1. CASA and Drug and Alcohol Testing
Since 2008, CASA has had the legal right to randomly enforce workplace drug testing and alcohol testing.
CASA is Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and it controls the safety of all flight related business
throughout the country. CASA's drug and alcohol testing policy is
seen to be a good example of just how and in which way such
legislation should be handled. Initial concern over workplace drug
testing in the aviation area was sparked by a number of transport
related accidents that were later proven to be at least in part caused
by a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Not all of these
accidents happened within the aviation industry, or even in Australia.
However, CASA became concerned enough to want to draft and
enact a policy that would hopefully prevent such accidents happening on Australian soil. Their safety
policy concerning drug and alcohol testing went into force in September 2008.
The policy concerns all those employed in the aviation industry, from pilots, flight attendants, air traffic
controllers, down to those on the ground, such as baggage handlers, flight refuellers and firemen. As
such, anyone who has any possible connection to air safety is liable to be randomly tested for drug or
alcohol use. It is considered a punishable offence for anyone employed in the aviation industry to refuse
drug screening, or to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
CASA's regulations cover not only random drug screening though. Also included in the regulations are
procedures for drug and alcohol education and training, as well as for rehabilitation. This is seen by
many as a more enlightened version of drug screening regulations, as it addresses the problem from its
roots, rather than simply punishing those found guilty.
The random onsite drug and alcohol screening plan also covers testing for pre employment, lessening
the chance that addicts or users can get a job in the aviation industry. It also covers testing after
accidents and on reasonable suspicion. CASA worked closely with experts in drug and alcohol abuse, as
well as with representatives of employees and the aviation industry in general before drawing up their
regulations. Whereas it can be argued that workplace Drug & Alcohol Testing is an invasion of privacy, there
are industries where the health and safety of so many people are at stake that workplace Drug Alcohol
Testing must be taken seriously, even at the risk of infringing on personal privacy. Aviation is undoubtedly
one of those areas. CASA worked particularly hard to ensure that its workplace drug testing regulations
were effective and fair, as well as being educational, but the safety of both flight personnel and
passengers must be paramount. The Civilian Aviation Safety Authority should be praised for its approach
to this problem.
This article has been taken from http://mediscreen.net.au/articles/?p=1882