Workplace drug testing is crucial for employers to maintain a productive and safe work environment. It helps increase productivity, reduce workplace accidents, reduce workplace crimes and save money.
Employees and employers need a clear understanding of common drug testing in the workplace. Knowing the best workplace drug tests ensures accuracy, alignment with UK law and cost-effectiveness for employers. Employees need this information to understand their rights, and gain insight into medication that can affect the results.
This article will provide details on the most common types of drug test, the legal framework for UK drug testing and more.
Why Do UK Workplaces Conduct Drug Tests?
Here are the main reasons why UK employers conduct workplace drug testing:
- Many employers have health and safety concerns, especially in high-risk industries like construction.
- They have a legal obligation to do so under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This mandates a safe work environment; drug testing meets this obligation. The Equality Act 2010 also requires that consistent workplace drug testing take place.
- To improve employees’ performance and productivity.
What are the Types of Drug Tests in the UK?
There are numerous drug testing types in the UK. They vary based on invasiveness, purpose, cost and detection windows. Here are the most common types of UK drug tests:
- Urine drug testing – this is a trusted drug test that can detect an extensive range of illegal drugs. It is also a cost-effective option and is easy to administer.
- Saliva drug testing – this is an easy test to administer and is non-invasive. It is the ideal solution for testing for recent drug use, as detection can take as little as a few hours.
- Hair drug testing – this has a 90-day detection window, making it ideal for identifying long-term drug use. However, it takes a long time to administer and is more expensive than other methods.
- Blood drug testing – this is a rarer method because it is more invasive, yet it is consistently accurate. It can detect drugs in the bloodstream at the time of the test, making it excellent for detecting very recent drug use.
What is the Most Common Drug Test in UK Workplaces?
Urine testing is the most commonly used UK drug test. It is a trusted test in numerous industries, including transportation, healthcare, construction and more. It is also an affordable option that is quick and easy to administer.
Urine drug testing can also detect a wide range of illegal and prescription drugs.
Certain test types are more suitable for specific situations, such as saliva testing to detect recent drug use.
What is the Urine Drug Test Process?
The process for urine drug tests is simple and quick; here are the key steps:
- The employee will be informed about the entire test process.
- The employee will leave a urine sample in a cup provided to them; they will go to a private restroom to do this.
- Once obtained, the result will be sent to a testing laboratory for analysis (immunoassay screening, GC-MS, etc.).
- The employer will receive a secure report containing the results.
The test screens multiple substances, including cannabis, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines and more.
How Can Employers Prepare for a Workplace Drug Test?
The best way that employers can prepare the workplace for drug testing is by contracting a high-quality drug testing company like Wright Medics.
At Wright Medics, we offer high-quality drug and alcohol testing for various sectors. Our drug testing includes a short questionnaire followed by a urine test where appropriate. If the test has a positive result, we submit the sample within a formal Chain of Custody to an independent Laboratory for re-evaluation.
Does your business need to set up consistent drug testing for existing employees and pre-employment screenings? Contact Wright Medics today to receive fast and accurate results!
Contact us on 01909 730507 or fill out the form on our contact page to make your workplace safer with comprehensive drug testing.