RailCorp Cuts Drug Tests by Thosands

Posted by Drug Test Australia, October 30th, 2012

THOUSANDS FEWER RAILCORP DRUG TEST

Original:Lee Jeloscek, 7News Sydney

Updated October 29, 2012, 6:02 pm
http://au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/15244831/thousands-fewer-railcorp-drug-test/

RailCorp has been accused of putting cost cutting ahead of public safety by slashing the number of drug and alcohol tests on staff.

Its latest report shows there have been thousands fewer tests catching fewer intoxicated train drivers and station staff.

RailCorp says it's a drug and alcohol free workplace, but its commitment to ensuring that is under question.

"Public transport drivers and others are on safety critical jobs and it's absolutely critical that they be drug and alcohol free." Action for Public Transport spokesman Jim Donovan said.

The latest RailCorp stats reveal it's slashed testing of employees which includes drivers.

In the last financial year the number of random breath tests has dropped from nearly 20,000 to fewer than 14,000; down more than 30 per cent.

While the number of staff detected with a blood alcohol level above 0.02 has dropped from 13 to three.

The Shadow Transport Minister Penny Sharpe says that’s 6000 fewer tests.

“It's got to be cost cutting and it's not acceptable," Sharpe said.

"This is a massive cut to the drug and alcohol testing regime in New South Wales safety is of the utmost importance for passengers and public transport workers."

Drug testing has also been cut by 10 per cent from nearly 7000 to just over 6000.

Disturbingly, 21 staff had drugs in their system.

RailCorp says it's comfortably meeting the government's requirements.

"RailCorp is committed to ensuring that the safety to our passengers and our staff is our number one priority," spokesman Tony Eid said.

Following the Waterfall and Glenbrook train disasters staff testing was overhauled, and the union is calling for more change. It wants to replace the urine tests with oral swabs.

"RailCorp can investigate what a rail worker has done two weeks ago but they can't investigate what a rail worker has done two hours ago that doesn't improve safety," Rail Tram and Bus Union spokesman Bob Nanva said.