Safety Bulletins

2009 D&A Survey

Back in 2009, PF Olsen Ltd commissioned a survey of its workforce that centred on the newly released 'Plantation Forestry Code of Practice - Eliminating Drugs & Alcohol from the Workplace'.

We told participants that we would listen to the survey results, answer any arising questions and use the survey indicators to develop a fair and consistent D&A testing programme! With your help, we achieved a great result!

In 2010, our first year of random testing, we conducted 681 individual tests and 16.2% tested positive!

In the first 10 months of 2015, we conducted 980 tests - 6.3% positive!

The 2009 Survey responses provided great insight and helped design our programs!

The 2009 Survey showed that only 67% of respondents thought random testing legal - what would the percentage be today?

The survey showed a clear preference for testing at the worksite. Accordingly, we engaged TDDA who had testing vans that could come to forest work sites.

Survey respondents wanted individuals tested once every 1 to 2 years. Collectively i.e. with your support, that's what we have achieved.

Other 2009 Survey Results 

  • 42% of respondents did not want a formal rehabilitation process.

  • 57% of respondents wanted everyone at the site tested i.e. not picking and choosing!

  • 64% of respondents wanted a time ban for offenders; 28% wanted the ban to last forever!

  • 88% wanted a third party, unbiased selection process i.e. not 'eeny-meeny-miny-moe'.

  • Privacy, the screening process and cut-off limits were the most notable issues of the day.

View this article in Safety Bulletin 97