Maybe I missed something earlier, but we all know about the RTSA don't we?
In case you missed this titbit of legislation, a synopsis is below:
Earlier this year, the Railways and Transport Safety Act (RTSA) came into force and Part 5 of the Act, making it an offence to work on or with aircraft if your ability is impaired due to alcohol or drugs, is due to commence in February 2004.
The key points of the RTSA are:
· A person commits an offence if he performs a function directly relating to, or ancillary to, an aviation function when the proportion of alcohol in his breath, blood, or urine exceeds the prescribed limit.
· The limit for all, except aircraft maintenance engineers, is 9 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. This equates to one quarter of the drink and drive limit.
· The limit for aircraft maintenance engineers is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. This is the same as the drink and drive limit.
· Preparing to carry out an aviation task also counts as an ancillary aviation function. It is specifically stated that personnel will be liable as soon as they report for duty.
· A person guilty of an offence shall be liable on conviction, to imprisonment for up to 2 years, to a fine or to both.
· Testing will initially be carried out by the civilian police taking a breath sample. The Act gives them the right to enter any place or board an aircraft if they reasonably suspect an offence is being committed.
· The police will be able to test those involved in an aviation accident and those who have controlled or maintained the aircraft, as they would after a road traffic accident.
· Full details of Part 5 of the Act can be found at
www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/30020--f.htm#92
Good Luck with the party season....
BS