Services > Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing > When to test

When to test

See also:
Testing Options Policy Support National Sample Collection Service Safeguard Digital Training Services

One of the key factors for an organisation to provide a safe and healthy working environment, is to ensure that employees do not misuse drugs or alcohol, nor are exposed to the consequences of misuse by others. You can do so by implementing an effective drug and alcohol testing programme. This can act as a deterrent to the misuse of drugs and alcohol in the workplace and also increases corporate responsibility.

Deciding when to instruct testing is dependent on your organisations needs. We are able to assist you with the following testing:

Random Testing

The impartial, random selection of employees to be drug and alcohol tested throughout the year reduces the risk of accidents due to drug and alcohol abuse. As a trusted expert partner, we offer all clients a random testing management program free of charge tailored to your organisation’s needs. Le us manage the testing process so you don’t have to.

‘For Cause’ Testing

We define a ‘For Cause’ collection or testing as follows:

Post Accident/Incident:

Testing those involved in accidents/incidents following on from them to eliminate the suspicion of drugs and/or alcohol from proceedings.

Reasonable Suspicion:

When behaviour and/or observations indicate substance misuse including the discovery of illegal substances, paraphernalia or empty alcohol containers.

Pre-employment Screening

Ensuring the safety and reliability of your workforce is of paramount importance. Using drug and alcohol testing either as part of you pre-employment checks or during their probation period, ensures you have reliable staffs that are free from the effects of drugs and alcohol on site.

*Both Random and pre-employment require at least 48 hours’ notice.

On-going/Periodic Monitoring

Any employee who has previously and voluntarily come forward and admits to having a drug and/or alcohol problem may be regularly tested over a 12 month period as part a rehabilitation process.


From our initial discussions through to the in-house training, the team guided us each step of the way during the implementation process, using their experience as experts in this field, with a clear communication plan. This level of outstanding, on-going support has continued since implementation and being able to have the toxicology team only a phone call away has been immensely helpful.

HR Business Partner, Co-Op Funeral Care