u003cspan class=u0022TextRun SCXW179464962 BCX4u0022 lang=u0022EN-GBu0022 xml_lang=u0022EN-GBu0022 data-contrast=u0022autou0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022NormalTextRun SCXW179464962 BCX4u0022u003eThe u003ca href=u0022https://www.spoa.org.uku0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eScottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) u003c/au003eu003c/spanu003eu003cspan class=u0022NormalTextRun SCXW179464962 BCX4u0022u003ehas u003c/spanu003eu003cspan class=u0022NormalTextRun SCXW179464962 BCX4u0022u003ewritten to u003c/spanu003eu003cspan class=u0022NormalTextRun SCXW179464962 BCX4u0022u003ethu003c/spanu003eu003cspan class=u0022NormalTextRun SCXW179464962 BCX4u0022u003ee u003c/spanu003eu003ca href=u0022https://www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uku0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022NormalTextRun SCXW179464962 BCX4u0022u003eConstruction Leadership Council (CLC)u003c/spanu003eu003c/au003eu003cspan class=u0022NormalTextRun SCXW179464962 BCX4u0022u003e, urging it u003c/spanu003eu003cspan class=u0022NormalTextRun SCXW179464962 BCX4u0022u003eto tackle drug and alcohol abuse in the construction industryu003c/spanu003eu003c/spanu003eu003cspan class=u0022EOP SCXW179464962 BCX4u0022 data-ccp-props=u0022{}u0022u003e u003c/spanu003e
In addition to potential health and safety risks, the main concerns raised by the SPOA include:
- The lack of a clear deterrent to prevent plant operators turning up unfit for work or even to remain fit during working hours.
- When plant operators fail a drug or alcohol test, they are often sent home driving the vehicle they arrived in.
- While employers can be punished if a member of staff has failed a drug or alcohol test, the plant operator who failed the test is not.
- When a plant operator is dismissed by an employer for failing a drug or alcohol test, they can find employment elsewhere if record keeping is inadequate.
Speaking about the issue, SPOA president Callum Mackintosh said: “I am extremely disappointed that the CLC does not regard the widespread and very serious issue of drug and alcohol abuse in the construction industry as a priority.
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