Hundreds of skifield workers face tests for drugs and alcohol as operators try to make the slopes safer for skiers.
But the new regime has not gone down well with some workers, and a union says it is not needed and was unnecessary and was introduced arbitrarily.
From
this season, 1100 Southern Alpine Recreation staff working at South Island skifields Mount Hutt, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, will be required to undergo a alcohol breath test or urine test for drugs whenever an accident happens in the course of their work.
Staff will be suspended after an accident so it can be investigated.
If the workers breached the drink-driving standard for alcohol or a similar standard for drugs, they face disciplinary measures and could be fired.
Chief executive James Coddington said many of of the staff were casual workers living in "party towns" like Queenstown and Methven, enjoying a festive lifestyle.
"You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know that people generally enjoy working in the industry and having fun at night.
"We don't want anyone working on our fields under the influence of alcohol or drugs, for obvious reasons. There's a time and place for what they want to do."
The Amalgamated Workers Union, which represents ski patrollers on the fields, has concerns about the scheme.
"Not everyone goes to work believing or knowing they are impaired," said union organiser Calvin Fisher.
"Most workers don't understand the tolerance levels and some aren't sure what they are being tested for."
Mr Fisher said the policy was brought in without much input from workers. "It's far better [dealing with it] by way of education ... modifying behaviour by knowing how to make the right choices with the information available."
Workers on the skifields were required to operate a variety of vehicles and machinery such as ski lifts and snow-making machines.
Mr Coddington said the number of incidents this season had "reduced significantly". Only one person had been drug and alcohol tested so far this season - after a ski mobile accident - and the person tested negative.
