Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 Source: Toronto Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2008 The Toronto Star Contact: http://www.thestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456 Author: Tess Kalinowski, Transportation Reporter HIGH-TECH SCANS MULLED AS TTC WORKPLACE TESTS Procedures needed that can detect staff fatigue, impairment without infringing on human rights Facial and retina scans are among "hundreds" of technologies available as the TTC contemplates drafting a fitness-for-duty policy to ensure its 12,000 workers are sober, rested and clear-headed. "We understand there are technologies out there - everything from established (devices) such as breathalyzers to some new technologies around optical scans, facial scans," said TTC chair Adam Giambrone yesterday, while declining to discuss specifics. In August, the TTC will review a recommendation on how to determine employee fitness in relation to drugs and alcohol, and possibly emotional state and fatigue levels. All possibilities will be considered, Giambrone said, but the issue is morally and legally complex. "It's unclear to what degree drug and alcohol testing is legal in Canada. We also have the issues of human rights and respect for our employees, and we have to balance that against ensuring the public is safe," he said. Union head Bob Kinnear said any testing would have to be negotiated. "We're not going to allow the TTC to implement any policy that's going to be an invasion of our privacy. It's that simple," he said. A TTC worker killed April 2007 in a subway tunnel was later found to have been smoking pot on the job. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart