The simple act of blowing into a breathalyser will improve safety for the lives of many South Africans. Within the work environment and out on the roads, blowing into your own breathalyser or that of the company will reduce the risk of alcohol related accidents occurring.
According to WHO’s report for 2010, 4% of deaths globally are alcohol related – that is more than the deaths from HIV, AIDS, Tuberculosis or violent crime. The Global Report on Alcohol and Health states that an estimated 2,5 million deaths occur annually from alcohol related causes. This is an alarming figure in a world where the life expectancy has decreased greatly over the past decade.
Alcohol related deaths vary from driving under the influence of alcohol, alcohol induced violence and inebriated pedestrians walking into roads to accidents occurring whilst operating heavy machinery under the influence of alcohol.
The Entrance Breathalyser System (EBS)
Angus MacArthur, General Manager of Alcohol Breathalysers CC says: “It is essential that the welfare of employees be a top priority in every work place in South Africa because safe and healthy employees are productive employees.” MacArthur goes on: “Companies need to enforce Zero Tolerance of alcohol to ensure that the work environment is safe for all employees.”
Alcohol Breathalysers CC brings to market a unique product called the Entrance Breathalyser System (EBS). The unit integrates seamlessly with turn-styles, mag-lock controlled gates and can be placed at virtually any secure entrance point of a business ensuring that as employees arrive at work, they are tested. MacArthur explains: “Each and every employee entering your site is required to blow into the EBS and the result given is either a PASS or a FAIL. The PASS allows access through the entrance and a FAIL prevents access. When connected to an access control system it can notify security and set off an alarm”.
Given the number of accidents and possible deaths that the Entrance Breathalyser System may prevent in the work place – it should not be long before EBS machines are standard features in industrial environments as smoke detectors are in buildings.
Although there has been a lot of progress by South African companies in enforcing Zero Tolerance of alcohol in the workplace through policies, procedures and enforcement, when it comes to road users there are still thousands of motorists driving over the legal alcohol limit of 0.05% BAC each and every day. It is essential that motorists are educated about the risks that they pose to themselves and other road users by driving whilst over the legal limit.
MacArthur ends: “Just Blow and You’ll Know!
Use a breathalyser and you will begin to understand your own alcohol limit and therefore know when to avoid driving if you have exceeded the legal limit!”
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