Network Rail drug and alcohol testing
Network Rail drug and alcohol testing for employers, sponsors and contractors, from individual pre-appointment tests to managed testing programmes.
Crystal Health Group is a RISQS-audited supplier for Sentinel drug and alcohol testing and for-cause services. We coordinate appointments, sample collection and reporting around your rail testing requirements.
Urgent call-outs: Existing SLA clients should use their agreed arrangements. Without an SLA, call 0800 988 7107 for availability; advance payment applies.
Book an individual Network Rail test online at selected UK clinics.
Rail testing programmes and individual bookings
Managed rail testing programmes
Arrange pre-appointment, random and periodic Network Rail drug and alcohol testing through an ongoing programme or service level agreement.
SLA clients receive a dedicated Business Account Manager to coordinate bookings, random selection from employee lists and programme scheduling, with an escalation point for service issues.
For the wider managed-service arrangements, explore our workplace drug and alcohol testing services.
Individual Network Rail appointments
Book a single pre-appointment or occasional Network Rail drug and alcohol test without an ongoing contract. Our team handles the booking administration and collection arrangements.
Provide the sponsor’s contact details, Sentinel number if applicable, preferred location and the date results are needed. Let us know whether the test is for Sentinel reporting or a non-Sentinel rail requirement.
Selected clinic appointments can also be booked online. Confirm your sponsor’s testing specification before choosing the instant or laboratory service, and provide the sponsor details and Sentinel number where applicable.
RISQS-audited rail testing and Sentinel reporting
Crystal Health Group Ltd is qualified via RISQS audit for Alcohol & Drugs Testing (Sentinel) and For Cause Drugs and Alcohol Testing. Our supplier ID is 5663.
We provide Network Rail drug and alcohol testing for organisations and contractors, with results uploaded to Sentinel where required. All laboratory testing is performed in a UKAS ISO/IEC 17025-accredited facility; laboratory accreditation is separate from on-site screening.
We also provide rail-standard testing for non-Sentinel purposes, including Eurostar cabin crew. Tell us whether a Sentinel upload is needed when you enquire.
How to arrange your Network Rail drug and alcohol test
1. Confirm the rail testing requirement
Tell us whether testing is pre-appointment, random, periodic or for-cause, whether Sentinel reporting is needed, and when results are required.
2. Provide booking and sponsor details
Send the sponsor’s name, contact number and email address, the Sentinel number if applicable, preferred collection location and number of people. We confirm the test, availability and costs.
3. Attend for sample collection
Bring acceptable identification, which can include a current Sentinel card. The appointment involves urine sample collection under chain-of-custody procedures and breath alcohol testing. We record the donor’s National Insurance number to locate their Sentinel profile where required.
For an individual clinic appointment, book online once you have confirmed the required service with your sponsor. Contact our team for other collection locations, group bookings and managed programmes.
Network Rail drug test results and Sentinel reporting
Where urine POCT screening is appropriate for the rail requirement, it provides an instant initial screening result. A non-negative screen is not a confirmed positive and is referred to the laboratory.
Laboratory screening normally takes one to two working days from receipt at the laboratory. Confirmation testing, where required, takes a further 3–5 working days for standard-panel drugs.
Confirmed positive drug results undergo Medical Review Officer (MRO) review, including consideration of declared medication. Laboratory turnaround is separate from any medical review and completion of Sentinel reporting, so tell us about your deadline before booking.
Learn more about urine POCT screening and urine laboratory testing.
Network Rail drug and alcohol testing prices
Network Rail drug and alcohol testing can cost as little as £72 per person including VAT, depending on how many people attend one appointment. This is a volume-dependent example; we confirm the price for your individual booking or programme.
Breath alcohol testing can accompany the drug test at no extra charge. One-off bookings and SLAs follow our current price list, with discounts potentially available for volume testing or an awarded contract.
Send your testing requirement, location and approximate number of people for a quotation. You can also view our urine laboratory drug testing prices.
