Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jul 2003
Source: Timaru Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2003 Timaru Herald
Contact:  http://www.timaruherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1039
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

SAFETY FIRST

Whether or not to allow random drug testing of employees, that is the 
question to be faced by the Employment Court as it hears a case brought by 
unions representing thousands of Air New Zealand staff. And it is a hearing 
that will be keenly watched by a number of industries.

In the past five years, workplace drug testing by Environmental Science and 
Research has increased by 200 per cent, with 300 companies throughout the 
country now using the service. Main users, understandably enough, are 
industries involving higher-risk occupations.

This is the case with Air New Zealand. It argues that safety of the flying 
public could be easily compromised if a person under the influence of 
alcohol or drugs is left undetected in their job. This makes sense. The 
thought of a drug-impaired worker being responsible for engine maintenance 
or giving the lead during on-flight safety arrangements is enough to send a 
shiver down the spine of any would-be traveller.

If there is good reason for a test - in cases where safety is an issue and 
where there is evidence of drug or alcohol use - then random testing should 
apply. But no one wants the practice introduced on an ad hoc basis simply 
because it is the latest fashion from the United States or because of some 
misguided puritanical bent aimed at stamping out drinking and drug-taking 
among employees.

So it is that the Employment Court has to decide how far safety 
considerations should outweigh the right of people to be in control of who 
can and cannot take blood and urine samples from their bodies. Clearly, in 
some cases at least, safety must come first.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom