Drugs and alcohol testing

It is an offence under Transport and Works Act 1992 for employees to carry out, tasks such as train driving or signal operation (tasks  are sometimes called safety critical), while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There are also legal duties on employers to have procedures in place so this does not happen.

This part of the law is enforced by the British Transport Police.

Any allegations of drink and drug abuse in the railway industry are of concern and particularly if they involve workers such as signallers, drivers, or trackside workers whose work is safety critical.

Are staff tested before duty?

Railway operators carry out drug and alcohol testing for selecting or promoting staff to safety critical tasks and after incidents. Random testing is sometimes also undertaken as a deterrent. There is an issue as to how random such testing should be. It is important to have employees available for test, but equally it may defeat the purpose if a warning is given.

The requirement for employees to give samples for testing is usually dealt with as a term in the employment contract of those working on the rail transport system.

Do we support the testing of staff?

We support testing for the purpose of selecting safety critical workers and random testing as a deterrent, but believes the details are for the employer and employee to determine.

Last updated: 24 January 2008