In SwedishDrugs testing effective – if done professionally
Testing is one method for checking that the rules of the shipping company are followed. However, you have to be aware of unprofessional testing companies and poor quality measuring instruments, says Olof Beck, professor of pharmacology at Karolinska Institutet in Solna.
Many shipping companies engage external suppliers to carry out alcohol and drug tests on their crewmembers. Olof Beck believes that testing is a useful and effective method for screening employees who cannot control their drinking or who have problems. High-quality, accurate sampling systems are required, however, to give reliable results.
Unprofessional small companies
– There are many small companies that do this type of testing just to make money. Their testing methods are not scientifically based and they do not care enough to carry out the testing in the correct manner, says Olof Beck.
In his opinion, it is up to the shipping company to ensure that the testing company procured is professional in its work.
– As an employer you can never pass on responsibility for this work being done correctly. You have to find out how high-quality testing is carried out before you can put relevant questions to the company and decide whether or not they are able to do the job well.
Breathalyzer: high quality and systematically calibrated equipment can give reliable indications of blood alcohol levels.
Urine sample: can be carried out onboard by trained personnel and sent to a laboratory. Reveals the occurrence of alcohol and other drugs.
Saliva sample: can be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The method is still somewhat controversial and there are no laboratories accredited for saliva analyses yet.
Blood sample: May only be taken by medically qualified personnel. Sent to a laboratory for analysis and can reveal the ingestion of alcohol and other drugs.
Hair analysis: can indicate the ingestion of alcohol and other drugs over a long period in the past (one centimetre of hair is roughly equivalent to one month’s growth). The method is seldom used for occupational testing.
Procedures for drugs and alcohol tests should be in writing in the shipping company’s policy, according to Olof Beck. The policy should also include information about blood alcohol limits and what substances you are allowed to test for; for example, some medications may be forbidden.
Testing requires training
Equipment for “breathalyzing” is available on many ships and can be used if a person is suspected of drinking more than permitted. The person authorised to use the equipment must be trained in how the instrument is to be used. Good quality equipment is also important for test results to be reliable.
– You can’t go to a technical chain store and buy their products because they simply can’t be trusted. Go to a well-renowned company and make sure that their equipment is systematically calibrated. Some companies that sell measuring instruments also offer to re-calibrate them if they are sent in, says Olof Beck.
Important to see the whole picture
He also adds that testing is not an exact science and that the results may be influenced by food and drink, temperature, time and so on. For this reason tests should only be used as an indicator of possible drug abuse or alcohol problems, and other signals should still be observed carefully.
– I would say that it is quite possible to destroy your liver with drink, even if your employer tests you every morning. You have to bear in mind the whole picture and not only stare blindly at the test results, says Olof Beck.
Linda Sundgren
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