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Safety & Performance Addressing Substance Abuse In the Workplace. Robert R Blakely Canadian Building Trades October 6 th , 2003. Canadian Building Trades. Hobson’s Choice. Invasive & Dignity Insurance Duty to Supply ‘competent people’ Potential ‘Risk’ to union
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Safety & PerformanceAddressing Substance Abuse In the Workplace Robert R Blakely Canadian Building Trades October 6th, 2003
Hobson’s Choice • Invasive & Dignity • Insurance • Duty to Supply ‘competent people’ • Potential ‘Risk’ to union • Responsibility to Client • Lifestyle choices vs. Right to Safe work vs. Society’s lack of tolerance
“Rights” • Members know they’ve got them! • Demands to be represented – DFR • Conflict of Regulation • HRC vs. OH&S • Failure of Government to set rules • Courts haven’t made it better
Impairment at the Workplace • Alcohol – no sweat • Fatigue – also no sweat • Cocaine and other drugs – usually no sweat • Cannabis – THC – with respect to the Scientific Community…
Altruism • Defy anyone • No smoking in explosive hazard areas • Tie-off • Lock-out • Trenches • No dope or booze on site or in worker
The Needs • Consistent Message to the Work Force • No double standards • Continued Education to those who apply • Regulation by Government • Fix the failures • Coming together of the parties
Thank You • This is a difficult issue and you’re the only Province to attacking it head on • Governmentsneeds to grow a set of balls and do something • They can’t continue to leave us in the dark or subject to the vagaries of competing agencies