with actual risk, not outdated habits. Smarter, role-specific strategies can improve safety outcomes across all industries.

Can a Prescription Put Your Job at Risk?
As medicinal cannabis and other medications become more common in the workplace, employers and employees must navigate a complex mix of safety, compliance, and legal responsibility. This blog explores how prescribed and over-the-counter medications can impact safe work performance—and what organisations can do to manage risk fairly and effectively.

As snow blanketed the alpine regions of New South Wales, Operation Snow Safe once again showcased the unwavering commitment of NSW Police and the Traffic & Highway Patrol Command to keeping communities safe—no matter the weather. Over the course of the operation, police charged 11 individuals with drink driving, issued 8 infringement notices for low-range PCA, and recorded 35 not-negative drug tests, with samples sent for secondary testing.

A recent Canadian study has uncovered a critical gap in harm reduction awareness among Veterans using medicinal cannabis (MC) for chronic pain. Despite frequent use, fewer than one-third were aware of Canada’s Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines – a public health tool designed to reduce cannabis-related harms. Originally developed for recreational users, the guidelines offer practical strategies.

Queensland’s road safety crisis is escalating. With over 180 lives lost, $35.7 billion in social cost, and 31,742 serious crashes in just five years, urgent action is needed. RACQ’s new campaign calls for stronger enforcement, more roadside drug and alcohol testing, and investment in rehabilitation.

The ACIC’s latest wastewater report reveals a sharp rise in the consumption of methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, and heroin—reaching the highest annual levels ever recorded. With serious and organised crime driving this growth, the findings underscore the urgent need for coordinated national strategies in drug prevention, enforcement, and harm reduction.

Centurion Quantum’s built-in email and reporting features help streamline compliance and keep your team informed—automatically. Whether you’re sending breath test results or system alerts, it’s a smarter way to manage workplace safety. For full visibility and control, AlcoCONNECT takes it even further with real-time dashboards and centralised data.

When drug testing fails, it’s not just a technical error—it’s a breakdown in trust, process, and fairness. Recent incidents have highlighted how unclear policies, inconsistent procedures, and poor communication can turn a safety measure into a legal and ethical minefield. This is a wake-up call for organisations to revisit their testing frameworks, ensure transparency, and protect the rights of all involved. Because when the system falters, the consequences go far beyond the test result.

Join Steve Korkoneas, our National Onsite Testing Specialist, for insightful webinars hosted by the Australian Institute of Health & Safety (AIHS). Covering the latest standards in drug and alcohol testing and the evolving challenges of managing medicinal cannabis in the workplace. Gain practical insights into compliance, specimen integrity, policy updates, and balancing safety with compassion.