Print

Print
Amanda
I just wondered if the Data Protection Act guidance from the Information Commissioners Office would help you here. Under the DPA the Information Commissioners Office (2005) A quick guide to the employment practices code www.ico.gov.uk he advises that collecting information by testing workers for drug and alcohol abuse is justifiable for health and safety reasons only and offers guidelines for undertaking such tests. HSE also have some guidance at :

www.hse.gov.uk/alcoholdrugs/index.htm

 

Hope this helps, Greta

 

Greta Thornbory
Consultant, Occupational Health & Education
Consultant Editor, OH Journal
www.gtenterprises-uk.com
Tel: 01235 770156
Mob: 07778 518 027

 

 

 

----- Original Message -----
From: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">Amanda Savage
To: [log in to unmask] href="mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 11:09 AM
Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] Drug & Alcohol Testing in the workplace

Hi Folks,
need a bit of support here.
My organisation wants to bring in drug & alcohol testing & I have
reservations. Initially it was to be handled by an outside company leaving
the OH service to remain impartial and free to deal with the fall out &
supporting employees. Now the organisation in their penny pinching wisdom
have said they want it be carried out in house (to save money). I am
against this and feel so strongly that if pushed I will resign. What I am
really looking for is the ethical side & guidance to stop us turning into
the 'Drug & Alchol police' which is highly likeley. Can anyone help?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please remove this footer before replying.

OCC-HEALTH ARCHIVES: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/occ-health.html

FORTHCOMING CONFERENCES AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/filearea.cgi?LMGT1=OCC-HEALTH

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH JOBS http://OHJobs.drmaze.net

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSING EDUCATION http://www.aohne.org.uk