Random drug and alcohol testing at work keeps employees safe, reduces risks and insurance costs to business’s.

Workplace drug testing is standard practice in many industries operating in safety critical environments. Random drug testing is a key element of any workplace drug testing program and needs to be operated fairly and efficiently for both employees and the employer to gain the maximum benefit. explaining the benefits to employees is a key element of any drug and alcohol testing program. Employees need to be made aware of the benefits of a safe and drug free environment of work. Extending this to non safety critical employment roles may not be critical to the safe delivery of service, but can lead to improvements in both efficiency and moral, as employees perceive the policy as being more fair and even across the entire workforce.

Employers can simplify the introduction of drug and alcohol screening programs by introducing them into all recruitment events as part of routine health care screening. Where companies do not routinely undertake health screening, introducing drug and alcohol screening into new employment contracts enables the testing of staff in the future, even if this is not being considered immediately. Random testing policies should allow for testing to be undertaken even when no suspicion has been raised, but this needs to be administered in a fair manor, without discrimination. This would normally require the amendment of historic employment contracts held for employees performing identical or similar employment duties.

Random drug testing is normally best undertaken using a saliva drug screening test kit. This tests for 5 or 6 common drugs of abuse, can be taken directly from the employee with their consent and gives on-site screening results in under 5 minutes. saliva tests with up to 12 drug group results are available for employers requiring a more comprehensive screen, but with no HSE guidance on the expected test combination, 5 or 6 drug groups is all most employers will be expected to use. Cover the common drugs and any localised problem drugs (your local drug team can help you with this one) UKDrugTesting have staff who know what tests are best for your business and will help you choose the best value, in both cost, accuracy, and ease of use. (there is no point having a 99% laboratory test if it is so complicated to use, you waist half of them in procedural errors)

Random drug testing will reduce your absent from work rate, reduce the risk of workplace accidents, motivate you staff not to recreationally experiment with drug use. As an employer you will benefit from actively encouraging the health and well being of your workforce.

To find out more about random drug testing at work and drug testing kits suitable for use in the workplace visit UKdrugTesting.co.uk