CTV Atlantic has learned that Emera and Nova Scotia Power will soon require some of their employees and contractors to submit to drug and alcohol testing.
According to an email outlining Emera’s policy for contractors, testing will begin next month.
Nova Scotia Power says it is part of a policy implemented in 2014 for all Emera employees conducting safety-sensitive work, which means any work that, if not performed correctly, could impact the health or safety of employees, customers, the public or the environment, and includes work on wind farms, building modifications, maintenance to power systems and tree-trimming.
The drug-testing is now a condition of hiring for Emera employees. In 2015 the company applied the rule to its contractors, requiring that they have passed a drug and alcohol test within 12 months prior to doing work for the company.
One of those contractors is McLeod Safety, which provides clients with traffic control services. President Brian White sent an email to employees last week stating that testing would begin early next month and would be fully implemented by Aug. 31.
“You will no longer be able to work with NSPI or EUS after this date if you have not had an alcohol and drug test and approved for work,” said White in the email.
“Emera will also be conducting post incident testing for any incident that they suspect may be related to the use of drugs and alcohol. Any refusal to comply with the testing will result in immediate and permanent removal from NSPI and EUS job sites.”
The email doesn’t indicate whether employees will be able to continue working for McLeod Safety if they do not submit to the test or fail to pass it, but it does make it clear that the company intends to comply with Emera’s policy.
No one from McLeod Safety returned CTV Atlantic’s calls or emails requesting comment on the matter.
Nova Scotia Power says the new policy is not the result of a specific incident, but rather an evolving strategy as part of the company’s continued commitment to safety.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kayla Hounsell
