What are some pros about drug testing in a warehouse??

Answer 1

Warehouses are busy (at times noisy) places that can be quite dangerous. A warehouse may be full of dangerous chemicals etc. Staff are operating equipment (Fork lifts, perhaps hoists, climbing ladders etc). In such places all who work there must be alert, have good decision making skills and be ready to react to events at times in a split second.

Staff have the right to work in a safe environment. Meaning people should be able to go to work and not have their lives put at risk (thousands of people die in workplace accidents each year around the world). They should be able to return home to their loved ones, free of injury at the end of their work day. Employers have a responsibilitiy to ensure a safe workplace for all within their employ. This may mean testing that people are fit for work. Pilots, Captains of Ships, Train Drivers, Bus Drivers, Truck Drivers and many other occupation groups are subject to drug and alcohol testing. Ask yourself - would you like to be in a plane being piloted by someone who was off his/her face on drugs or alcohol??

Drug testing helps to minimise the risks. Many drugs affect a persons functioning level - alertness, understanding of what is happening around them etc. Some drugs cause people to feel as if they are invinsible - and people affected by them may do things that are plain dangerous. Alcohol can have the same effect as drugs. Drugs do not have to be illicit drugs, many prescription and over the counter drugs can have the same effect. Look at the label on some antibiotics, cough medicines - "This medication can cause drowsiness - do not operate, vehicles, equipment and machinery if you are taking this medication"

I would like to know that if I was in a warehouse working that I would not put my colleagues at risk - by taking drugs that effected my functioning at work and vica - versa. I think many companies have tried to tackle this potential problem in other ways - but the only way they can help is to have drug testing.
Most people are not going to rock up to their boss and tell them that they are taking illegal drugs. Many people wont even tell their employer that they are taking prescription medicine. However; I think that if someone is taking prescription medication and they are able to work - they should be given other duties for the time that they are taking the medicine - so that they do not go without pay and suffer financially. So if there is drug testing at a workplace - then employers also need to provide other duties for employers in this situation. In respect to illegal drugs - well they are illegal whether people agree or disagree and an employer can only act within the laws of their State or Nation.

Answer 2

It can make your liability insurance go WAY down! Also, you won't have to pay as much in workers compensation (either $ to the employees, or for WC insurance). Statistically speaking, drug use (on OR off the job) increases the likelihood that someone will get injured on the job astronomically.

Answer 3

Assuring that you don't have a meth fiend driving your forklift lowers your insurance premiums.