Alcohol and Drug Testing in the Workplace

Prioritise workplace safety with our Alcohol and Drug Testing Service. Our job is to make Drug and Alcohol Screening a seamless service for our customers and take care of everything from tests to analysis for an efficient, cost-effective and accurate service.

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What type of Drug and Alcohol Screening do we conduct?

Choosing the right type of drug and alcohol test is essential for various situations. This is because, each method offers unique benefits that cater to specific needs. Here’s an overview of the advantages of different test types:

Saliva Drug and Alcohol Test: Saliva tests offer quick, non-invasive detection of recent drug and alcohol use. Because they provide an immediate snapshot, they are ideal for on-site testing. Rapid results and simplicity also make saliva tests valuable for identifying recent impairment.

Blood Sample Drug and Alcohol Test: Blood tests provide accurate and comprehensive results, revealing recent drug use and blood alcohol levels. They’re crucial in legal cases and medical emergencies because they offer a direct assessment of intoxication levels. While invasive, blood tests offer a detailed insight into substances present in the bloodstream; they do not, however, offer an immediate result.

Urine Drug Test: Urine tests are widely used due to their detection window and non-invasiveness. Because of this, they offer a broader timeframe for drug identification, making them valuable for workplace testing. They may not reflect immediate impairment, but urine tests offer a comprehensive overview of an individual’s substance use history.

Hair Drug Test: These tests provide an extended detection window, which makes them suitable for identifying long-term drug use patterns. They also offer insights into habitual use over months, making them useful in employment and legal scenarios. Hair tests provide a reliable history of substance exposure, though they don’t reflect recent use as effectively as other methods.

What Substances do we look for?

What substances do we look for in Alcohol and Drug Workplace Tests?

Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) for drug and alcohol screening can identify a variety of substances. While the available test panels can vary, here’s an extensive list of what such tests commonly identify:

Drug Testing:

Cannabis (THC): Detects recent marijuana use.
Cocaine: Identifies cocaine use.
Amphetamines: Shows stimulant drugs like amphetamine and methamphetamine.
Opiates: Detects substances derived from opium, such as morphine and codeine.
Benzodiazepines: Identifies prescription medications used for anxiety and sleep disorders.
Methamphetamine: Detects meth use.
MDMA (Ecstasy): Shows party drugs like MDMA.
Phencyclidine (PCP): Detects the presence of PCP, a hallucinogenic drug.
Barbiturates: Identifies sedative medications.
Tricyclic Antidepressants: Detects certain antidepressant drugs.
Oxycodone: Identifies opioid painkillers.
Ketamine: Shows the presence of the dissociative drug ketamine.
Synthetic Cannabinoids: shows lab-made substances designed to mimic the effects of THC.
Synthetic Stimulants: Detects designer drugs similar to amphetamines or cathinones.
LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide): Identifies hallucinogenic drug use.

Alcohol Testing:

The Advantages of POCT Drug and alcohol Screening.

Advantages of POCT Workplace Drug and Alcohol Screening: Time, Cost, and Effectiveness

Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) for drug screening is a game-changer. This is because industries spanning workplaces and healthcare benefit from its streamlined processes, yielding time, cost, and effectiveness advantages.

Benefits of POCT

POCT empowers swift decision-making. This is because on-site results are available in minutes, allowing industries to enjoy reduced waiting times compared to traditional lab-based tests. Network Rail is a prime example of this new standard, emphasising safety, and also making POCT a strategic choice to ensure compliance.

Cost Efficiency

Point of care testing minimizes expenses. This is because no sample transportation or external lab services is needed, leading to substantial savings, crucial for sectors with recurring drug and alcohol testing needs.

Enhanced Effectiveness

POCT enables immediate response in safety-critical scenarios and also in medical emergencies, promoting productivity and safety.

Embracing POCT drug testing, revolutionises safety, efficiency, and compliance efforts. It’s a strategic move that safeguards workforce well-being while aligning with industry excellence.

In the Case of a Non-Negative Result

For non-negative POCT results, confirming accuracy is vital. Therefore, Synergy utilises UKAS 17025 accredited labs, adhering to the highest accuracy standards. Additionally, MHRA-approved tests ensure reliability, meeting industry benchmarks.

Non-negative Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) results, without confirmatory laboratory testing, may lack legal defensibility. Therefore, to ensure accuracy and compliance, confirming such results through accredited laboratories is essential. This step also reinforces the reliability of testing outcomes and supports robust decision-making processes.

UK Legislation on Drugs and Alcohol in the workplace

Employers have a duty in law to protect employees’ health, safety and welfare. So, understanding the signs of drug and alcohol misuse (or abuse) will help you to manage health and safety risk in your workplace, develop a policy to deal with drug and alcohol-related problems and support your employees.

UK Legislation on Drugs and alcohol