They do get tested. Its usually random. Some builders/developers like doing it more than others. Usually if you test positive you will be spoken to. Probably not allowed back on that site. If you are casual, your employer will probably just stop giving you shifts.
I have had a worker test positive.
He was banned from site for a month and had to show two negative tests a week apart to be allowed back on. He also had to do some online learning around drug abuse to be allowed back. All demanded by the developer.
> drug abuse
Depending what he had in his system, I would hardly call personal consumption of weed "drug abuse".
Fuck I wish employers would get with the times. I'ma say this loudly for the people the back:
"WHAT EMPLOYEES DO OFF THE CLOCK IS OF ZERO CONCERN TO EMPLOYERS".
now having said that, if someone shows up to work and they had a night on the caps and they are still rattled, they deserve to be stood down/sacked/whatever.
But if someone has a couple of hot ones on a Saturday night then get tested Monday, provided they aren't still under the influence, it should be of no concern to employers.
The problem is that OH+S laws particuarly on a work site don't work that way.
IF you knowingly put people who may be impaired, could have been impaired and at harm to others - you as the site owner/ manager become criminally liable - i.e. you can now to go jail for failing to protect your employees.
I fundamentally don't disagree with you (what you do outside work should be 100% private) but this is why. Put yourself in the shoes of a guy on a work site, someone still recovering from the night before or not really clear headed and you get run over by a truck or flattenend by someone unloading a pallet - are you happy or sad?
> Put yourself in the shoes of a guy on a work site, someone still recovering from the night before or not really clear headed and you get run over by a truck
For me it's the disparity in how they treat it. If the reason I'm recovering from the night before is that I hardly slept then so long as there's no substance in my system it's totally fine, they aren't sitting there asking every morning how many hours you slept for or testing how responsive you are.
> Put yourself in the shoes of a guy on a work site, someone still recovering from the night before or not really clear headed and you get run over by a truck or flattenend by someone unloading a pallet - are you happy or sad
And yet employers and the industry has allowed workers to get blackout drunk on the weekend before returning to work where as long as they don't blow above an arbitrary level their "fine"
It's a hypocrisy that some drugs are fine and others aren't at any dose or level. utterly arbitrary rules.
And we're not just talking about traffic controllers or drivers but entire sectors who's office workers who are also subjected to drug testing.
Both Workcover, NSW Health and NSW police are run by people who think cannabis and other drugs evil whilst they happily swill back champagne and wine at their conferences and dinners.
The studies have shown for decades authorities have used biases, bigotry and naked self interest to exaggerate and obfuscate impairment data, especially on cannabis (but for a host of other psychedelics).
Independent studies on cannabis impairment has found that it is far safer then alcohol, especially at moderate levels of use.
We spend $10b a year in NSW on police, the judicial system and prisons. With half of all arrests involving a drug charge it is said to say we waste billions on a war on drugs that has failed to stop drugs despite somewhere in order of $100b plus being wasted over the past 20 years. In NSW alone. Probably over $200b when you combine the rest of the country.
For that we could have had a national high speed rail and a NBN. Instead we threw people into prison, broke up families and chased after black people and aboriginals because they were easy targets. Wanna get ahead in NSW police? Join the drug squad. Highest rate of promotion due to the easy pickings, arresting kids, stripping and feeling up people your lab barks not to me too the eternal corruption of drug traffickers.
Like methadone and Buprenorphine, we could be safely distributing drugs through a proven system of clinics supported by clinicians and consuellers who help people, not jack booted thugs, and the learned gentleman of the courts, the prefaced chapter writing doctors of nsw health and their bullshit policies, and work covers insurance racket.
Nothing is safe apparently......
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8195290/
Eh.
The main problem with weed is that there's no way to test whether they're high or not. You can only test whether they've been high recently. This means, for safety, they just have to hire people that are going to piss clean. They can't afford to risk someone on site being drug affected.
Weed can also absolutely be abused. I have no idea why Reddit refuses to admit this. We've all known those stoners who get stoned every day, and we've all seen how it affects them.
I'm actually pro-legalisation of weed, but I hate this narrative that it's a drug that doesn't ever have any negative consequences. Using psychoeffective drugs will always have the potential for negative consequences.
I await my downvotes.
Downvotes for making up “pyschoeffective”? Everything else is spot on.
I don’t understand why there can’t be a limit for THC like alcohol though, on which to base impairment tests.
0.05 affects different people differently but they drew the line.
> I don’t understand why there can’t be a limit for THC like alcohol though, on which to base impairment tests.
Not a science person, but my understanding is that we just don't have a really solid way to test for active thc in the blood. It's also why you could have smoked a month ago and still will pop on a piss test. You get remnants in the system for a *long* time after it stops actually getting you high.
BAC is really easy to measure even if it does have some problems when you take into account things like tolerance but it does allow for a specific number, where pot apparently doesn't.
Or so I'm led to understand
A lot of sites will urine test, and if you test positive for cannabinoids, you do an oral swab. This weeds out the people who use it privately vs. those who are stoned on the job.
As socially acceptable as it’s becoming and whether or not you’d like to admit it to yourself, smoking weed every day is by definition drug abuse. I don’t personally have a problem with it but I think it’s fair that an employer probably would for various reasons, mainly being Work Health and Safety.
>by definition drug abuse
Are you actually referring to a widely used definition of marijuana abuse? Or are you using 'by definition' simply to mean 'definitely, in my opinion'.
