--- title: Substance Abuse Policy source_url: https://legalstuff.co.za/substance-abuse published: 2023-05-03 14:12:59 modified: 2023-08-10 13:19:29 fetched_at: 2026-08-30T22:45:30+0200 category: company wp_site: https://legalstuff.co.za wp_prefix: legalstuff_coza wp_id: 18 wp_type: post pass: wp-mysql-sql39-digest-2026-08-30 notes: sql39 published digest; public permalink; no MySQL hosts in body. --- # Substance Abuse Policy **Source:** [https://legalstuff.co.za/substance-abuse](https://legalstuff.co.za/substance-abuse) - published: 2023-05-03 14:12:59 - modified: 2023-08-10 13:19:29 [Download as PDF: Substance Abuse Policy](https://am.co.za/doc/substance-abuse-policy.pdf) ## Background All companies owned by Cornerstone Trust (“the company”) are committed to providing and maintaining a safe working environment underpinned by a high standard of occupational health and safety. This serves to ensure that everyone working on our projects or in our offices reports for duty both physically and mentally fit to work, in order to carry out their roles and duties safely, effectively and without limitations, and in a working environment which is free from alcohol and drug misuse. Whilst the company respects the privacy of its employees and members of the public and does not support the intrusion thereof, it is prepared to help and support all employees requesting assistance in dealing with alcohol or drug problems. The company is committed to continuously improve occupational health and safety to a point where incidents will be minimised ensuring that both employees and members of the public are unlikely to be placed in unnecessary and unacceptable risk situations. ## Purpose Therefore, the purpose of this Policy is to implement the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, the Tobacco Products Control Act 83 of 1993, the prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008, the Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992, and the Regulations promulgates in terms of these Acts, as well as section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Against the background of the above and the necessity to comply with the applicable legislation, the Policy aims to: Create a safe, healthy and drug-free environment at all Company premises; Restrict the exposure to the injurious effects pf smoking, alcohol consumption and drug substance abuse; Regulate smoking, alcohol consumption as well as drug and substance use; Make provision for the consequences of non-compliance with the Policy. ## Application of the policy This policy applies to all employees, contractor’s employees working on the company’s premises and/or working at the companies client’s premises, clients and visitors of the company and the members of the public, at the company’s offices, on company sites and in company vehicles. This includes (but is not limited to) all staff directly employed by the company and all individuals carrying out work on behalf of, or providing a service to the company. ## Policy Requirement The purpose of this policy is to notify all employees, contractors, clients and visitors of the company that: The use, possession, sale, or transfer of alcohol or illegal drugs by employees, contractors, clients and visitors, on the company’s premises and/or in any company vehicle and/or at the company’s sponsored events, is strictly prohibited. The use of any legally obtained drug by employees, contractors, clients and visitors, on the company’s premises and while performing the company business is prohibited to the extent that such use may adversely affect the safety of the employees or others, the employee’s job performance, or the company’s regard or reputation in the community. Employees who have been informed or who have discovered that the use of a legally obtained drug may have adversely affected job performance or on-the-job behaviour are to report such drug use and possible side effects to the Human Resource Executive. The possession, distribution, or consumption of alcohol while on the company’s premises is not permitted, except at official events catered for personnel outside or inside of working hours as authorised specifically by management, provided that those served must be 18 years of age or older. The presence in specified amounts (producing positive test results) of any illegal drug or alcohol in an employee’s system while on the company’s premises or while performing company business is prohibited. ## Definitions Alcohol means alcohol in any form, including (but not limited to) a beverage, or food additive which contains alcohol. Clients means a person or organisation using the services of the company. Contractors means all individuals, other than employees, carrying out work on behalf of, or providing a service to the company at all levels, including (but not limited to) subcontractors, trade contractors, consultants, specialists, interns and agency workers. Drugs means a medicine or other substance, available either legally or illegally, which has a physiological effect when ingested or introduced into the body, including (but not limited to) all controlled substances covered in Schedules 1 – 9 of the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965. Employees means all staff directly employed by the company. Test means a test carried out by the Security Company employed by the company and/or an external provider on the company’s behalf, using analysis of breath samples for evidence of alcohol consumption and urine samples for evidence of drugs use. ## Testing and Treatment All prospective new employees will be tested for the use of alcohol, illegal drugs and controlled substances. No offer of employment will be made to an applicant until he or she completes the necessary alcohol and drug information and testing consent