poledriver
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2005
- Messages
- 11,543
NEWS: Fair Work Australia consents to forced drug tests for building workers
here
BUILDING workers will be able to be forced to take drug and alcohol tests following a Fair Work Australia decision that has been described as a "giant leap forward" for the industry.
The full bench decision follows significant tensions in the construction industry over drug and alcohol-affected workers on job sites, with employers arguing they pose a significant safety risk.
Master Builders Association of Victoria executive director Brian Welch said the ruling was a "landmark" decision.
"People who don't say anything about their (drug and alcohol) problem to their union or their employer put their colleagues at risk. We're not moving paper clips here, we're moving heavy machinery and cranes. This is a giant leap forward for the building industry," he said.
Mr Welch said he had been made aware of concerns of drug use in the building industry.
"I have heard it alleged that speed is the drug of choice on building sites because it is the least detectable," he said.
The Fair Work Australia decision in favour of Wagstaff Piling Pty Ltd and Thiess Pty Ltd came after a worker on a project to widen the road between the Tullamarine Freeway and Sydney Road refused to take a drug and alcohol test, despite the practice being in place for more than a year.
The decision found that the agreement between Wagstaff and the CFMEU did not prohibit compulsory drug and alcohol tests.
"The risks to employee safety posed by drug and alcohol use have long been recognised by this tribunal and compulsory drug and alcohol testing is, of itself, not so extraordinary that it could not be argued to be a reasonable employer instruction," the decision stated.
The CFMEU did not return calls this morning but has previously said it was concerned about drug and alcohol testing because it was against the workplace agreement on the freeway widening project.
The full bench decision follows significant tensions in the construction industry over drug and alcohol-affected workers on job sites, with employers arguing they pose a significant safety risk.
Master Builders Association of Victoria executive director Brian Welch said the ruling was a "landmark" decision.
"People who don't say anything about their (drug and alcohol) problem to their union or their employer put their colleagues at risk. We're not moving paper clips here, we're moving heavy machinery and cranes. This is a giant leap forward for the building industry," he said.
Mr Welch said he had been made aware of concerns of drug use in the building industry.
"I have heard it alleged that speed is the drug of choice on building sites because it is the least detectable," he said.
The Fair Work Australia decision in favour of Wagstaff Piling Pty Ltd and Thiess Pty Ltd came after a worker on a project to widen the road between the Tullamarine Freeway and Sydney Road refused to take a drug and alcohol test, despite the practice being in place for more than a year.
The decision found that the agreement between Wagstaff and the CFMEU did not prohibit compulsory drug and alcohol tests.
"The risks to employee safety posed by drug and alcohol use have long been recognised by this tribunal and compulsory drug and alcohol testing is, of itself, not so extraordinary that it could not be argued to be a reasonable employer instruction," the decision stated.
The CFMEU did not return calls this morning but has previously said it was concerned about drug and alcohol testing because it was against the workplace agreement on the freeway widening project.
here
IMO being under the influence while working in a situation where you can put other peoples safety at risk = big no no. Goes against everything I believe in. Do whatever the hell you want - just don't put other people in harms way. Not every stoned roofer is going to have problems, which creates the image of drugs while working/driving not being an issue until something bad does happen.
