(www.esr.cri.nz/competencies/workplacedrugtesting/Pages/AustralianNewZealandtestingstandards)

How to keep your workplace a healthier and safer place

What is interesting is that a lot of organisations do not realise how vital simple recruiting processes can save (long term), a healthier place for themselves and others. Companies that do have drug and alcohol procedures in place prevent a lot of their time and costs by smartly gaining a Pre-employment medical check prior to recruiting their potential clients to gain an introduction of candidates either being fit or unfit for different roles.

I drug tested a past candidate who expressed at the time how he urgently needed work and was not aware of a drug test prior to his interview. His result was positive and this allowed our client to gain awareness before recruiting the candidate, the risks involved if they did recruit him.

Pre/post-employment medicals guarantee satisfied employers are recruiting suitable staff for vacant positions and are not creating a risk for their work colleagues, business, clients, production, health and safety, morale and public image. If not offered at a pre-employment stage, drug and alcohol testing can be done on a random basis.

The drug and alcohol risks companies could face in their work areas can create lost time, absenteeism and dissatisfied customers which are a few results of not having a drug and alcohol procedure in place, when companies could be concentrating on more vital objectives like business success and growth.

Workplace Wellness can assist companies by carrying out Drug and Alcohol tests according to Australian and New Zealand standards (AS/NZS 4308:2001) by using a specimen instant six pot drug test kit which tests for the following drugs:

 Amphetamines
 Benzodiazepines
 Cocaine
 THC (Marijuana)
 Methamphetamines (“P”)
 Opiates

An adulteration detection strip is also identified to detect substances which may have been used to alter the specimen.

Employers who choose to use these procedures can rest assure that our team will assist them in creating and making positive Drug and Alcohol processes that suit whilst creating a healthier and safer place for their organisation. Alcohol tests are tested by a breathalyzer which is similar to what the NZ Police use. The result is recorded and the employer is notified.

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

For Hep A & B, staff members can be blood tested prior to determine their current immunity/carrier status.

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

Book your employees vision screen test at our WWS clinic or Onsite. If you require Onsite vision testing, an additional set-up, travel and admin fee will apply with a minimum requirement of 5 staff members same day and same site location.

Spirometry testing is vital for measuring your employee’s lung function suitable for their age, weight and height.

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 advisors in setting this up for your employees.
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AUDIOMETRY (HEARING) TESTING SPECIAL!
Special offer for April 2012 only

WWS can test the baseline hearing of employees protecting the organisation from future concerns regarding noise induced hearing loss. This includes: Health history questionnaire, noise exposure history, reference assessment/otoscopic examination and a screening test.

If you require Onsite Audiometry testing, cost will be the same provided a quiet room is organised. A travel fee will also be charged and a minimum requirement of 10 staff members at one time is essential.

You can also book in April for another month this year to still receive this special offer.

Register your interest now!

Special offer for April 2012 only

WWS can test the baseline hearing of employees protecting the organisation from future concerns regarding noise induced hearing loss. This includes: Health history questionnaire, noise exposure history, reference assessment/otoscopic examination and a screening test.

Book your Audiometry tests at our WWS clinic in East Tamaki for a reduced price!

If you require Onsite Audiometry testing, cost will be the same provided a quiet room is organised. A travel fee & report (if required) is an additional cost with a minimum requirement of 10 staff members at one time is essential.

You can also book in April for another month this year to still gain this special so Register your interest now!

INFLUENZA SEASON 2012

Available from March to July 2012

Bookings are filling up fast for onsite services and voucher requests. Ensure your workplace is protected this year from a pandemic.

Remember it takes up to two weeks to gain immunity once staff receive their vaccines and this year’s vaccine contains protection from:

A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus
B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus

SO STOP THE FLU & GET IMMUNISED!

Remember that it takes up to 2 weeks to gain immunity once received which contains protection from the following strains:
 A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
 A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus
 B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus

Influenza Facts from 2012 NISG pamphlet:• Influenza isn’t just a bad cold, it can be serious & can kill
• Being fit and healthy will not stop you getting the flu
• Immunisation is one of your best forms of protection – it helps improve your body’s defence against influenza

What WWS offer with an onsite service (minimum of 10 staff members): NISG posters to put on your notice boards/around your worksite for staff awareness
(includes spaces for date, time, location)
 WWS schedule (if needed)
 Efficient service with a smile
 Registered vaccinator & first aid assistant
 Quality vaccines
 2012 NISG educational resources (‘Stop the Flu, Get Immunised’ & ‘After your influenza immunisation’)
 A treat for good behavior

For less than 10 staff members, you can purchase our WWS vouchers where staff can receive their vaccine at any of our ETHC clinics.

For more influenza information, visit www.influenza.org.nz

Bookings are filling up fast for our onsite services and voucher requests, so register your interest today!

Our approved vaccinators are readily available for your onsite service or at our clinics if vouchers are preferred.

This year’s vaccine is available from March to July and contains protection from:
- A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
- A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus
- B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus

Why is influenza immunisation needed every year?
Annual immunisation is required for two key reasons:
1. Protection lessens over time
2. Each year, influenza can be caused by different influenza viruses that are not represented in the previous year’s vaccine. The vaccine is reformulated annually to contain the most up to date composition of viral antigens, to ensure your employees get the best vaccine match against likely circulating strains. The 2012 strains are unusual though as this years are the same as 2010 and 2011

National Influenza Specialist Group’s key messages for 2012:
a. Influenza can be a serious illness with severe effects including hospitalisation, complications and even death
b. You can spread the flu to people, including your family/whanau and friends, who are at most risk of complications
c. Influenza can affect anyone, no matter how fit, active and healthy they may be
d. Get protected each year as the flu virus is always changing – so this year’s influenza season could be worse than the last
e. Influenza immunisation cannot give you the flu
f. The immunity provided through influenza vaccination is completely natural (www.influenza.org.nz)

Our onsite service includes an onsite schedule, promotional resources (posters & pamphlets), consent forms, administering the vaccine and after care information.

Our voucher service includes influenza pamphlets, administering the vaccine and after care info.

Provided you have confirmed numbers, we can send you a cost asap, so register your interest now!

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!