ScreenSafe UK provides analysis and support to:

Medico-Legal professions:
Family law cases, forensic requirements, psychiatric treatments, compliance testing, “date – rape”, expert witness and challenge etc. usually via Hair sample analysis.

Employers with the main screening categories targeted by UK businesses:

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Although D&A policies, by definition, generally make provision for the detection of both drugs and alcohol misuse it is not required to include an alcohol breathalyser test at the pre-employment stage since there is no legal basis to refuse employment for a positive alcohol test.

Where employers operate a testing programme that may be widely known internally, prospective recruits are often largely unaware how long certain drugs (particularly cannabis) can remain in the system and therefore produce a positive result. Even when recruits are informed well in advance of their pre-employment assessment that a drug screen will be included, positive rates can be as high as 24%. Early testing can therefore effectively minimise the risk of accepting an employee with an existing problem.Testing is administered both in the workplace as part of the interview and selection procedure or at a designated regional centre.

Random screening aims to reinforce the drugs and alcohol policy in order to ensure continued compliance following initial pre-employment screening. A percentage of the workforce (usually between 5% and 25%) is stipulated at the outset whereby a random selection procedure is implemented by the customer’s Human Resources department, often computerised using our RandomSelecta software.

Random screening is most effective where tests are performed on-site, thus enabling minimum notice time to be given to donors. Experience shows that alcohol breathalyser tests can be effectively performed where less than two hours notice is given.

Alternatively, random sampling may be performed at a designated regional centre. It is recommended that as little notice of the test as possible be given to those employees selected for random sampling. A maximum of 24 hours prior to appointment is recommended. Un-announced testing requires NO notice to be given. Compliance testing refers to testing where, for instance, an employee is routinely tested as part of a “return to work” programme as part of a company’s E.A.P. (Employee Assistance Programme).

For-Cause testing is very often applied to safety critical work, commonly where heavy plant, machinery or vehicles are operated. Our service ensures immediate testing on employees / persons who present themselves for work appearing to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol intoxication, or where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that employees’ actions or omissions have contributed to an accident or incident. All parties involved are usually tested in order to eliminate the claim of discrimination.

The staff training via our ADAMS© course provides the skills necessary to manage this part of screening effectively.

ScreenSafe UK respond immediately to all For-Cause callouts and aim to attend any location specified by the customer within two hours of initial contact, where employees are subjected to both evidential breathalyser (via a Draeger 6510 unit) and drug tests as a matter of routine.

Drug screening is performed in accordance with strict guidelines and often performed on a combination of the following drugs (although we can test for many others – please contact us for any specific requirements).

Drug Types: Amphetamines, Benzodiazepine, Barbiturates, Cannabis, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), Methadone, Methaqualone, Opiates, Phencyclidine and Propoxyphene.

The mix of drugs screened for and the cut-off limits should be clearly stated in your policy.
The cut-off for alcohol is often set at the “drink-drive” level, although, in some industry sectors it is set at a lower or even zero tolerance.

At ScreenSafe UK we provide a complete package of support for companies, from advice and guidance on setting up a drug and alcohol policy, right through to sample collection and analysis. We have years of experience working with organisations in developing and implementing workable and cost-effective policies.

With the primary aim of minimising the effects of drugs and alcohol in the workplace, our health and welfare consultants work closely with customers towards common objectives in order to:

• Understand the nature of work undertaken and the associated hazards
• Understand the organisational structure and culture
• Become aware of the impact of drugs and alcohol on health and safety
• Become aware of the impact of drugs and alcohol on efficiency and loss control
• Plan policy implementation
• Make appropriate decisions relating to screening
• Design training courses and training plans for managers and staff
• Ensure a smooth transition through liaison with trades unions, staff groups and other stakeholder groups

Having already been involved with large-scale D&A policy implementation within the UK service sector for many years now, our team is fully aware of the sensitivity surrounding workplace testing. We offer our wealth of experience in Trades Union consultation and the development of education programmes and training aids – including professional video production.

ScreenSafe UK provides structured management training courses in order to equip Managers with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective drugs and alcohol policy maintenance. Qualified trainer assessors ensure that the outcomes of competence-based training enable candidates to:

• Recognise Employers’ legislative responsibilities through HASAW
• Identify the signs of substance misuse
• Understand the role of Management in the implementation of policy
• Ensure laid down procedures can be followed with confidence

A typical drugs and alcohol foundation course (ADAMS©) has a duration of one day and is designed for a target audience up to 12 candidates. We also offer a more concise half-day course which does not cover the aspects of Human Resources and role play exercises. It is considered essential that all staff involved in instigating For-Cause D&A Screening should at least attend attend the half-day course. Other shorter courses and briefings addressing "signs & symptons" etc are also available. Bespoke packages to suit are a specialty and are created to meet your specific objectives. Training can be delivered "on-site" or at our facility in Stafford.

