WHY ORGANISATIONS ‘DRUG & ALCOHOL TEST’ THEIR POTENTIAL OR CURRENT EMPLOYEES:
‘Under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, and its 2003 amendments, employers have an obligation to take “all practicable steps” to ensure the safety of employees while at work. Drugs and Alcohol are listed in the amendments as being a potential hazard. The introduction of workplace drug testing, particularly in safety sensitive areas, is one way in which employers can meet their obligations. Workplace drug testing must, however, take account of several laws including the Privacy Act 1993, the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, and the Human Rights Act 1993’ (www.esr.cri.nz/competencies/workplacedrugtesting/Pages/AustralianNewZealandtestingstandards)

Companies who currently have a Drug & Alcohol policy test for the following reason:
 Pre Employment
 Post Employment
 Random tests
 Reasonable Cause
 Other

Workplace Wellness Systems can assist your company by testing employees (onsite or at our clinic) for the abuse of any illegal drug substances according to Australian and New Zealand standards (AS/NZS 4308:2008). In this update, we will take you through a few things you need to know if you want to pursue this in your workplace OR you already have a drug policy in place and need process clarity.

WHAT COMPANIES NEED TO KNOW WHEN SEARCHING FOR A SERVICE PROVIDER? Any collectors of drug and alcohol samples should be NZQA qualified and set up appropriately for the process
 Make sure that the kits used are to AS/NZ standards with verification (Certificate of Compliance)
 Know what should happen in the case of ‘negative’ and ‘positive’ results
 Turn-over is efficiently notified i.e.-make sure you receive the results in a timely manner
 Archiving and Privacy Act – results and details of all tests should be securely locked away should you need to refer back
 Trust that your provider will do a great job and assist/advise you where needed

DRUG & ALCOHOL TESTING OPTIONS: All donors MUST sign a consent form before the testing process commences.

 Alcohol Breathalyzer testing
 THC (marijuana) single panel testing
 Methamphetamine (‘p’) single panel testing
 NEW: Synthetic Cannabis (THC/Marijuana) testing
 6pot Instant Drug testing (Amphetamines, Benzodiazepines, Cocaine, Marijuana, Methamphetamines, Opiates)
 Laboratory collection for confirmation or more elaborative results

WWS is excited to continue assisting and supporting you with medical requirements your organisation needs including:

 Pre/post employment medicals
 Annual Health Monitoring
 General Health checks
 Audiometry (hearing) testing
 Vision Screen testing
 Spirometry (lung function) testing
 Drug & Alcohol Testing
 Vaccinations
 Wellness programmes
 Injury Management

It is important to maintain the health, wellbeing and safety of employees which is essential in today’s business environment. This is not only for legislative reasons, but also a social responsibility, reducing lost time due to injury which ultimately ensures continued profitability.

At WWS, we are keen to understand your requirements so contact us today for more information.

Influenza Immunisations 2012 season is due to commence in March and we are currently confirming details. Stay tuned to our regular updates so that your group does not miss out this year on this important investment in your staff. We have started securing bookings, so you can register your interest now.

We are proud to have added value to health and wealth in the workplace setting and look forward to assisting you this new 2012 year.

Now is the perfect time to be contemplating what you wish to achieve for your organisation during 2012 in order to be productive and competitive in the market place.

It is important to maintain the health, wellness and safety of employees which is essential in today’s business environment. This is not only for legislative reasons, but also a social responsibility, reducing lost time due to injury which ultimately ensures continued profitability.

We have been providing services to many industries as their preferred provider for the past few years.

At Workplace Wellness Systems, we are keen to understand your requirements and are willing to provide onsite/offsite services with priority such as:
• Instant Urine/ESR collections for Drug and Alcohol testing
• Pre/Post/Annual Medical examinations (including Spirometry, Audiometry & Vision screening)
• Vaccinations (Influenza, Hepatitis A & B , Typhoid, Tetanus etc)
• Wellness Programmes/Pilots
• Accident, Emergency and Medical services 7 days a week focusing on Injury management and assessments for possible alternative duties (strategic partnership with ETHC group and Whitecross Clinics) and access to Specialist services (Orthopaedic).

We have access to support services such as Laboratories, Radiology services, Pharmacies and Fracture follow-up, Physiotherapy etc from one location.

Christmas/New Years hours…For pre-planning recruitment processes on your end, WWS business will close: Monday 26 December until Friday 6 January, 2012 resuming business on Monday 9 January 2012.

If you are likely to require any of our services during this period, please contact us to confirm your appointments beforehand. Emails will be cleared frequently during this time.

Ph – (09) 265 4959 or Email – info@workplacewellnesssystems.co.nz

Thank you for supporting your WWS team as we look forward to assisting you in the New Year, wishing you a very safe & joyous Christmas and New Year festivity!

During the actual test, employees have a few attempts by blowing deep and long breaths into a mouth piece which will smartly record the measurement of their lung capacity.

For the employer, this can be done 6-monthly, annually or 2-yearly to ensure a baseline is defined and recorded particularly in industrial positions i.e.-manufacturing, factory, truck driving which can be monitored and compared as years surpass.

For the employee, this benefits their wellbeing by not only knowing what their lung capacity reads, but also identifying any abnormal signs which they can keep on top of to control any further issues.

