Thousands of Australians are turning up to work under the influence of methamphetamines, according to a new report from South Australia's peak business lobby.

Key points: Research finds that more than 18,500 in SA turn up to work on methamphetamines

Research finds that more than 18,500 in SA turn up to work on methamphetamines Ice is the most consumed illicit drug nationally, according to wastewater testing

Ice is the most consumed illicit drug nationally, according to wastewater testing Some 240,000 workers are under the influence of ice nationally on any given day

SafeWork Laboratories forensic toxicologist Andrew Leibie — who worked on the report — said almost a quarter of a million Australians were high on ice at work "on any given day".

Mr Leibie said the number of workers testing positive nationally increased from 1.5 per cent in 2016 to 1.9 per cent in 2017, equating to some 240,000 workers and 18,500 in South Australia.

The report also found about 5,000 people in South Australia working in safety sensitive industries — 2.2 per cent of workers — were "either under the influence of ice or suffering its hangover effects".

Business SA said the research carried out by SafeWork Laboratories focused on workers in occupations involving machinery, such as mining, manufacturing, utilities, construction and transport.

"That means that today there's 5,000 people working in a safety-sensitive industry who have tested positive; tomorrow it might be another 5,000 separate people," Mr Leibie said.

"That doesn't include people working in bars and clubs because they're not in safety-sensitive industries.

"But if they're driving to work or driving their kids to school, they're still putting themselves, other drivers or their children at risk."

'I lost my health, I lost my job, I couldn't pay bills'

The report found that more than 270,000 Australians currently use methamphetamines. ( Wikimedia Commons: Radspunk (CC-BY-SA-4.0) )

Adelaide man Michael Alder is a reformed ice addict who used the drug while working in a management role.

He said he first tried cocaine almost 15 years ago in London and he tried ice for the first time when he returned to Australia in 2004.

He only used ice for a short period and didn't go back to it until 2013 following a relationship breakdown.

His drug use got to a point where he was using an ice pipe in the toilet during breaks at work in an attempt to stay awake.

Mr Alder said there were signs to look for in users of ice at work, including erratic behaviour, unexplained high energy, an inability to concentrate, dilated pupils or paranoia.

He said as his use got worse, he couldn't work effectively and he had to take extended sick leave following a brain injury which neurosurgeons said may have been caused by his drug use.

"I lost my health, I lost my job, I couldn't pay bills," he said.

"My weight ballooned, sleep apnoea kicked in, I wasn't feeling good and [I was] self-medicating."

Mr Alder has been clean for almost a year, largely thanks to his mother who pushed him to see addiction specialists and then stay at the Adelaide Clinic.

He now attends a Narcotics Anonymous session each night and heads the Adelaide team for the Australian Anti Ice Campaign.

He has also returned to part-time work in aged care and has a re-registration application before the Australian Health Practitioners Authority, where strict drug-testing policies apply.

Ice is the most consumed illicit drug nationally, according to wastewater testing. ( ABC News: Robert Koenig Luck )

The most consumed illicit drug nationally

Ice is the most consumed illicit drug nationally, according to wastewater testing by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.

It found that 8,387 kilograms of ice was consumed annually, compared to 3,075 kg of cocaine, 1,280 kg of MDMA and 765 kg of heroin.

It had a social cost of more than $5 billion in 2013-14 alone.

Testing undertaken by SA Water and analysed by the University of South Australia for the ACIC report found that methamphetamine consumption levels had increased from 2012 to 2018.

Wastewater testing also detected levels of cocaine, MDMA, opioids such as morphine and heroin, along with cannabis, nicotine, tobacco and alcohol.

The report also estimated that methamphetamine use in 2013-14 accounted for workplace accidents and absenteeism, costing $289 million nationally.

What can an employer do about it?

Opinions are divided on random drug testing in the workplace, which is often viewed as an intrusion of privacy.

Business SA senior policy advisor Estha van der Linden stated in the report that while zero tolerance was appropriate in some workplaces, it would not suit all environments.

The report found that if a workplace didn't have a drug and alcohol policy in place, the Fair Work Act had steps to help guide businesses:

Step 1: Evidence — Ensure you have evidence

Step 2: Remove — If you suspect a person is under the influence of ice, you should remove them from the workplace immediately

Step 3: Testing — An employee has the right to refuse a drug test

Step 4: Interview — If you suspect misconduct, you must put the matter to the employee

Step 5: Decision — Best practice for procedural fairness ensures an employer will consider the employee's response

Testing led to an improved reputation

Testing also showed a greater use of ice and other substances in regional areas, increasing significantly from a decade ago.

The report used wine industry company Pinnacle Drinks as an example of a business which has implemented a policy to combat suspected drug use.

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It has more than 350 employees over its four sites in the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.

Pinnacle Drinks Human Resources Operations Manager, Patrick Manning said senior staff had concerns with illicit drugs but it didn't have a policy in place to take action.

He said without having a policy in place it was very challenging to deal with the concerns, unless a serious incident occurred and testing could be enacted under WHS legislation.

"In regional communities everybody knows everybody and it's not hard to get a feel for where the risk may exist," he said.

It took the company 14 months to introduce a policy which included random testing, post-incident testing and casual testing.

Once the policy was put in place, Mr Manning said it allowed the company to improve its reputation.

"We strongly suspected that there was a sub-culture of illicit drug use particularly in operations areas. We had four or five incidents and when we tested our suspicions were confirmed," he said.

"We're promoting health and wellbeing, fitness for work, but there is also an element of contributing to the wellbeing of the community and providing education.