4th March 2010, 08:09 PM
I think the point has started to drift as Julie says. No one is saying Health and safety isn't important, and agreed we don't want idiots running around sites off their heads! It's not safe for them or anyone else and as has been noted does us no good service as a profession. However, all indications are that random testing is not effective (see above information on how different drugs are metabolised ). The only people seemingly who would test positive would be cannabis smokers as the drug stays in the system longer than more potent and harmful drugs. This would be targeting and marginalizing a small group within the work force which are probably not the biggest threat to safety. Independent inquiries indicate that alcohol is probably the biggest threat to safety in the workplace. Unfortunately testing for alcohol i.e the breathalyzer test is set only at the drink drive limit so would not give any indication of the impairment a banging hangover could cause, such as tiredness and thus lack of concentration (we will most of us have suffered at one time or another so you know what I mean?). So again testing will not have any real value! It strikes me that the reason why firms adopt this even though they are not legally obliged to do so is because it makes it look like they are doing something. Also people can and possibly will test positive for prescribed drugs. On the job i'm working an alternative of medication for people to take has been suggested, but presumably the doctor who prescribes a drug for an individual knew what they were doing in the first instance. As what goes on between a patient and their doctor is confidential why should an employer be privy to that information if the said individual is not willing to disclose that voluntarily? obviously drugs in some circumstances may cause drowsiness, but again advice is already given in regard to the operation of machinery and driving etc in such circumstances! The surest way of avoiding accidents in the work place regarding Alcohol and drugs is surely to pursue an enlightened policy with regard to this rather than by threats, menace and intimidation. All other aspects of H&S on site are handle in such a manner via induction and tool box talks so why should this issue of safety be dealt with in a different manner?