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.
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
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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
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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.
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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
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Drugs
Amphetamines
Metamphetamines
Ephedrine
MDMA (Ecstasy)
Cocaine
Benzodiazepines
Barbiturates
Cannabinoids
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
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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
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Urine based Occupational Drug and Alcohol Screening Fee with report £195
Alcohol
Amphetamines
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepine
Cannabinoids
Cocaine
Codeine
Dihydrocodeine
Ephedrine
MDMA
Methadone
Metamphetamines
Morphine
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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.
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For further information please contact us