14 replies to this topic

[Saint Billinge]

My last employer tested for drugs misuse on a random basis only. This new initiative to tackle the drug problem in the workplace, which seems to be on the increase, would be a huge task.

The question is: will it or won't it reduce the problem?

[gingerjon]

Is this a Thing?

Has there been an Announcement?

[Saint Billinge]

Is this a Thing?

Has there been an Announcement?

It was on Breakfast TV this morning and discussed whether it would work.

[Wolford6]

The only drug that impacts on my work is my posting-on-TRL addiction.

Oh, and tea, coffee and kitkats.

[Derwent]

There is no new initiative being planned, it was simply a suggestion made by the Met Police commissioner when addressing a Parliamentary committee yesterday. The medical profession has dismissed at as 'complete nonsense'.

[kioli]

Police state...

[gingerjon]

There is no new initiative being planned, it was simply a suggestion made by the Met Police commissioner when addressing a Parliamentary committee yesterday. The medical profession has dismissed at as 'complete nonsense'.

I can understand why certain professions would want testing. I seem to recall in the dim and distant one of the places I worked for reserved the right to test for certain drugs at short notice but they never actually did it.

I can't see any benefit to such an idea.

[Wolford6]

I can't see any benefit to such an idea.

The factory where my friend works is American-owned and exercises its contingency to do random drugs-testing. Admittedly, the results take a few days to come back, but machinery and doped up workers don't make an easy fit.

Edited by Wolford6, 30 January 2013 - 01:00 PM.

[Griff9of13]

Apart from the H&S implications to those operating machinery or driving this idea (and, ATM, it's only an idea) could be on dodgy legal ground. It is my understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong, it is possession of illegal substances that is against the law not their consumption.

[Saint Billinge]

Apart from the H&S implications to those operating machinery or driving this idea (and, ATM, it's only an idea) could be on dodgy legal ground. It is my understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong, it is possession of illegal substances that is against the law not their consumption.

I know of one guy who had alcohol hidden in the yard of a factory and who would swig it during shifts. Furthermore, he would operate fork trucks. He was sent home at least once for being under the influence of alcohol. Furthermore, drugs were found at least once inside the factory.

[Griff]

I can understand why certain professions would want testing. I seem to recall in the dim and distant one of the places I worked for reserved the right to test for certain drugs at short notice but they never actually did it.

I can't see any benefit to such an idea.

If you own a drug testing lab, I can see huge benefits.

[Severus]

If you own a drug testing lab, I can see huge benefits.

My missus is an analytical chemist and tests urine for various dioxins (yes she does take the #### for a living). They often need a clean sample to check the machines are working properly so she uses her own. She did used to use her male colleagues for this but they couldn't rely on the sample being 'clean'.

[Saintslass]

The factory where my friend works is American-owned and exercises its contingency to do random drugs-testing.

That's no surprise. Drug testing employees in the states is pretty common practice.

[Marauder]

Apart from the H&S implications to those operating machinery or driving this idea (and, ATM, it's only an idea) could be on dodgy legal ground. It is my understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong, it is possession of illegal substances that is against the law not their consumption.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/alcoholdrugs/index.htm

[Keith Nutter]

Having worked in the nuclear industry most of my life I just accept D&A testing as normal nowadays. Having said that in all my working life (40+ years) I have only once been picked out for a random test (1 hr notice). I passed .
For my current employer (non-nuclear) it is mandatory to have at least one (planned) test each year and then there is the possibility of random tests during the year.
I therefore don't drink through the week but tend to get leathered Thurs, Fri, Sat . I have never taken drugs other than alcohol and fags so the other stuff doesn't concern me.