Pubdate: Wed, 17 Aug 2005
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2005 New Zealand Herald
Contact:  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300
Author: New Zealand Press Association
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

UNION OPPOSES CALL FOR NEW LAW ON DRUGS IN WORKPLACE

Education and enforcement of existing laws are the way to prevent drug
use causing workplace accidents, says the Engineering, Printing and
Manufacturing Union (EPMU).

Far North coroner Robin Fountain has called for a law change to ban
anyone from smoking cannabis before using boats, vehicles, aircraft or
machinery.

On Monday, Mr Fountain reported on the deaths of skipper Gregory
Thirkettle and crew member Mark Scott when their fishing boat Iron
Maiden sank southwest of Cape Reinga last August.

Mr Fountain said the only cause he could find for the boat foundering
was Mr Thirkettle's cannabis-influenced decision to carry on in stormy
weather.

But in reply to Mr Fountain's call for new legislation, EPMU national
secretary Andrew Little said yesterday that laws already covered drug
use.

"There's specific reference in that [Health and Safety in Employment]
legislation to employers having to ensure that the risk or hazards
associated with the employee being under the influence of drugs or
alcohol have to be addressed," he said.

"The law is already there, but what is needed is a combination of
education and enforcement to make sure employers are doing that."

The EPMU had an education programme - called Not On The Job Mate -
which it made available to employers.

The union would have no objection to a saliva swab test for employees,
if a reliable one could be developed, as urine testing was intrusive
and attacked people's dignity, Mr Little said.

Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven said yesterday that
Australia had been trialling a saliva swab test.

However, the first test result taken to an Australian court had ended
in a not guilty outcome on the basis that the test was unreliable.

"Until we get to the point of a simple scientific test which is
reliable, then these court prosecutions would be fairly disastrous to
undertake," Mr Duynhoven said on National Radio.

He said it was "extremely difficult to police the maritime sector, you
have people who are at sea for days, or weeks - how can you have any
other regime other than relying on the responsibility and common sense
of the person involved?"
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin