In all industries, but in particular, safety-sensitive industries like mining, construction, and transport, the cost of ‘being under the influence’ at work can be catastrophic — not just for the worker, but for colleagues, the company, and the public.
Unfortunately, many supervisors and managers don’t feel confident in recognising and acting on potential signs of drug and/or alcohol influence. That’s where Reasonable Suspicion Training comes in.
At Drug & Alcohol Training Australia (DAATA), we specialise in helping businesses protect their people and stay compliant and Reasonable Suspicion is one of the most underutilised tools in workplace safety.
What Is Reasonable Suspicion?
Reasonable suspicion refers to the belief, based on observable signs and/or behaviours, that indicate an employee may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while at work. This doesn’t mean you’re accusing someone — it means you have objective, documented observations that justify further action (such as a ‘For Cause’ drug and/or alcohol test). Reasonable Suspicion testing isn’t ‘blowing the whistle’, ‘harassing’, or ‘dobbing’. It is a tool to mitigate risks and ensure workers are fit and able to engage in workplace activities safely. It’s about creating a safe, compliant, and supportive workplace.
Training ensures your leadership team is confident, consistent, and compliant.
What Managers / Supervisors Learn in DAATA’s Training
Our Reasonable Suspicion Training gives managers the tools to:
** Identify signs of impairment (physical, behavioural, psychological)
** Document observations fairly and objectively
** Approach the worker in the correct manner
** Understand their responsibilities under WHS law
** Comply with their drug and alcohol procedures
** Initiate a compliant ‘For Cause’ drug and alcohol test
** Communicate with HR or safety teams appropriately
** Protect both employee rights and company compliance
Supervisors trained in Reasonable Suspicion not only help reduce risk — they form a critical part of your Duty of Care obligations. It empowers your leaders to step in before incidents happen. ‘Preventative, Observation and Interception’.
If your team operates in high-risk environments, Reasonable Suspicion Training should be mandatory…
We support organisations in:
- Construction & Infrastructure
- Mining & Resources
- Transport & Logistics
- Local Councils
- Healthcare & Emergency Services
- Rail (including ONRSR-compliant training)
Let’s talk about building confidence and compliance in your leadership team.
Contact DAATA today to book Reasonable Suspicion Training for your workforce.
