Two TTC employees fail alcohol, drug tests under new random testing program

On Monday, May 8, the TTC began implementation of its random drug and alcohol program, part of a broader fitness for duty policy designed to keep TTC workers, our customers and all road users safe.

On the first day of testing, a TTC worker in a safety-sensitive position tested positive for alcohol by blowing over .04 on a breathalyzer - the threshold established for alcohol impairment at the TTC.

Late this afternoon, the TTC was advised by its third party administrator of the random drug and alcohol program that a different worker, who was also tested on Monday, had a positive test result for drugs. The substance was not disclosed, but the level of drugs detected was over the cut-off established for the drug in question. The TTC is only advised of pass/fail for drug tests, though a medical review officer does make efforts to review positive drug test results with the employee first before the TTC is advised of the result.

TTC CEO Andy Byford said, "All of the 10,000 employees working in more than 1,400 positions that are designated as safety sensitive, are critical to ensuring the TTC operates safely and provides a safe workplace. The fact that two failed tests were registered in the first three days of testing indicates that the TTC is justified in implementing this program.

"While these initial test failures are concerning, the overwhelming majority of TTC employees, including those in safety sensitive positions, are professionals that attend work fit for duty and with the safety of their customers and colleagues as their absolute priority."

Please see previous news release with factum and court decision embedded on this matter.