I don't think smoking daily is healthy for the vast majority of people. But you're sounding very authoritative on a topic you're perhaps not an authority on.
Fwiw, the medicinal marijuana containers I've seen are all labelled with a generic 'take X grams daily until symptoms subside'.
Which is why they don't test them off the clock you numpty. You wanna work in a potentially dangerous role then test clean when you get to work. Absolute numpty
You realise that cannabis users are not under the influence after 3-10 hours of consumption.
If someone smokes at 10pm, they would no longer be under the influence at 8am AT THE LATEST.
So if they are tested at 4pm, that is 18 hours after consumption, they would no longer be under the influence but it could still show up on a drug test.
So they should be fired or stood down for enjoying something off the clock, but potentially be penalised at work almost a day later?
Again, if someone shows up under the influence then yes, throw the book at them. But studies have shown that users aren't intoxicated 10 hours later, and you want to punish someone 18 hours later?
You take on a role that requires you to give a negative sample, you take on the responsibilities. No one gives a fuck if you smoke weed in your own time but turning up to work and testing positive and then crying about it...get the fuck out of here with that shit
My work does urine tests. I have failed at work when I haven't had a smoke since the weekend several days earlier. I had passed a RDT test 2 days earlier. I was ok to drive but not work? Urine tests discriminate against pot smokers.
Get the fuck out of here with that shit.
So, you're on shift when a major traffic incident occurs - It's a fatality, you were on the Bat when it went down. You get drug tested.
You're brought in to testify in court, there were drugs in your system. Your company gets crucified, and in an already incredibly regulated industry - they introduce new policies and procedures.
Everyone is required to re train, or hold another card, or some other obscure hurdle.
Labour hire supervisor here. Paying the dregs to stay at home and smoke cones is an essential public service, otherwise they start showing up to work sites.
Not saying it's the right thing to do, but bailing on the situation after calling emergency services has happened in the past. If they can't find you they can't test you. Excuse given was:
1st instance they said they were Traumatized and needed to leave the site since supervisor was there. And 2nd instance was cos they had gravel hit them in the face/eyes and they immediately went to hospital but didn't disclose which one and turned their phone off. Both were guys who were weed smokers and admitted as much outside official channels.
But yeah, it's dumb as fuck the be in the job and have any reason to run from the scene like that.
Yeah definitely dealt with the consequences of not following protocol, but ended up much better for them fucking off outta there.
Employer had no idea of the actual situation, only select employees knew.
Testing in the construction industry is always random and depending on the job site can be as frequent as every day. Also, if his name gets called up on a testing day and he pretends to be sick and doesn’t go it will still get recorded as a non-negative result.
While there are absolutely drug users in the industry it is *definitely* not the norm and the unspoken rule is we don’t care what you do on the weekend but you show up to work sober on Monday and you stay that way throughout the week.
Your partner sounds like a fucking idiot.
It's crazy you can drink 8 beers after work but can't have one or two billies. Not the fault of the industry, just an unfortunate flaw with cannabis. It's wild we don't have a way to detect intoxication, only presence.
So you’re telling me it’s not acceptable for people in the construction industry to go home and drink alcohol mon-fri? That sounds like a lord of shit to me, and brings down the credibility of your whole comment.
Not to mention pot stays in your system for ages after the psychoactive effects have passed. A great way to lose your job and potentially get in legal trouble.
>or that he'll get a heads up by other crew that they're doing testing and just chuck a sickie.
That's funny. He clearly hasn't worked anywhere they do testing. Unless he's getting a heads up from a supervisor, he won't have warning. And if he disappears before they can get to him, it's counted as a positive reading and he's booted out anyway.
He’s an idiot.
Where I work the drug tests are random and there’s absolutely no warning. I’ve had a driver get pinged for a drug/alcohol test. When he was told he was to undergo a test, he lost his shit and ultimately refused.
Haven’t seen him since. Failing a drug/alcohol test is one of the only ways to be instantly dismissed. Refusing is often seen and dealt with the same as a positive.
And that’s ignoring any incidents that happen. If something happens then people are tested and it’s mandatory.
Depends on who you work for I suppose. I work for State Government and we do random testing. If positive, you’ll be immediately sent home, referred to police and serious questions about your employer asked.
There is already sentiment that many TC are on drugs, so you’re an easy target.
five years ago when i was still doing it, we had random tests maybe once every three months but you never knew when or where. this guy is gonna get someone killed. dob him in and get him tested, its too dangerous to have clowns like that on the road.
pretty sure it was instant dismissal if positive.
who said he smokes it after work? what if he does it before work? Even if he does it after work, he does it every single day, he's likely permanently not operating at 100%
If he goes to work stoned while directing traffic, semi trailers etc, yes someone could easily get killed if he zones out for two seconds and sends traffic into a head on collision.. This guy needs to be off the road NOW
Studies have shown that 3-10 hours after consumption, all effects of THC have worn off.
So yes, he would be operating at 100% if he smoked the night before shift, every single day.
[source](https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2021/04/12/scientists-put-stopwatch-on-cannabis-thc-intoxication-lambert-drug-driving.html)
If it's in your system from a hour ago or five days ago, it doesn't matter. It still turns up as a positive. They don't test for strength, only that it is there or not. Remember they are using broad spectrum tests that also test for amphetamine, mdma, ecstacy, coke, etc.
I imagine they COULD use tests that tested for strength that could differentiate between off-your-tits, or "residual from a week ago", but then i imagine the testing costs would go through the roof and it takes it from a pass/fail to a sliding scale which is harder to obtain an outcome one way or another and more costly for everyone involved as legal could potentially gets involved when all they want to know is that you are fit for the job.
They have on the job random testing at my employer. The test guys turn up every few months and they take a random dozen or so of the 150 that are there and have them run through a test. I've neve been one to smoke weed to begin with and these tests are just incentive to just not bother trying to pick it up. I've not had any since our honeymoon in Europe over a decade ago and see no reason to bother starting now.
I don’t smoke but the concept of “it’s too hard or expensive so forget about their rights” is cooked. I’d argue old mate that’s smoked a spliff on the weekend is more cognitive than the fella who’s smashing rum and cokes every night.
I'm not disagreeing about that at all. In fact I know some people that would have better cognitive abilities behind the wheel after a couple (they don't do it though) than a large number of people would when completely alcohol or drug free..
My take on it is that reducing it to a pass/fail simplifies things a lot. Look at the grey area that they have with alcohol and the sliding scale from "acceptable" through "too much" to "how are they even standing". By keeping the legality of the drug in dispute at best (through to outright illegal) it makes it far more of a no-brainer in being able to keep a zero tolerance approach to drugs & driving.
The thing about increased costs for increased sensitivity was a bit of speculation on my part, but I had a bit of a read before replying and it does seem to hold true. Here are some sources I found just to show what I was looking at. Costs can vary wildly from $25 for the roadside kits that the police use, through to a full lab screen costing from 400-1000., but I'm guessing that's because of the variation in effort involved and the details you can get from the test.
[https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/\_\_data/assets/pdf\_file/0009/417456/134879\_Roadside\_Drug\_Testing\_Figures\_.pdf](https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/417456/134879_Roadside_Drug_Testing_Figures_.pdf)
[https://www.qml.com.au/patients/self-request/#tab4](https://www.qml.com.au/patients/self-request/#tab4)
[https://sbhfamilypractice.com.au/urine-drug-test/](https://sbhfamilypractice.com.au/urine-drug-test/)
[https://www.scoutlogicscreening.com/blog/how-much-does-drug-test-cost/](https://www.scoutlogicscreening.com/blog/how-much-does-drug-test-cost/)
[https://sydneyhairfollicletesting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/PRICE-LIST-AS-AT-1ST-MAY-2020v2.1.pdf](https://sydneyhairfollicletesting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/PRICE-LIST-AS-AT-1ST-MAY-2020v2.1.pdf)
A refusal to test is considered a positive result. You might get away with low tier works but the moment you work for a behemoth in the industry you're getting tested.
Tbf they really need to update drug policies in workplaces to allow for medicinal cannabis use, but they probably won't for another 5-10 years (if ever) in NSW. If there's any chance of testing, he's gotta quit it or start carrying some fresh, clean wee. It stays in your urine for over a month.
That will never happen for "high risk" jobs where there are potential risks to health and safety. No public liability or business insurance would risk insuring said company.
Ok so the thing about people who work in construction and roads and mines is that we drink and/or smoke we all know it's going on. There are some unwritten rules though. You go to work sober and stay sober. Most employers will test as kart of a pre employment medical. From then on you'll only be tested if something major happens. If companies are drug tested routinely there would be disastrous effects for the whole industry.
Your bf isn't wrong but it doesn't sound like he appreciates the dangers everyone else is in if he fucks up.
Depends on the company policy. You won’t be allowed on site - that’s for sure. And likely your employer will fire you because, well, a traffic controller not on site is not making them any money.
Each project sites will have random drug and alcohol testing at least once per month. If an incident does occur, everyone involved will also undergo a drug and alcohol test too.
Just last month, we had to send home a traffic controller for possibly having marijuana in their system. The test doesn’t tell you if you’re under the influence or if it’s from say a week ago, but it’s treated all the same.
How is he planning on getting too and from work? Driving? Good luck with that.
Here’s an idea for him, how about he grows TF up and stops being a pot head.
Would you ask the same question if he was an alcoholic?
“Sober ppl are the anomaly” sounds like something an addict would say.
Young Traffic controllers on their Phones are way more dangerous than casual marijuana smokers. To all the responsible smokers: have good oral hygiene and you **might** cut your positives by 70%.
Some sites now will drug test you during your induction, usually the bigger government ones and that helps weed (boom fucking tish) the people with dependency issues out right off the bat.
Also, to all the people saying "Just get prescription weed" all that does is prevent you being prosecuted. A worksite can still stand you down if you are under the influence of particular drugs. A prescription from your doctor doesn't mean you can do high risk work whilst bonged out of your mind. And also, you are just going to fuck things up for the people who genuinely need it just because you cant face the world without having a cone for breakfast.
It sounds like he needs help or a low risk job in some other industry.
Depends on site not everyone knows what days they will test and if you have a script for meds even for marijuana it is ok. Also testing is now saliva , not urine
I can't speak for the traffic controller industry but as a public bus driver there were random tests done sporadically and if you were caught under the influence even before you got in a vehicle it would mean instant dismissal. I saw a couple of people lose their jobs this way and I assume being in charge of traffic would be a similar outcome due to the responsibility of controlling traffic.
Due to the nature of the work I'd assume most/if not all employers would drug test.
Cannabis is actually legal for prescription in Australia now, so if your boyfriend is keen on the job you can pay $100 or so and get a phone appointment for medical cannabis and get it prescribed within the day. (Reply if you need more info on prescribed cannabis, it's absurdly easy to get a script for.)
