A move to introduce a random drug testing policy at Lyttleton Port has been applauded by the Rail and Maritime Union, but it says it is not a panacea to the issues faced by the troubled workplace.
Management consultant Lance Wiggs told the National Business Review that a random drug testing policy is essential for a large industrial site where the actions of people who are impaired can injure or kill.
Wiggs told the NBR he suspected the unions will not welcome random drug testing.
“The union-management tension around testing is common, and it’s sad and disappointing to see any organisation, whether employers, or representing employees, fight against safety.
“However, this is a site where safety culture and safety management are clearly broken and building the necessary trust for a safe workplace is very difficult,” he says.
But RTMU South Island spokesman John Kerr applauds the move and says the union has no issue with random drug testing.
Kerr says Port Otago and Kiwirail introduced random drug testing in May 2013, and it is working well.
“Drug testing is a part of health and safety initiatives that does mitigate risk,” he says.
“But we must do more than random drug testing, the port’s management must make sure workers aren’t fatigued and there are proper shift patterns. Workers must be using the right equipment, and refuse unsafe work.
“It is not a panacea, but if we take random drug testing together with appropriate education, then it’s worth while.”
Kerr says the union and port management are working together to try and improve health and safety after a commissioned independent report identified a number of issues at Lyttelton Port.
