Drugs and alcohol

    Drug And Alcohol Testing Credit Draeger

    Preventing drug and alcohol misuse through workplace testing

    Drug and alcohol testing can play a vital role in ensuring the safety of everyone at work, and simple, non-invasive testing devices are now available for fast and discreet results.

    By Mark Burrup, Draeger Safety UK on 22 January 2026

    Dr Jamie OHalloran IPPR

    Alcohol – the negative impact on work and workplaces

    New IPPR research shows that most employees expect their employer to play an active role in reducing alcohol harm. Senior staff, in particular, believe employers have an even greater responsibility. Yet in practice, many employees say they do not see their employer taking meaningful steps to minimise harm.

    By Dr Jamie O’Halloran, IPPR on 02 January 2026

    Man Brooding Alcohol MED Istock 1199696886 Credit Fizkes

    Over a third of Gen Z workers feel pressure to drink at work events, reveals IPPR

    Pressure to drink at work events is contributing to widespread alcohol-related absences and reduced productivity across all sectors, according to a new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).

    By Belinda Liversedge on 17 October 2025

    Man Alcohol Drinking MED Istock 529917013 Credit Sturti

    Safe, focused and productive: why employers should test for drugs and alcohol

    Drug and alcohol testing can be an effective way of preventing substance misuse causing safety problems at work, but it’s vital to provide education and support so employees understand the dangers substance misuse poses to their own health and to the safety of colleagues and the public.

    By Jordan Reid, Randox Testing Services on 01 October 2025

    Susan Laurie

    Act in autumn to fix work-related alcohol issues year-round

    With employers likely turning their attention to Christmas and end-of-year parties for their teams, autumn is an ideal time to launch prevention, support and education programmes around alcohol at work, providing a real opportunity to protect health, productivity and performance.

    By Susan Laurie, Alcohol Change UK on 01 October 2025

    Woman Refusing Glass of Wine iStock Yana Tikhonova

    Alcohol at work: it’s time to rethink the drink

    Alcohol consumption can have a variety of negative impacts on workers and the wider business, so it’s essential to create a workplace culture where staff understand the health risks, don’t face pressure to drink at company events and would feel comfortable raising concerns about their own or others’ drinking.

    By Jane Gardiner, Alcohol Change UK on 27 September 2024

    Women Dancing at Festival iStock bernardbodo

    Backstage pass: how do festival organisers keep staff and visitors safe?

    As festivalgoers prepare to pull on their wellies, dig out their sunhats and dust off their tents ahead of another summer of live outdoor events, Safety Management looks behind the scenes at how festival organisers keep the armies of workers tasked with setting everything up safe and well.

    By Kerry Reals on 29 April 2024

    Woman Say No Alcohol MED Istock 1335914728 Credit Yana Tikhonova

    Why employers need to rethink the workplace alcohol culture

    Employers have a crucial role to play in reducing alcohol harm among their staff, through approaches such as education, confidential support and ending the stigma about seeking help for a problem with alcohol.

    By Janet Hadley, Choose Sunrise on 16 October 2023

    Thumbnail Oral Fluid Testing In Hazardous Workplaces 2 Credit Draeger

    Time for testing: drugs and alcohol

    Recent research shows the majority of employees support workplace testing for drugs and alcohol as part of wider measures to keep everyone safe at work, and developments in testing technology mean the process is now simpler, faster and less invasive for all concerned.

    By Dave Head, Draeger Safety UK on 13 October 2023

    Drug Test MED Istock Saiful Islam Khan

    Drug and alcohol testing at work: getting started

    Drug and alcohol testing can play a vital role in ensuring the safety of everyone at work, but it’s crucial the reasons for testing are properly explained to staff, and the correct testing equipment is used.

    By Connor Deith, AlcoDigital on 06 October 2023