THE INSTITUTION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
Minute of the 116th Meeting of the Edinburgh Branch
Donaldson’s College for the Deaf, Edinburgh at 1330 on Thursday 8th June 2000
SEDERUNT
C E White R Lovering J Baker S Mitchell R Brownlie
J McCraith L Young J Glen J Cowen I O’Neill
J Renwick A Day R Oliver G McNab T Reynolds
A Falconer R Paterson A Speake C Baltie T McAllerton
I Craig J Roddin J Craig S Ashton V Jigajinni
J Berry S Wilson M Bancroft R McLean M Batho
A Green D Forfar G Sutherland M Johnstone G Anderson
R Reed K Lloyd D Devey J Smith
Plus Visitors and Guests
APOLOGIES
K Wilson I Murray G Lyall L Beattie S Page
B Pill D Brown B Howden
1.0 CHAIRMAN Richard Lovering
R Lovering, Vice Chair having received the apologies from the Chairman took the Chair. The Secretary explaining the reason for the change of venue but appreciating the grandeur of the Great Hall opened the meeting. Mention was made of the Council Meeting being held in Glasgow and the Government and HSC Revitalising Health and Safety Strategy Statement. Again the members were reminded of the importance of carrying their IOSH membership cards as the college security procedures must be adhered to. The RMCT had been won during the month by S Ashton (bit fly) and a successful event – socials are an active part of the Branch.
2.0 MINUTES
The 115th Minute – May 2000 – was tabled. The Minute was proposed by L Young and seconded by R McLean as a true and accurate record. There were no amendments but it was noted that the fuller text of the paper given by the HSC Commissioner Margaret Burns had been included.
3.0 MATTERS ARISING
4.0 CORRESPONDENCE 4.1 Letters -
4.2 Facsimile&
4.3 E-mail
4.4 Membership
The Branch has a Grand Total of 758 Members and a full break down was made available; this included 238 Corporate, 365 Associates and 40 Tech Sp
4.5 Minutes
Copies of all the above mentioned correspondence was made available for the Members present. Further information is available upon request from the Secretary.
5.0 BRANCH EDUCATION OFFICER L Young
Mention was made of the number of portfolios being submitted for up-grading purposes and the additional work this entails. The number of Tech SP is still increasing and another workshop is to be programmed after the Summer Break. It will be in conjunction with the other Scottish Branches.
6.0 SPECIALIST GROUPS
6.1 MAPS CO-ORDINATOR M Johnstone
6.2 CONSTRUCTION R McLean
6.3 HEALTH and ENVIRONMENT J Smith
7.0 MEMBERS ITEMS
8.0 GUEST SPEAKERS
The afternoon talk was divided into two parts covering Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace and two Speakers were introduced as Steven Jeffery, Grampian Health Board and Brian King Euromed.
Steven Jaffery opened the first session by introducing himself and indicating that he was employed by Health Promotions of the Grampian Health Board. Health Promotions of GHB consider ways of improving the health of individuals in the Grampian Area; they also promote SHAW
Drugs Programme
The drugs programme was seen as just one piece of a much larger jigsaw aimed at total employee health. It needed to consider not just the drugs, but also the physical and mental health effects on the individuals from the basic lifestyle which they were following.
Why take drugs
There are a lot of theories on why drugs are taken and the often followed misconception is that it is following fits of depression or some other similar negative reasons, whereas Steven indicated they believe the reasons are much more positive in their origin. Drugs being taken for – enjoyment (the individuals liked the feelings it gave them) – relaxation (a way of getting away from the hustle of modern lifestyle) – to socialize (to join in with the rest of a group)
Why Have a Drugs Policy?
There is a firm belief that there is a need for a defined written statement. This will clarify the rules and procedure which will be followed so that employees know where they stand. The policy should indicate what levels of support would be offered and they should be consistent with all other workplace assistance and discipline codes of practice within the Organisation
The Policy
The policy should indicate what it is included as being a Drug – also indicated that any wording in the policy was better to quote USE rather than misuse or abuse in order to gain a level of clarity.
The rational behind having a drugs policy for some Companies was seen as
The policy operational issues were seen mainly to be a balance between health and discipline and raising awareness and basic training could assist in the effective introduction of such a policy particularly if this also included testing
Summary
The strategic approach which Health Promotions felt was he correct programme of events should be –
Raise awareness and this would includes management training and staff awareness
Provide support for any change
Consider the holistic conditions of Health in the Workplace as a whole
A short session of questions relating specifically to policy issue was then answered.
This was followed by the second presentation -
Brian King of Euromed then took the platform to speak on the topic of drugs testing. Euromed had been formed some 3 years ago with the specific aim of introducing urine testing which could be undertaken at the workplace rather than involving detailed laboratory testing procedures
Impact of drugs/alcohol misuse on Organisations
The effects were considered to be immense and included – theft; impaired performance; accidents; absenteeism sickness absence; reduced efficiency.
Drug categories
Stimulants - Uppers – These make everything seem as if they are going faster
Heart rate – thoughts – speech – the body
Depressants – Downers – These slow everything down including
Heart rate – thoughts - speech – body movements
Hallucinogens – These can alter the way a person sees, hears, feels things causing
Hallucinations – impaired judgement – confusion
Company Policy Statement
Many Companies have in place an alcohol policy but seem not to have considered one for drugs. The policy must be carefully thought out including all its implications. Implementation of this policy should be fair and apply to all levels of employees. The policy should also include some form of policing so that it is seen to be taken seriously.
Summary
The speaker believes that no policy is worth the paper it is written upon unless it is policed and the SureStep Drug Screen Card is =
Accurate – reliable – repeatable – inexpensive – user friendly – easy to read –5 min. results
The Chairman voiced a Vote of Thanks and small tokens of the Members appreciation were offered – the members responded warmly. Full copies of the papers are available from the Secretary upon request
9.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Members were reminded that the next meeting had been set at:
Thursday 14 September 2000 at 1330, Donaldson’s College, West Coates
With the topic being
Gas Safety
Mr P Barrett, Head of Construction, Lauder College
10.0 CLOSURE
The Chairman thanked all for their attendance and contribution and bade them a safe journey homeward; then closed the meting with the invitation to have tea and then mingle.
Christopher E White
MBE FIOSH RSP, Branch Secretary Brian A Pill FIOSH RSP, Branch Chairman Return to top of this page