MAGNOLIA — Slight changes and clarifications were made in Duplin County’s Alcohol and Drug-free Workplace policy during Monday night’s commissioners meeting. The commissioners met in Magnolia for their second bimonthly meeting and one item they discussed and approved was a recommendation for the safety committee and management’s revisions to the current Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace policy. The revisions were necessary to clear up some questions that had arisen in respect to times when employees will be tested and specify the percentage of random testing done annually.

“The majority of the revisions that were made will clarify the instances when drug testing is required following an accident,” stated county manager Mike Aldridge. “The revision also specifies that 25 percent of the employees will be randomly tested each year. This documentation of the percentage tested saves more than enough money in our insurance plan to more than pay for the cost of the testing.”

The commissioners adopted the policy Nov. 5, 2007 in order to protect the safety, health and well being of all employees and other individuals in their workplaces. The policy states, “We recognize that alcohol abuse and drug use pose a significant threat to our goals. We have established a drug-free workplace program that balances our respect for individuals with the need to maintain an alcohol and drug-free environment.”

Specific changes noted in the revised policy include: Random selection; which states random selection and testing of at least 25 percent of all employees will be conducted annually. Post accident; notes that post accident testing will be conducted in the following situations: Non-vehicular where a post-accident drug test would be required for any on-the-job accident requiring medical evaluation. Vehicular, where a post-accident drug screen would be required for all vehicular accidents except accident involving animal strikes. Employees involved in an animal related vehicle accident are subject to a post-accident drug screen IF required by management due to reasonable cause or suspicion. Employees are required to submit to a post-accident drug screen on the date of the accident unless there is a medical emergency. An employee’s failure to submit to a post-accident drug screen as outlined in the policy is considered an act of unacceptable personal conduct and is grounds for disciplinary actions up to and including immediate dismissal.

The county manager expressed that the changes were needed due to questions that had arisen since the policy’s adoption and feels the changes and clarifications would address those questions.

To contact Billy Todd, call 910-592-8137 ext. 117 or e-mail sigeneral@myclintonnc.com.