Masterson adopts fingerprint drug test

Image: Intelligent Fingerprinting

Masterson Holdings, the parent company of concrete frame specialist GetJar, Atlantic Contracts and Glencoe Plant Services, has introduced a new fingerprint drug testing system.

The new test, devised by firm Intelligent Fingerprinting, detects drug use in around 10 minutes by collecting and analysing traces of fingerprint sweat.

It will be used to support the random drug testing of all Masterson Holdings employees from directors to labourers.

Masterson Holdings selected the fingerprint method ahead of urine and saliva tests as the portable solution enables onsite drug tests at its construction sites. The process can be carried out in-house by HR staff.

Andrew Chowings, group SHEQ director of GetJar said: “As a contractor, we have a drug usage Health and Safety Policy for our employees’ on-site safety, and adopting the Intelligent Fingerprinting solution allows us to carry out tests quickly, easily and more unobtrusively when compared to urine tests for example. However, as a reputable family business, we wanted to go a step further.

“Instead of relying on external parties to fulfil our drug testing, we can now bring the function in-house, proactively introducing drug testing as part of our employee wellbeing initiatives. There are, of course, urine and saliva drug tests on the market but the fingerprint method fitted the bill for us as we are able to test our employees ourselves – at a random time to suit us, with rapid on-site results. It is also extremely quick and ‘clean’ with no unhygienic bodily fluids used as part of the process.

GetJar is now randomly testing parts of the business every 12 weeks.

Intelligent Fingerprinting’s Dr Paul Yates added: “Our innovative fingerprint-based drug test provides a hygienic and dignified means of supporting a wide range of workplace drug testing scenarios – from pre-employment screens and random drug tests to post-incident investigations. The fact that fingerprint drug tests do not require specialised testing facilities or clinical waste disposal also means that companies such as Masterson Holdings can benefit from a testing approach that is much easier to use than traditional methods that can be invasive, time-consuming and undignified. We’re delighted that Masterson Holdings has confirmed that fingerprint-based tests are such a cost-effective and practical way of supporting their health and safety initiatives and enabling their drug misuse policies.”