Delivery firms are being warned of the need for robust drug and alcohol policies as Black Friday and seasonal deliveries prompt increased use of overflow staff.
According to forecasts, the number of online shoppers will exceed 41 million by 2019, putting increased pressure on deliveries, and the current challenges from Black Friday and the ramp up to Christmas are seeing delivery firms turn to extra freelance drivers and depot workers to cope with demand.
Suzannah Robin, alcohol and drug safety expert at AlcoDigital, said: “This issue is a ticking time bomb for the delivery and logistics sectors. We would urge companies to ensure they have an alcohol and drug testing policy in place. As well as identifying offenders, it also serves as a deterrent to those considering abusing alcohol and drugs in the workplace. If a company has staff working vehicles or machinery, such as drivers or those involved with distribution, we would recommend regular testing.
“This could be anything from fitting an interlock breathalyser to a vehicle, which will immobilise the engine if the result proves positive, to testing employees before shifts with a handheld digital device.
“We’ve found that regular random testing of employees for alcohol has resulted in significant benefits for improving safety and safeguarding businesses from the potential fallout of lost revenue and reputational damage.”
