In Italy, workplace alcohol and drug tests can also be carried out immediately during working hours if there is a reasonable suspicion of use by employees in high-risk activities.
This is provided for in a circular published by the National Labor Inspectorate, pursuant to article 17 of the safety decree (DL 159/2025), which has now become law.
Until now, anti-alcohol and anti-drug checks were only carried out periodically or after an incident. With the new changes, tests can be carried out at any time during work, but only for activities considered risky and by the competent doctor.
However, the full implementation of the measure will only begin after the conclusion of the State-Region Agreement, which will define in detail the conditions and methods of verifying alcohol and drug addiction.
Meanwhile, to increase the availability of competent doctors, it is envisaged that joint bodies of small enterprises (up to 10 employees) may enter into agreements with local health authorities or with authorized doctors to fulfill health surveillance obligations.
The objective of controls is to prevent accidents at work, avoiding situations where employees are not fully able to control their actions.
The circular also brings other innovations in the field of occupational safety. The obligation for a "construction badge" is introduced, which will also have a digital format with a unique code against forgery. Failure to comply with this obligation will be punished with a fine of 100 to 500 euros for each employee.
It also foresees the removal of 5 points from the "points license" of companies for each undeclared ("black") employee, regardless of the number of days of irregular work.
The new measures aim to strengthen workplace safety and combat informal work in Italy.
