Drug and alcohol testing for safety-critical roles
When testing makes sense.
Official guidance ties testing to safety at work, not to what people do in their private lives.
Safety-critical work
HSE says there may be a case for screening in safety-critical jobs, such as drivers, pilots and some machinery operators.
Transport with legal limits
In Great Britain it's an offence for safety-critical rail and tram workers to be unfit through drink or drugs. Similar offences cover shipping and aviation across the UK.
After an incident
The ICO says testing after an incident, where there's a reasonable suspicion, is easier to justify than random testing.
New starters
Testing can be a condition of a job offer if applicants are told early. The ICO says not to test every applicant by default.
How we can include it.
Book testing on its own or add it to any package. Testing is priced on request.
Drug and alcohol testing
Carried out by our clinicians, at your workplace or in clinic.
What it covers
- Booked on its own or with any package
- Results included in your report
- No minimum group size
- Price on request
With a pre-employment medical
For new starters in safety-critical roles, so the medical and the test come back in one report.
What it covers
- Medical and lifestyle history
- Tests matched to the role
- A clear fitness outcome, with any restrictions
- Drug and alcohol result in the same report
With a return-to-work medical
HSENI describes testing as part of an aftercare programme. It can be added to a return-to-work medical where your policy provides for it.
What it covers
- Return-to-work medical after absence
- Fitness outcome and any restrictions
- Testing where your policy allows
Consent, policy and fairness.
Testing only holds up with the groundwork in place. This is what official guidance in the UK and Ireland expects from employers.
Agree it through a contractual policy
Employers need consent to test, usually through a full health and safety policy in the contract or staff handbook. HSENI notes that existing staff don't have to accept new terms.
GOV.UK: drug testing at work(opens in a new tab)Test only the roles that need it
Limit testing to the people whose work carries the risk, keep random testing genuinely random, and don't single anyone out unless their job justifies it.
nidirect: drug testing and employee monitoring(opens in a new tab)Treat results as health information
The ICO expects a data protection impact assessment, staff told what they're tested for and what happens after a positive result, and no covert testing. Unrelated findings, such as prescribed medicine, shouldn't be recorded or used.
ICO: medical examinations and drug and alcohol testing(opens in a new tab)Offer support before dismissal
HSE says dependence is a recognised medical problem. Dismissing someone for misuse without trying to help them may be found unfair at a tribunal.
HSE: supporting employees(opens in a new tab)
Your duties as an employer.
The laws behind drug and alcohol policies, and the few places where testing has a basis in law. Elsewhere, testing rests on your policy and your employees' agreement. This is a summary to help you plan, not legal advice.
Great Britain
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974(opens in a new tab)
The general duty to protect employees' health and safety, which HSE applies to managing drug and alcohol misuse.
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, section 8(opens in a new tab)
An occupier commits an offence by knowingly allowing controlled drugs to be supplied, or cannabis smoked, on their premises.
- Transport and Works Act 1992, sections 27 and 28(opens in a new tab)
An offence for safety-critical rail, tram and guided transport workers to be unfit through drink or drugs. Operators and employers have a due diligence defence.
- Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003(opens in a new tab)
Similar offences for seafarers (section 78) and people performing aviation functions (section 92).
Northern Ireland
- Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1978(opens in a new tab)
The same general duty as in GB. HSENI says knowingly letting someone work under the influence could lead to prosecution.
- HSENI: what an employer can do(opens in a new tab)
Agreement to screening must be in the contract of employment. Forcing a test on an unwilling employee risks a constructive dismissal claim.
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003(opens in a new tab)
The occupier offence and the shipping and aviation offences apply across the UK, including Northern Ireland.
Republic of Ireland
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, section 13(opens in a new tab)
Employees mustn't be under the influence of an intoxicant to the extent that they endanger anyone. The duty to take tests only applies to tests set out in regulations.
- HSA: no regulations on testing(opens in a new tab)
Outside rail, no testing regulations have been made, so you can't require a test unless the contract provides for it. You can still stop someone working if they'd be a danger.
- Railway Safety Act 2005, Part 9(opens in a new tab)
Railway undertakings test safety-critical workers for cause, after incidents and at random, with samples taken by a medical practitioner.
- HSA Intoxicants at Work information sheet(opens in a new tab)
Intoxicants include prescribed and over-the-counter medicines. Where testing is done, the HSA recommends a recognised laboratory standard.
Straightforward to arrange, from one employee to every site.
- Step 1
Tell us what you need
Share your workforce size, locations and screening requirements. We'll recommend the right checks.
- Step 2
We organise the checks
We arrange appointments at your workplace or in clinic and carry out the assessments.
- Step 3
Access your results
View fitness outcomes and download your documents from the employer portal.
Safety-critical roles HSE gives as examples
- Drivers
- Machinery operators
- Lift truck and plant operators
- Heavy lifting equipment operators
- Electrical work
- Work on ladders and at height
Common questions
Questions employers often ask us about drug and alcohol testing.
Still have a question?
Our team can help with anything specific to your workforce.
Let’s set up testing for your safety-critical roles.
Tell us which roles and sites need covering and we'll give you a clear price.