Case-study. Drug testing in the australian mining industry

Abstract

Alcohol and illicit substance abuse in the workplace is increasingly becoming a major human resource and employee relations issue. Whilst more sophisticated measures have been developed to test and monitor drug use in the workplace, and despite tacit union support on the grounds of occupational health and safety, the implementation of drug testing procedures remains a contentious issue. This paper examines the issue through a case study in the Australian mining industry where the introduction of the drug-testing resulted in a major industrial disputation.