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ROAD SIDE Drug Testing Explained in Simple Terms
23 November 2025
How the December 2025 Roadside Drug Screening Will Work For over 13 years, Advance Diagnostics has proudly partnered with Pathtech Pty Ltd to supply New Zealand workplaces with the DrugWipe 5S and DrugWipe 6S devices, that uses the same technology as DrugWipe which will be used by NZ Police. As the sole NZ distributor, we [...]
Privacy Breaches Can Be as Costly as the Testing Itself
29 October 2025
As evidenced in Cummings v KAM Transport Limited [2025] NZHRRT 8 Understanding the Situation In this case, we observed a truck driver who initially declined a random drug test but subsequently participated and received a clear result. Unfortunately, despite this negative finding, the employer shared details of the initial test refusal with staff members outside [...]
When policy meets tragedy: The urgent need for responsible alcohol management in the workplace
15 September 2025
Today I want to reflect on a deeply saddening story that underlines something we often think we understand—but may not fully act on: how alcohol in the workplace, even when it feels benign or “part of the culture,” carries risks that can be lethal if not carefully managed. What happened In March 2022, a young [...]
Sensitivity at screening + Specificity at confirmation
9 September 2025
It’s not better to “de-sensitise” screening to avoid cross-reactivity. In safety-critical settings we want screening tools that cast a wide net, then use the laboratory to separate signal from noise. That’s how deterrence works in practice: screen broadly, confirm specifically. Here’s why, in plain terms : Bottom line Selected scientific references you can use to [...]
Supporting Safer Skies
4 September 2025
At Advance Diagnostics, we recognise that the safety of our skies relies not only on technical excellence but also on the wellbeing of the people who work within aviation. A robust and evidence-based approach to drug and alcohol management is central to this. Since the introduction of the new Civil Aviation Act earlier this year, [...]
Liquid Ecstasy (GBL/GHB) – Small Doses, Big Risks
1 September 2025
What is Liquid Ecstasy/ Fantasy Why do people use it? What are the risks of GHB/GHL? Why is it sometimes called “liquid ecstasy” or “Fantasy”? The bottom line 👉 In simple terms: GBL/GHB is a dangerous drug that can quickly move from “fun” to fatal, especially if mixed with alcohol. Overdose is a very real [...]
16 August 2025
Maxwell Parks v WorkPac Pty Ltd,FWC 8Aug2025 A miner’s sacking unravelled after anomalies in testing — from altered results to broken chain-of-custody.This case shows why accurate devices and strict policy compliance are non-negotiable. 1. Cut-off Mismatch 2. Chain-of-Custody Failures These lapses undermined the integrity and reliability of the test results. 3. Policy Breaches These were [...]
Drug Testing: Employer Takeaways from Fair Work
20 July 2025
Mr Jethro Aisa v Southern Cross Protection Pty Ltd ([2025] FWC 1856) – highlighting the key issues, arguments, Fair Work Commission (FWC) findings, and employer learnings related to drug and alcohol testing: As we continue to support safe, drug-free workplaces, two recent Fair Work Commission decisions offer timely lessons.In Mr Jethro Aisa v Southern Cross [...]
Don’t Wait for a Crisis — Stop Workplace Harms Before They Begin.
2 July 2025
Don’t Wait for a Crisis — Stop Workplace Harms Before They Begin. “An ounce of prevention is worth a tonne of cure — especially when safety, wellbeing, and livelihoods are at stake.” Recently, Customs officers seized over $58 million worth of cocaine hidden in a shipping container at the Port of Tauranga — the largest [...]
When Duty of Care Fails: Lessons from the Linq Bus Company Safety Breaches
18 June 2025
A recent case in Australia has brought workplace safety sharply into focus. According to the ABC, Linq Bus Company faces over 50 criminal charges, including multiple counts of exposing passengers and workers to serious risk due to ongoing safety breaches. These include failing to act on positive drug test results, inadequate driver supervision, and a [...]
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