A total of seven workers have tested positive for drugs over the past year at the Sellafield nuclear waste site. At the Cumbrian facility, where spent nuclear fuel from Britain’s reactors is managed, three workers have tested positive for alcohol, raising concerns about safety.
Between November 2021 and November 2022, 741 workers were randomly tested and four of them tested positive for drugs and one tested positive for alcohol. A number of workers were subjected to “for cause” testing during the same period as they were suspected of being impaired.
These figures were reported by the Daily Telegraph, following a Freedom of Information request. It was not disclosed what action had been taken against those who tested positive.
Among the most hazardous nuclear sites in the world, Sellafield handles more radioactive material per square meter than any other European site, according to the Office for Nuclear Regulation.
There are approximately 11,000 employees working at Sellafield Ltd, which is a government-owned company. There are also about 6,000 contractors working on the site, handling waste fuel and removing waste fuel rod casings that were stored for decades in Magnox’s Swarf Storage Silo.
Workplace Drug Testing from Zoom Testing
Having helped UK employers identify, prevent, and rule out drug and alcohol misuse for many years, Zoom Testing is one of the longest established workplace drug and alcohol testing companies in the UK. It is a proven fact that workplace drug testing and alcohol testing can reduce workplace hazards and improve safety for all company employees.
Testing for drugs and alcohol at work can promote a healthier workplace, a safer environment, and a healthier working environment for everyone. Besides improving safety at work, drug and alcohol testing at work can also enhance staff health and well-being, reduce turnover, and improve productivity.
From helping you to choose the correct workplace drug test kit, to helping you develop a workplace drugs policy, Zoom Testing can help. We can also advise on pre-employment screening, random drug testing in the workplace and advise stakeholders on the benefits of workplace drug testing.
Contact Zoom Testing if you need any help or advice on drug and alcohol testing in the workplace. We cover all of the UK and respond quickly to all requests.
Photo by Lukáš Lehotský on Unsplash
Zoom Testing is a leading UK drug testing company and a supplier of Drug Test Kits.
