RNZN BREATH ALCOHOL SCREENING POLICY

The Navy is to introduce a new breath alcohol screening policy. The ‘Breath Alcohol Screening Policy’ will see mandatory breath tests carried out for duty personnel (at all rank levels) and random tests for other personnel at work, both ashore and at sea. If you’re found to be over the limit of 100 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath (around one standard drink), you will be stood down until such time as you’re able to return to work safely. There may be follow on administrative consequences (such as attending alcohol counselling or rehab) depending on the seriousness of the breach or the frequency of failing the test. If the test is failed to such an extent that an individual could be deemed drunk as specified under the Armed Forces Discipline Act, then discipline procedures will result.
It is the intention that this policy will:
· prevent people working in safety critical areas or taking part in potentially dangerous activities when they are impaired by alcohol
· find out if problematic or dependant use of alcohol is occurring and if so work to establish better support programmes against inappropriate use
· identify problematic or dependant drinkers in the RNZN and to get them the help they need to use alcohol responsibly.
Mandatory screening for all Duty Watches (Shore and Sea), Standing Sea Emergency Parties, Ships’ Medical Emergency Teams and Special Sea Dutymen will be undertaken on a daily basis, prior to a person assuming their duty.