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Fancy a pint.

16th December 2004
Page 31
Page 31, 16th December 2004 — Fancy a pint.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

With drug and alcohol use in the workplace of greater concern than ever, particularly at this time of year, Julian

Milines visits a company

specialising in educating and enlightening everyone, from the shop floor to the MD, of the potential risks.

Just as Christmas is associated with friends, family and belt-busting dinners, so it is with over-indulgence in alcohol. There is more temptation at this time of year than any other to have that last extra drink before retiring for bed. But here's a sobering fact (excuse the pun): three pints of Continental-strength lager takes approximately 10 hours to completely leave the system.

That means that if you leave the pub at closing time you would only be able to legally drive a vehicle at 9am the next day; and this in an industry not known for it's mid-morning starts. However, Roger Singer thinks he might have the answer to this seasonal problem. He's MD of Avoidd, a training and education firm which specialises in providing information on drink and drugs to company owners, fleet mangers and drivers alike.

At a recent presentation he argued that firms need to ensure they have systems in place to deal with these problems or face possible prosecution of the company and/or its directors. He says: "With the introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter Bill companies need to be proactive when it comes to the subject of driving under the influence. Even if that just means setting out a company policy so there is something to refer to." Avoidd claims it can provide this policy. along with courses that cover all the key areas a company may have to address when changing its policy, including managing the change and conflict.

The presentation included practical exercises such as lining up drinks in terms of strength and hours taken for the body to process it and identifying different types of drugs and their paraphernalia, and the changes associated with their use. A variety of cheap drug testing kits are now available.

Electronic breathalysers are also available, along with another gadget to prevent drinkdriving: ignition interlocks. These are devices that prevent the truck being driven until the driver has blown into a breath tester — and the engine will not fire up if a driver is detected as being over the drink-drive limit.

Being proactive about this issue will not only reduce your drivers' conviction rates; it could also have a positive effect on insurance premiums. Lee Brett, loss control consultant for Zurich Insurance, says: "Insurers are far more interested these days in the customer's risk management than in the past.A scheme such as this will always have a positive effect on how a fleet's run, though visible reductions in claims may have to be shown when negotiating premiums."

Contacts

www.drinkdrive co. uk www.r isks h itteis. co . u k


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