Precision Stevedores Enhances Operational Safety and Staff Well-being With Smarter Workplace Drug Testing.
Precision Stevedores provides highly trained staff across major UK ports, consistently setting the benchmark for safety, efficiency, and operational excellence. Since its inception in 2018, the company has operated with a clear mission: to deliver flexible and dependable staff to work in complex dockside environments.
Managing Director John Daniels explains that safety isn’t just a priority, it’s the foundation of everything they do.
“People’s wellbeing and safety come first. We’re always trying to improve our training and the people we provide…. The measures we take and systems we use all help us towards that end goal.”
John Daniels, Managing Director
He continues by emphasizing the critical nature of their zero-tolerance approach to drugs and alcohol, especially in such a high-risk industry.
“We have a zero tolerance policy to drugs and alcohol, specifically because the industry we provide to is so safety-critical. It’s close to construction in terms of volume and severity of incidents and accidents. Also, taking into consideration we’re working near water…. Machinery and people don’t mix for one. But certainly, influences of drugs and alcohol don’t mix at all….This system helps keep our people safe.”
John Daniels, Managing Director
The Challenges With Traditional Workplace Drug Testing
At Precision Stevedores, time is tight, roles are high-risk, and operations move fast. Traditional workplace drug testing methods, such as urine and saliva, often created more friction than ease. In this case, urine testing procedures couldn’t keep pace. The process repeatedly disrupted shifts, delayed teams, and pulled workers from stations. Even when tests were complete, results lacked clarity, leaving managers uncertain.
Phil Crawford, Health, Safety & Quality Manager, recalls the frustration of trying to maintain safety standards without derailing operations.
“It was hard to carry out random testing without disrupting the shift… and even once the testing was complete, it wasn’t always clear what the result was…. This wasn’t ideal when testing safety-critical roles.”
Phil Crawford, Health, Safety & Quality Manager
The situation was inconvenient and undignified. It put pressure on operations and eroded trust. The team needed a solution that would prioritize safety without compromising speed, accuracy, or morale.
Putting People First in Workplace Drug Testing
Precision Stevedores transitioned to the Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Testing Solution to overcome the limitations of traditional testing methods. The system upholds dignity, safeguards employee wellbeing, and delivers fast, reliable results.
John Daniels says the shift wasn’t just about technology, it was about how the company interacts with its people.
“This system helps keep our people safe…. It’s more about the interface with our people—how they respond and interact with us…. We’re dealing with human beings here, not cattle.”
John Daniels, Managing Director
By eliminating the discomfort and inefficiencies of urine and saliva testing, Precision Stevedores reinforced its commitment to safety, reliability, and flexibility. The transition signaled a clear message: modern safety protocols should never compromise team morale or productivity.
Leadership understood that lasting safety improvements required more than just technology; they needed buy-in from the frontline staff.
Phil Crawford explains that the fingerprint method’s discreet and efficient nature helped ease the transition.
“There’s an element of buy-in needed from staff to make sure they’re not resistant to changes in safety protocol. The Intelligent Fingerprinting testing method is more discreet, more efficient, and less invasive. So it often puts them at ease when they’re coming to do the test and makes them more receptive to the testing process.”
Phil Crawford, Health, Safety & Quality Manager
The team focused on building trust and transparency during the transition. Intelligent Fingerprinting’s system was introduced with hands-on demonstrations and open communication. Now, employees see that these safety systems are designed for their comfort and protection.
John Daniels outlines their balanced testing policy, which includes pre-employment, for-cause, and random testing covering 3% of their staff per month. This balanced approach ensures that safety remains front and center without becoming intrusive or disciplinary. The fingerprint sweat method’s ease and discretion have made adoption smooth and sustainable, turning a once-sensitive process into a seamless part of daily operations.
From Compliance to Competitive Advantage
Five years into using Intelligent Fingerprinting, the results speak for themselves. Precision Stevedores has dramatically improved both operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Phil Crawford highlights the flexibility the system has introduced.
“Since moving to Intelligent Fingerprinting five years ago, our drug test process has improved significantly. We can test at any location, at any time. It allows for flexibility and means staff aren’t taken out of their operation for long periods.”
Phil Crawford, Health, Safety & Quality Manager
The financial benefits were just as compelling. After analyzing the data, the team found that the switch to fingerprint workplace drug testing delivered a strong return on investment.
“When we did the numbers, we worked out that the return on investment would be around 12–18 months because the cartridges were less expensive than all the costs associated with urine testing. Once you factored all the costs in, the cost to do fingerprint testing was less.”
Phil Crawford, Health, Safety & Quality Manager
Fewer interruptions. Lower expenses. Faster results. Precision Stevedores turned a compliance requirement into a competitive advantage, strengthening safety while freeing up resources and time.
Precision Stevedores continues to extend its reach across the country. Recent expansions include operations in Belfast, Liverpool, South Wales, and the Southeast, reinforcing the company’s commitment to port-centric growth and nationwide service delivery. John Daniels sees the fingerprint testing system as part of a broader mission to elevate standards across the industry.
“We set out to improve the quality and safety within the ports industry via our own people and the training we’re providing to our people and our customers. We work collaboratively with them to improve the overall safety and quality within the industry.”
John Daniels, Managing Director
Explore how Precision Stevedores is setting new standards in port operations: www.precisionstevedores.com.
Inside the Intelligent Fingerprinting Solution
Precision Stevedores holds a steadfast commitment to excellence, responsibility, and innovation. Drug screening isn’t just a safety protocol; it’s an embodiment of the company’s values, shaping how employees operate and how customers perceive them. Phil Crawford underscores the importance of customer confidence in their workforce.
“It’s crucial that our customers have confidence that our staff are safe while they’re working in their operations.”
Phil Crawford, Health, Safety & Quality Manager
By choosing a solution that prioritizes dignity, speed, and discretion, Precision Stevedores not only improved operational efficiency but also deepened trust among its teams and stakeholders. Crawford adds that innovation is central to their approach.
“We’re always looking to be the best at what we do and innovate. This was a great tool to exist in our testing process. This is one way of showing what we’re striving to do.”
Phil Crawford, Health, Safety & Quality Manager
To see how Intelligent Fingerprinting is helping other businesses improve safety and efficiency, explore more case studies.
