UK Euro Partner - Alcohol Breath Test

Contralco Alcohol Breath Test – D-CaT:2007 System

The effects of alcohol on industry have never been greater and information produced by the Medical Council on Alcohol reports;

“The cost to industry of alcohol misuse has been difficult to quantify but it has been estimated at about £3 billion a year, through accidents, reduced productivity and absenteeism. There is also the cost to the individual in terms of health, relationships and job prospects. Hangovers alone have been estimated to cost Industry between £53 and £108 million per annum”.

“Overall in the UK, 1 in 5 accidents and over 50% of fatal work accidents in the workplace are alcohol related. A small amount of alcohol can cause a lack of co-ordination, slower reaction times, impaired eyesight and judgement, thus increasing the risk of an accident occurring”.

In today’s work environment it can be difficult to know or assess if a driver/operator is under the influence of alcohol, perhaps from the previous evening or a habitual user of alcohol. The results of which may lead to liability affecting life and livelihood, effecting both driver/operator and employer. For the industrial user with employees driving or operating heavy equipment and machinery UK Euro Partner provides the D-CAT:2007 System which helps to dramatically reduce the opportunity to enter this high risk situation. The essence of the D-CAT:2007 System is to identify potential risk therefore it is a preventative system.

The system is quick, easy to operate and effective; the driver/operator takes the alcohol breath test in front of an approved witness who will sign off after the test on the register (which is provided by UKEP in PDF format). The test and recorded results can be compiled into a company data sheet to create a full set of statistics. The breathalyser test is described in detail by clicking here. The product is certified under NF X20-702:2000.

The right for employers to perform mandatory tests for alcohol on employees is still a grey area and may even be considered controversial with the exception of safety critical occupations. This is why the D-Cat:2007 System is voluntary, giving all employees and employers the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the safety of the work environment.

The benefit of the D-CAT:2007 System to the driver/operator is that the test will identify any residual alcohol in the blood and if past the legal limit the employer can send the driver/operator home to rest. A typical situation is where a driver/operator may have spent an evening partying with friends, may have finished early in the morning (02:30) and yet attend work by 08:00 the same morning. It is possible there will be residual alcohol in the blood. By taking the test the driver/operator is effectively protecting himself/herself from the liability of causing an accident either within work premises or to a member of the public. The results of which could lead to dismissal or at worst criminal prosecution.

The benefit of the D-CAT:2007 System to the employer is that the test will identify if a member of the workforce is not legally capable of executing their duties. By administering the test on a daily basis the employer can monitor any higher risk employees and thus help protect the employees from the associated risks. Companies using the test are seen as proactive in the protection of their employees and the general public. Should an accident occur after the test and be a result of alcohol then the company will have a clear record of the test serving as testimony of due diligence. Legal and resultant costs for such accidents on site or in the public domain can be excessive. It would be cheaper to provide the D-CAT:2007 System every working day, for 100 men, for ten years than pay a £250,000 settlement.

Once the system is instigated within an organization is may act as a deterrent from drinking prior to driving or operating machinery. The D-CAT:2007 System may have a beneficial effect on insurance costs and liabilities.

The D-CAT:2007 System is cost effective and at a cost as low as less than 0.99p per day per driver/operator the system represents a viable economic solution. UK Euro Partner will provide an immediate legal advice line at Mendelson’s Solicitors, probably the UK’s most experienced firm of solicitors dealing with road/vehicle accident claims.

To download the daily Voluntary Daily Alcohol Breath Test Register please click here

To purchase your Breathalysers now and activate the D-CAT:2007 System please click here