Pictured - United Kingdom Warehousing Association

Health & Safety 13SUBSTANCE ABUSEUK workers are largely drug free - surveyA study by a global drugtesting firm has confirmedthe overwhelming majorityof UK workers are drugfree.However, the reportfrom Concateno, whichlooked at drug tests conductedby 856 UKemployers in industriesincluding logistics andhaulage, also suggeststhere has been anincrease in companiesdemanding testing. This isa concern to unions whichsay there are few circumstancesin which thesetests can be justified.Concateno says itsreport is based on theresults of 1.7m UK workplacedrug tests over thepast five years, and foundin the five years from2007 and 2011 positivetests increased from 2.26per cent to 3.23 per cent.However, traces of somedrugs can persist in thebody for months, so thefindings suggest only atiny fraction of the UKworkforce is taking drugswith any frequency.TUC general secretaryBrendan Barber commented:“The way to tackle thisdanger is by having properpolicies in place fordealing with drug andalcohol abuse in the workplace,rather than introducingrandom testing which isnot only a breach of a person'sright to privacy anddignity, but is also of dubiouslegality.”Mr Barber believesemployers are beingseduced by the marketingcampaigns of drug testingcompanies into seeingrandom testing as thesolution to sicknessabsence problems.He said: “This is whythe government needs toproduce clear and definitiveguidance on testing,especially on the legalissues. Drug testing techniquesare not going tohelp employers combatabsenteeism and tests cannever be a substitute for acomprehensive drugs andalcohol policy aimed at supportingstaff, and ensuringthat no-one in the workplaceis under the influenceof drink or drugs.”PIECE WORK RISKAlmost twice as manypiece rate workerssuffer from workplaceinjuries as those onstandard contracts,according to researchfrom LancasterUniversityManagement School.The researchers, writingin the Journal ofPopulation Economics,looked at the experiencesof 33,000employees acrossEurope, including theUK, and found 14.4per cent of piece rateworkers had sufferedfrom a workplaceinjury - most commonlyback and othermusculoskeletal problems- compared with7.5 per cent of nonpiecerate employees.A unique range of products and services to keep your warehouse staff safe!GuardrailsHandrailsArmcoDurable linesFROM £4.00per metreFROM £85.00per metre£39.95per metreINTERNAL FROM£49.00/metreEXTERNAL FROM£62.00/metrePrices correct at time of going to press. Guardrail, handrail and armco prices subject to delivery and installation charge.YardmarkingFROM £1.40per metreWalkwaysFROM £7.00per m 2Call now 01925 710923 or Click www.warehousesafety.co.ukASG Services Ltd, Unit 8, Easter Court, Warrington WA5 7ZB. Tel: 01925 710 923 Fax: 01925 712 966 Email: info@asgservices.co.ukwww.ukwa.org.uk August 2012