IRISH MOTORISTS SUBJECT TO ALCOHOL & DRUG TESTING
Dated: 17/01/2011
In addition to alcohol testing, all Irish motorists, including those who drive in the course of their work, will be subject to roadside impairment testing for drugs and alcohol when regulations contained in the Road Traffic Act 2010 come into force.
Section 4 of the Act prohibits driving or being in charge of mechanically propelled vehicles while under the influence of intoxicants or exceeding alcohol limits.
Employees who fail a Garda alcohol or drug test on their way to work or who are driving a vehicle in the course of their employment will be in contravention of Section 13(1)b of the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act 2005 if they report for or continue working having failed an alcohol or drug test.
Employers are obliged to conduct risk assessments under the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act 2005 and include control measures which are reflected in the company safety statement.
For more information on this and it’s impact on Irish employers go to http://www.eapinstitute.com/newspage.asp?id=13.
