COMPANIES believe they would struggle to implement drug and alcohol testing for employees because of lack of resources and claims of human rights abuses from employees.

Members of the Fleet News Panel have welcomed the idea of introducing policies to make sure drivers are fit for the road, but the majority believe compulsory schemes cannot work, despite the risk of employers being at risk of legal action if staff cause an accident while on company business.

Their comments come after Fleet News revealed how a railway track maintenance firm had introduced an innovative drug-testing programme for its drivers as part of a strict 'zero tolerance' drug and alcohol policy.

Such schemes have been backed by road safety organisation Brake, which says that a sensitively handled scheme will not be opposed by employees as it aims to improve driver safety.

But, as one fleet manager reveals in this week's panel, the risks of tackling the problem can be as great as ignoring it.

One claims her job would have been put in jeopardy if she had tackled her boss about his habit of drinking and driving in work vehicles.

Other fleet managers say they could only win staff support for such schemes if they introduced testing for all employees, whether they drove company cars or not.

However, this would stretch the resources of any fleet department to the limit and the majority of fleet managers believe it is best left to the police and the courts to ensure that drivers are punished if they get behind the wheel while unfit through drink or drugs.

'I AGREE with the principles of a drug and alcohol testing scheme. If our company was to implement this, then van drivers would be the first onto it as we have daily contact. The problem arises with staff who work from home. We only see some personnel every four to six weeks and spot checks would be more difficult. I feel that the company has a duty to keep employees as safe as possible, and minimise risks to other road users/pedestrians, but keeping our costs under control at the same time is also imperative.'
Sarah Messingham, fleet manager, J A Magson

'I HAD a problem with a director regularly smelling of alcohol while at work. To approach this manager would have made my working life a misery and probably jeopardised my job. While studying for my fleet management qualification, my tutors said that I could have reported him to the police, albeit anonymously. Other colleagues on my course, however, were in a similar situation to me. Personally, I think people who compromise safety in this way should be locked up.'
M.D, Details supplied

'YES, but only if backed up with a clear all-employee policy statement of the circumstances for testing and resulting action. Maybe a panel of employees should decide on appropriate action so there is less chance of victimisation? The policy should also cover other tasks that can be dangerous while under the influence.'
Ian Smith, group accountant, CpiO

'NOT independently of similar testing for other employees who do not drive on business.'
Paul Owen, manager, administration services, Rio Tinto

'NO. How could it be policed? Each driver has to be responsible for his or her actions. They know the law and our policy on drink driving is stated in our driver handbook.'
Diane Miller, fleet manager, Kingston in Business

'I WOULD welcome this but the mechanics combined with the infringements of individual liberties would make it unworkable. With the abuse of illegal drugs it is almost impossible for the untrained observer to recognise the effects. Also of concern is driving while taking prescription drugs that may induce drowsiness. I welcome checks for alcohol. Drivers would only need to know that random spot checks would be carried out for this to make an impact.'
John Clarke, Fleet Services (South), Telewest

'I AM not aware that drug and alcohol abuse is a significant problem with fleet drivers and therefore question the need for compulsory testing. If a company identifies a problem, then I would agree that standard tests might be necessary. They should have clear policy statements covering drug and alcohol abuse and disciplinary action. A more relevant compulsory test might be regular eye-sight assessments.'
Alan Miles, administration & data protection manager, RNIB

'NO, as this is an infringement of an employee's civil liberties. Our company has a policy on drug and alcohol abuse which would be implemented should an employee be under the influence while at work.'
Audrey Milne, group fleet manager, Bayer

'THIS would be very difficult to introduce under existing contractual terms and would be resisted by drivers. I am surprised that any employees are prepared to accept random testing as there must be human rights issues.'
David Mullins, administration manager, Slough Estates

'NO, such attempts would prove futile and many offenders are likely to be of an habitual nature.
The moral issue of the driver being responsible for his or her own actions seems to be increasingly forgotten and pleas to the courts about livelihoods is wholly ridiculous. Indeed, they are an affront to the vast majority of drivers who do play by the rules.'
Mark Paget, technical director, cp Fleet Initiatives

'THIS is the responsibility of the law enforcement agencies. Companies should have clear policies on the abuse of drugs and alcohol and take decisive action against anyone convicted. However, drug and alcohol testing at work is a clear infringement of civil liberties.
Companies should actively discourage liquid lunches and late night drinking where staff are driving the next day.'
T.M, Details supplied

'ALTHOUGH this could be a human rights issue, surely drivers who know they will be clear would not object? Any driver declining to submit to a test may well be suspect. An employee's contract would cover this issue and a test could be viewed as an extension of an occupational health check.'
M.R, Details supplied

'NO, most companies will not have the resources to do this. Our regular drivers are all middle management or above so we would expect them to take a responsible attitude to this.'
T.C, Details supplied

'IT is a very brave approach for companies to undertake drug and alcohol testing of drivers.
We aim for a well disciplined fleet of drivers and I feel that it is an aspect that we should ensure our fleet drivers adhere to.'
M.L, Details supplied

'HOW could you practically introduce such a system when most company car drivers work from home?
Some drugs stay in the system for longer than others and the effect of alcohol passes within a few hours. If testing was carried out occasionally it would only require a driver to stay clean in the run-up to the test to hide the problem. The matter should be left in the hands of the police.'
Leigh Weston, Sandvik

'NO. It should be an independent authority responsibility. However, companies should have a well publicised policy regarding fitness to work or drive and confirm that supervisory staff are authorised to deem a worker unfit.'
A.P.M, Details supplied

'YES, in principle, no in practice. The test will require expert medical supervision. Where would this expertise be available? Also, how would companies decide on the regularity of tests? With a sales force throughout the UK, how would the tests be implemented fairly? Finally, I cannot believe that such measures would not violate human rights legislation.'
Richard Warner, Seco Tools

'BIT too near the human rights mark. Our company would probably insist on testing if it had reasonable suspicions of any of our employees constantly offending.'
D.H, JMC