Form T - Alcohol and Intoxicating (banned) Substances Procedure

The following employee's could be tested with their approval:

• any employee transferred/promoted to a position at the employer regarded by the supervisor as a high risk position (banned substances).
• any employee, in the conduct of his services, who gets involved in an industrial accident or a motor accident (banned substances, alcohol).
• any employee that has committed assault during working hours (banned substances, alcohol).
• any employee accused of being under the influence of alcohol or has used banned substance.
• any employee identified for the use of banned substances can, without notice, within 3 months be re-tested (banned substances): Provided that the employee approves of such test.

Conduct of tests

The following employee's are responsible for conducting the tests:

• Banned substances: Occupational health personnel using a recognised test.
• Alcohol: ______________________________________________________
• If a breathalyser is available: ______________________________________

Procedure at the test

The team leader of the accused employee, must inform _________________ immediately on his suspicion.

_____________________________makes his own observations, conducts the breathalyser test himself, if available, or informs _______________________, if no equipment is available.

_____________________________makes his own observations, and if necessary, inform ______________________, who will perform the test for banned substances.

At the tests, make certain that:

• the tests are performed in private, not in public or where other employees are present;
• each employee is tested separately;
• the maximum of two eye witnesses appointed is present, and (Note: The presence of an employee's representative is advisable but not necessary)
• the result of the test is shown to the employee.

The official conducting the test, completes the provided forms. (Note: If the equipment is not available, the prescribed forms should still be completed).

Witnesses sign at the appropriate places on the form.

The employee tested completes "Remarks" on the form if he requested to.

The result of the test is given to the relevant supervisor.

Conduct if tested positive

The employer's services is suspended for the remainder of the working day, without pay. The employee's supervisor initiates disciplinary action, if applicable. The disciplinary action is followed according to the employer's disciplinary code and procedure. If shown from the disciplinary enquiry that the employee has an alcohol or banned substance related problem, he/she should be submitted for evaluation by who shall make a proposal to assist the employee.

Security and the Police

The security section and/or the Police should be called in only in circumstances where an employee may have endangered co-employees or the employer's equipment. It is important that the employer is clearly aware of which immediate steps to follow when an employee is accused of being under the influence of alcohol or banned substances.

The following procedure shall be followed to determine the level of capacity to act:

• whether it may create danger or embarrassment for the employer if the employee continues with his/her duties;
• whether the employee should vacate the employer's premises;
• whether evidence should be gathered for the purpose of future disciplinary action.

It is important to distinguish these actions from a disciplinary enquiry in terms of the employer's disciplinary code, which would be followed before any disciplinary penalty is imposed, such as a warning.