Edinburgh City Council has found “strong concerns” that staff may be driving trucks under the influence of drink or drugs.

An internal audit on heavy goods vehicle safety was ordered after Thomas Wong, 11, was killed by a non-municipal garbage truck in Barnton in February.

The report recommended alcohol and drug testing of drivers after officials said they were unable to act on “suspicious behavior.”

Previous plans for substance testing, which are not supported by unions, were rejected last year by city councilors as “invasive and unnecessary.”

Fleet and operational managers at Edinburgh City Council are currently being asked to observe and record any suspected drink or drug use.

They are required to send colleagues home or involve HR or the police when they “reasonably believe” a staff member is under the influence.

But the report said: “Audit discussions with the council’s fleet and operational departments highlighted significant concerns about potential alcohol or drug use while driving for the council.

He adds: “Managers have expressed reservations about charging colleagues for alcohol/drug use at work based solely on suspected behavior, and are unable to take concrete action when the colleagues involved deny the consumption. »

The council’s current drug and alcohol policy was approved in May last year.

Substance testing was deemed unnecessary in an amendment tabled by the Greens and supported by Labor, SNP and Lib Dems councillors.

But the council’s Conservative group leader Iain Whyte said any accident involving a HGV resulting from a driver under the influence would be “catastrophic”.

He said: “The audit shows that this policy needs to be changed as soon as possible.

“People who drive on municipal business should be monitored to ensure their safety, not only for their benefit, but also to protect the public. »

The audit took place after the death of Thomas Wong after being hit by garbage truck while cycling on Whitehouse Road. His family said they were “completely heartbroken.”

Thomas is the second child killed by a garbage truck in a single week after Elizabeth Bell, 11, dies on the Scottish borders.

Edinburgh council leader Cammy Day said councilors “must act” if there is evidence to suggest someone was under the influence at work.

However, he questioned whether there were “other ways to respond” rather than random drug and alcohol tests.

Cllr Day suggested this could include stricter enforcement of existing policies on managing staff absences and managing people at work.

He added: “There should be an option to look at all of these things to ensure that our staff are safe and that if they are driving municipal vehicles, we are sure to ensure the public’s safety as well.”