Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing
Workplace drug and alcohol testing for UK employers, with managed testing programmes, service level agreements and one-off bookings.
Leave the booking administration and coordination to our team, supported by flexible nationwide sample collection and dedicated Business Account Managers for SLA clients.
Immediate-response call-outs: Existing SLA clients should use their agreed arrangements. Without an SLA, call 0800 988 7107 for availability; advance payment applies. Please telephone for urgent requests.
Workplace testing programmes and one-off bookings
Managed programmes and SLAs
A dedicated Business Account Manager looks after your service level agreement (SLA), maintains the relationship and provides an escalation point for any issues.
- Booking administration and collection coordination.
- Random selection from employee lists.
- Annual programmes, periodic testing and site outages.
- Best-practice policy advice, rather than legal advice.
Programmes can include random, for-cause, post-incident and follow-up testing to suit your requirements.
One-off bookings for employers
Arrange a single appointment or occasional testing without an ongoing contract. Our team handles the booking administration and collection arrangements for you.
This is particularly useful for pre-employment testing, individual contractors and employees who need to meet a site or role requirement.
Tell us where the person needs testing, when results are required and any testing specification that applies.
Choose the right workplace drug and alcohol test
Urine and saliva point-of-care tests (POCT) are cost-effective options for workplace screening, with instant initial results on site. The appropriate test depends on your policy and any industry or site requirements.
Compare workplace drug testing options
Urine drug testing
Collection: Suitable toilet facilities and privacy arrangements are needed.
Detection period: Generally detects use over several days; some substances remain detectable longer.
Available services: Instant POCT screening or laboratory testing.
Saliva / oral fluid drug testing
Collection: A mouth swab is less intrusive and can be collected under direct observation without toilet facilities.
Detection period: Generally reflects more recent use, often within approximately 24–48 hours.
Available services: Instant POCT screening or laboratory testing.
Detection periods vary with the drug, frequency of use, test method and cut-off. A drug test does not by itself establish current impairment.
Some safety critical specifications, including Sellafield requirements, call for direct laboratory testing. All laboratory testing is performed in a UKAS ISO/IEC 17025-accredited facility.
Alcohol testing at no extra charge
Breath or saliva alcohol testing can be undertaken alongside a workplace drug test at no extra charge. Learn more about breath alcohol testing.
Historical drug and alcohol use
For employers who need to assess use over longer periods, hair drug testing and hair alcohol testing offer a historical view over months, depending on the sample and analysis required.
How workplace testing works
1. Tell us your requirements
Let us know your collection locations, number of people, timescales and any employer or site testing specification.
2. Agree the arrangements
We confirm the appropriate test, costs and collection arrangements. For ongoing programmes, we also agree the scope of your SLA or contract.
3. Testing and reporting
We coordinate your appointments and sample collection. POCT provides an initial screen on site, with non-negative samples referred for laboratory testing.
Workplace testing trusted by established employers
Crystal Health Group is a RISQS-audited supplier for Network Rail drug and alcohol testing, including Sentinel and for-cause testing services.
- Jet2.com: contracted pre-employment testing.
- FCC Environment: SLA support for immediate response, random testing and outage programmes.
- Mott MacDonald: SLA support for immediate response, with pre-employment testing primarily for Sellafield requirements.
- BAM Nuttall: contracted regular random testing.
For industry-specific arrangements, explore our Network Rail testing and safety critical workplace testing services.
Nationwide workplace sample collection
Choose workplace visits or appointments at sample collection locations across the UK. Our national network gives you flexibility, whether you need one employee tested locally or a programme covering several sites.
We coordinate the collection arrangements around your requirements. Remote locations may attract a premium, which we explain when agreeing your booking.
Workplace testing prices and quotations
One-off bookings and SLA services are based on our current price list. Discounts may be available for volume testing or where a contract is awarded.
Tell us the type of testing, collection locations and approximate number of people. We will confirm the costs for an individual booking or prepare a quotation for your ongoing programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need an SLA to book workplace testing?
No. Employers can arrange a single appointment or occasional testing without an ongoing agreement. Our team handles the booking administration and collection arrangements. For recurring requirements, we can discuss a managed programme and service level agreement.
Which test should we choose for pre-employment testing?
The appropriate test depends on your policy and any role or site specification. Urine and saliva POCT offer instant initial screening results, while some specifications require direct laboratory testing. Send us the requirements before booking so we can confirm the appropriate option.
How long do workplace drug test results take?
Urine and saliva POCT provide instant initial screening results at the collection appointment.
A non-negative screen is not a confirmed positive result. The sample is sent to the laboratory for an initial screen, normally taking one to two working days from receipt at the laboratory. Confirmation testing, where required, can take up to a further three working days for standard-panel drugs.
These laboratory times apply to urine and saliva testing, rather than hair testing.
Can you provide 24/7 for-cause and post-incident testing?
Yes. Our 24/7 immediate-response service is normally arranged through a B2B service level agreement. Existing clients should use their agreed call-out arrangements.
We aim to attend within two to three hours on a best-endeavours basis. Traffic, weather and location can affect attendance. Where a contract specifies a two-hour response, the agreed contractual terms apply.
Organisations without an SLA should call 0800 988 7107. We can consider requests subject to availability, with payment required in advance.
Can you coordinate workplace testing across multiple sites?
Yes. We can coordinate workplace visits and appointments through our national sample collection network. Tell us your locations, employee numbers and timescales so we can agree the arrangements. Remote locations may attract a premium.
How are employees selected for random testing?
For SLA clients, your Business Account Manager can randomise employee lists and coordinate testing as part of your agreed programme. We agree the programme’s requirements with you when arranging the service.
Can you help review our workplace drug and alcohol policy?
Yes. SLA clients can receive best-practice policy advice through their dedicated Business Account Manager. This can help inform the testing programme and collection arrangements. Our policy support is not legal advice.
Can employers buy kits to carry out their own drug screening?
Yes. We supply urine workplace screening kits and saliva workplace screening kits.
These products are separate from our managed collection service and are not covered by our chain-of-custody procedures. Their results should not be used for disciplinary or legal purposes. Speak to our team if you need managed testing for those requirements.
Discuss your workplace testing requirements
Arrange a managed testing programme, discuss a service level agreement or book an individual workplace test. Our team will help you choose the next step.
Call 0800 988 7107 or send us your requirements for a quotation.