Bus / tube drivers brethalysed before starting shifts
Request ID: FOI-2599-1718
Date published: 12 January 2018
You asked
How many TFL driver either bus/tube or other were breathalysed before their shifts in the calender year of 2016-2017 and this year January 2017 until December 2017 and how many were found to be over the limit and send home.
Can I also have a breakdown of whether they drove a tube or bus.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-2599-1718
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 8 December 2017 asking for information about drivers.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require.
We carry out ‘unannounced’ testing on a minimum 5% of our safety critical workforce per year. This includes Train Operators and all other employees within a safety critical role. Additionally, we also carry out ‘For Cause’ testing if a manager has reasonable suspicion to suspect an employee is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Such tests would occur during, or on commencement of a shift, rather than before a shift and so we do not hold any records of pre-shift testing. We also conduct ‘Post Incident’ testing following an operational incident.
Our Occupational Health team also offer the DAATS (Drugs & Alcohol Treatment Services) programme for employees that come forward with a drugs or alcohol problem.
Please note that we do not hold any information in relation to bus drivers. Such drugs and alcohol tests would be undertaken by each bus operator as the relevant employer.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Lee Hill
Senior FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
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