Norbrook partners with Randox on staff screening programme for COVID-19
Norbrook partners with Randox on staff screening programme for COVID-19
Pharmaceuticals company Norbrook Laboratories has revealed that it will be the first company in Northern Ireland to install an innovative COVID-19 testing platform for on-site staff screening.
The Newry-based firm, which specialises in the development of pharmaceuticals for the veterinary industry, will begin testing for its workforce in the coming weeks, to provide reassurance and peace of mind for colleagues and for their families, without impacting on the public health need.
The COVID-19 screening programme at Norbrook is being facilitated by diagnostic technology from global diagnostics company Randox, one of the partners within the national COVID-19 testing programme.
David Ferguson, Managing Director at Randox Food Diagnostics explained;
“Collectively we are all working towards a timely return to a more normal society, which will see companies reopening and people returning to work.
“To facilitate this recovery of the economy, without compromising the health of workers or of the wider general public, workplaces have a responsibility to provide a safe working environment.
“We know that the health of Norbrook’s staff is their priority and as such it is great to see them taking a proactive approach to testing.”
The COVID-19 screening programme at Norbrook is the first in Northern Ireland being facilitated by an innovative testing platform capable of processing results in 2hours 30 mins.
The technology, named the Vivalytic, can screen for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as a range of other viral and bacterial infections including Influenza A and B, Pneumonia and other coronaviruses.
David added;
“Randox is fully committed to supporting the national effort to fight COVID-19 by testing at scale, and as we continue to work alongside the government and ramp up our testing capabilities, we welcome the fact that other organisations are also adopting our innovative COVID-19 testing technologies to address their own particular testing needs.
“The Vivalytic, which provides high quality molecular testing for COVID-19, on-site and without the need for laboratory experience, is a unique space-saving, hygienic solution for personnel COVID-19 testing in any setting and will help a wide variety of industries get back to business by ensuring the highest level of safety.”
Denise Collins, Norbrook Human Resources Director, concluded;
“We’re proud to be working with a company like Randox which has such vast experience in the diagnostics industry and was subsequently able to respond so quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That this world-leading technology is available from a Northern Ireland-headquartered company presents a unique opportunity for workplaces here to quickly and easily implement a staff screening programme, and at the same time demonstrate a high standard of duty of care that should be shown by employers to their employees.”
For further information about the Vivalytic please email marketing@randox.com
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Support Services for Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing
Support Services for Workplace Testing
At Randox Testing Services, our ability to provide a wide range of products to carry out workplace drug and alcohol testing is just one part of what we do.
Alongside our drug and alcohol testing products, we provide a range of support services to guarantee complete and comprehensive testing solutions to meet your needs.
Substance Misuse Policy Review
To ensure our customers can implement a comprehensive workplace substance misuse testing policy, we conduct a full review of any relevant policies that are already in place. We offer this support service free of charge to customers. This is the first step in our process and checks that all wording and descriptions are relevant and accurate.
Once the policy has been reviewed and if necessary amended, recommendations can be made as to how the changes can be implemented. In some cases, a presentation from a Randox Testing Services representative may be necessary to explain the changes and what they mean to all staff.
Training & Education
Our training courses ensure employer confidence to carry out workplace drug and alcohol testing and management competence in enforcing the processes. All training courses are fully documented, regularly reviewed and include and assessment of the effectiveness of training. Additionally, all attendees are provided with a certificate at the end of each completed training course.
Educational seminars offer a chance for the topic of drugs and alcohol to be discussed. This opens a learning experience for employers and their employees and can be beneficial for not only the workplace but everyone taking part.
Our Training and Education Courses Include:
Drug and Alcohol Management Awareness Training
Aims to provide managers and supervisors with an understanding of drugs and alcohol and a practical knowledge of substance abuse in the workplace.
Chain of Custody Training
Empowers employers to conduct their own sample collections on-site with the same accuracy and precision as a Randox Testing Services Collection Officer.
We also offer various other services which assist companies in the implementation of workplace testing. Account management and various management information reports enable your company to receive as much information as possible about the testing being carried out, and detailed reports allow management to see the effects of workplace testing on your business.
About Randox Testing Services
At Randox Testing Services we aim to provide the best possible service to our customers. Whether this is by providing testing to a wide range of clients, or supporting companies with their workplace testing efforts; it is our goal to ensure workplaces are drug and alcohol free.
If you would like more information about any of our drug or alcohol testing products or how we can meet the needs of your business through our tailored services, please contact us using any of the below methods.
Web: www.randoxtestingservices.com/contact/
Email: testingservices@randox.com
Phone: +44 (0) 28 9445 1011
For further blogs visit www.randox.com/news
Randox Testing Services | How can a policy form the basis of workplace drug & alcohol testing?
If you work in a company with safety-critical roles it is more than likely that you have some sort of workplace drug and alcohol testing policy in place. Even companies without safety-critical roles are implementing these policies to further ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of their staff.
Employers hold the responsibility to ensure employees are fully aware of the company’s rules, regulations, testing and disciplinary procedures.
The policy itself holds vital importance, providing employees with the knowledge of the standards expected of them, whilst educating themselves with information provided in a written comprehensive manner.
