Drink Driving

[ldsposti]

Hi guys hope im in the right forum, But can anyone tell me if a dom has the right to breath test a driver if he suspects that he could be over the limit if not what do you do if you believe a driver is over the limit, I think a business like ours should have some giudelines written down somewhere ?

[IcanthelpthewayIam]

Hi guys hope im in the right forum, But can anyone tell me if a dom has the right to breath test a driver if he suspects that he could be over the limit if not what do you do if you believe a driver is over the limit, I think a business like ours should have some giudelines written down somewhere ?

doesnt have the right to breath test driver, he wouldnt even have the right equipment, though the DOM would be quite right to stop someone from driving if he had good reason to suspect he had been drinking, in fact if he let him drive if he suspected he might even be up for dismissal himself.

[fishtank]

I think a business like ours should have some giudelines written down somewhere ?

They do.
It's called the
Alcohol and Drugs Policy - Guidelines http://www.cwunwdivision.com/Alcohol-Dr ... idance.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Where immediate risk exists
Where it is believed that an individual is under the influence of alcohol and or drugs and the behaviour of the
individual is in the opinion of the manager potentially dangerous to themselves or others then the manager may
need to take immediate action for the health, safety and well – being of the individual and all those around them or who might come into contact with them or be in the same vicinity as them.

In such circumstances the manager has to assess the risk and should approach the individual and ask to see them
away from the work area and out of sight and earshot of others (an immediate meeting). The manager should
ensure that the individual is accompanied by a colleague or union representative (who might be the union health
and safety representative) and give consideration to another manager being present. In part to ensure the health
and safety of all concerned and so there is no doubt about the reasons for the manager taking the action they are
taking and to help the manager assess the risk and so determine the action needed.

After assessing the risk and having consulted with the union health and safety representative if the manager
concludes the person is unfit to carry out their normal work or any other work then the person should be sent
home from work with pay and steps taken to assist the person in getting home and being put in the care of a
responsible other person. Where it is not possible to put the person into the care of another responsible person then
the manager should continue to ensure the individual is looked after until they are fit to be left alone.

The manager should follow the Conduct Code and any associated Guidelines at this stage of the procedure. Help
and support is available from the People Contact Centre on (0845 6060603 / Postline 5456 7100)
Royal Mail Group will give the same consideration to colleagues with medical problems associated with
alcohol/drugs misuse as it does to employees with other health problems.

However the same procedures on Sick Leave and Attendance are applicable (as for all other colleagues) and those with alcohol drugs problems are equally required to comply with the normal standards of conduct and safety required of all Royal Mail people.

Incidents or accidents occurring as a result of attending work under the influence of alcohol or the misuse of drugs
or the sale and/or possession of drugs will usually be considered as gross misconduct and could result in dismissal

[ldsposti]

Thanks fish i knew there was something may need this in the coming weeks

[celerycelery]

Id support any manager that stops a driver going out if he/she thinks the person has been drinking. I would happily report said person to police if the manager did nothing as well.

[brothermagrew]

Hi guys hope im in the right forum, But can anyone tell me if a dom has the right to breath test a driver if he suspects that he could be over the limit if not what do you do if you believe a driver is over the limit, I think a business like ours should have some giudelines written down somewhere ?

The Royal Mail policy is formed in terms that rely on the co-operation and agreement of the individual. Royal Mail is
committed to applying its policy in ways consistent with its business values. It is felt that the potentially negative effects on the employer/employee relationship that may be expected from the introduction of a testing regime are not justified by any possible benefits. Some employers particularly in the (rail) transport and for example the petro-chemical industries where the risk to the public is extremely high, potentially catastrophic, do have testing regimes (in some instances strongly influenced by the Transport and Works Act). Royal Mail does not believe that this approach is appropriate to its business.

Going by Royal Mail's response in that it does not believe that a testing regime approach is appropriate, then one can only conclude from that statement that DOMs do not have the right to breath test a driver even if he or she suspects that the driver is over the limit. There are of course other measures they can take.