Operators have been reminded of the importance of testing drivers for alcohol and drug use by safety expert AlcoDigital.
It points out that while it is a criminal offence for any worker to be unfit due to drink or drugs, employees much demonstrate due diligence to prevent it from happening in the workplace.
“One of the first steps in setting best practice is deciding a company alcohol limit,” says Drug and Alcohol Safety Expert Suzannah Robin.
“There will be many factors determining what this should be and it will very much depend on each business, but we recommend that the limit is below the current legal drink-driving limit, rather than dead zero.”
Ms Robin says that while zero may sound like the only target to aim for, discrepancies can be caused by medicines, among other things.
“Using a scale of differing limits to determine the next steps that an employer should take in the event of a positive alcohol test will provide managers with a clear set of rules and help to avoid any unjustified gross misconduct disciplinary hearings.”
Operators can use a variety of high-quality evidential breathalysers to provide quick results, but carrying out the test properly is also important, says Ms Robin. Alcodigital is operating training courses throughout the country until November 2018 to help employers achieve best practice.
