With regards your drug and alcohol policy can you supply the following information? The cut off levels applied by your lab to the confirmation test (Not the screening test) for commonly abused drugs i.e cannabis cocaine etc , And if a test returned a result below the cut off level would a employee be subject to disciplinary action ?

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TfL Ref: FOI-2231-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 3^rd February 2021 asking for information about our drug and alcohol policy.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.

Specifically you asked:

“With regards your drug and alcohol policy can you supply the following information? The cut off levels applied by your lab to the confirmation test (Not the screening test) for commonly abused drugs i.e cannabis cocaine etc , And if a test returned a result below the cut off level would a employee be subject to disciplinary action?

I can confirm that we hold the information you require.

If a drug result (laboratory confirmation) is above the cut-off level, the result is reported as Positive. If a drug results (laboratory confirmation) is below the cut-off level, the result is reported as Negative. A negative result would not be subject to TfL disciplinary action. TfL use a UKAS (https://www.ukas.com/) accredited laboratory guided by EWDTS guidelines (European Workplace Drug Testing Society) which lists the recommended cut-off level for drug analysis confirmations in urine. This means that the cut-off level should be either at the recommended cut-off or below.

In relation to the two drugs specifically referenced in your request:

EWDTS recommended cut-off level for Cannabis is 15ng/mL

Matrix Diagnostics cut-off level for Cannabis is 15ng/mL

EWDTS recommended cut-off level for Cocaine is 100ng/mL

Matrix Diagnostics cut-off level for Cocaine is 100ng/mL

Note that TfL is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy working environment. The safety of employees and customers is of paramount importance. A major factor in this respect is the ability of those who work for us to carry out their jobs safely, effectively and to the best of their ability. Therefore TfL operates a zero-tolerance approach to alcohol and/or drug use to minimise any safety risks to customers and its employees. Standards have been set for employees detailing the requirements and responsibilities regarding alcohol and/or drugs, to ensure that their work performance is not affected in any way by their consumption. Any employee who is taking medication has a responsibility under the company's Drugs and Work Standard to check with their doctor (or other medical practitioner); dentist or pharmacist if the medication they are taking could reduce vigilance or adversely affect their work performance.

TfL is committed to supporting employees who come forward to the Drugs and Alcohol Assessment Treatment Service (DAATS) or to their line manager with an alcohol and/or drugs related problem. DAATS was established to provide assistance for employees who are experiencing problems with alcohol and/or drugs with the aim of returning them safely back to the workplace. When an alcohol and/or drug use problem occurs, employees will be given reasonable support and advice in dealing with the problem. If an employee fails to inform DAATS or their line manager before a breach of this policy, TfL is unlikely to afford any additional support and appropriate action will be taken through the disciplinary procedure.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely,

David Wells

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

General Counsel

Transport for London

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