Safety Knights

LOL forklift jousting

When I worked as a firefighter, we used have creeper races in the truckroom.

Well I am more HR than OHS so I will tell you why!

#1 Simple answer: If I am your HR Manager and/or Lawyer and you come to me and want to terminate, discipline, or other wise want to bring a corrective action on an employee for alcohol or drug use on the job, without such a Policy I would VETO your request in a heartbeat! I would also not hesitate to VETO your request even if we had such a Policy but discovered we were not enforcing the policy consistently and fairly! Those problems are on US!

#2 Longer Answer: When I go to an organization as any manager or consultant, especially HR or OHS one of the first things I would check over was the Policies and Procedures that we had in place. One of the most important would be a Drug and Alcohol! If we did not have important policies I would write and implement robust and comprehensive policies for these items ASAP! Then I would train everyone in these new policies! Even the best policies are worthless if they are not managed and enforced consistently and fairly! Finally I would have an audit program in place by not just me but all managers to ensure organizational compliance! And that's NO JOKE!

I had a guy on my job that sent me a Dr's note picture to take him out of work for a non work related injury, he actually had a blunt between his fingers and sent me the photo. What a dumb ass. When I showed the picture to my manager he told me to set him up for an onsite drug test and the employee questioned me. Why are you testing me? I showed him the picture he sent me. The employee failed the wiz quiz and was terminated on the spot for failing the test. We have a rehab program at my company, however he did not want to participate in the program. I guess you cant fix stupid

In some companies the alcohol and drug policies are a condition to be employed and remain employed in safety sensitive positions.
So the workers know its a requirement for post incidents.its included in orientation and annual refresher training is done for everyone.

Infact I know a company that as part of the initial interview process they ask the potential worker if he/she is willing to complete alcohol and drug test before and during the entire work period should situation arise. Some disagree and once you disagree automatically you can't be employed or if your refuse after employment disciplinary action will ve administered.