Workplace Drug Testing Newsletter - Environmental Science ...

Issue 1 June 2008
Workplace Drug Testing
Newsletter
Welcome to the first in a series of newsletters intended to keep
you informed of the latest news events related to Workplace Drug
Testing (WDT).
Certainly the big news is the recent
publication of the new AS/NZS 4308:2008
Standard. Whilst long awaited, the new
Standard has caused some confusion and
has certainly created many questions
relating to its implementation. Changes
to the Standard essentially affect all
areas of a drug testing programme, from
the collection of samples through to the
confirmation of a result. To help clarify
these changes, we have put together a
comprehensive factsheet, which includes
an analysis of the new Standard,
together with a comparison with the
old Standard. A factsheet is enclosed
with this newsletter.
Perhaps the area that has caused the most
confusion and prompted a number of
enquiries to our Helpdesk is that of onsite
drug testing. The new Standard now
makes provision for on-site testing where
testing conditions have been met. These
conditions relate to the use of verified
testing devices, New Zealand Qualification
Authority (NZQA) training of collectors
and accreditation of the testing facility.
The factsheet also contains a comparative
evaluation of on-site testing with
laboratory-based testing.
It would be fair to say that the new
Standard has presented a number of
issues that need to be addressed. ESR is
working towards compliance with the new
Standard as early as possible. However,
there are some areas of the Standard,
particularly related to NZQA qualification
and definitive on-site creatinine testing,
that will take a little longer to resolve due
to the unavailability of these products at
this time.
The members of ESR WDT team have
many years of experience in the field of
toxicology and Workplace Drug Testing
and are respected experts in their field.
The team is available to address any
specific concerns or queries you may
have in relation to existing or new WDT
programmes or the collection of samples.
The team can be contacted through the
Helpdesk on (04) 914 0731 or by email on
wdt@esr.cri.nz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ESR give an opinion on on-site
device results?
There are a number of testing devices
currently available in the market with varying
degrees of accuracy of in the results possible.
At this point, ESR is unaware of any on-site
device that is verified for use under the new
Standard. When a relationship has been
established with the laboratory provider, we
will be able to offer specific advice related to
your individual circumstances.
Is ESR complying with the new Standard?
ESR has commenced the process of moving
towards compliance with the new Standard.
For analysis, this involves a thorough review
of procedures and adjusting methodology
to incorporate new drug cut-off levels. For
specimen collection, we are sourcing new
products e.g creatinine-only testing devices
for creatinine screening at the point of
collection.
www.esr.cri.nz
Effecting changes and obtaining new
accreditation can be a lengthy process,
typically taking up to a year for a Standard
update. ESR is committed to achieving
International Accreditation New Zealand
(IANZ) accreditation under the new Standard
as soon as possible. In the meantime, ESR’s
accreditation and compliance under AS/NZS
4308:2001 will still provide protection under
legal challenge.
How do collectors become certified under
the new Standard?
Certification can be achieved for collectors
through the successful completion of an
approved NZQA course. For collectors
undertaking on-site testing, it is necessary
to also obtain accreditation as a laboratory
through an accreditation agency like IANZ.
At present there is no NZQA course available,
so technically collector certification under
the new Standard is not possible at
this stage. This is a situation that needs to
be addressed for the Standard to be
complied with.
Will ESR certify collectors so they
comply with the Standard?
It is not possible for ESR to certify
collectors under the new Standard as this
can only be achieved through completion
of an NZQA course. Until the course
becomes available, compliance with the
new Standard can only be transitionary
through acceptance of “status quo”
conditions.
Do I have to do on-site testing or
can I continue to use ESR’s laboratorybased
services?
No, there is no compulsion to conduct
on-site testing. ESR’s comprehensive and
reliable laboratory-based service offers
an accurate and legally robust testing
that is far superior to on-site screening.
Operating on-site testing outside the
Standard exposes an organisation to
potential legal challenge when acting on
reported results.

