I have recently been asked to look in to implementing drug and alcohol testing within my organisation, I work for a construction company operating large mobile plant, as well as employees we use a lot of contractors which also would require inclusion. I understand some of the implications and know I will need a clear policy on this issue.
Any help from people who have implemented such a system or who has any further knowledge.

Thanks in anticipation.

Firstly you need to look at why you are doing it? Do you have strong evidence to suggest that your employees are coming into work under the influence? For example risk assessments? Do you have accident/near miss data to support this. Hearsay is not strong enough!!!!!!"

Why wait until you have had accidents. Be pro-active. Society trends supported by Government evidence can demonstrate wide spread use of drugs and alcohol (at work).

We have a fleet of vehicles where it was introduced. No positives to date which is great. Even if only acting as a deterrent it's worked a treat.

It took 18 months to implement due to a consultation period and the changing of contractual T & C's

I don't understand this comment - surely risk assessments and strong evidence that people are under the influence are completely different things - risk assessments are not an example of evidence that they are under the influence.

Is it not a case of evidence and/or risk assessment? That is, if your risk assessment identifies a sufficiently high hazard you'd not need evidence to implement random testing. If you have a moderate or low hazard, then you might decide you won't test unless there's evidence as well.

The other issue to consider is there might be statutory obligations to have D&A controls including testing - for example if the work is rail related and affects the safety of the railway system (Transport and Works Act).

Network Rail Alcohol & Drug testing
Title: Network Rail Alcohol & Drug Testing
Caution: Failure to bring any of the required items will result in cancellation of the appointment.
If you fail to attend then the full charge will be applicable.
What you must bring with you: • Photographic I.D (Passport or Driving Licence)
• Proof of National Insurance Number.
• Any prescribed medicines or drugs taken within the past 14 days.
Duration: 15-20 minutes
Information about the testing: Alcohol will be measured using a Home Office approved breath analyser.
The testing machine has an immediate print out of results.
Drugs will be tested by urine using full chain of custody.

We will test your urine under strict conditions for Alcohol and Drugs. The nurse or collection officer will ask you about any medication you have been taking including over-the-counter medicines.
You will be required to produce identification a passport, photo driving licence, CIS card or PTS card.
Two samples of urine are collected, sealed under your supervision and sent to an approved laboratory.
If one sample is positive you have the right to have the second sample tested at a different approved laboratory (a charge will be made by the second laboratory.)

If you fail a A&D test this will exclude you from the railway for a period of at least 5 years.

The Laboratory will test for alcohol and the following drugs:
• Alcohol
• Amphetamines
• Barbiturates
• Benzodiazepines
• Cannabis
• Cocaine
• Methadone
• Opiates
• Propoxyphene
• MDMA (Ecstasy)

Further information will be given at the time of your examination/urine test.
Please feel free to discuss or ask any questions with the nurse or collection officer.

They also have history of calling employees in from days off.

"Under section 27 of the Transport & Works Act it is an offense for rail employees to carry out, and railway employers to allow employees to carry out, safety critical work while under the influence of drugs or alcohol"

Oh, and false positives are rife.
Loads of over-the-counter drugs give positive results.

Dronabinol (Marinol)
Ibuprofen; (Advil, Nuprin, Motrin, Excedrin IB etc)
Ketoprofen (Orudis KT)
Kidney infection (Kidney disease, diabetes) Liver Disease
Naproxen (Aleve)
Promethazine (Phenergan, Promethegan)
Riboflavin (B2, Hempseed Oil)

Amphetamines - Substances or Conditions which can cause false positives
Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, propylephedrine, phenylephrine, or desoxyephedrine
(Nyquil, Contact, Sudafed, Allerest, Tavist-D, Dimetapp, etc)
Phenegan-D, Robitussin Cold and Flu, Vicks Nyquil
Over-the-counter diet aids with phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim, Accutrim)
Over-the-counter nasal sprays (Vicks inhaler, Afrin)
Asthma medications (Marax, Bronkaid tablets, Primatine Tablets)
Prescription medications (Amfepramone, Cathne, Etafediabe, Morazone,phendimetrazine, phenmetrazine, benzphetamine, fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine,dexdenfluramine,Redux, mephentermine, Mesocarb, methoxyphenamine, phentermine,amineptine, Pholedrine, hydroymethamphetamine, Dexedrine, amifepramone, clobenzorex,fenproyorex, mefenorex, fenelylline, Didrex, dextroamphetamine, methphenidate, Ritalin,pemoline, Cylert, selegiline, Deprenyl, Eldepryl, Famprofazone) Kidney infection, kidney disease, Liver disease, diabetes

