Pilots flying high

Link to Original: http://3degree.cci.ecu.edu.au/articles/view/460

Pilots flying high
By Glenn Knight
26 May 2006

Mandatory drug testing for aviation safety sensitive personnel will be come mandatory under new regulations introduced this month by the Federal Government.

The Federal Government has announced new mandatory drug and alcohol testing requirements for aviation industry workers this month.

Federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Warren Truss, has said that the new regulations will be aimed at safety-sensitive personnel.

“The road transport industry and other sectors such as mining and forestry have already moved to address the safety risk posed by drug and alcohol use. It is appropriate for the aviation sector to do likewise,” said Truss.

The move comes after a report prepared by the Department of Transport and Regional Services and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) found estimates of between 5-8% of all pilots had alcohol or drug abuse problems.

The report found that aviation personnel should not be treated differently from the rest of the community in relation to substance abuse. It deemed that where it is appropriate for safety reasons that those employed in the aviation industry be subject to testing..

Australia’s biggest airline Qantas has welcomed the government’s decision. Qantas Executive General Manager People, Kevin Brown, has said that the new requirements are complementary to the airline's existing Alcohol and Other Drugs program.

“Our program was introduced in 2003 after extensive consultation with employees and provides for education and training, rehabilitation and testing for all employees,” Brown said.

According to Brown, Qantas has always maintained a zero blood alcohol and drug free policy within the workplace. Under the new regulations they will incorporate random testing into existing procedures.

“The Alcohol and Other Drugs program is part of our comprehensive occupational health and safety system and is one element of our commitment to providing a safe workplace for everyone at Qantas,” he said.

Regulation 256 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, states that the use of drugs and alcohol by aircraft crew and air traffic controllers is prohibited whilst on duty and for eight hours prior to duty. They are also precluded from duty if affected by drugs and alcohol.

The report also found that in a survey conducted in June 2005, that 22.5% of the 1196 pilots who responded felt that in the previous 12 months, safety may have been compromised by alcohol, drugs or prescription medicine. This figure rises to 25.7% when private operations are discounted.

Similar testing in the United States saw over 30,000 positive tests reported between 1990 and 2003. The majority of these (21,000) were the result of pre-employment testing.

British authorities are also investigating the issue. Spurred by a number of incidents, they too have introduced legislation allowing “on suspicion” testing by police.

However calls for random testing were strengthened by an incident in February 2005 where a Pakistan International Airlines, Boeing 747 pilot was found to be drunk prior to departure.

The report recommended that random testing be used as it acts a “pro-active deterrent” on those who consider drug and alcohol use and abuse. It recommended that a flexible mix of testing be adopted that included, pre-employment, random, on suspicion, post incident and post treatment where appropriate.

Zero tolerance for certain illicit drug groups, including cocaine, marijuana, opiates, amphetamines and phencyclidine (commonly known as PCP) was also recommended.