DRUG and alcohol testing should be mandatory on construction sites, according to one of Australia’s most powerful unions.
UNVEILING it’s impairment policy on Thursday, the CFMEU construction division has called for blanket drug and alcohol testing on work sites for employers and employees alike.
CFMEU national construction secretary Dave Noonan stressed that testing was just one component of the proposal, but conceded those turning up to work battling addiction were putting others at risk. “This is a policy that revolves around the causes of impairment in our industry that include fatigue, physical and mental health, job insecurity, injury and illness and drug and alcohol use,” he said. “Our membership is increasingly concerned about the problems associated with people turning up to work impaired and the risks this poses.” Testing already occurs in specific circumstances, Mr Noonan says, but he hoped their policy would see the practice become mandatory.