Drug and alcohol testing will be introduced on building sites as part of what is expected to be Employment Minister Eric Abetz's final contribution to the federal cabinet.
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Mr Abetz on Friday introduced amendments to the Building Code to improve workplace safety standards on construction sites.
He said the high-risk construction industry involved the use of heavy machinery, working from heights and in congested areas that make alcohol and drug use hazardous.
Fair Work Building and Construction will be responsible for auditing contractors to ensure they have a fitness for work policy in place within 28 days.
"It is essential that workers on construction sites do not present a risk to themselves, their co-workers, and the public by having drugs and alcohol in their systems," Senator Abetz said.
"Safety is a paramount consideration on construction sites. It is simply an unacceptable risk to the health and safety of employees and the public to have workers affected by drugs or alcohol on construction sites."
"The government is committed to the Building Code to ensure taxpayer-funded sites operate safely and efficiently, and projects are delivered on time and on budget."
The requirements under the code to test for alcohol and drugs are modelled on those that previously applied under the former Victorian Construction Code but which were removed by the Andrews Labor government.
Senator Abetz, who is expected to be dropped from federal cabinet by Malcolm Turnbull by Monday, has also used what are likely to be his last days to make a series of conservative appointments to the Fair Work Commission.
Earlier this week, Mr Abetz said the appointees would bring a wealth of experience to their roles and would enhance the work of the commission.
The new appointments counterbalance the former Gillard government's union appointments to the tribunal, including former Electrical Trades Union boss Bernie Riordan.
The new appointments include industrial relations lawyer Tanya Cirkovic, former legal partner of Liberal Party identity Michael Kroger and Christopher Platt, who worked at the Australian Mines and Metals Association. Ms Cirkovic and Mr Platt, an employee relations manager at BHP Billiton's Olympic Dam project, have addressed the conservative HR Nicholls Society.
Unions and the Labor Party have attacked the new appointments as being anti-worker and anti-union.
Opposition workplace relations spokesman Brendan O'Connor said he was disturbed Senator Abetz had pushed through the "ideological appointments in what are his last days as minister". Senator Abetz has also reached agreement with six Senate crossbenchers to support changes to the Fair Work Act, including new limits on union bargaining power on new projects. But Labor and the Greens organised a long list of speakers, delaying the vote until at least the Federal Parliament's next sitting.
In relation to the building code changes, Mr O'Connor said: "Eric Abetz can make all the amendments he likes to the Liberals' unfair Building Code because it has not been introduced into the Parliament - it is not law yet Mr Abetz is promoting it and expects industry participants to comply with it.
"The Government's irresponsible 'advanced release' of its Building Code and subsequent amendments is creating industry uncertainty."
Mr Abetz will also be representing the Prime Minister in Battle of Britain commemoration celebrations in Hobart this weekend.
"As far as he is concerned, he is getting on with the job until any new ministerial arrangements are announced by the Prime Minister," his spokesman said on Friday.
On Thursday, Mr Abetz told parliament that it was a privilege to serve the people of Australia and he would happy to continue to do so in any role Prime Minster Malcolm Turnbull may determine.
