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DRUG AND ALCOHOL-FREE WORKPLACE Statement of Intention It is the intent of the Fannett Metal Fire Company to
promote a safe, healthy and productive work environment, including the
avoidance of the detrimental effects of drug and alcohol on the job. It
is the objective of the Company to have a work force free from the
influence of controlled substances, illegal drugs, and alcohol during
work status and at all times while on Company premises or otherwise on
Company business. This includes on or off premises activities, and all
property, facilities, land, buildings, structure, and vehicles, whether
owned, leased or used by the Company.
Prohibited Acts and Exceptions It is generally impermissible
to be under the influence of, or to possess, use, sell, manufacture,
purchase, distribute, transfer, or have, in his or her system, illegal
drugs, alcohol or controlled substances2
that meet or exceed the cut-off levels defined below, or abuse
prescribed or over-the-counter medications while on Company premises or
otherwise on Company business. Specifically, the following behaviors, although not an
all-inclusive list, are prohibited:
1)
Possession, sale,
manufacture, use or reporting for work under the influence of any
illegal drug;
2)
Reporting for work
within 8 hours of consumption of any alcoholic or non-alcoholic (near
beer) beverage;
3)
Operation of any
piece of Company equipment within 8 hours of consuming any alcoholic or
non-alcoholic (near beer) beverage;
4)
Acting in any
command or supervisory role within 8 hours of consuming any alcoholic or
non-alcoholic (near beer) beverage;
5)
Riding on any piece
of Company equipment within 8 hours of consuming any alcoholic or
non-alcoholic (near beer) beverage;
6)
Having any contact
with a patient during an emergency response within 8 hours of consuming
any alcoholic or non-alcoholic (near beer) beverage; and
7)
Reporting for duty
under the influence of any prescription or over-the-counter medication
which presents a direct threat to workplace safety without prior notice
to and permission of Company officials. An exception shall be made to the prohibition against
consuming alcoholic or non-alcoholic (near beer) beverages on Company
property (#1) where:
1)
The member is
participating in a social event solely as a member of the community and
not in an official capacity as a Company member; or
2)
During the clean-up
efforts following an event at the event location, or
3)
Events that are
given an exemption by the board of directors. While members will be permitted to consume alcoholic
and non-alcoholic (near beer) beverages during these periods, all other
prohibitions of this policy (#2-7) will continue to apply.
Drug and/or Alcohol Testing The Company shall require an individual to submit to a
drug and/or alcohol test when the Company has reasonable suspicion to
believe that the individual has violated the drug and/or alcohol
prohibitions. The decision to test for reasonable suspicion must be
based on specific, contemporaneous observations concerning the
appearance, behavior, speech, and/or body odors of the individual. Examples of behavior and performance which provide
reasonable cause include, but are not limited to: 1.
Excessive, frequent absenteeism, including full or part day
absences, tardiness, unscheduled breaks, extended breaks, or repeated
absence from the assigned work area; 2.
A poor or suspicious work-related accident record, including
type, frequency, or severity of accidents; 3.
Abnormal or suspicious behavior while at work, including
staggering or erratic movements; 4.
Abnormal or suspicious appearance, such as glassy eyes, slurred
speech, or disheveled appearances; 5.
Alcohol or other suspicious odors on an individual’s breath,
person, clothes or property; 6.
Presence of pills, powder or other unknown substances on, in,
around or under the control of an individual which cannot be explained
by the lawful, medically prescribed use by said individual; 7.
Inability to perform, or difficulty in performing, routine tasks; 8.
Poor overall employment record, including attendance, discipline
or accidents; 9.
Involvement in the use, unauthorized possession,
misappropriation, or unauthorized delivery of a drug or alcohol while on
duty or on Company property without authenticated medical documentation
or reasonable explanation; or 10.
Other evidence or information considered by Company to be a
reasonable basis to require a drug and/or alcohol screening test,
including, for instance, concern registered by a supervisor, manager, or
other reliable source, such as an airport security person or airport
visitor, or a drug or alcohol-related arrest.