AS/NZS 4308:2008
Available Now
AS/NZS 4308:2008 “Procedures for
specimen collection and the detection and
quantitation of drugs of abuse in urine” is
now available. You can obtain your own
copy through the New Zealand Standards
website: www.standards.co.nz/web-shop/.
It can be purchased in downloadable PDF
format or hard copy.
Creatinine Testing – Why is it so Important?
An important addition to the new
Standard is the requirement for creatinine
testing of all urine samples at the point of
collection. Creatinine is a metabolic waste
product of muscle activity in the body and
is usually excreted at roughly constant
amounts. Although there is some normal
individual variation in excreted creatinine
levels within a population, a low level
of creatinine may be an indication that
the specimen has been diluted and is
therefore unsuitable for analysis. Dilution
may occur either in the body through an
excessive intake of fluid or outside the
body through the addition of a diluting
liquid after collection. It is important that
a repeat specimen be obtained should the
initial creatinine screening indicate the
possibility of dilution. It may be necessary
to wait a couple of hours to obtain a
suitable repeat specimen.
ESR’s laboratory testing regime has
always included creatinine testing as
part of ensuring the integrity of specimens
and the subsequent accuracy of the
reported results.
A specimen failing a creatinine test,
together with the repeat specimen, must
be sent to an accredited laboratory
for further dilution testing using more
accurate laboratory techniques.
National Fieldays,
Mystery Creek Hamilton
June 11-14 2008
It’s Fieldays time again and this year it
promises to be even bigger and better
than before, with a record number of
exhibitors on site.
ESR WDT will have a presence this
year at this premier event on the
rural calendar and we’d love to see
you at our stand if you are planning
to visit. Statistical research shows
that accidents involving vehicles and
machinery figure highly in rural accident
statistics. Hazards are present on farms,
horticultural enterprises and forests, so
it is important for owners, managers and
contractors to ensure their workplace
environment is as safe as possible. By
taking responsibility for ensuring that
workers are operating machinery and
equipment unimpaired by alcohol or
drugs, a manager shows a commitment
to employee safety and creating a safe
working environment.
So, if you are planning to go to Fieldays
this year, call in and see Eleanor or
Harold at the ESR stand (EX7) in the
Exhibition Hall.
What’s New
Assesssment of the Revised AS/NZS 4308 Standard
ESR has undertaken a comprehensive assessment of the new AS/NZS 4308 Standard and
has published the information in a factsheet format. A copy of the publication is included
with this newsletter, with extra copies available by contacting the WDT Helpdesk on
(04) 914 0731 or by emailing WDT@esr.cri.nz. The assessment includes a summary and
evaluation of the changes to the Standard as well as a comparison of laboratory testing
with on-site testing.
Electronic Reporting of Results
Progress is being made on the electronic reporting of test results. When this comes online,
reporting of results will be faster than ever, with true real-time reporting. This will make
our laboratory-based testing even more efficient, with the clear benefits to our clients of
prompt, accurate reporting that can be acted upon immediately.
WDT Team Update
There have been some changes to the team at WDT over recent months. Sue Nolan,
the face of ESR’s WDT Programme for many of our clients, has left to operate her own
independent consultancy business. Sue is available to our clients for ESR WDT programme
planning, training and policy advice services and can be contacted through Raewyn Brown
at our WDT Help Desk on (04) 914 0731 or by email at WDT@esr.cri.nz. In March this year
the WDT Programme Manager, Shelli Turner, left to take up a position at IANZ in Auckland
as Manager of the Medical Testing Programme. Wayne Chisnall, former General Manager
Forensics, is Acting Programme Manager while we recruit Shelli’s replacement. Again,
please contact Raewyn Brown at the WDT Helpdesk in the first instance if you have any
queries at all.
For further information,
please contact:
Help Desk Telephone:
+64 (04) 914 0731
Help Desk Email:
wdt@esr.cri.nz
www.esr.cri.nz
Specialist Science Solutions
manaaki tangata taiao hoki
protecting people and their environment through science
www.esr.cri.nz
Copyright © Institute of Environmental Science & Research Ltd (“ESR”) 2008
All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by copyright may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, recording taping, or information retrieval systems) without the written permission of ESR.