the arguement of the legaqlisation of cannabis isnt the point of this article, these workers where caught, then given another chance, and where caught again. there contract they signed into when joining the company will have witheld all this information about the companys policy's on drugs and if pre-decided that takinhg drugs outside of work can effect you within work (which it can, research drugs effecting mood, instead of physical and mental effects, cannabis included can effect your mood the next day) this can relate to lasyness eg someone in a bad mood might not feel motivaiton to work, this can lead to accidents which when the HSE research the accident, they might test certain individuals at the incident if they test positive the HSE will take action against both parties something a organsation such as armstrongs would suffer from

I was reading the other day about research being done into how cannabis can affect reaction times in long term users, along with other mental issues, does this sound like a substance that people should be using if they are responsible for machinery etc.?

Obviously the current situation in the NHS has nothing directly to do with this issue, however, as I clearly stated, this is another example of how government policy is often not reflective of either the opinion of public, or professionals, and ultimately, is not created for the benefit of the people the government is elected to serve. I'm an ex-public servant, previously responsible for the interpretation of government policy, so my opinion is based on fact, as opposed to conjecture, based on whatever the media/government has decided they want you to know this week.

the people who use drugs in a workplace with machines are an accident waiting to happen.all the employers should take a stance,and follow this employer.

"More pple die each year through alcohol abuse related events, than drugs..."

Flawed argument John, that's because more people drink alcohol than take drugs.More people by far. Compare the figures on a ratio basis and you will find that you're wrong.

Wasn't there a fatality last year at this concreting firm when a concrete staircase fell on someone?

It makes sense to have rules and regs and drug testing in dangerous work environments.

I find it very sad in this day and age of the internet ( a wonderful tool of knowledge if used properly ) that people are still just believing what the government tells them, cannabis is a wonderful plant with over 3000 different uses, you could honestly solve a lot of problems if it was legalized, it would alleviate the need for crude oil for one thing so an end to needless war, yes you read that correctly you can run your car on it but unlike most bio fuel crops you can get 5 or 6 harvests a year rather than just one ( it is a weed after all ) and if you don't be leave me look it up. But I'm rambling my point is if someone wants to put something as harmless in their body as cannabis outside of work then it is their own human right to do so, and yes I did say harmless as all the research done on the plant will back me up on that one. In fact the governments own independent body on the matter said it is harmless and should be legalized but for some strange reason when the truth came out he was sacked. Some of you may say what about schizophrenia , well again there is no evidence to back that up the number of cannabis users has sky rocketed since the 70s yet the rate of that particular mental disease has stayed the same. Some of you will be shouting what about skunk the dangerous new type of super strong weed, again if you look into how cannabis works you will see its not just as simple as putting a % on it like alcohol as its strength depends on the cbd percentage as well as the thc as these two compounds counteract each other, and again the method of taking it depends on how much is absorbed ie was it eaten, smoked or vaporized, but don't just take my word for it look it up. However if it was regulated there wouldn't be these super strong breeds in the first place. Please go to youtube and watch run from the cure its a short film that will open your eyes to a genuine use for cannabis as a cancer medicine, this is what the government and the big pharmaceutical companies are trying to hide

@carol ann Sativex IS Cananbis!! The only difference is that it contains alcohol (used as a solvent) and peppermint (for taste). Apart from that the ingredients, effect and results of a drug test are no different from smoking a joint.

I agree that workers who use heavy machinery, and also other professions such as lorry drivers, surgeons and emergency service personel, should be monitored to make sure that levels of drugs in their system (including alcohol) are not at a high enough rate to impair their ability to perform their jobs safely and effectively. What I don't agree with is only testing for certain drugs and a blanket zero tolerance on having them in your system. As someone has already said, 3rd party smoke could show and if it's zero tolerance then it makes no difference how the drugs got there.

The situation in the NHS as absolutely nothing to do with a company enforcing a ban on illegal drugs. You can't justify the actions of these ex employees by saying drugs should not be illegal, they are illegal for a very good reason. People saying these drugs have no harmful effect on the user are deluded, I would not want to put any trust in a drug user if it involved my safety. Every company should check employees at random for drug and alcohol use, anyone over the drink drive limit or with signs of drugs in the system and they shoud be sacked.

Can I ask all of you how do you tell if someone is carrying over intake from the weekend or has taken at work? you can't can you? But apart from that if the company rules state that you will be randomly tested for illegal substances and if found in your system you will be disciplined then you have no excuse its your choice then, job or drugs simple really.