Discounted Manchester online appointments: the Network Rail urine instant drug and breath alcohol test is £126; the Network Rail urine laboratory drug and breath alcohol test is £150. These are individual clinic appointment prices, separate from the volume-dependent example above. Prices and availability for other online locations are shown when booking. Additional charges may apply for laboratory confirmation testing or Medical Review services, depending on the package selected.
Network Rail sample collection across the UK
Arrange a Network Rail drug and alcohol test at selected sample collection locations across the UK, or book a sample collection officer to attend your workplace or another agreed location.
Tell us the testing requirement, location and number of people so we can confirm availability and coordinate collection. Remote locations may attract a premium, which we explain when agreeing the booking.
Individual appointments at selected clinics can be booked online. For other centres in our collection network, call 0800 988 7107 or complete our contact form to arrange your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I arrange a Network Rail drug test alongside a PTS medical?
Tell us if you also need a Network Rail PTS medical. We can discuss the combined requirements and confirm availability and appointment arrangements.
What happens after a non-negative Network Rail drug test?
A non-negative screen is not a confirmed positive. The sample goes to the laboratory, with MRO review of confirmed positive drug results to consider declared medication. A confirmed failure can lead to a five-year restriction from rail work. A second urine sample is retained so the donor can arrange testing at another appropriately qualified laboratory.
What is the Network Rail breath alcohol testing limit?
Network Rail breath alcohol testing uses a Home Office approved device. A reading above 13 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath fails the test; a reading of 14 μg/100 ml or above is therefore a fail.
Do I need a sponsor and Sentinel number for a Network Rail drug test?
Provide the following before arranging your Network Rail drug test:
- Your sponsor’s name, telephone number and email address.
- Your Sentinel number, if applicable.
If the test is for a non-Sentinel rail requirement, tell us so we can agree the correct reporting arrangements. Send us your booking requirements.
Can I book a Network Rail drug and alcohol test online?
Yes. Individual Network Rail urine drug and breath alcohol testing appointments can be booked online at selected UK clinics. Discounted online prices are available at our Manchester head office.
Confirm your sponsor’s testing specification before choosing the instant or laboratory service. Provide your sponsor’s contact details and Sentinel number where applicable, and tell us if the test is for a non-Sentinel rail requirement. Contact our team for other collection centres, groups or managed programmes. Please telephone for urgent or for-cause testing.
Can you provide 24/7 for-cause Network Rail drug and alcohol testing?
Yes. Existing SLA clients use their agreed call-out arrangements. We usually aim to attend within two to three hours on a best-endeavours basis, allowing for traffic, weather and location; agreed contractual response terms apply.
Without an SLA, call 0800 988 7107. Requests are subject to availability and payment in advance.
Can I use an instant urine test for Network Rail drug testing?
Urine POCT screening provides instant initial results where appropriate for the rail testing requirement. Direct laboratory testing is also available. Confirm your sponsor’s specification and whether Sentinel reporting is required before selecting an online package. If you are unsure which service to choose, contact our team before booking.
What drugs does a Network Rail drug test screen for?
Our Network Rail laboratory drug panel covers:
- Amphetamines
- Benzodiazepines
- Cannabis
- Cocaine
- Methadone
- Opiates
- MDMA (ecstasy)
- Tramadol
- Ketamine
Send us your sponsor’s testing specification so we can confirm the appropriate service.
Can I book a Network Rail drug and alcohol test without an SLA?
Yes. You can arrange an individual Network Rail drug and alcohol test without an ongoing service level agreement. For regular pre-appointment, random or periodic testing, we can discuss a managed programme.
Arrange Network Rail drug and alcohol testing
Discuss a rail testing programme or service level agreement, or arrange an individual Network Rail drug and alcohol test. Send us your sponsor details, testing requirement, preferred location and timescale.
Call 0800 988 7107 to discuss the next step. For immediate-response testing, please telephone rather than use the quotation form.