Rank: Forum user 
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An occupational health surveillance provider is recommending that any drivers (not HGV) who work for us undertake a urine test every year to check whether they are suffering from sugar/protein defficiencies which is an early indication of diabetes ,hydration and kidney problems.
They say it is standard for drivers but I have never heard of anyone doing this before and I am worried it goes beyond health surveillance requirements.
Does anyone out there do this and is it health surveillance or a voluntary medical test?
Lucy D
Edited by user 17 November 2016 18:07:00(UTC)
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Add on value provision by your OH - as well as the cost of the test you will need to factor in lost days whilst the employees attend follow up GP/Consultant appointments based upon a "result of concern" being reported. Excluding those whose licence requires regular medical examination the rest of humanity manages to get by quite succesfully with passing the driving test and (barring conviction, totting up or significant change in health) carry on doing so for the period of issued validity. Whilst possibly "nice to know" there are issues beyond the box including unecessary intrusion in to employees health not mandated by regulation and generating data that may impact the way in which insurers deal with your business (you are moving in to the realms of a business record rather than personal health data) Insurers by their nature are risk averse seeking every opportunity to gather data with which to load premiums so do not give them any scope. In case you missed it the insurance industry recently wanted access BookFace posts to assess risk on young drivers - keep warning the kids once it launches in www. it is there forever to come back and haunt you.
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 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Add on value provision by your OH - as well as the cost of the test you will need to factor in lost days whilst the employees attend follow up GP/Consultant appointments based upon a "result of concern" being reported. Excluding those whose licence requires regular medical examination the rest of humanity manages to get by quite succesfully with passing the driving test and (barring conviction, totting up or significant change in health) carry on doing so for the period of issued validity. Whilst possibly "nice to know" there are issues beyond the box including unecessary intrusion in to employees health not mandated by regulation and generating data that may impact the way in which insurers deal with your business (you are moving in to the realms of a business record rather than personal health data) Insurers by their nature are risk averse seeking every opportunity to gather data with which to load premiums so do not give them any scope. In case you missed it the insurance industry recently wanted access BookFace posts to assess risk on young drivers - keep warning the kids once it launches in www. it is there forever to come back and haunt you.
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2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I agree with the above post. Urine tests are unnecessary and intrusive given the relativley low risk you describe. When I was a train driver we were subject to random and 'for cause' urine testing for drugs and alcohol, where we were informed that if any other medical conditions were identifed from the sample then we would be informed under the duty of care policy. That is very different to deliberately screening staff for medical conditions.
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1 user thanked RayRapp for this useful post.
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Rank: Forum user
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As always some clearly reasoned responses, which reflect my thoughts.
I have gone back to the occ health provider and challenged them.
Thank you
Lucy
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Rank: Super forum user
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Lucy
All personnel that drive airside at our facility (lge international airport in the south east) have Airside Driving Permits. They undergo a Dept of Transport medical every 3 years, same medical as for LGV drivers I believe.
Saying you need a urine test every year, sems a way of drumming up an income source.
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