Royal mail driver breath-tested at Aberdeen Airport

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/Article ... 9?UserKey=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AN INQUIRY was under way today after a Royal Mail driver was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol near Aberdeen Airport’s runway.

The man was breathalysed by police on the Aberdeen airfield before being arrested.

But after a second breath test at Grampian Police’s Aberdeen Queen Street headquarters was negative he was released without charge.

Royal Mail in Aberdeen confirmed an inquiry was under way and the postman concerned has not been suspended. He was understood to have returned to work today.

The incident happened at about 7am yesterday after staff, concerned about the Postmans fitness for duty, alerted police.

The Postman was on his way to collect mail from an Aberdeen flight when he was stopped by airport staff and then breath-tested by police.

He was arrested and taken to Queen Street Police Station, Aberdeen.

A police spokesman today confirmed the driver would face no further police action.

A Royal Mail spokeswoman today said: “We will be conducting an internal investigation into this matter.”

She confirmed the driver had not been suspended.

The Postman could not be contacted for comment.

[DGP1]

FFS how stupid can people be, sure enjoy a drink now and again but not when you have to drive after it.

[ramsay ladders]

FFS how stupid can people be, sure enjoy a drink now and again but not when you have to drive after it.

Especially when you are driving next to several million pounds worth of plane. Daft bugger was lucky the test was negative.

[MEL]

im sorry 2 say but having alcoholic drivers seems norm for the course in rm. id like em all breath tested b4 they go out. now wot 2 purchase with the first line fix money hmmmm

[brothermagrew]

im sorry 2 say but having alcoholic drivers seems norm for the course in rm. id like em all breath tested b4 they go out. now wot 2 purchase with the first line fix money hmmmm

From a health and safety perspective what is clear is that where a member of staff has attended for work whilst suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drug misuse and that their ability to work safely whilst at work or when out on delivery may be impaired or adversely affected whilst being under the influence of alcohol and/or drug misuse that they put at risk or endanger:

* Their safety
* That of their work colleagues
* Members of the public/other road users

Then the line manager / DOM must place safety considerations first and therefore is obliged to take a cautious line (safety first) and to intervene if for example he/she is aware of any evidence that an employee has been drinking/taking drugs (such as the smell of alcohol on their breath) immediately before driving or other high risk work.

Being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs misuse at anytime whilst at work or on Royal Mail business breaks Royal Mail standards and may result in the application of the conduct code. It could also mean you are breaking the law. Under UK law, employers' have a responsibility to demonstrate 'due diligence' (take reasonable care) to prevent an offence if an employee's ability to work safely is impaired. Other implications are that performance and productivity are affected by an employee underperforming due to being 'under the influence of alcohol'. It may take longer than one day to recover from a heavy binge and an employee may experience fatigue, depression or anxiety at the time. This in turn can affect other work colleagues and workplace morale. Colleagues may resent or feel that they must 'cover up' for someone with a problem.

Legal Situation:
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Road Traffic Act 1988
Transport and Works Act 1992
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

[brothermagrew]

FFS how stupid can people be, sure enjoy a drink now and again but not when you have to drive after it.

Especially when you are driving next to several million pounds worth of plane. Daft bugger was lucky the test was negative.

For sure he at least as an accused person will still have the Grampian Police statement ringing in his ears!

It is alleged that you have committed an offence contrary to Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, and I require you to provide two specimens of breath for analysis by means of an approved device. The specimen with the lower proportion of alcohol in your breath shall be used and the other disregarded. I must warn you that failure to provide any one of these specimens without reasonable excuse is an offence and may render you liable for prosecution.

[MEL]

im sorry brothermagrew but from my personal experience operational matters come before h and s considerations.
even when these have been bought to doms attention.

[brothermagrew]

im sorry brothermagrew but from my personal experience operational matters come before h and s considerations.
even when these have been bought to doms attention.

MEL that I cannot argue with, but at the same time doesn't mean it is right. After all these so called Royal Mail spokespersons' are the firsy to quote and promote the line "Your health and safety as an employee within Royal Mail is PARAMOUNT" doesn't appear to be the case in many instances. Let's look at the legal side of things:

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
The Act places a duty on employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees. They must ensure that employees do not injure themselves, or endanger work colleagues or members of the public. This has particular relevance to alcohol and the use of machinery and vehicles. Under Section 2 employers are required to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees. Section 7 of the Act requires employees to take reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Employers have a duty under these Regulations to assess the risks to the health and safety of their employees. If you knowingly allow an employee under the influence of excess alcohol/drug misuse to continue working and his/her behaviour places the employee or others at risk you could be prosecuted. Your employees are also required to take care of themselves and others who could be affected by what they do at work.

Road Traffic Act 1988
States that any person who, when driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle on a road or other public place, is unfit to drive through drink or drugs shall be guilty of an offence. An offence is also committed if a person unfit through drink or drugs is in charge of a motor vehicle in the same circumstances.

Transport and Works Act 1992
This Act makes it a criminal offence for certain workers to be unfit through drugs and/or drink while working on railways, tramways and other guided transport systems. The operators of the transport system would also be guilty of an offence unless the had shown due diligence in trying to prevent such an offence being committed.

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
The principle legislation in the UK for controlling drug use and preventing abuse is the Misuse of Drugs Act. It deals with nearly all drugs with abuse and/or dependence liability. Of particular relevance to employers is the offence committed by the occupier of premises if he/she knowingly permits the production or supply of any controlled drugs, the smoking of cannabis or certain other activities to take place on those premises. Although it would be up to the courts to decide the merits of each case, an employer who knowingly allows a drug abuser to continue working without doing anything either to help the abuser, or to protect the rest of the workforce, may be liable to charges.

[MEL]

again cant argue with you brothermagrew as it isnt right and i have quoted h and s regulations in the past. but it comes down to whether or not you are prepared to shop a colleague to the police because of ineffectual management.

[brothermagrew]

MEL it may indeed.


The incident happened at about 7am yesterday after staff, concerned about the Postmans fitness for duty, alerted police.

The Postman was on his way to collect mail from an Aberdeen flight when he was stopped by airport staff and then breath-tested by police.

He was arrested and taken to Queen Street Police Station, Aberdeen.


As can be seen from the original posting, staff were concerned about the postman's fitness for duty (no doubt through being under the influence of alcohol) and concerned about his general well-being whilst performing a high risk duty (driving) and his ability whilst impaired may endanger his own well-being that of colleagues or members of the public whilst behind the wheel. Therefore the Aberdeen Polis were alerted. As things transpired he was breath-tested by the Polis and subsequently arrested (obviously he failed the hand held breathalyzer test).

Again it is clear that as no further action was to be taken against him by the Polis (he obviously passed the further breath-tests by an approved device whilst back at the station). Apparently an internal royal mail investigation would take place. Wonder what those who are responsible for undertaking this investigation will say to the DOM/Line Manager

[axeman]

gaza on the panel ? perhaps