Workers on ice putting lives at risk

The number of workers in high-risk jobs testing positive to the drug ice is reportedly on the rise, putting lives at risk.

It's part of an overall increase in drug use, with one in ten employees tested returning a positive result.

Independent testing companies in Tasmania and Queensland have told News Corp Australia the number of workers testing positive to amphetamines is on the rise.

The CEO of the Drug Detection Agency, Kirk Hardy, says while cannabis remains the drug most often detected on work sites, those using amphetamines increased to 32 per cent of positive drug tests in 2014, up from 21 per cent the previous year.

"We have people on ice behind the wheel of big rigs, and there are families driving in the opposite direction so, unfortunately, there's a big safety issue," Mr Hardy told the Courier-Mail.

Colin Thomas from Tasmania's Integrity Sampling told The Mercury the problem is particularly acute in the state's northwest.

Mr Thomas warned it points to fatalities waiting to happen.

"A potential consequence of being affected by ice in the workplace is death, simple," he told the newspaper.