UK steel stockholder implements mid-journey fingerprint drug testing for its HGV fleet

UK steel stockholder implements mid-journey fingerprint drug testing for its HGV fleet

• Portable fingerprint drug test enables random testing – including samples being taken at 5-mile HGV layby load checks
• “The portability and rapid results offered by the Intelligent Fingerprinting system mean we have been able to change our drug testing operations, significantly improving employee safety,” Andrew Stephens, Group Health & Safety Manager, ParkerSteel Limited
• Flexible system will overhaul drug testing for manufacturer, supporting new employee induction, random testing, just cause and post-incident drug testing
  

ParkerSteel Limited, a leading UK steel stockholder and processor working with manufacturing and construction firms, is deploying fingerprint drug testing as part of its continual health and safety initiatives. ParkerSteel will use Intelligent Fingerprinting‘s drug screening system to encourage adherence to the company’s drug safety policy by employees, including HGV drivers in charge of up to 40-tonne steel loads.

The new fingerprint drug test analyses fingertip sweat to screen for cannabis, cocaine, opiates and methamphetamine, identifying potential drug use within around 16 hours prior to the test. This is the timeframe within which illicit drug use is most likely to affect employees’ fitness for duty, potentially putting themselves, their colleagues and the general public at risk. Results are available on the spot in ten minutes, with high levels of accuracy. ParkerSteel is also making full use of the fingerprint-based system’s flexibility as part of its ongoing testing regime by carrying out testing for new employee induction, random, just cause and post incident. The portable fingerprint test will replace the company’s previous use of urine tests.

Commenting on the decision to opt for fingerprint-based drug screening, Andrew Stephens, Group Health & Safety Manager at ParkerSteel, said: “The portability and rapid results delivered by the Intelligent Fingerprinting system mean we have been able to change our drug testing operations for the better – improving employee safety.

“With our heavy steel products, we are always dealing with potentially dangerous situations. As a company we are very safety conscious – as any accident involving the processing, manoeuvring and transport of such heavy products could be unforgiving. ParkerSteel is focused on ensuring that our employees are fit for work, and this is why Intelligent Fingerprinting’s drug test is an excellent choice for our workplace drug testing needs. With its shorter window of detection, Intelligent Fingerprinting provides us with a quick and dignified way of identifying potential employee drug misuse in the period immediately prior to their working shift. We find that this screening approach gives us significantly better insight into possible impairment than the urine test we were using previously.”

“Due to the system’s portability, we can now test drivers randomly when they are in charge of steel loads of up to 40 tonnes. A key company safety requirement is that on each of our 48 HGV loaded journeys the driver pulls over into a safe place after five miles to check that chains and webbing straps are still secure, and the load is safe. We have just started to take advantage of this safety stop to carry out some random drug tests.” Andrew Stephens added.

Intelligent Fingerprinting’s Dr Paul Yates explains: “ParkerSteel has recognised the versatility of fingerprint-based drug testing to find new ways to encourage adherence to its drug safety policy. The fact that our test enables rapid in-house testing without special facilities or specialist staff not only saves time and money but also helps ensure truly random testing. Additionally, the portability of the Intelligent Fingerprinting test method allows ParkerSteel to test drivers at the depot or during non-driving time, meaning there’s no impact on productivity.”

Intelligent Fingerprinting’s simple fingerprint-based sweat test takes around 10 minutes to screen for cocaine, cannabis, opiates and methamphetamine. Hygienic and easy to use, it offers a more dignified and convenient approach to drug testing than conventional tests which require urine or saliva samples.

Fingerprint-based drug testing – how it works

Intelligent Fingerprinting’s drug testing system features a small, tamper-evident drug screening cartridge onto which ten fingerprint sweat samples are collected, in a process which takes less than a minute. The Intelligent Fingerprinting portable analysis unit then reads the cartridge and provides a positive or negative result on-screen for all drugs in the test in ten 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: cheryl.billson@commacomms.com  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 40 people. www.intelligentfingerprinting.com

Twitter @iFingerprinting

About ParkerSteel Limited
ParkerSteel Limited is a processor and stockholder of multi metal and engineering tool products. With three strategically positioned depots, and over 15,000 tonnes in stock, ParkerSteel supply a wide variety of steel and aluminium products to industries across the UK, delivered by their dedicated fleet of vehicles.  www.parkersteel.co.uk