Coordinated briefing sessions are designed in a way that all attendees:

• Fully understand the intended method of policy application
• Appreciate the availability of support systems made to individuals with known related problems
• Understand the consequences of policy non-compliance

Briefing sessions are delivered to groups of varying sizes and supported by visual aids and the distribution of related drugs and alcohol literature.

The RandomSelecta software is an essential part to any Drugs & Alcohol random/un-announced testing donor selection programme. Our RandomSelecta software was specially developed as a fast and inexpensive way to randomise employee names, NI numbers etc, to establish a legally defensible selection process for Drug and Alcohol testing.

We can either provide the RandomSelecta software and licence on CD, or we can manage the process for you. We offer fair and secure random selection services (please contact for set rates). By utilising our services, you can be sure of a completely objective and non-discretionary method for 3rd party testing selection. No more “my name is always picked out of the hat because the manager doesn’t like me”!

ScreenSafe UK operates a nationwide call network 24 hours per day, 365 days per year providing sample collection services to pre-booked on-site testing at customer-specific locations, and immediate response to For-Cause callouts at any location (we aim to be on-site within 2 hours from call-out). Our Collection Officers only work for ourselves and we do not sub-contract to other collection agencies. All our staff have passed an extensive training schedule and their quality is maintained by our unique competency management system. By this we can offer a guaranteed high quality, fully trained collection service that is impartial and therefore maintain a legally defensible Chain of Custody.

Pre-arranged on-site testing requires the customer to provide details in advance of who is to be tested, where they will be working and shift pattern (if applicable). A Testing officer attends the site, usually accompanied by a customer representative, to collect the required sample and perform a breath test from those selected.

It is important to ensure suitable facilities are available in order that the donor’s dignity is maintained and that the integrity of the sample is assured at all times. As a minimum requirement, a well-lit private room is needed with two chairs and a table or desk and, for urine sampling, a nearby toilet that can be sealed off for the duration of the assignment. In order to maximise cost benefits, ScreenSafe UK recommends that on-site screening should be undertaken for several employees per session. A drug screen and alcohol breathalyser test can be completed in twenty to thirty minutes providing employees attend promptly.

Negative results are available between 5 minutes and 24 hours dependent on the test methods used. Where an initial test shows non-negative results then confirmatory testing is applied in order to identify precise substances – these results are available within five working days.

ScreenSafe UK is continually reviewing its provision of services in line with the development of new technologies, in particular, the less invasive and instant screening techniques currently under study. Our oral, hair, instant and laboratory-based urine testing products and services provide the level of accuracy and reliability of results across all commonly used drug types to ensure legal defensibility to our customers.

Positive drug samples are interpreted on a technical level in the toxicology laboratory undertaking the test. Since legally prescribed drugs will also be identified during the testing process, it may be necessary in certain cases to interview a donor, especially where medication previously taken could have affected a result, and therefore the final outcome. The Medical Review Officer (MRO) can undertake this review and provides assistance to the employer in reaching a definitive conclusion. The MRO is also in a position to assess the support needs of the donor and can instigate counselling and rehabilitative treatment if requested to do so. The MRO is also capable of providing expert witness testimony in a court of law, should this be necessary.

Where an employee freely declares a level of dependency, employers are obliged to consider this as a “treatable medical condition” and therefore in need of support. Levels and nature of dependency varies widely, however ScreenSafe UK maintains links with specialist Drug & Alcohol Counselling Units and specialist support services that provide individuals with an effective support mechanism. Where initial assessments indicate underlying psychological problems or where social difficulties such as family or debt issues are involved, specialist referrals can be arranged to help individuals cope more easily.

A health fair or series of seminars can help educate employees with regard to safe drinking levels, the strength of different alcoholic beverages and the affects of specific substances on the human body. Employees can test their knowledge informally and often have many myths dispelled, i.e. drinking coffee will help sober you up, or, a hearty meal will prevent a positive breath test. Parents are particularly keen to make themselves aware of the drugs currently in vogue, the effects these drugs have on their children, and how to recognise the signs and symptoms of substance abuse.

In our ever-increasing security conscious environment, ScreenSafe UK provides Home Office Approved, fully insured, professionally trained drug detection dogs (passive and active search) and security cleared handlers with a wealth of experience in narcotics detection. Our teams have been used extensively by a wide variety of commercial and private organizations and are available on short, medium or long-term arrangements; including 24hour emergency response where possible.

Where trafficking in illegal narcotics is a problem drug detection dogs are deployed in the front line. Some have been so successful that they have had a price put on their heads by drug cartels!

ScreenSafe UK offer a number of Occupational Health products and services. These include HAVS management screening programme, PTS medicals, health and lifestyle screening and monitoring, general and bespoke medicals, audiometry testing, blood test, various first aid courses, etc. This list is not exhaustive and we are happy to quote for any specific needs you may have.

We can provide many services "on-site" or at our Occupational Health facilities.

A service providing critical data and information reports on prescription and over the counter medications and pharmaceuticals. An effective tool to aid management decisions on a persons suitability to work.