Reporting Members who observe the above-noted behavior in a
fellow member are required to report same to the officer in charge of
the scene, training, or station at the time of said behavior. These
reports must be made at the time of observation; delays in reporting
could impair the Company’s ability to investigate the possible policy
violation, thereby impairing the safety of everyone. Members who are
aware of suspicious behavior under this policy but who do not timely
report same may be subject to discipline, up to and including removal
from the Company. The member accused of
violating this policy will be requested to report to the officer in
charge at a time not to interfere with the safe operation of the scene.
In an addition, if a board member is present at the time, he/she will be
requested to report to the officer in charge to assist in the
investigation. In the absence of a board member, a second officer will
be asked to report to the officer in charge to help verify or refute the
accusation. The member being accused will be notified of the
accusation and given the opportunity to either accept or deny charge
brought forth. Any member who admits to violating the above policy will
be placed on immediate suspension from all Company activities at least
until the required 8 hours have elapsed. Additional discipline may by
imposed at the discretion of the board for a first offense, but any
subsequent offense (whether admitted to or not) will follow the
disciplinary steps outlined below. If the accused member denies the accusation but
his/her actions indicate to the individuals investigating the allegation
that a reasonable suspicion of a policy violation exists notwithstanding
the denial, the member will be required to submit to an immediate drug
and/or alcohol test, at no cost to the member, to resolve the matter.
Pending the results of the test, which may be conducted utilizing
breath, blood or urine, the member will be placed on suspension.
Transportation to the testing facility will be provided by the Company. If not otherwise present at the scene, training or
station, the President shall be notified of the incident as soon as
reasonably practicable. A special board meeting may be requested
following the receipt of information obtained through the individual or
the drug/alcohol test, at which the matter will be discussed in
executive session.
Intoxication Levels The following are current DHHS minimum standards used
to determine what levels of detected substances shall be considered as
positive for the presence of drugs and alcohol:
SUBSTANCE
SCREENING TEST
CONFIRMATIONAmphetamine
1,000 ng/ml Amphetamine
500 ng/ml Methamphetamine
500 ng/ml Cocaine Metabolite
300 ng/ml
150 ng/ml Opiates
2,000 ng/ml
Morphine
2,000 ng/ml Codeine
2,000 ng/ml Phencyclidine
25 ng/ml
25 ng/ml Marijuana Metabolite
50 ng/ml
15 ng/ml Alcohol (EBT)
0.04
0.04 These standards will be automatically adjusted to
mirror changes in DHHS minimum standards.
Discipline Members who have tested positive in the required
drug/alcohol test, and/or who refuse to submit to testing will be
disciplined as follows: For a
non-driving/non-command violation First offense will result in a suspension of 60 days.
Second offense will result in suspension of 6 months and the loss of
office if one is held. A third violation will require at least a 1 year
of suspension, but may also result in the member’s removal from the
Company in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Company’s
Constitution and Bylaws. For a
driving/command violation First offense will result in a 1 year suspension and
loss of office, but may also result in the member’s removal from the
Company in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Company’s
Constitution and Bylaws.
Refusal means that a member: -
Fails to promptly
provide adequate breath for alcohol testing or an adequate specimen for
controlled substances testing, as outlined in 49 CFR Part 40, without a
valid medical explanation; or -
Engages in any
conduct that obstructs or hinders the testing process. Policy written by: Crystal H. Clark, Partner Adopted April 7, 2011 by the Fannett-Metal Fire &
Ambulance Company Inc. Board of Directors
2 The
phrase “controlled substances” or “illegal drugs” as used in
this policy includes all substances listed in the Controlled
Substances Act and its implementing regulations found at 21 USC
812; 21 CFR 1803.11-1308.15 and includes, but is not limited to,
marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates and phencyclidine
(PCP), as well as the abuse of controlled substances used for
medicinal purposes without a prescription.
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