Workplace Alcohol Testing
Frequently Asked Questions
A practical guide for HSE professionals, collectors, and policy owners in New Zealand.
| Q1 What is the current standard for workplace alcohol breath testing in New Zealand? |
| The current standard is AS 3547:2019, which superseded the previous AS 3547:1997 in 2019. Any breathalyser used for evidential or workplace testing must be certified to AS 3547:2019. Key differences from the old standard include updated performance requirements and tighter specifications for device accuracy and reliability. Always check that your device’s certification references AS 3547:2019 — not the 1997 version. Advance Diagnostics is the only Alcolizer-approved breathalyser service provider in New Zealand and services all devices to AS 3547:2019. |
| Q2 Can I change the units on my AS 3547:2019 certified breathalyser to µg/L if I’m more familiar with those? |
| No. AS 3547:2019 certified devices are calibrated and certified to report results in grams per 210 litres of breath (g/210L) — the unit prescribed under New Zealand law and Australian standards. You cannot switch to micrograms per litre (µg/L) on a certified device. If you’re more comfortable working in µg/L, you can use the conversion below as a reference — but all formal records and chain of custody documentation must use g/210L. Zero Tolerance Threshold 0.000 g/210L 0 µg/L NZ road legal limit (driver) 0.052 g/210L ~250µg/L NZ safety-sensitive limit 0.021 g/210L ~100 µg/L NZ Workplace Limit Ranges from 0.00-0.052g/210l Conversion formula: µg/L ÷ 4762 = ~g/210L | g/210L × 4762 =~ µg/L |
| Q3 What is the correct process for conducting a breath test? |
| Follow this sequence every time to ensure the result is valid and defensible: Confirm the donor has not eaten, drunk, smoked, or used any oral products in the 10 minutes prior to testing. If they have, wait until the 10-minute period has elapsed before proceeding.Check the device is calibrated, within its service date, and functioning correctly.Attach a new, sealed mouthpiece.Instruct the donor to blow steadily into the device until the test is complete.Record the result immediately — date, time, result — using the OnSite Testing App or a manual chain of custody form.If the initial result is above 0.000 g/210L (or your policy threshold), do not act on this result alone. Proceed to the confirmatory test process (see Q4). ⚠️ Reminder: The 10-minute wait rule is non-negotiable. Residual mouth alcohol from food, drink, or mouthwash can cause a falsely elevated reading. Skipping this step could make your result indefensible. |
| Q4 What should I do if a result comes back above 0.000 g/210L of breath? |
| A single initial reading above 0.000 g/210L (or your policy threshold) triggers the confirmatory test process. Do not take any employment action based on the first result alone. Wait 15 minutes from the time of the initial test.Retest the donor using the same certified breathalyser, operated by a trained collector.The second reading taken after the 15-minute gap is the confirmatory result.Record both results — date, time, and reading — in your chain of custody documentation.Apply your policy’s consequence framework based on the confirmatory result. ⚠️ Reminder: The 15-minute gap allows any residual mouth alcohol to clear, ensuring the confirmatory reading reflects deep-lung (alveolar) air — which is what the standard requires. |
| Q5 My policy says the confirmatory result must be done by a third party. Is lab testing required for alcohol? |
| No — and this is one of the most common misunderstandings in workplace alcohol testing. Unlike drug testing, there is no laboratory confirmation step for alcohol. The second breath test taken with a certified breathalyser after the 15-minute waiting period is the confirmatory result. Full stop. If your policy refers to “third party confirmation” for alcohol, it almost certainly needs to be reviewed. Requiring a third party to conduct the confirmatory breath test is unnecessary and may cause operational delays — but it does not change the fact that no lab is involved. The confirmatory result is the second certified breath test, taken by a trained collector after a 15-minute gap.Proper documentation — recorded date, time, and result via the OnSite Testing App or a manual chain of custody form — is sufficient for the result to be legally defensible.Review your policy to ensure it accurately reflects the AS 3547:2019 process and does not create unworkable or unnecessary confirmation requirements. ⚠️ Reminder: If you’re unsure whether your policy correctly reflects current standards, Advance Diagnostics can review it for you. Outdated policy language is one of the most common sources of risk in workplace alcohol testing programmes. You can choose a range of breathalysers to suit your purpose. LE5 is used in law enforcement and has zero downtime for calibration. |
| Need help with your alcohol testing programme? Advance Diagnostics offers policy reviews, device calibration, collector training (NZQA), and end-to-end programme support for NZ workplaces. | Get in touch 🌐 www.advancediagnostics.co.nz ☎️ 0800 283 783 📍 6/108 The Terrace, Wellington |