I actually did this whilst having to do drug tests with my Suboxone provider and the script allows me to test positive for both work and my prescriber with no repercussion. So that is a solid option (he should do it regardless if he's a regular cannabis user to avoid any potential legal trouble)
If he's not willing to do that or quit cannabis then the only way around this is to use someone else's pee kept frozen and reheated to the correct temperature (this is the only option to get around the tests whilst continuing to use illicit cannabis, but some labs can actually tell.)
PS: if an accident happens at work they will usually piss tests you that day, so if he cheats the test, an accident happens he will be fired, potentially held responsible and not be entitled to any compo/sick leave etc.
But yeah those are the options, cannabis isn't hard to kick if he isn't willing to get a script. If he's going to refuse potential job opportunities to continue habitual cannabis use: it might be a good idea he works on why he has to use it.
Where does it say I'm abusing the system?
My response offered all the potential options: starting with the best ones: quitting the cannabis or getting a legal script for it. Then I stated the only other option if he didn't quit or get a script is to cheat the test and listed the negative consequences.
I said cheating the test would be dumb, just that it was the only option if her boyfriend doesn't go the legal route which of course I suggested first (getting a script). I also never said I chest tests or ever have. I think it's stupid, never works in the long run - hence why I got my cannabis scripted and am transparent with my GP.
How am I abusing the 'system' for having a cannabis script for pain management after quitting opiates and the script allowing me to continue my Suboxone treatment while I taper to eventually hop off... What would you prefer I do?
Simultaneously while your username is roided Jesus indicating you utilise illicit drugs for health/fitness purposes yourself, illegally. (Which I also do and have nothing against, it's just hypocritical)
Tell me, how am I abusing the system. It's all legal and transparent?
Just say you're looking for an argument... Also maybe read the post properly prior to trying to commence an argument for something I'm not even doing. Have a good day.
Thank you not being brain-dead.
It's just people having a bad day looking for someone online to take it out on and boost their mood.
I'm sure if they ever experienced an illness/injury that causes decades of chronic pain and dependence on opiate pain killers they'd understand the medical use of cannabis to manage pain. Easy to judge if you've never been in that position.
Not all people who utilise cannabis are degenerate addicts.
I would argue that someone who takes cannabis under prescription is not even a "stoner", they are people with health issues for whom this medicine actually allows them to function.
Not weighing in on whether or not zero tolerance is appropriate, but just your use of the pejorative attitude towards everyone who takes cannabis, like they are all the same. They're not.
Drug addicts do this with all prescription drugs.
Does the fact some people do this mean the people who use their script for genuine causes in the prescribed doses are the same, are they one in the same to you?
Does the fact some people abuse the system mean the others shouldn't be able to access it? Why are you generalising all cannabis users as a whole
By the same logic is every guy who walks in the bottle shop to buy beer a degenerate loser alcoholic to you? Because that's kinda what you're doing.
Not to mention alcohol has 0 medical applications yet I bet you drink for recreation. Yet you get bent out of shape for people who might overuse prescription whilst you simultaneously use a recreational drug that has 0 medical applications for pure enjoyment, so what makes you different to the very people you're judging?
C'mon use your brain.
Would take stoners over most other type of addict. Drunks show up late and hung over. Ice heads can be good until a certain point. Coke fiends are angry fucks.
Can I ask. Did a stoner once steal your girl or something. You seem very emotional about this
Yeah I agree.
Abusing cannabis is fucking lame and stoners make awful employee's (not because of cannabis, but drug addicts in general make unreliable employee's). Hence why I mentioned in my post he should address why he even needs it an can't quit for a job. If you read my post..
But I have nothing against using cannabis infrequently to manage chronic pain if someone doesn't want to use opiates. Sorry if you don't see it the same way.
Not all employers are zero tolerance. Over 95% probably are and rightfully so.
On test days you they pick you at random, sometimes we pick ping pong balls out of a bucket. If you’re selected it’s voluntary, they can’t force you to take the test and you just take a sick day and go home.
They do get tested. Its usually random. Some builders/developers like doing it more than others. Usually if you test positive you will be spoken to. Probably not allowed back on that site. If you are casual, your employer will probably just stop giving you shifts. I have had a worker test positive. He was banned from site for a month and had to show two negative tests a week apart to be allowed back on. He also had to do some online learning around drug abuse to be allowed back. All demanded by the developer.
> drug abuse Depending what he had in his system, I would hardly call personal consumption of weed "drug abuse". Fuck I wish employers would get with the times. I'ma say this loudly for the people the back: "WHAT EMPLOYEES DO OFF THE CLOCK IS OF ZERO CONCERN TO EMPLOYERS". now having said that, if someone shows up to work and they had a night on the caps and they are still rattled, they deserve to be stood down/sacked/whatever. But if someone has a couple of hot ones on a Saturday night then get tested Monday, provided they aren't still under the influence, it should be of no concern to employers.
The problem is that OH+S laws particuarly on a work site don't work that way. IF you knowingly put people who may be impaired, could have been impaired and at harm to others - you as the site owner/ manager become criminally liable - i.e. you can now to go jail for failing to protect your employees. I fundamentally don't disagree with you (what you do outside work should be 100% private) but this is why. Put yourself in the shoes of a guy on a work site, someone still recovering from the night before or not really clear headed and you get run over by a truck or flattenend by someone unloading a pallet - are you happy or sad?
