The policy is where a defensible programme begins
Every workplace drug and alcohol testing programme stands or falls on the policy behind it. We develop jurisdiction-correct policies for employers in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland — standard or bespoke, and always built to be used, not filed.
Why the policy comes first
Testing without a policy rarely survives challenge
Health and safety law across the UK and Ireland requires employers to manage the risk that intoxicants pose at work. The policy is how that duty becomes practice: it sets out who can be tested, in what circumstances, by what method, and what happens after a result. When a dismissal or disciplinary decision is challenged, the first question asked is what the policy said — and whether it was followed.
In the Republic of Ireland the policy carries even more weight. With no statutory testing scheme in most sectors, testing in Ireland rests mainly on policy, contracts and informed consent. A well-designed, properly consulted policy is not a formality there — it is the main basis for the whole programme.
One document rarely fits three jurisdictions. Legal frameworks, data protection wording and intoxicants law differ between Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland — which is why every policy we produce is drafted for the jurisdiction it will actually be used in.
Two ways to get there
Standard or bespoke
Standard policy — built online in minutes
A professionally drafted policy with every essential section — scope, safety-critical roles, alcohol standards, the testing programme, results handling, support routes and data protection — generated through our online policy builder. Answer questions about your organisation and stance, and your answers become a complete, jurisdiction-correct policy for Northern Ireland, Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland, delivered as a branded Word document. £125 + VAT.
Bespoke policy
Developed with us. We work through your sectors, sites, roles and risk profile, agree your stance — from zero tolerance to support-first — and draft a policy shaped around how your organisation actually operates, including named testing types and defined safety-critical roles. Bespoke work usually pairs with manager training so the people applying the policy understand it.
What a well-built policy covers
- Scope — employees, contractors and agency workers, on site and off.
- Safety-critical roles — defined by name, not left as a vague phrase.
- Your stance — zero tolerance or support-first, applied consistently, with strict standards for safety-critical duties either way.
- The testing programme — pre-employment, unannounced, for-cause, post-incident and return-to-duty, each with its own procedural wording.
- What happens on a non-negative — confirmation, medical review where requested, and the fair process that follows.
- Support and rehabilitation — the routes available before and after a result.
- Data protection and review — who sees results, how long they are kept, and a stated review date.
Not sure when each testing type earns its place? Our workplace testing guide walks through all five scenarios, and the drug and alcohol policy guide covers the policy itself section by section.
The NIVHA policy builder
Your policy, built from your answers
Not sure where your current policy stands? Start with the free health check — six questions, no email needed, and an instant snapshot of what your policy has to cover. The full builder then turns about four minutes of questions into a complete tailored policy: fifteen sections, two appendices, aligned to EWDTS guidelines, version-stamped with a 12-month review date.
£125 + VAT including contract clause wording. A supporting document pack — awareness leaflet, manager guidance and a toolbox talk briefing presentation — is coming soon. NIVHA testing clients get a discounted rate.
Explore the policy builder- Free health check — instant, no email needed
- Jurisdiction-correct for NI, GB and ROI
- Delivered as a branded Word document
- Version-stamped, reviewed every 12 months
Common questions
Policy development — your questions answered
Does my business legally need a drug and alcohol policy?
There is no law that says "you must have a testing policy" — but health and safety law in the UK and Ireland places a duty on employers to manage intoxicant risk, and a written policy is how that duty is discharged in practice. If you ever intend to test, the policy sets out the contractual and consent basis on which testing is carried out and defended: it defines who can be tested, when, and what happens next.
Can we test employees without a policy?
Testing without a policy behind it rarely survives challenge. In the Republic of Ireland the position is even sharper — with no statutory testing scheme in most sectors, your policy, contracts and informed consent are the main basis for a testing programme.
What is the difference between a standard and a bespoke policy?
A standard policy is built through our online policy builder — you answer questions about your organisation, roles and stance, and the builder drafts a tailored, jurisdiction-correct policy from your answers. A bespoke policy is developed with us: we work through your roles, risks, sites and stance in person, and draft a policy shaped around how your organisation actually operates.
How does the online policy builder work?
Start with a free six-question health check — no email needed — and get an instant snapshot of what your policy has to cover. The full builder then takes about four minutes: your answers on stance, testing programme, support and governance become a complete policy of fifteen sections and two appendices, delivered as a branded Word document with a version stamp and a 12-month review date.
How much does a drug and alcohol policy cost?
A tailored policy through the online builder is £125 + VAT, and includes contract clause wording for employment contracts. Supporting documents — an employee awareness leaflet, manager guidance and a toolbox talk briefing presentation — are coming soon. NIVHA testing clients get a discounted rate. Bespoke policy development is quoted based on your requirements.
What should a workplace drug and alcohol policy cover?
Scope (including contractors and agency workers), safety-critical role definitions, your overall stance, alcohol standards, the testing programme and each testing type you operate, what happens on a non-negative result, support and rehabilitation routes, data protection, and a defined review cycle.
How often should the policy be reviewed?
We recommend a formal review at least every 12 months, and sooner if your operations, legislation or guidance change. Every policy we produce carries a version stamp and a stated review date.
Do you help with rollout and training?
Yes. A policy only protects you if your people know it exists and managers know how to apply it. We support communication and consultation, deliver awareness and manager training, and can equip your team for in-house screening through client-enabled testing.
Start with the policy
Build a tailored policy online in minutes, or tell us about your organisation and we will recommend the right route — standard, bespoke, or a full programme with testing and training behind it.
Build your policy online Talk to usThis page is a general guide. It is not legal, medical or technical advice. Laws, guidance and laboratory methods change, so check the current requirements for your own case. Last reviewed .