Updating NCETA’s Systematic Review of Workplace Drug Testing

June 2017
Staff: 

NCETA:
Dr Ken Pidd
Professor Ann Roche

Project description: 

NCETA is extending its highly successful 2014 systematic review of qualitative research concerning the efficacy of drug testing. The review found that the evidence base for the effectiveness of drug testing to improve work safety is tenuous and that better dissemination of the current evidence is required to support evidence‐informed policy and practice.

The findings of NCETA’s review have been used to:

  • Advise the Queensland Government on the efficacy of workplace drug testing and the development of evidence-based responses to emerging AOD workplace issues.
  • Inform the development of the drug testing section in Worksafe Victoria’s alcohol and other drugs in the workplace guide.
  • Provide guidance to senior management in Shell Aviation Australia and BHP Billiton Pty Ltd on implementing workplace drug testing within a policy and procedural framework and with an emphasis on worker and organisational health and safety.

Following recent changes to the Australian Building Code, which requires drug and alcohol testing on construction sites and recognising the increasing emphasis on workplace drug testing NCETA is keen to ensure that the latest evidence-based information is available to assist government policy makers and employers.

The Centre is extending its earlier systematic review to include:

  • More recent Australian and international peer-reviewed and grey literature on workplace drug testing
  • Analyses of Australian workplace drug testing data
  • Secondary analyses of the 2016 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) data.

Copies of NCETA’s earlier systematic review of workplace drug testing are available for download from NCETA’s website. Hard copies of the review can also be ordered from nceta@flinders.edu.au or by calling (08) 8201 7535.