Posted By Martin Taylor
Does anyone know of a source that references adverse medication (including dosage) the would render those using it unsuitable to operate mobile plant.

How do people deal with briefing of operators to encourage them to report when they are having to take such medication?

thanks

Martin

Posted By Martin Taylor
thanks CoSHH advisor

I accept your points wrt operator responsibility to read labels and changes in medication

the reason I am looking for a source is to give broad but correct indications of those medicines that can have adverse effects to both operators and supervisors in briefings and training so would still be interested if anybody has found or put together a similar list

thanks

Martin

Posted By Stuff4blokes
Martin, in recent years I have started to read the leaflets that come with medicines and drugs and been horrified at the reported and possible side effects. Thankfully in very few instances have I noticed any of then actually affecting me although one prescribed medication did have alarming effects and was rapidly changed.

The medical/pharmaceutical professions will say that as individuals we will each have a different reaction to medication and often their prescriptions are made with a "let's see" attitude.

Consequently, I think that any attempt to compile a list of medications that may have contra-indications for machinery/plant operators may well have to include just about every drug available, not only the drug types but also all variants and trade names. Such a list would be too big to be a usable guide.

Many company safety policies contain a section on the subject of drug use which many also include prescribed medications and the duty on the employee to report such use if this affects their ability to do the job. I have no idea whether how many policies are being followed in practice, although I can make a guess that there are people currently operating dangerous machinery under the influence of prescribed drugs that are affecting their ability to do the job safely. I also guess that there are some companies whose response to such a report by a plant operator is "just get on with it"

My conclusion: employees must be encouraged to take responsibility for their own and others safety by recognising the effects of drugs, reporting their inability to be safe and employers must encourage such reports and act safely on them. No work, no pay is however a very significant barrier to this.

Posted By Colin Reeves
"My conclusion: employees must be encouraged to take responsibility for their own and others safety by recognising the effects of drugs, reporting their inability to be safe and employers must encourage such reports and act safely on them."

I agree. To use an example, diabetics using insulin used to be banned from many forms of driving. Whilst there are still restrictions, these are less onerous now as doctors advising government have accepted that one size does NOT fit all.

In the case of insulin, there is a possibility of getting low blood sugars and suffering a "hypo" attack - certainly a reduction in awareness and can result in a coma. However, most insulin takers get suitable prior warning and can take steps to remedy the situation or, if not quick enough, stop driving. A few do not get these pre-attack signs and may well have to avoid driving altogether. Just saying no to insulin takers is far too rigid.

Using this as just one example, there can be no definitive "list" for all frugs as each person is affected in a different way.

Colin (insulin taker)

Posted By Coshh Assessor
I've invariably seen it simply dealt with in a drugs and alcohol policy document as an employee responsibility to inform their supervisor.