Latest:
Highways firms target drink and drugs abuse
12:12 08 Sep 2005
|
A blanket approach to drug and alcohol rules and testing by civils contractors involved in highways maintenance work is expected to be rolled out in the coming months.
The newly-formed Highways Term Maintenance Association (HTMA) – set up in April to address issues for the maintenance community – is in discussions with major players in the highways market such as RCS, Amey, Carillion, and Alfred McAlpine to tighten up rules about drug and alcohol use on site.
It is hoped that the change in approach, which could result in a zero tolerance to drink and drug use at work, and increased testing of the workforce by all maintenance contractors, will help drive down the number of incidents involving roadworkers on the highways network.
A similar approach has been taken by rail operator Network Rail, which has dramatically increased the number of drink and drug tests it carries out in an effort to improve safety on site.
So far in 2005, four workers have been killed while carrying out maintenance work, although this has been mostly due to reckless driving from members of the public.
The exact number of accidents caused by drink or drug misuse in the highways maintenance market is not known.
HTMA chairman John Jackson wouldn’t be drawn on whether he thought some contractors’ current drug and alcohol policies were tough enough, but added that there needed to be greater consistency in the sector.
“All contractors have their own policies when it comes to drink and drug use by workers and how this is regulated and tested,” he said. “What I would like to see is a more consistent approach to how the maintenance community tackles this issue.
“We will sit down and talk to contractors through the HTMA’s safety working group to see what solutions we can come up with.”
The HTMA’s four working groups, which cover safety, external perception, performance measurement and people, are also looking at other areas such as suitable driver hours and protocols and uniformity.
The organisation hopes to hold an event next March to give an update on its progress.
The newly-formed Highways Term Maintenance Association (HTMA) – set up in April to address issues for the maintenance community – is in discussions with major players in the highways market such as RCS, Amey, Carillion, and Alfred McAlpine to tighten up rules about drug and alcohol use on site.
It is hoped that the change in approach, which could result in a zero tolerance to drink and drug use at work, and increased testing of the workforce by all maintenance contractors, will help drive down the number of incidents involving roadworkers on the highways network.
ADVERTISEMENT
A similar approach has been taken by rail operator Network Rail, which has dramatically increased the number of drink and drug tests it carries out in an effort to improve safety on site.
So far in 2005, four workers have been killed while carrying out maintenance work, although this has been mostly due to reckless driving from members of the public.
The exact number of accidents caused by drink or drug misuse in the highways maintenance market is not known.
HTMA chairman John Jackson wouldn’t be drawn on whether he thought some contractors’ current drug and alcohol policies were tough enough, but added that there needed to be greater consistency in the sector.
“All contractors have their own policies when it comes to drink and drug use by workers and how this is regulated and tested,” he said. “What I would like to see is a more consistent approach to how the maintenance community tackles this issue.
“We will sit down and talk to contractors through the HTMA’s safety working group to see what solutions we can come up with.”
The HTMA’s four working groups, which cover safety, external perception, performance measurement and people, are also looking at other areas such as suitable driver hours and protocols and uniformity.
The organisation hopes to hold an event next March to give an update on its progress.
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Viewed Articles
ADVERTISEMENT