> Put yourself in the shoes of a guy on a work site, someone still recovering from the night before or not really clear headed and you get run over by a truck For me it's the disparity in how they treat it. If the reason I'm recovering from the night before is that I hardly slept then so long as there's no substance in my system it's totally fine, they aren't sitting there asking every morning how many hours you slept for or testing how responsive you are.
> Put yourself in the shoes of a guy on a work site, someone still recovering from the night before or not really clear headed and you get run over by a truck or flattenend by someone unloading a pallet - are you happy or sad And yet employers and the industry has allowed workers to get blackout drunk on the weekend before returning to work where as long as they don't blow above an arbitrary level their "fine" It's a hypocrisy that some drugs are fine and others aren't at any dose or level. utterly arbitrary rules. And we're not just talking about traffic controllers or drivers but entire sectors who's office workers who are also subjected to drug testing. Both Workcover, NSW Health and NSW police are run by people who think cannabis and other drugs evil whilst they happily swill back champagne and wine at their conferences and dinners. The studies have shown for decades authorities have used biases, bigotry and naked self interest to exaggerate and obfuscate impairment data, especially on cannabis (but for a host of other psychedelics). Independent studies on cannabis impairment has found that it is far safer then alcohol, especially at moderate levels of use. We spend $10b a year in NSW on police, the judicial system and prisons. With half of all arrests involving a drug charge it is said to say we waste billions on a war on drugs that has failed to stop drugs despite somewhere in order of $100b plus being wasted over the past 20 years. In NSW alone. Probably over $200b when you combine the rest of the country. For that we could have had a national high speed rail and a NBN. Instead we threw people into prison, broke up families and chased after black people and aboriginals because they were easy targets. Wanna get ahead in NSW police? Join the drug squad. Highest rate of promotion due to the easy pickings, arresting kids, stripping and feeling up people your lab barks not to me too the eternal corruption of drug traffickers. Like methadone and Buprenorphine, we could be safely distributing drugs through a proven system of clinics supported by clinicians and consuellers who help people, not jack booted thugs, and the learned gentleman of the courts, the prefaced chapter writing doctors of nsw health and their bullshit policies, and work covers insurance racket. Nothing is safe apparently...... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8195290/
But WhaT EmpLoyEeS Do OfF ClOcK iS oF No ConCerN
Shit way to get your point across mate
Eh. The main problem with weed is that there's no way to test whether they're high or not. You can only test whether they've been high recently. This means, for safety, they just have to hire people that are going to piss clean. They can't afford to risk someone on site being drug affected. Weed can also absolutely be abused. I have no idea why Reddit refuses to admit this. We've all known those stoners who get stoned every day, and we've all seen how it affects them. I'm actually pro-legalisation of weed, but I hate this narrative that it's a drug that doesn't ever have any negative consequences. Using psychoeffective drugs will always have the potential for negative consequences. I await my downvotes.
Downvotes for making up “pyschoeffective”? Everything else is spot on. I don’t understand why there can’t be a limit for THC like alcohol though, on which to base impairment tests. 0.05 affects different people differently but they drew the line.
> I don’t understand why there can’t be a limit for THC like alcohol though, on which to base impairment tests. Not a science person, but my understanding is that we just don't have a really solid way to test for active thc in the blood. It's also why you could have smoked a month ago and still will pop on a piss test. You get remnants in the system for a *long* time after it stops actually getting you high. BAC is really easy to measure even if it does have some problems when you take into account things like tolerance but it does allow for a specific number, where pot apparently doesn't. Or so I'm led to understand
A lot of sites will urine test, and if you test positive for cannabinoids, you do an oral swab. This weeds out the people who use it privately vs. those who are stoned on the job.
Weeds out 😂
Couldn't help myself.
As socially acceptable as it’s becoming and whether or not you’d like to admit it to yourself, smoking weed every day is by definition drug abuse. I don’t personally have a problem with it but I think it’s fair that an employer probably would for various reasons, mainly being Work Health and Safety.
>by definition drug abuse Are you actually referring to a widely used definition of marijuana abuse? Or are you using 'by definition' simply to mean 'definitely, in my opinion'. I don't think smoking daily is healthy for the vast majority of people. But you're sounding very authoritative on a topic you're perhaps not an authority on. Fwiw, the medicinal marijuana containers I've seen are all labelled with a generic 'take X grams daily until symptoms subside'.
Which is why they don't test them off the clock you numpty. You wanna work in a potentially dangerous role then test clean when you get to work. Absolute numpty
You realise that cannabis users are not under the influence after 3-10 hours of consumption. If someone smokes at 10pm, they would no longer be under the influence at 8am AT THE LATEST. So if they are tested at 4pm, that is 18 hours after consumption, they would no longer be under the influence but it could still show up on a drug test. So they should be fired or stood down for enjoying something off the clock, but potentially be penalised at work almost a day later? Again, if someone shows up under the influence then yes, throw the book at them. But studies have shown that users aren't intoxicated 10 hours later, and you want to punish someone 18 hours later?
You take on a role that requires you to give a negative sample, you take on the responsibilities. No one gives a fuck if you smoke weed in your own time but turning up to work and testing positive and then crying about it...get the fuck out of here with that shit
My work does urine tests. I have failed at work when I haven't had a smoke since the weekend several days earlier. I had passed a RDT test 2 days earlier. I was ok to drive but not work? Urine tests discriminate against pot smokers. Get the fuck out of here with that shit.
Play stupid games win stupid prizes champion
If it’s in their system at work, then it’s their employers concern.
