With South Africa possessing one of the highest levels of alcohol consumption per capita in the world, breath alcohol detectors and drug detection equipment supplier ALCO-Safe MD Rhys Evans says workplace breathalysers are a crucial safeguard for large, shift-based workforces, some of whom might be turning to cheaper alcohol as these prices also rise.

“Our government has long used ‘sin tax’ as a way to tackle the problem [of high levels of alcohol consumption],” he explains, adding that by steadily raising the price of alcohol, the government attempts to discourage excessive drinking and generate revenue for public health.

However, while the intention is clear, the reality is more complicated, notes Evans.

“As prices climb, demand for cheaper alternatives has surged. This has created fertile ground for the illicit alcohol trade – a shadow market that brings its own dangers . . . for workplace safety in high-risk industries such as mining . . .”

A miner under the influence of a substance endangers colleagues, he states.

When alcohol is improperly distilled, as is the case with illicit alcohol, methanol can be produced instead of ethanol, explains Evans.

“Both [legitimate and illicit alcohol] can intoxicate, but methanol is highly toxic, damaging the liver, impairing the memory and even causing blindness.

“For workers consuming these products, the risks extend far beyond a hangover. They face long-term health consequences that can undermine both their wellbeing and their ability to work,” he says.

Because illicit alcohol has a higher percentage of alcohol content and is cheaper, workers may drink more often and in higher volumes than they would with regulated products, suggests Evans.

As a result of employee intoxication risks increasing, he says workplace breathalysers are becoming an increasingly crucial safeguard against at-work intoxication.

“Whether the alcohol is legal or illicit, the technology detects intoxication before a worker enters a hazardous environment. Since both ethanol and methanol register in breath analysis, no form of consumption escapes detection.”

Consistent, daily testing for substance abuse does more than just catch workers who arrive at work intoxicated, “it changes behaviour”, states Evans.

Employees who know they will be tested every morning are less likely to drink heavily the night before, he adds.

“Over time, this can reduce overall alcohol consumption, cut down absenteeism and even free up household income that would otherwise be spent on alcohol.”

While breathalysers are an important tool, Evans says they are most effective when combined with broader safety measures.

Here, he says, companies can educate workers about the dangers of illicit alcohol, offer employee assistance programmes that provide support for those struggling with dependency without fear of immediate punishment and implement clear alcohol policies that encourage accountability while supporting recovery.

“Together, these steps promote a culture where workplace safety goes beyond compliance and genuinely protects employees’ wellbeing.”