In The US as in Australia, safety and aviation go hand in hand. Government, the general public and the aviation industry itself expect and require that safety sensitive personnel are free from the effects of drugs and alcohol. Drug and alcohol screening is a component part of this safety and quality assurance – an assurance all of us have a right to in the age of frequent flying and globalization.
In the United States flying the friendly skies has become much safer since the U.S. Department of Labor adopted safety standards for all industries involved in public transportation, instituting mandatory drug testing and alcohol testing for those industries. The Drug Abatement Division of the Federal Aviation Administration is in charge of developing, implementing and monitoring drug alcohol testing for all of those involved in the aviation industry. The regulations also apply to those working as air traffic controllers that are not directly operated by the FAA or under control of the military.
Risk of impaired aviation employees
In addition to the obvious dangers of pilots being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, others in the aviation industry can also place their fellow employees and passengers at risk. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) established drug alcohol testing rules to ensure the safety of everyone associated with the industry. Everyone, from those working the ticket counters to baggage handlers, as well as those who provide customer service that can affect the health and safety of all involved, are therefore subject to aviation drug and alcohol policies. There is a parallel situation in Australia, with the ongoing and random testing of safety sensitive personnel.
Safety is a priority for aviation
There are numerous smaller airports that do not fall under the direction of the FAA but the agency’s drug alcohol testing rules apply to them as well. Mandatory testing for all airline employees however, currently only applies to the facilities under FAA control. Alcohol testing, for example is mandatory for all commercial pilots and control tower workers in all facilities, but pilots with a private license are under no such demand. It may be therefore more possible for those flying smaller aircraft without mandated alcohol drug testing to take off, consume alcohol or take drugs and take flying to another, more dangerous level. However, in Australia the legislation covers all pilots and light as well as heavy aircraft are not permitted to use drugs or alcohol or be under the influence of these substances.
Why a drug free environment is necessary
It seems obvious that pilots, having the responsibility for the airplane’s passengers, as well as the plane itself, should be subjected to frequent alcohol drug testing. But possibly less obvious is the need to ensure a drug and alcohol free environment for other aviation employees -especially those that work on the ground could be danger to others on the ground and to the aircraft if their judgment is impaired; therefore, the mandatory drug alcohol testing rules help maintain a high level of safety and security on the ground as well as in the air.
Maintaining vigilance is crucial to aviation safety
Those whose work remains largely within the terminals can also become a risk to themselves and passengers if all policies and procedures are not followed. Aviation security is an important part of aviation safety and workers who are under the influence could become lax in their observations, allowing risks to planes and passengers to exist without being noticed. Mandatory FAA alcohol drug testing policies are in place to help maintain a safe harbor in the skies.
Mediscreen understands the acutely important requirements of the aviation industry globally. As a company operating nationally in Australia, Mediscreen offers quality onsite screening programmes that can help to ensure and safeguard against the dangerous mix of drugs and alcohol and aeroplanes and airports. If you require a clear onsite screening programme that can be developed to your requirements while according with legislative needs, speak with Mediscreen on 1300 797040
References:
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/drug_alcohol/
