Just two of Scotland’s 32 local authorities carry out checks At one of those, 3 workers failed and 2 more refused to take part
which shows up traces of illegal drugs including cocaine, heroin and cannabis as well as alcohol.
An insider said all the staff were based at the council’s Hilton Depot in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow.
A trained technician attends the site and administers the examination, which costs around £130.
An East Dunbartonshire Council source said three male staff members had failed a test – and that a further two refused to provide a sample, then went off sick.
The council would not comment on the detail of failed or avoided tests.
The insider said: “But three employees failed so the decision to carry them out is vindicated.” Employees of East Dunbartonshire who fai l a drugs or alcohol test can be subject to disciplinary action.
Ann Davie, East Dunbartonshire Council ’s depute chief executive – education, people and business, said: “Any employee suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs in the workplace will be subject to an investigation, which may lead to appropriate action under the council’s policiesolicies and procedures.procedures.”
West Lothianthian Council says it plans to introducentroduce testing for their driversrs in September.
And Perthrth and Kinross Council saidid it was reviewing its policy onn random drug and alcohol checks.ecks. East Renfrewshire Council, which has 120 licensed HGV drivers, said if an employee is suspected of being under the influence of a substance, then guidelines state the employee should be removed from the workplace. Edinburgh City Council employs the highest number of drivers out of the 32 local authorities. It has 224 licensed drivers employed within its waste department. Bin lorry safety has bebeen under the spotlight since six peopeople were killed in an accident involvinginvol a refuse truck near Glasgow’sGlasg George Square in 2014. A further 15 were injured when the 26- ton vehiclev being driven by Harry Clarke plplouou ghed into pedpedestrians after he blacked out at ththe wheel. C larke ccontroversially did not face criminal charges but a fatal a c c ident inquiry found that the trtragedy could have been preprevented had hhe told h i s eemployers he had previously fainted behind the wheel. Sheriff John Beckett QC found eight “reasonable precautions” relating to Clarke’s medical history may have stopped the accident had opportunities been acted upon.
He made 19 recommendations to close loopholes in the law and help reduce the chance of a further tragedy but none related to drink and drug testing.
Glasgow City Council confirmed it does not operate a random drug or alcohol testing policy on staff.
Bin lorry driver Douglas MacDonald is claiming he was unfairly dismissed from his job with Argyll and Bute Council af ter being sacked for an alleged drink-driving offence in October 2016.
He was arrested by officers acting on an anonymous tip before he was due to start his shift.
But his criminal case was cleared in court amid concerns over the way police did their breathalyser tests. The tribunal is still ongoing.
Argyll and Bute Council refused to comment on the case and confirmed it did tests on employees who drive its vehicles.
Charity Brake backed improved at-work driver safety by launching its Safer Fleets campaign.
The charity made the move as at least a third of road deaths and a quar ter of ser ious inju r ies are from crashes involving someone driving for work.