Abstract
Orientation: An alcohol breathalyser test is one of various methods of assessing alcohol consumption behaviour of workers in the workplace. Its awareness can yield insights on behavioural change of alcohol-consuming individuals in safety-sensitive settings when being aware of alcohol breathalyser testing.Research purpose: A breathalyser test provides an efficient means of measuring blood alcohol concentration within seconds of an employee blowing into the device. The purpose of this research was to examine awareness of breathalyser testing to capture meaning that can offer insights on behaviour under research.Motivation for research: The research was prompted by a quest to gain understanding of thought processes (motivation to control behaviour) when alcohol is involved. By focusing on awareness, it was possible to interpret behaviour. The research is a basis for future studies and can contribute to discussions related to alcohol testing in the workplace.Research approach/design and method: A qualitative approach was followed to gain insights into the topic under research. Eight alcohol-consuming individuals who performed jobs considered high-risk consented to participate in semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. The data were analysed through interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).Main findings: The findings revealed excessive alcohol consumption and intoxication in spite of awareness of breathalyser testing. Individuals prone to external inducements were more likely to abuse alcohol. Behaviour therefore tends to be unstable and impulsive when alcohol is involved.Practical implications: Reporting for work after excessive drinking of alcohol is not an indication of total soberness. Individuals may physically be present in the workplace without making any contribution to work processes because of effects of alcohol.Contribution/value-add: The research highlights behavioural insights that can contribute to studies related to locus of control and control over alcohol in relation to testing to workplace testing.
Highlights
OrientationAlcohol and drug testing is a modern practice in the workplace, dating back only as early as the 1980s (Besinger, 2017)
The excerpts of data below highlight these instances transpiring with awareness of breathalyser testing: ‘From 12 o’clock midnight, if you were drinking the whole of Sunday
The results have shown that seizing alcohol consumption transpired very late when individuals have already reached intoxication
Summary
Alcohol and drug testing is a modern practice in the workplace, dating back only as early as the 1980s (Besinger, 2017). The need for testing was brought by the mounting substance-related cases and work-related incidents (accidents, fatalities and absenteeism) associated with alcohol, which had an impact on profitability and sustainability of workplaces (Besinger, 2017). By 1992, alcohol and drug testing in the USA had increased from 18% to 40%; nearly 77% of its companies reported making use of alcohol and drug testing in their workplaces (Hartwell et al, 1996). The market for alcohol and drug testing in the USA alone is estimated at over $2.6 billion with more than 150 million alcohol and drug tests having been performed in its workplaces (Phifer, 2016).
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