Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing: part of our Employee Services Division

Concateno provides drug and alcohol testing services into a wide range of industries and we understand all of the regulatory requirements relating to different industry sectors.

Employers or organisations decide to test their employees for a number of reasons including:

• Industry regulation or laws
• Requirement as part of a contract
• Best practice in the workplace
• After a number of drug and/or alcohol related incidents in the workplace

Here are summaries of some of the regulations that apply to our customers.

Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1992

Employers have a duty to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees.  An employer who knowingly allows an employee to work when impaired by alcohol or other drugs is running the risk of prosecution.  The key word is ‘knowingly’.  The employer cannot claim ignorance; there is an implied responsibility to find out via the risk assessment process defined in the 1992 Regulations.  A risk assessment for drugs and alcohol must take into account the consequences of impairment in the particular workplace, and the level of alcohol and drug use in society in general as well as locally. 

The employee also has a responsibility to be in a fit state to work.  Introducing testing alongside a programme of information and support can be an appropriate deterrent to the inappropriate use of drugs and alcohol.

Transport & Works Act 1992

This act places an obligation on all operators, whether railway companies or infrastructure, to show all due diligence that their employees in safety critical positions are not impaired by alcohol or drugs. 

The Railway & Safety Standards Board Group Standard GE/RT 8070

This standard sets out the mandatory controls for compliance with the T&W Act.  It states that all applicable operators must have a policy on alcohol and drugs that includes education for all employees on their effects, making managers and supervisors aware of their responsibilities, encouraging people to seek help, and a rigorous testing programme.  Network Rail extend their own interpretation of the Standard to all contractors for whom they are responsible. Click here for more information.

Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 

This applies to railways, aviation and waterborne transport. In effect it applies the Road Traffic Act standards to all modes of transport, giving the police the right to test and arrest anyone where there are concerns about behaviour and capability due to the consumption of alcohol or drugs.

Road Traffic Act 1988

This applies to all employees who drive in the course of their work.

In the context of Health & Safety legislation employers have an obligation to make sure that none of these individual laws are breached.  Failure to attend to these responsibilities will risk prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2008.

Corporate Manslaughter Act 2008

This applies to all organisations and focuses on neglect within management practice that leads to fatalities. It considers both acts and omissions, and ignorance of circumstances is not held to be a justifiable excuse.

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

This states that if an organisation is shown to 'knowingly permit’ premises owned or managed by the organisation to be used for the production or supply of any drugs controlled under the Act, or the smoking of cannabis, then this is an offence under the Act.  They key word again is ‘knowingly’ – organisations have a responsibility to be sure that they know the law is not being broken.

Which products could you use?

There are a number of options available to organisations wishing to implement a drug and alcohol testing programme. Our team work with a variety of industries to provide a best fit programme for each customer. No matter what type of organisation you work for we will be able to provide your testing needs, help you promote your policy to your employees and ensure you are fully prepared to manage your policy.

The products and services we provide to Employee Services customers include:

• Drug and alcohol policy advice
• Drug testing and alcohol testing
• Worldwide sample collection network
• Training and education
• Employee Assistance Programme

Concateno has developed a dedicated range of services to meet the specific requirements of our Employee Services customers.

Dedicated Account Management

Concateno have account managers situated at various locations throughout the UK to ensure you have local contact when you need it. Our account managers are on hand throughout the process, from helping you build the best testing plan for your company to being available for any questions once your programme is in place. All account managers are experienced and have been aiding organisations successfully for many years.

Training and Education

In addition to our testing and support services, we also ensure your staff are trained and ready to start putting your policy and programme into practice. Our toxicologists, in partnership with our customers and our training providers bring a unique depth of knowledge to the drugs education we offer. For more information on our training and education package click here.

Sample Collection Network

At Concateno we understand that many industries operate all year round and outside of 9-5 working hours. We can provide sample collection on both a pre-planned appointment or in an emergency situation, for which we aim to be with you within 2 hours. All collection officers are fully trained to follow vital chain of custody procedures and will be fully briefed on your requirements.

Experienced Toxicologists

Concateno has three specialist laboratories within the UK and our scientists are on hand to help our customers with any technical questions.

You can set up your testing programme in a few easy steps

• Contact one of our Account Managers with your requirements
• We'll send you a tailored quote to sign and an SSA/Account set-up form to fill in
• We'll set you up on our system and send you the codes you require to order your products and start testing!

If you have any question about the testing you are ordering or require any further information, please contact us.