Occupational Drug and Alcohol Testing

Occupational Drug and

Alcohol testing

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● Drug and Alcohol use and misuse at work has significant safety threats to a company's employees, customers and reputation.

● They are notoriously difficult to manage once it becomes evident or are implied unless companies have strategies in place from the outset.

● The use of illicit and prescription drug use within work places is rising.● This is causing concern amongst the business community and government

departments.● Organisations which have business critical and safety critical roles need to

have  a variety of strategies in place to manage these risks.● One such effective strategy is to have an established work place Drug and

Alcohol Testing process.

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The benefits of workplace drug and alcohol testing include● *Establishes a clear, ongoing and ambiguous company message

that substance misuse is unacceptable● *Acts as a deterrent against substance misuse at work● *Acts to ensure employees confirm their prescription medications can

be safely used whilst at work● *Rapidly answers questions related to suspicions of substance misuse at work● *Helps to answer whether short term, short notice sick leave relates to

substance misuse● *Gives confidence to managers/ HR that employees returning to work are

being appropriately and safely monitored● *Protects the company reputation and mitigates against accusations of

substance misuse in relation to safely critical work and incidents

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Independent testing

● We offer the ability to test for substances as part of a drug and alcohol policy / programme independent to the organisation thereby removing the implication of bias

Independent review of results● The results of any Drug and or Alcohol test should be reviewed by a MRO

( Medical Review Officer)  to check to see if there is another reasonable explanation for the results.  We offer this service in conjunction with or separate to our testing capabilities.

● More information about the MRO review process can be accessed here

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Testing● Testing can be done rapidly on site via POCT ( Point of Care Testing)  and  sent

for verification at approved laboratories  without delays When testing is needed● Testing as part of your HR Drug and Alcohol process is usually  done for the

following scenarios● 1) Pre-employment - To ensure steps are taken in not hiring those taking ,

using, abusing illicit or psychoactive substances● 2) Post Incident/ accident - To see whether psychoactive substances

were involved in an incident/ accident● 3) On suspicion of substance use/misuse- To answer whether someones

change in behaviour, aggression or the smell of alcohol in their breath related to psychoactive substance use. 

● 4) Randomly- To ensure compliance to the Drug and Alcohol policy and to act as a deterrent against illicit use. 

● 5) Return to work/ Post rehabilitation- To ensure employees maintain their abstinence after returning to work.www.flyingmedicine.uk

Samples of testing

● The usual method for testing is on blood, urine  (breath for alcohol) although hair samples can be used and are a good way to look back over a longer time period ( months)

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● Substances which can be tested

● Drugs● Amphetamines● Metamphetamines● Ephedrine● MDMA (Ecstasy)● Cocaine● Benzodiazepines● Barbiturates● Cannabinoids

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● Opiates - Codeine● Opiates- Dihydrocodeine● Opiates- Morphine● Methadone (Heroin replacement)● Ketamine● LSD● Methaqualone● Phencyclidine● Propoxyphene● Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA)

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● Alcohol● Alcohol levels● Liver Function Tests (LFTs)● Mean cell Volume ( MCV)● CDT● Phosphatidylethanol) PEth● Urine Ethyl Gluconaride (EtG)● Urine Ethyl Sulfate (EtS)

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● For verified results a GC/MS test needs to be done which added an additional 3 day turnaround time

● The sample can be done with or without Chain of Custody

Time scales● Onsite test - Same Day via a Point of

Care Test ( POCT)● Lab test - 1-2 days on average● Verified GC/MS result 5-7 days

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● Packages

We offer various combinations of tests although specifics can be requested

Urine based Occupational Drug and Alcohol Screening Fee with report £195

Alcohol Amphetamines 

Barbiturates Benzodiazepine Cannabinoids Cocaine CodeineDihydrocodeineEphedrine MDMA Methadone Metamphetamines Morphine www.flyingmedicine.uk

● Why use FlyingMedicine Ltd- As CAA and FAA aeromedical examiners with extensive experienced in the aviation sector, we understand regulations with regard to D+A testing and can ensure not only pilots but other safety sensitive workers are checked appropriately. 

● For further information please contact us

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