Nuclear Industry Employee Drugs Testing
Do we need nuclear industry drug testing?
Nuclear industry drug testing: a security issue
The Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) regulates security at the 31 civil licensed nuclear sites in the United Kingdom that includes, among others; Aldermaston, Dounreay, Dungeoness, Heysham, Sellafield, Sizewell and Wylfa, in keeping both with the UK's obligations under the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and taking account of recommendations made by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The OCNS takes a hard line on employee drugs testing
Since April 2008, OCNS has implemented a strong line on the use of unlawful drugs by civil nuclear employees and contractors. Apart from the dangers to individuals' health posed by the misuse of drugs and the possible consequences in the workplace, it is commonly understood that the use of unlawful substances make individuals more prone to financial inducement or cause them to exercise poor judgement. Most civil nuclear operators in the UK operate random drug testing on their sites and this initiative is designed to complement these existing, rigorous programmes.
Three Mile Island given a certificate of clearance
The accident at the Three Mile Island Unit 2 (TMI-2) nuclear power plant near Middletown, Pennsylvania, on March 28, 1979, was the most serious in U.S. commercial nuclear power plant operating history, even though it led to no deaths or injuries to plant workers or members of the nearby community. But it brought about sweeping changes involving emergency response planning, reactor operator training, human factors engineering, radiation protection, and many other areas of nuclear power plant operations. The Three Mile Island incident is considered to be the catalyst for employee drugs testing as we know it today.
Alcohol and drugs test goes top of the list
The causes of the accident continue to be debated to this day. However, based on a series of investigations, the main factors appear to have been a combination of personnel error, design deficiencies, and component failures. There is no doubt that the accident at Three Mile Island permanently changed the nuclear industry. Public fear and distrust increased, Government regulations and oversight became broader and more robust, and management of nuclear plants was scrutinized more carefully. Of all the recommendations that came out of the formal investigation one of those at the top of the list was:
Identifying human performance as a critical part of plant safety, revamping operator training and staffing requirements, followed by improved instrumentation and controls for operating the plant, and establishment of fitness for duty programs for plant workers to guard against alcohol or drug abuse.
We provide BNFL nuclear industry compliant and Sellafield alcohol and drugs tests. Certificates of Clearance and Analysis Reports are available within 24hours
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The Impact of Alcohol and Drugs in UK Industry Sectors (click on a link):
- Public Service Transport
- Logistics and Distribution
- Engineering
- Utilities
- Railways
- Shipping and Maritime
- Finance and Commerce
- Aviation
- Manufacturing
- Education
- Retail and Wholesale
- Atomic and Nuclear
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