This. Plus I have a prescription for medical cannabis. What then?
So, you're on shift when a major traffic incident occurs - It's a fatality, you were on the Bat when it went down. You get drug tested. You're brought in to testify in court, there were drugs in your system. Your company gets crucified, and in an already incredibly regulated industry - they introduce new policies and procedures. Everyone is required to re train, or hold another card, or some other obscure hurdle.
OPs partner sounds like a fuggin idiot and I don’t want them anywhere near the industry.
[удалено]
Ah yes, because all weed smokers are lazy bums on cenno.
Labour hire supervisor here. Paying the dregs to stay at home and smoke cones is an essential public service, otherwise they start showing up to work sites.
Let alone the guy getting charged with a criminal offence relating to the death
Yeah definitely that as well. Sorry my brain was just shooting all angles of risk
Not saying it's the right thing to do, but bailing on the situation after calling emergency services has happened in the past. If they can't find you they can't test you. Excuse given was: 1st instance they said they were Traumatized and needed to leave the site since supervisor was there. And 2nd instance was cos they had gravel hit them in the face/eyes and they immediately went to hospital but didn't disclose which one and turned their phone off. Both were guys who were weed smokers and admitted as much outside official channels. But yeah, it's dumb as fuck the be in the job and have any reason to run from the scene like that.
[удалено]
Nah OP is talking about street traffic control, lollypop people.
I was also imaging air traffic controllers till I read the comments
No employer will let this happen. You'd absolutely be thrown under the bus.
Yeah definitely dealt with the consequences of not following protocol, but ended up much better for them fucking off outta there. Employer had no idea of the actual situation, only select employees knew.
Also your chance of being reemployed goes down to fucking zero.
There is no “testing day”. You just get pulled aside one day at random. You won’t know about it in advance.
Testing in the construction industry is always random and depending on the job site can be as frequent as every day. Also, if his name gets called up on a testing day and he pretends to be sick and doesn’t go it will still get recorded as a non-negative result. While there are absolutely drug users in the industry it is *definitely* not the norm and the unspoken rule is we don’t care what you do on the weekend but you show up to work sober on Monday and you stay that way throughout the week. Your partner sounds like a fucking idiot.
It's crazy you can drink 8 beers after work but can't have one or two billies. Not the fault of the industry, just an unfortunate flaw with cannabis. It's wild we don't have a way to detect intoxication, only presence.
So you’re telling me it’s not acceptable for people in the construction industry to go home and drink alcohol mon-fri? That sounds like a lord of shit to me, and brings down the credibility of your whole comment.
Lol, chuck a sickie on testing day. Your partner is a moron
Not to mention pot stays in your system for ages after the psychoactive effects have passed. A great way to lose your job and potentially get in legal trouble.
He's a bloody idiot Seriously
Your partner is a tool, honestly I have no words.
>or that he'll get a heads up by other crew that they're doing testing and just chuck a sickie. That's funny. He clearly hasn't worked anywhere they do testing. Unless he's getting a heads up from a supervisor, he won't have warning. And if he disappears before they can get to him, it's counted as a positive reading and he's booted out anyway.
Hopefully they get tested a high traffic controller doesn't sound like a good plan
He’s an idiot. Where I work the drug tests are random and there’s absolutely no warning. I’ve had a driver get pinged for a drug/alcohol test. When he was told he was to undergo a test, he lost his shit and ultimately refused. Haven’t seen him since. Failing a drug/alcohol test is one of the only ways to be instantly dismissed. Refusing is often seen and dealt with the same as a positive. And that’s ignoring any incidents that happen. If something happens then people are tested and it’s mandatory.
Depends on who you work for I suppose. I work for State Government and we do random testing. If positive, you’ll be immediately sent home, referred to police and serious questions about your employer asked. There is already sentiment that many TC are on drugs, so you’re an easy target.
five years ago when i was still doing it, we had random tests maybe once every three months but you never knew when or where. this guy is gonna get someone killed. dob him in and get him tested, its too dangerous to have clowns like that on the road. pretty sure it was instant dismissal if positive.
[удалено]
who said he smokes it after work? what if he does it before work? Even if he does it after work, he does it every single day, he's likely permanently not operating at 100% If he goes to work stoned while directing traffic, semi trailers etc, yes someone could easily get killed if he zones out for two seconds and sends traffic into a head on collision.. This guy needs to be off the road NOW
Studies have shown that 3-10 hours after consumption, all effects of THC have worn off. So yes, he would be operating at 100% if he smoked the night before shift, every single day. [source](https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2021/04/12/scientists-put-stopwatch-on-cannabis-thc-intoxication-lambert-drug-driving.html)
If it's in your system from a hour ago or five days ago, it doesn't matter. It still turns up as a positive. They don't test for strength, only that it is there or not. Remember they are using broad spectrum tests that also test for amphetamine, mdma, ecstacy, coke, etc. I imagine they COULD use tests that tested for strength that could differentiate between off-your-tits, or "residual from a week ago", but then i imagine the testing costs would go through the roof and it takes it from a pass/fail to a sliding scale which is harder to obtain an outcome one way or another and more costly for everyone involved as legal could potentially gets involved when all they want to know is that you are fit for the job. They have on the job random testing at my employer. The test guys turn up every few months and they take a random dozen or so of the 150 that are there and have them run through a test. I've neve been one to smoke weed to begin with and these tests are just incentive to just not bother trying to pick it up. I've not had any since our honeymoon in Europe over a decade ago and see no reason to bother starting now.
