Toccoa Commissioners Discuss Positive BAC Tests Among Employees

According to conventional wisdom, the first step to solving a problem is admitting there is one, and on Monday, at a Toccoa City Commission work session, city officials acknowledged that there is a problem at city hall. 

On the agenda for the work session was consideration of changes to the city employee handbook, specifically, the proposed changes were in reference to the city’s policies regarding alcohol. 

In a presentation to commissioners, City Human Resources Director Jan Crawford stated plainly that employees testing positive for alcohol is a problem within the city ranks. She did note that testing positive does not necessarily mean that the employee is actively drinking while on the job, but that if an employee drinks a sufficient amount of alcohol before reporting for work, even if it was the previous night, if there is still enough alcohol in their system to test positive, there is still enough alcohol in their system to impact their physical abilities and their work.

Blood alcohol concentration, also referred to as blood alcohol content (BAC), is the metric used to measure the percent of alcohol in an individual’s bloodstream. BAC is typically measured using specialized equipment like a breathalyzer, or sometimes in other ways such as blood draws.

On average, 0.01 – 0.03%  denotes a mild level of intoxication, while anything between 0.04 – 0.06 typically results in behavior that has become exaggerated, such as speaking louder, gesturing more, and the individual may begin to lose control of small muscles, resulting in things like blurrier vision, and judgment will be impaired.

Crawford said, after reviewing policies from other municipalities, she was recommending that the policy be adjusted to be a little less lenient.

Crawford responded to questions from commissioners, saying one individual has been terminated in the past year for testing at 0.04% or above, and three individuals have been sent home, under the current policy, for testing under 0.04%. She mentioned that some of those instances occurred within days of city-provided training on the city’s policy and practices regarding alcohol.

After extended discussion between commissioners and staff, a new proposed city policy was suggested, as noted by Crawford.

Crawford will talk with Avita in the coming week to talk about changes to the employee counseling program, and will advise commissioners of the results of that discussion at the next Toccoa City Commission meeting, when commissioners are expected to vote on approval of the policy change. 

 

BAC Levels.

• 0.01 – 0.03% – This is the lowest measurable blood alcohol level. At this mild level of intoxication, you may feel slightly warmer and more relaxed.
• 0.04 – 0.06% – Your behavior will become exaggerated (speaking louder, gesturing more), you may begin to lose control of small muscles (resulting in things like blurrier vision), and your judgment will be impaired.
• 0.07 – 0.09% – Mild impairment of speech, vision, coordination and reaction times make it dangerous for you to drive. In the United States (aside from Utah), it is illegal to drive at or above .08% BAC; you will test as legally impaired at this blood alcohol level if you’re 21 or older.
• 0.10 – 0.12% – Obvious physical impairment and loss of judgment. Speech may be slurred.
• 0.13 – 0.15% – At this point, your blood alcohol level is quite high. You’ll be affected by blurred vision, loss of coordination and balance, and potentially dysphoria (anxiety or restlessness).
• 0.16 – 0.19% – The term “sloppy drunk” applies. Dysphoria will become stronger, and nausea may occur. Walking becomes difficult, and you may fall and hurt yourself.
• 0.20 – 0.29% – You’ll feel dazed, confused, and disoriented. Balance and muscle control have deteriorated, and you may need help walking. You may not notice if you injure yourself, as feelings of pain are numbed. Nausea and vomiting are likely, and an impaired gag reflex could cause you to choke on your own vomit. Blackouts occur at this blood alcohol level.
• 0.30 – 0.39% – This is a dangerously high blood alcohol concentration. Your potential for death increases, as does your heart rate and the likelihood of unconsciousness. You may experience irregular breathing and loss of bladder control.
• .40% and over – Your heart or breathing may stop. A coma or death by respiratory failure is likely.
• Breathalyzer — Most commonly used by police officers on individuals suspected of drunk driving, the breathalyzer measures the amount of alcohol in an individual’s breath and gives quick results – but it does have limitations. While most individuals are familiar with the breathalyzer, it’s actually not the most accurate measure of BAC levels.
• Blood alcohol test — If you’re suspected of drunk driving and refuse a breathalyzer or think the results are inaccurate, you may request a blood alcohol test. A blood alcohol test is the most accurate way to test one’s levels of alcohol in blood. During this simple test, a medical professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm. This test is accurate within 6-12 hours after your last drink.