'Strong concerns' | Drugs & alcohol testing in the spotlight as council voices fears over worker substance misuse

Workplace drugs & alcohol testing is in the spotlight after a council in Scotland expressed “strong concerns” that staff could be working while under the influence. 

As highlighted by the Local Democracy Reporting service (LDR), the concerns were voiced in a City of Edinburgh Council internal audit on HGV safety - a report that was commissioned after an 11-year-old boy was fatally struck by a non-council bin lorry in Cheshire, earlier this year.

There is no indication that the death was due to a driver being under the influence of drink or drugs, but it nonetheless prompted officials in Scotland’s capital to recommend alcohol and drug testing for drivers, after managers said they didn’t have power to act if they merely suspected an employee of being under the influence. 

The council’s report stated: “Audit discussions with the council’s fleet and operational services highlighted strong concerns around the potential use of alcohol or drugs while driving for the council."