forms and passes the pre-employment alcohol and drug test. Applicants who refuse to complete the necessary paperwork and test or who test positive will not be offered employment. The company may require an alcohol or drug test at any time whenever: The company suspects that the work performance or on-the-job behaviour of an employee, or contractor has been affected in any way by alcohol or drugs. All persons must complete the necessary drug information and consent forms prior to the testing. The company suspects that an employee, contractor, client or visitor of the company has otherwise violated the substance Abuse Policy, whether on the company’s offices or on company sites. All persons must complete the necessary drug information and consent forms prior to the testing. Credible information obtained from other employees based on their observations of slurred speech, excessive physical and verbal arguments, confusion, disorientation, personality changes, or odour of marijuana or alcohol. An employee or contractor has been involved in an on-the-job accident resulting in property damage or personal injury requiring medical attention. An employee or contractor has been arrested in association with drugs or alcohol. The company may require periodic, unannounced testing on an employee following the employee’s return from an approved alcohol or drug rehabilitation program or medical leave. An employee or contractor who tests positive for alcohol or drugs will be discharged immediately for violation of the Substance Abuse Policy. An employee whose alcohol or drug test is positive may be subject to the following rehabilitative procedure: First Offense: The employee is to be placed on an immediate leave of absence. The employee cannot return until the Company approved counsellor or physician releases the employee to return to work and complete job duties and responsibilities of her/his position. Second Offense: If within one year of release from a treatment program an employee again tests positive for either alcohol or drugs, the employee will be terminated for the positive test result. The leave of absence that must be taken after a positive alcohol or drug test is without pay. However, an employee may use any accrued, unused vacation, personal days, or sick days to receive compensation during the leave. Current benefit coverage will continue during the leave. All test results, assistance requests, and treatment records will be maintained in files separate from the employee’s personnel file and will be held in the strictest of confidence, disclosed only to those having a legitimate need to know such information. Alcohol and drug abuse is treatable, if by chance you have an alcohol or drug problem, you are requested to seek medical advice and follow the recommended treatment as directed by your health care practitioner. ## Disciplinary Action: Depending upon the seriousness of the offense, any violation of the policy requirements of the Substance Abuse Policy will result in discipline, up to and including termination, even for a first offense. The failure or refusal to complete the necessary paperwork, to submit to a drug test, or to undergo treatment pursuant to the requirements of the Substance Abuse Policy will be grounds for immediate termination. This policy and all applicable occupational health and safety documentation will be communicated and made available to all employees, visitors and members of the public by way of training, communication articles, general information and discipline. Please ensure you comply with the above terms and conditions. A breach will be considered a serious dismissible offence in terms of the company’s Disciplinary code. ## Consequences of non-compliance Employees of the Company who fail to comply with the provisions of this Policy will be subject to corrective action in terms of the Disciplinary Code and Procedure for Employees, and may be required to participate satisfactorily in a suitable employee assistance programme. Employees of the Company who fail to comply with the provisions of this Policy will be subject to corrective action in terms of the Disciplinary Code, which may result in a suspension and/or termination of employment. Non-compliance with this Policy by contractors and tenants of the Company may lead to the termination of the respective contractual relationships between the Company and said contractor or tenant. Non-compliance of this Policy by visitors may result in the blacklisting of the visitor on the visitor management system governing access for visitors to Company Premises. ## Help and Support The company will endeavour to ensure that advice and help is made to any employee who feels that they have a problem with alcohol or substance misuse. In the first instance, individuals will be encouraged to seek help from their General Practitioner. Under these circumstances and with the employee’s consent, a referral will be made to the Occupational Health service. It may occasionally be necessary to request that the employee refrains from work temporarily or undertakes restricted duties to ensure their own safety and that of others. The company may also allow additional time off (unpaid) for employees to obtain treatment or attend support groups. An employee who seeks the assistance of the Company in finding treatment for alcohol or substance abuse has the Company’s complete assurance of confidentiality. APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTOR AND MANAGEMENT ON: 3rd May 2023 FOR Cornerstone Trust IT003075/2015(G) Buythis (Pty) Ltd 2011/149547/07 Advanced Machinery (Pty) Ltd 2013/054632/07 Machine dot Africa (Pty) Ltd 2020/102956/07 and all other associated companies to Cornerstone Trust [Download as PDF: Substance Abuse Policy](https://am.co.za/doc/substance-abuse-policy.pdf)