Testing Options

When meeting with companies new to workplace testing, we’re often asked what test options are available to them.

What sample type should I use?

Once a customer has determined when they can test, the next question is usually 'how'. The following samples are most commonly used to screen for drugs and alcohol in the workplace:

Urine: The most effective method for drug testing is to use a urine test. Urine is considered the gold standard as it’s highly reliable and easy to collect and analyse.
Saliva: With a narrower window of detection, saliva is used to look for use within the past day or less. This unobtrusive method of testing is useful in situations where toilet facilities are not readily available.
Hair: Hair testing looks at historic drug use over a number of months. As a result, it is not commonly used as a front-line method within the workplace, but can be used during rehabilitation for longer term assessment because of its larger detection window.
Breath: An electronic legally defensible breathalyser is the most effective way to test a breath sample for alcohol. Breathalysers provide instant and accurate results.

How can I test the sample?

Once a decision has been made on sample type, the next consideration is how the sample is tested. There are two options for this stage, primary screen and laboratory analysis.

Primary Screen: A test is performed in front of the donor during the collection process to obtain a result there and then.
Laboratory analysis: The sample can be collected under Chain of Custody conditions to ensure full traceability of the sample throughout the process and sent into the laboratory for a primary screen.

Given the stigma around drug testing, SLS refer to results of any primary screen as ‘negative’ or ‘non-negative’. If a donor obtains a non-negative result, it is not an admission of guilt. It simply means something within the sample has reacted with the test. However, this could be an illegal drug, prescription medication or some over the counter medication, so further analysis is needed to confirm this.

We follow rigorous Chain of Custody procedures when undertaking any test, from the collection of the sample right through to the reporting of results.

Breathalysers

DRÄGER 6820 Breathalyser

The Dräger 6820 is an electronic breathalyser that provides legally defensible results. Equipped with the proven electrochemical Dräger sensor, the Dräger 6820 provides near instant results. The results of all breath tests using an electronic breathalyser can be immediately printed and a copy can be given to the donor. To remain legally defensible, the breathalyser must be recalibrated every 6 months, a service that SLS is also able to provide.

Disposable Breathalysers

The Alcoproof® breathalyser is a single use disposable breathalyser used to provide an indication of the alcohol content of the donor’s exhaled air. This result is a screening result, providing an indication of the presence of alcohol. Where a legally defensible result is then required or a back calculation needed, a follow up electronic breathalyser should be conducted. SLS supply breathalysers with two different alcohol cut off levels.

Urine & Saliva Test Kits

Drug Check 10

The Drug Check 10 is a dip test which tests for a profile of 10 common drugs of abuse within a urine sample. The device screens for: Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Buprenorphine, Cannabis, Cocaine, Ketamine, Methadone, Methamphetamines and Opiates. The device is dipped into the urine sample once it is collected. This ensures the donor is unable to interfere with the device during the collection process, reducing the risk of adulteration.

Safeguard Saliva

Saliva testing is particularly useful in situations where toilet facilities are not readily available and it is an unobtrusive method. Saliva has a narrower window of detection, saliva is used to look at use within the past day or less. The Safeguard Saliva device is a simple one-step test for the detection of Amphetamines, Benzodiazepines, Cannabis, Cocaine, Methamphetamines and Opiates within a saliva sample. This produces instant on-site results within 5 minutes of the sample collection.

Full instructional training will be offered on every testing product that is purchased. To ensure accuracy, a practical assessment is required to ensure participants are following the process correctly. On successful completion of this course, delegates are awarded a Certificate of Attendance. This certificate is effective for 12 months from when the training was delivered, we advise further re-training is completed every 12 months. More information on our training and education services can be found here.

For more information on your workplace drug and alcohol testing options, speak to our Customer Services team on 01873 856 688 or contact us here.