Drug and Alcohol Tests
Request ID: FOI-1043-1819
Date published: 10 August 2018
You asked
I should like to request the data gathered for the following held by yourselves or originated by yourselves.
Total of drugs and alcohol test on train operatives taken between March 2018 to June 2018.
Total amount of drug and alcohol test failures between March 2018 to June 2018
Total amount of drug and alcohol tests past between March 2018 to June 2018
Total of suspensions due to failure if drug and alcohol tests from March 2018 to June 2108.
I should prefer to receive these in electronic format at this email address, however, I am happy to receive them by post if that is more convenient.
It would be helpful if you were to provide any brief notes which might be necessary to understand the context of the information provided, although I recognise that you are not obliged to do this. If for any reason you feel this request is unclear, please do not hesitate to contact me via this email address . If you are not the appropriate authority for this request, or for part of it, please let me know as soon as is convenient.
If the information requested contains sections of confidential information, please blank out or remove these sections, and mark clearly that they have been removed.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-1043-1819
Thank you for your request received on 12 July 2018 asking for information about drug and alcohol tests carried out on train operatives.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we do hold the information you require.
There are four types of drug and alcohol tests used at TfL:
We carry out ‘Unannounced’ testing on at least 5%, (there is no maximum level) of our Safety Critical Staff in London Underground, such as Train Operations, Station Staff, Depot Staff, Track, Signals, Engineers, Lifts and Escalators staff etc.
These tests are totally unannounced and the tests are carried out anytime - weekdays, weekends and nights. The dates and locations are kept confidential. The tests are carried out throughout the year as part of a planned programme. Managers are not informed and take no part in the planning of unannounced testing in their area.
There is also ‘For Cause’ Drugs and Alcohol testing which can be carried out on an employee if an authorised manager suspects an employee may not be fit or is impaired from carrying out their duties because of taking alcohol or drugs, this would be carried out locally at the employee’s workplace. This test can also be carried out on all non-operational staff working for TfL and London Underground.
We also have ‘Post-Incident’ testing and ‘point of care’ testing (POCT). If an employee is involved in an incident a Drugs and Alcohol test is carried out, e.g. where a train operator passes a red signal. In this case, an instant test cup will be used and a result is known immediately.
You asked:
Total of drugs and alcohol test on train operatives taken between March 2018 to June 2018
Total of 49 Train Operators have been ‘Unannounced’ tested between March- June 2018.
Total amount of drug and alcohol test failures between March 2018 to June 2018
Of 117 tests carried out between March 2018 and June 2018, there have been a total of 6 failures across TfL (including London Underground).
Total amount of drug and alcohol tests passed between March 2018 to June 2018
There have been 111 negative tests for drugs and alcohol between March 2018 to June 2018 across TfL (including London Underground).
Total of suspensions due to failure of drug and alcohol tests from March 2018 to June 2108
Six across TfL (including London Underground).
If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
[email protected]
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