Kochi: Alcohol test for railway mechanics

Kochi: After loco-pilots, the railways has now decided to subject mechanical staff, especially those deployed at maintenance depots, to “curb the menace of alcoholism on duty by employees” and thereby letting no compromise on safety.

In his order, senior divisional mechanical engineer (Thiruvananthapuram Division) Mohammed Shameem directed the shift-in-charge officers to effect random checks in Gangs and other work spots at least once daily.

“A register should be maintained and kept in the custody of them and regularly updated with the inspection details,” the order said.

In case the reading obtained during testing is above 1mg/100 ml of blood, the printout of the same should be taken duly entering the details such as employee tested, officials who conducted the test and witnesses.

“The staff will not be allowed to perform the duty if the alcohol level is between 1-20 mg/100 ml in the blood. If one is caught for the second time or found to have alcohol level above 21 mg/100 ml of blood, they will be removed from service,” an official said.

Earlier in April, a section of loco-pilots indulged in a strike protesting over subjecting them to advanced alcohol breath analyser tests.

“This (alcohol test under active mode) is the standard practice across the country, and we can’t risk with the lives of commuters," he said.

"There are two modes for testing – ‘active’ and ‘passive’. Under the active mode, a person who consumed alcohol even three hours before the time of testing would also be detected. We’re initiating departmental action against all those who refuse to undergo the test.”