Union opposes call for new law on drugs in workplace

Education and enforcement of existing laws are the way to prevent drug use causing workplace accidents, says the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU).

Far North coroner Robin Fountain has called for a law change to ban anyone from smoking cannabis before using boats, vehicles, aircraft or machinery.

On Monday, Mr Fountain reported on the deaths of skipper Gregory Thirkettle and crew member Mark Scott when their fishing boat Iron Maiden sank southwest of Cape Reinga last August.

Mr Fountain said the only cause he could find for the boat foundering was Mr Thirkettle's cannabis-influenced decision to carry on in stormy weather.

But in reply to Mr Fountain's call for new legislation, EPMU national secretary Andrew Little said yesterday that laws already covered drug use.

"There's specific reference in that [Health and Safety in Employment] legislation to employers having to ensure that the risk or hazards associated with the employee being under the influence of drugs or alcohol have to be addressed," he said.

"The law is already there, but what is needed is a combination of education and enforcement to make sure employers are doing that."

The EPMU had an education programme - called Not On The Job Mate - which it made available to employers.

The union would have no objection to a saliva swab test for employees, if a reliable one could be developed, as urine testing was intrusive and attacked people's dignity, Mr Little said.

Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven said yesterday that Australia had been trialling a saliva swab test.

However, the first test result taken to an Australian court had ended in a not guilty outcome on the basis that the test was unreliable.

"Until we get to the point of a simple scientific test which is reliable, then these court prosecutions would be fairly disastrous to undertake," Mr Duynhoven said on National Radio.

He said it was "extremely difficult to police the maritime sector, you have people who are at sea for days, or weeks - how can you have any other regime other than relying on the responsibility and common sense of the person involved?"

- NZPA