SlimJim1694
Member
In over ten years driving on a well known Kent TOC the only time they ever tested me was at the medical before I started.
I wouldn’t say it’s widespread. There is absolutely zero tolerance of drugs and alcohol abuse in the industry nowadays - and quite rightly.
I like a drink but I wouldn’t dream of risking my career, and potentially my liberty, for the sake of a couple of pints too many.
Network Rail carries out a big program of random unannounced D&A screening with Optima Health including for on duty signallers and at DUs. They are out screening folk all the time and they do catch some positive results and refusals.
Within the railway industry, office staff are generally subject to abiding by the exact same policies as safety critical workers.
Yes indeed you do not need to tell me that. The point I was making is that for anyone directly employed by Network Rail a nurse can (and regularly does) just appear in their workplace at any time and request a sample.
Precisely this. You are responsible for your own and anyone else’s health and safety. If you believe someone is under the influence of D& (or) A you should be reporting it. How would you feel if they had an incident and someone died, knowing you could have done something? Might sound far fetched but true.Have you reported them?
Amazed if it's only once in 5 years.
Random D&A tests are pretty rare, it has to be said. But tests also take place at annual medicals.
Safety critical staff members also face testing “for cause” following an operational incident and “on suspicion” at any time if someone suspects them to be under the influence.
Thanks. I'm fairly sure that anybody with a drink problem will know how to get through an annual medical.......
If, otherwise, the only true random check is so infrequent as to be calculated in 'many years' then I doubt it is a proper deterrent. Surely, a random check for drink or drugs should be at least annual ?
Quite a few years ago, a guy from our place went for a medical booked for 13:00. He decided to go for lunch before this, the lunch included a pint.Then it isn't random!
Then it isn't random!
Thanks. I'm fairly sure that anybody with a drink problem will know how to get through an annual medical.......
If, otherwise, the only true random check is so infrequent as to be calculated in 'many years' then I doubt it is a proper deterrent. Surely, a random check for drink or drugs should be at least annual ?
??? Eh ?
Yes, of course it is. Random means 'at any time'.
Then it isn't random!
Annually is NOT random!
Not quite the same but after a derailment in my neck of the woods a couple of years ago the driver tested positive for Cocaine in the post incident test. It then turned out he had previously tested positive for Cocaine in a random D&A at another TOC but been allowed to resign rather than been fired then went on to get another driving job. If it had not of been for the derailment (which was not his fault) no one would be any the wiser.
I must admit I always wonder how one is expected to, er, 'perform' on demand for random checks. If a nurse rocked up in my office now for a random check I'd be happy to comply* but wouldn't be able to currently! So do they just hang around? Do you go and down a few bottles of water?
* Well I wouldn't as we don't do drug and alcohol screening but for sake of argument...
Not quite the same but after a derailment in my neck of the woods a couple of years ago the driver tested positive for Cocaine in the post incident test. It then turned out he had previously tested positive for Cocaine in a random D&A at another TOC but been allowed to resign rather than been fired then went on to get another driving job. If it had not of been for the derailment (which was not his fault) no one would be any the wiser.
Thanks. I'm fairly sure that anybody with a drink problem will know how to get through an annual medical.......
If, otherwise, the only true random check is so infrequent as to be calculated in 'many years' then I doubt it is a proper deterrent. Surely, a random check for drink or drugs should be at least annual ?
And it's also the advice for ultrasounds during pregnancyIt's not so bad for medicals as you can arrive with a full tank so to speak
Random tests are only one part of the overall deterrent. If anyone turned to work smelling of booze they would be tested “on suspicion”. And of course refusal to take a test when asked is gross misconduct leading to summary dismissal.
I suppose for a full blown alcoholic it would be difficult to stop drinking for long enough even to get through a periodical medical.
I’m curious, when testing for drugs do they look for any trace of say cocaine or is there a maximum limit in the blood like alcohol? I'm pondering this as apparently we can all (innocently) pick up traces of cocaine from bank notes which can often be contaminated.
There was a bus driver who tested positive for cocaine and it was proven at tribunal that it was his handling of cash that caused itI think there is a difference between trace elements (physical transfer) and trace elements (internal). Very very doubtful anything will show up in blood/urine unless you are Scarface or lick every banknote you come across.