IMPACT Substance Abuse Program Hits One-Year Mark

The Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT), a labor management partnership formed in the spring of 2003 recently marked the one-year anniversary of its National Substance Abuse Program. The program, which creates a pool of pre-tested, pre-qualified workers who have met substance abuse testing requirements, also provides an online database, which its member contractors can access to verify drug testing records on an individual worker.

Many job contracts, which require drug testing, could be affected by this program. According to IMPACT's website, Ohio, one of the few states requiring state-funded jobsites to be drug-free, has directed its Bureau of Workers Compensation to accept IMPACT's Substance Abuse Program as a Comparable Program. Signatory contractors in Ohio can now receive discounts on workers comp rates while complying with the state's drug-free workplace standard. Some 30 unions are on board with the program, and IMPACT's goal is to have all locals signed on by 2007.