Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) reports “higher than average use” of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) by employees in the construction, manufacturing and transport industries.
Ai Group has singled out the particular dangers of the Ice epidemic for the construction, manufacturing and transport industries in a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement’s inquiry into crystal methamphetamine.
“Ai Group’s submission highlights research which demonstrates that employers in the construction, manufacturing and transport industries are particularly affected given both the higher than average use of Ice by employees in these industries and the industry prevalence of heavy machinery and vehicle operation,” Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said.
Mr Willox said the supply and usage of Ice creates significant risks to work health and safety across these industries.
“These are industries where work health and safety is paramount and Ice users are placing the lives of their co-workers and the community at greater risk.”
Despite safety concerns, Mr Willox said union opposition to workplace drug and alcohol testing has inhibited employers from managing work health and safety risks. He said that only when an incident occurs or testing is conducted will Ice usage be revealed. Willox calls for unions to “drop their opposition and accept drug and alcohol testing regimes that will deter drug and alcohol use and lead to safer working environments.”
In addition to workplace drug and alcohol testing regimes, Ai Group’s submission includes a number of recommendations for tackling Ice usage.
