Manufacturing sector can now maintain social distancing when drug testing thanks to hygienic fingerprint test

07.06.2020

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Manufacturing sector can now maintain social distancing when drug testing thanks to hygienic fingerprint test

  • Easy sample collection in under a minute removes the need for close proximity during testing
  • Face masks can be worn throughout the process, with no exposure to biohazardous body fluids

As the UK manufacturing sector continues to ramp up post lockdown, it is incumbent on firms to protect their workforce by making every effort to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. This involves complying with social distancing guidelines where possible, and also revising working practices to reduce risk to the lowest practicable levels. Drug testing is an essential health and safety consideration for most manufacturing industries and no less important during the pandemic, ensuring that workers are fit for duty and helping to protect employees, customers and the general public.

According to Intelligent Fingerprinting, the traditional workplace drug testing methods used by many in the manufacturing sector present challenges while still complying with social distancing. Oral fluid tests require the collection of an individual’s saliva, while urine drug tests involve the handling of biohazardous samples. In contrast, the 10-minute fingerprint drug testing method, which works by collecting an employee’s fingerprint sweat samples onto a small drug screening cartridge, is non-invasive and meets the Government’s key guidelines for supporting social distancing while at work by:

  • Enabling employees to self-administer their own fingerprint sample collection, allowing them to keep at least 2m away from the tester
  • Avoiding close face-to-face contact or handling of biohazardous body fluids as there’s no requirement for oral swabs or urine sample collection
  • Allowing both test administrators and those being tested to wear protective face masks throughout the drug testing process, unlike saliva tests where masks need to be removed to collect an oral swab sample
  • Removing the need for prolonged proximity during testing as sample collection takes just one minute, with results available in 10 minutes

“The manufacturing sector is quite rightly getting back to work, ramping up production while complying with Government guidelines for social distancing and – if possible – wearing a face covering when in an enclosed space. Ensuring safe and hygienic drug testing while minimising the amount of time you spend in close proximity doesn’t have to be a complex challenge,” explained Intelligent Fingerprinting’s Dr Paul Yates. “Fingerprint testing not only helps solve these issues, but the process is really simple, easy to operate and hygienic to use. The test supervisor and the person being tested can remain socially distant at all times and also wear masks throughout.

“And, because fingerprint testing is so quick and easy to deploy, manufacturing firms can take control of their own drug testing by conducting the process in-house without the requirement for expensive external testing providers to come on-site,” he added.

Fingerprint drug testing, which screens for drug use in the past 14 to 16 hours, is particularly applicable for fitness for duty workplace testing. The system is portable and simple to administer so there’s no need for any special preparation, enabling manufacturers to carry out testing themselves in a safe location.

Socially distant drug testing for the manufacturing sector – how it works in practice
Fingerprint-based testing is simple, easy to operate and hygienic to use. The test supervisor and the person being tested can remain socially distant and, if required, wear face coverings at all times. All the user has to do is take the fingerprint drug screening cartridge from its sealed-foil wrapper, press all ten fingerprints in succession onto the sample pad, and then slide the tamper-evident locking cover across to protect the sample from any interference. The user then steps away to allow the tester to collect the cartridge and insert it into Intelligent Fingerprinting’s DSR-Plus mobile reader for results analysis in 10 minutes.

An introductory video demonstrating fingerprint-based drug testing in action is available here.

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For media information contact Cheryl Billson at Comma
Email: [email protected]  Tel: +44 (0)7791 720460

About Intelligent Fingerprinting

Intelligent Fingerprinting’s portable Drug Screening System works by analysing fingerprint sweat. It is non-invasive, fast and cost-effective, with sample collection taking seconds and simultaneous screening for multiple drug groups in ten minutes. A laboratory confirmation service is also available.

The system has applications within many sectors and customers include employers in safety-critical industries such as construction, transport and logistics firms, drug treatment and family safeguarding organisations, as well as UK coroners. The company has distributors across the globe, including the USA.

Founded in 2007, Intelligent Fingerprinting is a spin-out company from the University of East Anglia (UEA).  The company is based in Cambridge, England and employs around 30 people. www.intelligentfingerprinting.com

Twitter @iFingerprinting

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