21 Sep 2012

New drug, alcohol rules for adventure tourism

6:28 am on 21 September 2012

The Government plans to have new rules in place by mid-December to govern alcohol and drug use by adventure tourism operators.

A requirement already exists for the operators to take all practicable steps to identify, eliminate, minimise or manage hazards in their businesses.

But Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson is now changing the sector's regulations to force operators to specifically address the possibility of drug and alcohol use in their health and safety management.

Operators will then have their drug and alcohol management checked as part of regular independent safety audits.

Ms Wilkinson says the changes send a strong message that the risks from drugs or alcohol must be taken seriously.