Prep Client
Prep Client

Employment drug testing. Fast results to keep things moving.

Drug and alcohol testing in the workplace is not just about managing risk. Done well, it supports a culture where safety is taken seriously, expectations are clear, and the people in your organisation feel protected. We work with businesses across a wide range of industries, providing testing that is fast, accurate, and handled with the discretion that workplace matters demand.

Testing that supports fair decisions

 

Knowing whether a substance was present is only part of the picture. Understanding the pattern of use, the level of consumption, and the time frame involved gives you a far more reliable basis for whatever decision needs to be made next, that’s why we use hair strand analysis as opposed to urine. Our confirmation analysis produces quantifiable results that go beyond a simple positive or negative, giving you evidence that is clear, specific, and defensible.

We test for an extensive range of substances including illicit drugs, alcohol, prescription medications and steroids. We offer hair strand and nail testing for drugs and alcohol, and blood alcohol testing, and every case is approached individually. Our team will work with you to make sure the right tests are matched to the questions your case actually needs answered.

Trusted
Trusted

Testing that fits your situation

Pre-employment screening

Giving you confidence in a new hire before they join the team, particularly in safety-critical or high-trust roles.

Random testing

An important deterrent and a fair, consistent way to maintain standards across your workforce.

For cause testing

When there is a specific concern or incident that requires prompt investigation, we can move quickly and discreetly.

Ongoing monitoring

Supporting employees returning to work or those subject to a monitoring agreement, with a regular and reliable testing programme.
Canary Wharf, London
Construction
Collector
Partners Hero
Ggg

Why companies work with us

Flexible to fit your organisation

Sample collection can be carried out by your own trained staff or arranged through our nationwide network of collectors. Our collectors are trained to deliver a discreet and respectful experience, whether the collection takes place at your premises, a home address, or another agreed location. We handle the logistics from start to finish, so your HR or management team can focus on what comes next.

Speed without compromise

We are the UK’s fastest drug and alcohol testing service, with all results delivered within three working days of receipt at our laboratory. Quotes are provided quickly, and in most cases collections can be arranged within 48 working hours. When a situation requires a prompt response, we are built to move at that pace.

Our test types

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Drug Testing
When you need clarity around drug use, our testing provides answers you can trust. We identify a wide range of substances quickly and accurately, helping you understand patterns of use and make informed choices.
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alcohol testing
We provide rapid, accurate and discreet hair strand and blood testing of alcohol consumption. We are the UK’s only laboratory to offer segmented hair testing.
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DNA Testing
We offer MoJ accredited DNA testing services to individuals and organisations across the UK – with results back in 3–5 days.

Supporting your people, not just your policy

A positive result is not the end of the conversation. Many employers recognise that drug and alcohol issues are health matters as much as conduct matters, and that a supportive response is often the right one. Signposting employees to the right help can make a genuine difference, and it demonstrates a duty of care that goes beyond compliance.

If you are looking for resources to share with your workforce, WithYou is a drug, alcohol and mental health support charity. With over 80 services across England and Scotland, they provide free and confidential support and advice.

Fast, professional, and discreet. We’ve used Cansford for over two years now and have never had cause for complaint.
TV Production Company
We introduced drug and alcohol testing across our sites after an incident and needed a provider we could trust. Cansford made the whole process straightforward — from setting up the collections to explaining results to our HR team.
Health & Safety Manager, Construction Company
When a situation arose that required post-incident testing, Cansford handled it sensitively and efficiently. The results were clear and the support we received in interpreting them was really helpful.
Operations Manager, Manufacturing Business

employment Drug & alcohol testing FAQs

Yes, in many circumstances — particularly in safety-critical roles or where a workplace policy is in place. We’d always recommend employers have a clear testing policy and seek HR or legal guidance before testing.

There are several testing methods available, and the right choice depends on what you’re trying to establish. Urine and oral fluid tests can detect very recent use, but their short detection windows mean they only ever capture a snapshot in time. Hair strand testing offers something more powerful — a month-by-month picture of drug or alcohol use going back several months, making it far more useful for building a complete and reliable picture. For most workplace situations, particularly post-incident investigations or ongoing monitoring, hair testing is the gold standard.

We take confidentiality very seriously. All testing and results are handled with discretion, and we work within applicable data protection requirements. Employee dignity and fairness are always a priority.

We understand that timelines matter in urgent cases. Results are always returned within 3 working days of all samples reaching the lab, and we’ll keep everyone informed throughout.