The importance of implementing a policy
The most important element of a workplace drug and alcohol testing policy is SAFETY. Drug and alcohol use increases the probability of workplace accidents occurring. Studies have found that employees who have alcohol problems are 2.7 times more likely to have an accident whilst at work. The main issues associated with substance misuse relate to:
- Absenteeism – it’s estimated that 17 million days of work are lost per year due to substance misuse.
- Low productivity levels – employees may reduce output in different tasks and become de-motivated.
- Inappropriate behaviour – some cases of substance abuse may lead to crime.
- Aggressive behaviour towards others – resulting in loss of employment / convictions
It’s evident that many who suffer from drug & alcohol abuse are in employment. Studies show 25% of those in employment were registered drug addicts with 3.3% of all adults aged 16-59 classified as frequent users.
Significant issues such as these provide growing concerns for employers to implement a workplace drug and alcohol policy, to ensure the welfare of each member of staff is considered. Under the Health & Safety Act 1874, employers have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their employees is fully met in order to maintain standards.
The importance of a workplace policy for drugs and alcohol can benefit employers by:
- Building relationships with employees by showing there is help and support available.
- Policies can raise awareness of issues in the business and can encourage staff members to take action if needed.
- It can reduce the number of sick employees, reduce staff turnover and increase productivity levels.
Speak with us directly
We understand that the importance of having a policy that suits the specific needs of your company. In order to fully achieve this, we offer a free policy review service, where we will review your company’s existing documentation to gain an understanding of how we can help going forward.
We are delighted to announce we will be attending the Safety & Health Expo 2018. The annual event, running from 19th – 21st June and held at the Excel London, is the UK’s largest health and safety event with over 13,500 national and international key industry professionals across construction, manufacturing, government and consulting.
By attending this prestigious event we hope to engage with a range of stakeholders to discuss how our drug & alcohol testing services can have a positive impact on your employees and business.
If you are attending this event and would like to speak with us, please stop by our stand M410 to speak with one of our experts.
Alternatively, if you would like to arrange a meeting with us prior to the event, please email us: testingservices@randox.com, and quote Safety & Health Expo 2018 at the beginning of your message.
For more information on workplace drug & alcohol testing, visit www.randoxtestingservices.com.
Addressing Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace
Within any business, companies seek to outline clear methods in which employees should act and behave whilst carrying out their roles. These rules are outlined in company workplace policies. Every business – no matter which industry it operates in – should have well-documented and comprehensive workplace policies and procedures in place.
According to the Employment Law Handbook, a workplace policy is a set of rules and principles that aims to provide guidance to managers and workers in how to behave in the workplace. They can be in place for numerous different issues – bullying, harassment, internet use, health and safety are just a few that can be implemented.
Health and Safety
As mentioned above, health and safety is an important aspect of any workplace policy. The health and well-being of the working community is of utmost importance for sustainable development. Specifically, a drug and alcohol policy is a key part of the overall health and safety policy within a company. Alcohol and drugs through their effects on health, safety, work performance and absenteeism can jeopardise productivity, deny businesses the leading edge and curtail competitiveness. Effectively implemented drug and alcohol policies will help employers in the legal duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees.
The need for a Drug and Alcohol Policy
Drugs and alcohol misuse can have dangerous consequences within the workplace. All organisations can benefit from an agreed policy that applies to all staff. There are wide range of statistics available to highlight the worrying impact that drugs and alcohol can have on individuals. In 2016, it was estimated that £7 billion was lost in productivity through unemployment and sickness. Furthermore, 10.8 million adults in England are drinking at levels that pose some risk to their health. A survey carried out by UK based Health and Safety Consultants Protecting.co.uk showed that; from 2,600 workers in office, factory, retail and the public sector, 85% admit to being drunk at work in the last year; not including the Christmas party. 28% of those surveyed admitted using drugs at work, including NPS (formerly legal highs) cannabis and other illegal substances.
From a legal point of view, employers have a duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of employees. Also, under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, to assess the risks to the health and safety of employees. If an employer knowingly allows an employee under the influence of drug misuse to continue working and his/her behaviour places the employee or others at risk, they may face prosecution.
Advantages of having Policies in place
Having well-developed policies and procedures can provide a range of benefits to an organisation. An effectively implemented drug and alcohol policy will ensure a clear understanding within the workplace of the rules relating to drugs and alcohol. It will also provide a greater awareness in workplaces of the effects of drugs and alcohol an consequently early recognition. Furthermore, it ensures that the necessary structures and procedures are in place should a problem arise. An up to date policy will also provide assurance that key staff have been trained to understand the issues involved and have the necessary skills to deal with any problems should they arise.
How can Randox Testing Services help?
At Randox Testing Services we offer a comprehensive consultancy service to help employers create, an effective substance misuse policy. By providing this service we offer practical advice, guidance and support in composing a substance misuse policy.
Our confidential policy review service provides assistance to employers with an existing substance misuse policy. With this service, we help to modify existing documents to ensure it is legally viable and can withstand challenge in court.
For more information on our comprehensive consultancy service, visit our website: www.randoxtestingservices.com or contact us by emailing testingservices@randox.com.
To read more on workplace policies and their importance within an organisation, click here.