Our WWS team can assist your H&S team in setting this up for your employees.

Influenza Vaccinations 2012

It is never too late to start preparing this for your staff in the new year.

Our team can be booked for an onsite service or we can send you vouchers to use at our Auckland wide GP clinics.

Bookings are essential so register your interest for any of our services!

Thanks for reading!

How can noise cause damage to hearing? Noise + time = hearing damage (Ministry of Health Catalogue Code HE1122) Constant short sharp loud noises or long periods of time in noisy environments can damage delicate cells inside the ear.

Companies test their employees to ensure this is not the case in working environments and monitor their staff annually or every two years.

WWS tests include: noise exposure history, an otoscopic examination and the screening test. Provided staff completes the consent form, a copy of their result can be emailed or posted to your H&S contact.

Book your Audiometry tests at our WWS clinic or Onsite.
If you require Onsite Audiometry testing, the cost will be the same, plus an onsite fee with a minimum requirement of 5 staff members at one time.

Bookings are essential so register your interest now!

Measles Outbreak Update
The vaccine is now available to everyone in NZ for free. Please contact your GP to arrange this if unsure about immunity.

CURRENT SITUATION
The Auckland region has been experiencing a sustained measles outbreak since 30 May, 2011. This is now the largest outbreak since 1997. The Auckland regional DHBs appreciate that increased immunisation is now the best way to protect the community from measles.

Have you and your family been immunised against measles?
• If you were born after January 1969, you could be at risk due to a sustained measles outbreak in the Auckland region
• Check with your medical practitioner if you have had the measles and/or are fully immunised against measles
• Your best protection is to get vaccinated
• The MMR vaccine is not suitable for pregnant women

In any event that there is concern, please contact your regular medical practitioner, an after hours medical provider or the nearest hospital emergency department.
More information can be found by calling or viewing the following references:

• Immunisation Advisory Centre: 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863) or www.immune.org.nz
• Healthline 0800 611 116
• Ministry of Health: www.moh.govt.nz/measles
• ARPHS: 09 623 4600 or www.arphs.govt.nz/notifiable/measles

This includes a short questionnaire and the actual screening test which can take up to 15mins max depending on each individual.

WWS uses a Keystone Screener which records the baseline of a client’s:
- Far & Near Vision (including eye coordination, color & depth perception)
- Night Vision
- Intermediate Distance

For further information, contact us.

The results can then be compared to their Pre-employment and Annual Screening medical examinations.

The opportunity for the employer is to document an exiting baseline health assessment snapshot of the worker that maybe relevant (or not) in the future, for example, with respect to noise induced hearing loss. Comparison of the audiometric profile and relevance of industry induced hearing loss can be delineated better as our auditory function will naturally deteriorate with age. Risk managing this process organisationally upfront is beneficial forsaking time and cost later for any claims made.

The opportunity for the worker is a here and now cost-free snapshot of their health status so if referral or medical advice is needed they can be proactive to better manage this. Additionally, they can better prepare themselves for further transition to new employment or retirement.

Exit Medicals can involve different elements like:
 Vision Screen Tests
 Spirometry (lung function) Tests
 General Medical Examination or specific Screening including – Blood Pressure Testing and Range of Motion function

However, the most identified concern employers have is:
 Audiometry (hearing) Tests to discover any noise induced hearing loss staff may have been exposed to and may require further specialist assistance with.

WWS can tailor your Exit Medicals to complete your requirements.

Our team can assist you by carrying out general onsite/offsite health medical checks which can include:

- Health history advice
- Body mass index (bmi) checks (based on height, weight & ethnicity)
- Blood pressure/pulse checks
- Glucose/Cholesterol
- Musculo-skeletal – range of movements for flexibility
- Smoking cessation advice

For a more elaborative medical baseline, we can carry out the following tests:

- Physical Examinations
- Vision Screen
- Audiometry
- Spirometry (lung function)
- Drug Tests
- Coordinate blood tests needed for various medical conditions

We can work together with you to tailor and meet your objectives ensuring wellness is monitored across your organisation.

Contact us for more information.

WWS can assist your organisation with staff vaccinations required as part of your procedures.

Your staff can gain a Vaccination Passport to keep their immunisation records up to date.

These can include:
- Hepatitis A; spread through contact with faeces of an infected person
- Hepatitis B; spread through the blood and body fluids of an infected person
- Hepatitis C; spread mainly through contact with the blood of an infected person
- Adult Diphtheria & Tetanus; Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection of the throat which can close off the airway. Tetanus is caused by bacteria which enters the body through a wound.
- Polio; viral disease that can affect nerves and can lead to partial or full paralysis
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella; live viral infection
- Typhoid; transmitted by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the faeces of an infected person
- Cholera; transmission is primarily through consuming contaminated drinking water or food.
- Varicella (chicken pox); spread by coughing and sneezing. Also direct contact with weeping blisters.
- Seasonal Influenza; protection against influenza and swine flu

Some vaccines require a few doses and a blood test would show if someone had the infection which can also be arranged through our team.

Vaccines not only prevent an outbreak in your workplace, it will protect your employees.

For more information, contact us via email – info@workplacewellnesssystems.co.nz