AMEC NETWORKING FUNCTION THURSDAY 16 FEBRUARY

The next AMEC Networking event will be held on Thursday 16 February at The Celtic Club, West Perth from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

Date: Thursday 16 February
Time: 4.30pm – 6.30pm
Venue: Celtic Club 48 Ord St West Perth
Cost: FREE to AMEC members
RSVP: Email events@amec.org.au

Cliff Weeks, Director General at the Department of Indigenous Affairs will give a brief update on the activities being undertaken by the agency.

Location
Celtic Club West Perth

MEMBERS ONLY Drug and Alcohol Testing Seminar

Safety concerns vs. employee privacy

There are legitimate safety concerns driving the need for drug and alcohol testing in the mining and exploration industry, but at what stage do we breach employee privacy issues?

AMEC is hosting a free information event to bring members up to date with the latest developments in drug and alcohol testing. AMEC has gathered three quality speakers to present on the science of drug and alcohol testing, the government regulatory environment and industrial relations and OHS law.

This session is predominately targeted at Human Resource and Health Safety and Environment Managers, but would be of interest to anyone involved with employee drug and alcohol testing.

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday 28 February
Time: 8am – 10am
Venue: AMEC office, 6 Ord Street, West Perth
Cost: FREE to AMEC members
Light refreshments will be provided
RSVP by Thursday 23 February. Email events@amec.org.au

Speakers:

The science behind testing for drugs and alcohol – the past, present and future
Dr Francois Oosthuizen – Senior Chemist & Research Officer, Forensic Science Laboratory, ChemCentre

With a particular focus on the future, Dr Francois Oosthuizen will present on the science of drug and alcohol testing, including the process the ChemCentre goes through to detect a new drug of interest. He will answer questions like “What can and cannot be tested for?” and “What problems do the laboratories face in providing accurate tests?”.

What is the regulatory framework for drug and alcohol testing?
Mike Rowe – Principal Health Advisor, Resources Safety, Department of Mines and Petroleum

Mike Rowe will present an overview of the current duty-of-care regulatory framework under which companies run drug and alcohol testing programs. Under the National Mine Safety Framework and national OHS harmonisation process, companies will be required to manage the risks associated with fatigue and improper use of substances, including alcohol.

Drug and alcohol testing and privacy – an update from the legal perspective
Kathy Reid – Principal, Allion Legal

Kathy Reid will cover the issue of drug testing and privacy from a legal perspective, covering such topics as the latest legal developments with regard to drug testing, the right to privacy in an employment relationship, the interaction between drug testing and the right to privacy.

Following the presentations, there will be an extended Q&A, open discussion and information sharing session on the issues facing companies implementing drug and alcohol testing.