Licensed Participants – Drug and Alcohol Restrictions
In our ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe, fair and compliant environment, we hereby remind all participants that Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards will periodically conduct drug and alcohol testing to ensure adherence to the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) and HRV Human Sampling Policy (Licensed Participants). These tests will be administered in accordance with established guidelines and procedures, with the goal of upholding the highest standards of safety and integrity. All participants are expected to comply with these requirements, and non-compliance may result in significant penalties.
Given the nature of duties performed by licensed persons there lies an inherent risk of injury or incident to both themselves and other persons if their duties are not performed safely and efficiently. Use of banned substances not only increases the risk of injury to the individual licensed person and other persons but also has the potential to result in one’s duties not being performed to the required standards, thereby eroding the public’s confidence, which the industry is largely reliant on for funding.
The relevant rules are outlined below:
Licensed Drivers
All licensed drivers are subject to the drug and alcohol restrictions specified in Australian Harness Racing Rule 251. These rules proscribe a range of banned substances and maximum allowable limits for certain other substances for drivers, including a maximum alcohol breath analysis level of 0.02%.
Applicable Australian Harness Racing Rules
250. (1) A driver commits an offence if:-
(a) A sample taken from him is found upon analysis to contain a substance banned by Rule 251, or
(b) He refuses or fails to deliver a sample as directed by the Stewards, or tampers with, adulterates, alters, substitutes or in any way hinders the collection of such sample or attempts to do any of those things.
(2) A driver may be prevented by the Stewards from driving if in their opinion, based on any information, their own observations or on medical or other competent advice, his faculties may be impaired by any substance banned by Rule 251 or by any other cause.
(3) In the event of an analysis of a sample taken from a driver indicating the presence of a substance banned by Rule 251, or if a driver refuses or fails to deliver a sample when directed to do so, or tampers with, adulterates, alters, substitutes or in any way hinders the collection of such sample, or attempts to do any of those things, the Stewards may forthwith, pending the determination of any inquiry or other proceeding or the result of any other analysis, stand down such person from driving.
(4) In the event of a driver incurring a penalty or being prevented from driving under this rule he shall not resume driving until he delivers a sample, as directed by the Stewards, that is free of any substance banned by Rule 251.
Licensed Trainers, Stablehands and Persons Carrying on Licensed Activities
All licensed trainers, stablehands and persons carrying on licensed activities are subject to the drug and alcohol restrictions specified in Australian Harness Racing Rule 251A. These rules proscribe a range of banned substances and maximum allowable limits for certain other substances for trainers, stablehands and persons carrying on or purporting to carry on a licensed activity at any time, including a maximum alcohol breath analysis level of 0.02%.
Applicable Australian Harness Racing Rules
250A. (1) A person carrying on or purporting to carry on an activity regulated by licence at any time or carrying on official duties at a meeting commits an offence if:
(a) a sample taken from him or her is found upon analysis to contain a substance banned by Rule 251A, or
(b) he or she refuses or fails to deliver a sample as directed by the Stewards, or tampers with, adulterates, alters, substitutes or in any way hinders the collection of such sample or attempts to do any of those things.
(2) A person carrying on or purporting to carry on a licensed activity at any time or carrying on official duties at a meeting may be prevented by the Stewards from conducting such activity or duties if in their opinion, based on any information, their own observations or on medical or other competent advice, his or her faculties may be impaired by any substance banned by Rule 251A or by any other cause.
(3) In the event of an analysis of a sample taken from a person carrying on or purporting to carry on a licensed activity at any time or carrying on official duties at a meeting indicating the presence of a substance banned by Rule 251A, or if such person refuses or fails to deliver a sample when directed to do so, or tampers with, adulterates, alters, substitutes or in any way hinders the collection of such sample or attempts to do any of those things, the Stewards may forthwith, pending the determination of any inquiry or other proceeding or the result of any other analysis, stand down such person from conducting licensed activities or official duties.
(4) In the event of a person under this rule incurring a penalty or being prevented from conducting licensed activities or official duties, the person shall not resume such activities or duties until they deliver a sample, as directed by the Stewards, that is free of any substance banned by Rule 251A.
Any licensed participant found upon analysis to be in breach of the applicable rules, may be subject to significant penalties being imposed by HRV Stewards.
Should you require, HRV have an established Industry Assistance Program (IAP) which is a confidential, professional, coaching and support service delivered by TELUS Health. The IAP includes a broad range of support and resources to help all harness racing industry participants pro-actively manage their work, health and life.
Industry Assistance Program (IAP) – Access Here
HRV appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a professional and responsible work environment. Should you have any questions or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact HRV’s Integrity Department.
Contacts For HRV Integrity
HRV Stewards - Phone - 03 8378 0222
HRV Stewards Outside Business Hours - Phone - 9214 0650
Integrity Hotline - Phone - 03 9214 0651 or Email - integrity@hrv.org.au
Integrity Matters - Email - integritymatters@hrv.org.au
