tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332706231179330796.post330261870909132273..comments2024-03-11T14:32:24.872-07:00Comments on Labour & Employment in Alberta: The evidence for drug testing in Alberta workplacesBob Barnetsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12164225489620639641noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332706231179330796.post-91470153435019169882013-05-05T23:20:31.432-07:002013-05-05T23:20:31.432-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11799026004420040299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332706231179330796.post-55789591084113712492012-10-22T10:32:26.766-07:002012-10-22T10:32:26.766-07:00This is the second part of my comment
It is not go...This is the second part of my comment<br />It is not going to be much consolation to the children or spouse of a worker who is maimed or killed if the excuse is that we were waiting for more research to confirm what we already know. Good leaders ensure they understand the big picture and they take action when it is warranted, in spite of the fact that controversy may occur. I dare say that if we waited for the perfect piece of research to justify it, organizations would never have implemented seat belts, car seats for children, air bags or A&D testing for pilots. Somebody had to apply logical thinking, draw a sensible conclusion, and take action. <br />Employers in our industry have a relationship with their workers that goes far beyond the negative picture of subjugation and disrespect that you paint in your analysis. It’s a relationship that, at its foundation, is based on providing a safe and healthy workplace. Along with safety measures such as effective training, sound policies and procedures, and disciplined incident reporting, alcohol and drug testing in the workplace has been proven to be an effective tool for improving safety, and the addition of random testing for safety-sensitive positions represents a meaningful step forward. <br />I will conclude this note with some further data for you to consider. A comparison of the Canadian cross-border transportation industry, which has had mandatory random testing programs for many years, with Alberta’s energy and heavy construction industries provides a stark and telling contrast. According to national testing company CANN/AMM, for transportation the rate of positive alcohol and drug tests in 2011 was 1.1% compared to 4.0% for safety sensitive positions in our industry. This demonstrates that a well-administered, long-term random testing program can serve as a powerful deterrent to behaviours that put workers at risk.<br />Dr. Barnetson, I realize that your views on this subject are quite different from those of the organizations participating in the pilot. Perhaps you could consider the possibility that these organizations really do have the health and safety of workers and the public as their primary goal, and that they are considering a broad perspective of relevant information, experience and careful consideration in their decision making process. <br />Regards,<br />Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10273814870099222579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8332706231179330796.post-4177817269304995222012-10-22T10:29:25.216-07:002012-10-22T10:29:25.216-07:00You are approaching the subject of random testing ...You are approaching the subject of random testing as an academic with a socio-political point of view, while our industry is addressing the issue of alcohol and drugs in the workplace from a much broader perspective. In addition to taking the research on alcohol and drug testing into consideration, the organizations participating in DARRPP are also drawing on the good judgement and common sense that come from decades of experience in operating refineries, mines and construction sites in the Wood Buffalo region. They have a deep understanding of the risks, the environment, the workforce and their communities, and over the years they have developed world-class safety programs to keep workers and the public safe. <br />It’s worth pointing out here that testing is just one feature of comprehensive alcohol and drug policies and programs, which are in turn a subset of employers’ safety and loss management programs. One of the major problems with existing programs has been the inability to have supervisors and co-workers intervene with co-workers, and the addition of random testing will help address this issue. <br />Organizations with alcohol and drug policies and programs in the oil sands receive a great deal of feedback from their workers. Many have expressed concerns about the use of drugs or alcohol in ways that impact their personal safety in the workplace, and the safety of their colleagues. No manager ever wants to have to tell a family that their loved one has been injured or killed by a co-worker under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and it is reasonable to think that organizations would engage in practices that would minimize the risk of such tragedies.<br />I think that the reason 84% of readers who participated in the Calgary Herald on-line poll supported random testing for oil sands workers is that they are able to see the larger picture and use common sense. Many Albertans have family and friends who work in the oil sands and related industries. They are aware of the inherent risks at work sites as well as the additional risks individuals create when they come to work in an unfit condition due to alcohol or drugs.<br />Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10273814870099222579noreply@blogger.com