TfL’s Drug and Alcohol Assessment and Treatment Service, part 1

Part 1: assessment, treatment and return to work

Summary:

In the first of a two-part series, Occupational Health [at Work] editor John Ballard visits Transport for London’s unique in-house Drug and Alcohol Assessment and Treatment Service, which this year celebrates 25 years in operation.

Transport for London (TfL) employs around 27,000 people in a variety of roles, from data analysts to designers. Many employees work in safety-critical jobs, such as train operators and trackside engineers, keeping the Capital’s transport network, including the Tube, moving. Like any of Britain’s railways, the London Underground is subject to the requirements of the Transport and Works Act 1992. Part 2 of the Act makes it an offence for any driver, guard, conductor, signal person or anyone working in a maintenance capacity to be unfit for work due to drink or drugs (section 27), with police given the powers to breathalyse (section 29) and arrest (section 30) workers where they have reasonable suspicion of intoxication…

 

Dr John Ballard, editor Occupational Health [at Work]

 

Author: Ballard J

Tags driving fitness for work Rehabilitation Return to work substance misuse

Occupational Health at Work December/January 2018/2019 (vol. 15/4) pp16-20

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