The proposal to re-introduce a pilot for random drug and alcohol testing for safety critical roles has resurfaced.
Many of you will have been given the talk that go with these slides Toolkit – training for employees draft v3 5.9.25
Initially PCC are looking to conduct the pilot in Streets as that is where most of the heavy machinery is.
Currently a staff member who might be about to operate a chain saw, or drive a wagon can be tested if a manager has reason to believe they may be impaired, but random testing has the potential to blur the line between health and safety at work, and the policing of out of work activity so unions have been raising objections.
It is not unheard of to have random testing in some heavy industries such as the railways and construction; but does not apply in the NHS or comparable caring work, or any local councils in this region that UNISON can identify.
Health and Safety is of paramount importance. Is there an unaddressed problem of drink or drug use in your workplace? Would you feel safer if random testing were in place?
The trade unions consider that such an introduction would be tantamount to a contractual change and believe that there should be a ballot to agree a trial and/or full introduction but we are anxious that you get as much information as possible prior to this.
However we are compelled to point out some places where the slideshow is not accurate;
=The 2018 policy has not been updated yet as nothing has been agreed including a date to start and length of the trial (although we are working to ballot in time for a trial in the new year if you agree)
=40% of accidents at work are not related to alcohol as claimed, and while 3 million workers may have detectable levels of drugs in their system every year, few could be described as under the influence. This is clearly an estimate not the result of actual testing. The tests for other substances like cannabis and cocaine have no “under the limit” and would show up if people had used them in the previous few days, so really we are guessing how many people use drugs at weekends.
=The definition of safety critical according to the HSE is, using machinery, using electrical equipment or ladders, driving or operating heavy lifting equipment. Working with vulnerable adults or children and “decision making” is not included.
We have had plenty of feedback already
” this would this be an intrusion on our private lives as it will pick up people who would not be impaired when they show up to work as well as any that are”
“It is an issue for you to have to discuss health conditions with managers as certain medications will lead to non negative tests.” Obviously no disciplinary action should be taken in such cases but you would need to explain yourself.
“jobs in streets that do not involve a lot of driving or use of machinery should not swept up with those that do”
“We have a decent record of health and safety. Where is the evidence we could improve by introducing this?” Unions have asked for this several times but as yet nothing meaningful can be shown
“I didn’t sign up for this”
“It shows a lack of trust in staff and may well hurt recruitment of younger people”
“Who will know what about my results? Invasion of privacy/data protection issue?”
“With alcohol could we leave self tests in vehicles? New limits may catch a few out”
“The loose definition of safety critical could end up meaning almost everybody.” Working with people including children and the disabled or driving to get to worksites are not safety critical roles
“Why pick on Streets?” Partly because that is where the greatest risk is, you don’t wear a hard hat in the office, but we get the point.
There is a concern this will end up being rolled out to everybody to be seen to be “fair”. Unions will not support that as there can be no health and safety justification for this. However it is also important that this does not get approved by people who feel unaffected on behalf of those that will be so we are looking at a way of balloting only those who do jobs that are agreed as meeting the definition of safety critical. Not their managers, not the department’s admin.
Speak to your rep. or email kevin.treweeks@plymouth.gov.uk to discuss it further.