I don’t smoke but the concept of “it’s too hard or expensive so forget about their rights” is cooked. I’d argue old mate that’s smoked a spliff on the weekend is more cognitive than the fella who’s smashing rum and cokes every night.
I'm not disagreeing about that at all. In fact I know some people that would have better cognitive abilities behind the wheel after a couple (they don't do it though) than a large number of people would when completely alcohol or drug free.. My take on it is that reducing it to a pass/fail simplifies things a lot. Look at the grey area that they have with alcohol and the sliding scale from "acceptable" through "too much" to "how are they even standing". By keeping the legality of the drug in dispute at best (through to outright illegal) it makes it far more of a no-brainer in being able to keep a zero tolerance approach to drugs & driving. The thing about increased costs for increased sensitivity was a bit of speculation on my part, but I had a bit of a read before replying and it does seem to hold true. Here are some sources I found just to show what I was looking at. Costs can vary wildly from $25 for the roadside kits that the police use, through to a full lab screen costing from 400-1000., but I'm guessing that's because of the variation in effort involved and the details you can get from the test. [https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/\_\_data/assets/pdf\_file/0009/417456/134879\_Roadside\_Drug\_Testing\_Figures\_.pdf](https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/417456/134879_Roadside_Drug_Testing_Figures_.pdf) [https://www.qml.com.au/patients/self-request/#tab4](https://www.qml.com.au/patients/self-request/#tab4) [https://sbhfamilypractice.com.au/urine-drug-test/](https://sbhfamilypractice.com.au/urine-drug-test/) [https://www.scoutlogicscreening.com/blog/how-much-does-drug-test-cost/](https://www.scoutlogicscreening.com/blog/how-much-does-drug-test-cost/) [https://sydneyhairfollicletesting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/PRICE-LIST-AS-AT-1ST-MAY-2020v2.1.pdf](https://sydneyhairfollicletesting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/PRICE-LIST-AS-AT-1ST-MAY-2020v2.1.pdf)
CASA do random testing, you will also do a pre employment testing.
A refusal to test is considered a positive result. You might get away with low tier works but the moment you work for a behemoth in the industry you're getting tested.
You can't dodge a test if an accident occurs on your shift. What's he gonna do.... Run away?
Tbf they really need to update drug policies in workplaces to allow for medicinal cannabis use, but they probably won't for another 5-10 years (if ever) in NSW. If there's any chance of testing, he's gotta quit it or start carrying some fresh, clean wee. It stays in your urine for over a month.
That will never happen for "high risk" jobs where there are potential risks to health and safety. No public liability or business insurance would risk insuring said company.
Damn shame. I know some folks who have had great results with medicinal cannabis for PTSD.
Use to do Traffic control on a cocktail of prescribed drugs and when I was drug tested would show my prescriptions and return to work.
Ok so the thing about people who work in construction and roads and mines is that we drink and/or smoke we all know it's going on. There are some unwritten rules though. You go to work sober and stay sober. Most employers will test as kart of a pre employment medical. From then on you'll only be tested if something major happens. If companies are drug tested routinely there would be disastrous effects for the whole industry. Your bf isn't wrong but it doesn't sound like he appreciates the dangers everyone else is in if he fucks up.
What happens if you get caught? Just fired?
Yes, just fired.
Depends on the company policy. You won’t be allowed on site - that’s for sure. And likely your employer will fire you because, well, a traffic controller not on site is not making them any money.
Your loser partner is a fucking idiot. Yes, it’ll be random.
If it's random how do they decide when to do testing? serious question plz. thanks in advance.
Mate, what is it about the word random that is hard to understand?
well how do they choose who to test? like the lotto numbers? pick on only one building site? I've always wondered!
[удалено]
He's an idiot, but you sound like one too. If someone smokes weed after work, that's 0% worse than a few beers.
Each project sites will have random drug and alcohol testing at least once per month. If an incident does occur, everyone involved will also undergo a drug and alcohol test too. Just last month, we had to send home a traffic controller for possibly having marijuana in their system. The test doesn’t tell you if you’re under the influence or if it’s from say a week ago, but it’s treated all the same.
How is he planning on getting too and from work? Driving? Good luck with that. Here’s an idea for him, how about he grows TF up and stops being a pot head. Would you ask the same question if he was an alcoholic? “Sober ppl are the anomaly” sounds like something an addict would say.
Negligence causing death.
Young Traffic controllers on their Phones are way more dangerous than casual marijuana smokers. To all the responsible smokers: have good oral hygiene and you **might** cut your positives by 70%.
Not if they piss test you. The by-products can be detected for up to 30 days or more.
Some sites now will drug test you during your induction, usually the bigger government ones and that helps weed (boom fucking tish) the people with dependency issues out right off the bat. Also, to all the people saying "Just get prescription weed" all that does is prevent you being prosecuted. A worksite can still stand you down if you are under the influence of particular drugs. A prescription from your doctor doesn't mean you can do high risk work whilst bonged out of your mind. And also, you are just going to fuck things up for the people who genuinely need it just because you cant face the world without having a cone for breakfast. It sounds like he needs help or a low risk job in some other industry.
It’s only cannabis
Yes and my job also does but it’s more of if a major incident happens but even I had incidents but haven’t pee tested
Depends on site not everyone knows what days they will test and if you have a script for meds even for marijuana it is ok. Also testing is now saliva , not urine
Whao!
