THE Fair Work Building and Construction Commission (FWBC) has today announced a three-stage process to support contractors in complying with new building drug and alcohol testing amendments under the Building Code 2013.

The FWBC’s announcement means that while the amendments take effect from this Friday 16 October, affected employers will have until 1 February 2016 to show they are fully compliant with arrangements set out under the code.

As previously reported, the changes introduce higher standards for addressing drug and alcohol testing, requiring building contractors subject to the code to have a policy in place for managing drug and alcohol issues in the workplace to ensure that no person performing building work onsite does so under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Responsible for monitoring compliance with the Building Code, the FWBC has set out a three stage approach to auditing drug and alcohol testing requirements.

“Initially, FWBC will focus on assisting industry through education, providing information and helping contractors to understand the implications of the policy,” a FWBC statement said.

“In the second stage, FWBC will conduct audits with a view to providing feedback on their compliance with the requirements and assisting them with voluntary rectification to achieve compliance.

“In the third stage, FWBC will conduct audits and, if compliance and rectification are not achieved, undertake the usual processes to give consideration to taking further action under the Code.

“FWBC will not commence the third stage until after 1 February 2016.”

For more information on your obligations under the code, please contact your local AREEA office. Further information is also available from the FWBC website or hotline on 1800 003 338.