Opiates - Substances or Conditions which can cause false positives
Poppy Seeds
Tylenol with codeine
Most prescription pain medications
Cough suppressants with Dextromethorphan (DXM)
Nyquil
Kidney infection, Kidney Disease
Diabetes, Liver Disease

Ecstacy - Substances or Conditions which can cause false positives
Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, propylephedrine, phenylephrine, or desoxyephedrine
(Nyquil, Contact, Sudafed, Allerest, Tavist-D, Dimetapp, etc)
Phenegan-D, Robitussin Cold and Flu, Vicks Nyquil
Over-the-counter diet aids with phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim, Accutrim)
Over-the-counter nasal sprays (Vicks inhaler, Afrin)
Asthma medications (Marax, Bronkaid tablets, Primatine Tablets)
Prescription medications (Amfepramone, Cathne, Etafediabe, Morazone,phendimetrazine, phenmetrazine, benzphetamine, fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, dexdenfluramine,Redux, mephentermine, Mesocarb, methoxyphenamine, phentermine, amineptine, Pholedrine, hydroymethamphetamine, Dexedrine, amifepramone, clobenzorex, fenproyorex, mefenorex, fenelylline, Didrex, dextroamphetamine, methphenidate, Ritalin, pemoline, Cylert, selegiline, Deprenyl, Eldepryl, Famprofazone) Kidney infection, kidney disease
Liver disease, diabetes

Cocaine - Substances or Conditions which can cause false positives
Kidney infection (kidney disease)
Liver infection (liver disease)
Diabetes
Amoxicillin, tonic water (quinine)

I think the statement that "false positives are rife" gives a poor impression of how reliable D&A screening actually is. In over 20 years I've only heard of 1 case where the results were challenged and it was subsequently found that an over the counter product caused the positive result.

D&A screening has been a standard in the railway industry for a considerable number of years and overall it works. Everyone knows that if you're found to test positive you're out and will be lucky to get back in (5 years is the minimum but I'd be surprised if anyone took the risk knowing the history).

This type of screening is becoming more popular throughout all types of workplaces and it is worth considering where you want to ensure sobriety of the workforce during working hours, especially in potentially high risk environments. It is worth doing and when done correctly will have a beneficial effect, both with the workforce and also in terms of reduction in insurance policies. Just make sure that the policy is implemented correctly, communicated to the staff clearly and that the policy takes into account those who may have substance abuse problems (i.e. write in a section that ensures those who come forward asking for help with an addiction are not unjustly descriminated against).

With regard to false positives, I have never had one in the 5 years I have been actively involved with testing. Generally when analysed with hplc or gc you will find trace elements of other substances that you would not find in a prescribed, medical pharmaceutical product. The signature looks a lot different and some pharmacuitcals have a specific element that can be identified.
With sampling kits, immunoassay type product the cut off level for detection is higher than over the counter medicines.
These are the reason why proper donor consent and declaration of medications are important, also in policy ensure that any medications being taken must be declared and assessed for impairment, risk assessed for the task.
Anyhow putting the technical detail aside, the hse would take a view on management of substance abuse if impairment was part of an accident, or worse still found at autopsy.
All the positives I have dealt with have never challenged when presented with the evidence, and often at the point of test have explained there use.
Policy advise is available from numerous occ health / testing organisations. With regard to contractors ensure they are made are at contract, induction and propaganda on site, simply your only action with someone not I your employ is to exclude them from your site for action under the employers policy, therefore at pre-contract ensure their employer has a suitable D&A policy.

Thanks for all the replies, does any one have a copy of their D&A Policy i can take a look at ?

Thanks