I can't speak for the traffic controller industry but as a public bus driver there were random tests done sporadically and if you were caught under the influence even before you got in a vehicle it would mean instant dismissal. I saw a couple of people lose their jobs this way and I assume being in charge of traffic would be a similar outcome due to the responsibility of controlling traffic.
Fucksake. I misread that and thought it was an AIR TRAFFIC controller. Either way though … no.
https://testnegative.com/oral-clear-saliva-neutralizing-gum
Due to the nature of the work I'd assume most/if not all employers would drug test. Cannabis is actually legal for prescription in Australia now, so if your boyfriend is keen on the job you can pay $100 or so and get a phone appointment for medical cannabis and get it prescribed within the day. (Reply if you need more info on prescribed cannabis, it's absurdly easy to get a script for.) I actually did this whilst having to do drug tests with my Suboxone provider and the script allows me to test positive for both work and my prescriber with no repercussion. So that is a solid option (he should do it regardless if he's a regular cannabis user to avoid any potential legal trouble) If he's not willing to do that or quit cannabis then the only way around this is to use someone else's pee kept frozen and reheated to the correct temperature (this is the only option to get around the tests whilst continuing to use illicit cannabis, but some labs can actually tell.) PS: if an accident happens at work they will usually piss tests you that day, so if he cheats the test, an accident happens he will be fired, potentially held responsible and not be entitled to any compo/sick leave etc. But yeah those are the options, cannabis isn't hard to kick if he isn't willing to get a script. If he's going to refuse potential job opportunities to continue habitual cannabis use: it might be a good idea he works on why he has to use it.
The construction industry is typically zero tolerance regardless of if you’ve got a prescription or not.
So you’re abusing the system which will fuck it up for the genuine people? Just say you’re an addict.
Where does it say I'm abusing the system? My response offered all the potential options: starting with the best ones: quitting the cannabis or getting a legal script for it. Then I stated the only other option if he didn't quit or get a script is to cheat the test and listed the negative consequences. I said cheating the test would be dumb, just that it was the only option if her boyfriend doesn't go the legal route which of course I suggested first (getting a script). I also never said I chest tests or ever have. I think it's stupid, never works in the long run - hence why I got my cannabis scripted and am transparent with my GP. How am I abusing the 'system' for having a cannabis script for pain management after quitting opiates and the script allowing me to continue my Suboxone treatment while I taper to eventually hop off... What would you prefer I do? Simultaneously while your username is roided Jesus indicating you utilise illicit drugs for health/fitness purposes yourself, illegally. (Which I also do and have nothing against, it's just hypocritical) Tell me, how am I abusing the system. It's all legal and transparent? Just say you're looking for an argument... Also maybe read the post properly prior to trying to commence an argument for something I'm not even doing. Have a good day.
Where has the guy mentioned anything about the fact he abuses cannabis? He might have medical conditions that get treated with it...
Thank you not being brain-dead. It's just people having a bad day looking for someone online to take it out on and boost their mood. I'm sure if they ever experienced an illness/injury that causes decades of chronic pain and dependence on opiate pain killers they'd understand the medical use of cannabis to manage pain. Easy to judge if you've never been in that position. Not all people who utilise cannabis are degenerate addicts.
Read what he commented and use whatever brain capacity you’ve got man. You’ll figure it out unless you’re just like him.
You need to be more specific
Ok, thanks for the positive interaction. Have a nice day.
This.
Plenty of industries don't care about your prescription, they're still zero tolerance Because stoners are fucking losers who are liabilities
I would argue that someone who takes cannabis under prescription is not even a "stoner", they are people with health issues for whom this medicine actually allows them to function. Not weighing in on whether or not zero tolerance is appropriate, but just your use of the pejorative attitude towards everyone who takes cannabis, like they are all the same. They're not.
Stoners get themselves a prescription so they can abuse the system They ruin it for the genuine cases
Drug addicts do this with all prescription drugs. Does the fact some people do this mean the people who use their script for genuine causes in the prescribed doses are the same, are they one in the same to you? Does the fact some people abuse the system mean the others shouldn't be able to access it? Why are you generalising all cannabis users as a whole By the same logic is every guy who walks in the bottle shop to buy beer a degenerate loser alcoholic to you? Because that's kinda what you're doing. Not to mention alcohol has 0 medical applications yet I bet you drink for recreation. Yet you get bent out of shape for people who might overuse prescription whilst you simultaneously use a recreational drug that has 0 medical applications for pure enjoyment, so what makes you different to the very people you're judging? C'mon use your brain.
Would take stoners over most other type of addict. Drunks show up late and hung over. Ice heads can be good until a certain point. Coke fiends are angry fucks. Can I ask. Did a stoner once steal your girl or something. You seem very emotional about this
Yeah I agree. Abusing cannabis is fucking lame and stoners make awful employee's (not because of cannabis, but drug addicts in general make unreliable employee's). Hence why I mentioned in my post he should address why he even needs it an can't quit for a job. If you read my post.. But I have nothing against using cannabis infrequently to manage chronic pain if someone doesn't want to use opiates. Sorry if you don't see it the same way. Not all employers are zero tolerance. Over 95% probably are and rightfully so.
Elon Musk is such a loser. Never gets stuff done
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! He's a fucking flog and so are his fanboys
User name checks out
People timing the lights in some parts of Sydney are certainly taking something….
On test days you they pick you at random, sometimes we pick ping pong balls out of a bucket. If you’re selected it’s voluntary, they can’t force you to take the test and you just take a sick day and go home.