B.05.01.R4. Health and Safety (National Requirement)

Procedure Standard

1. The collection of urine samples for testing will be undertaken with care, commonsense and forward planning.
2. Staff involved with the collection of urine samples should be vaccinated against Hepatitis B.
3. Staff collecting urine samples should be issued with and wear overalls whilst carrying out drug test duties.
4. Overalls are not to be taken home by the collection officer, but must be laundered on site after each use.
5. Sufficient overalls will need to be issued to the officers for them to carry out their drug testing duties.
6. All samples will be handled, stored and prepared for transportation within the designated area. The working surfaces will be of a type suitable for frequent decontamination with disinfectant and the area must be kept clean and tidy at all times.
7. Before any work with samples is started, all necessary equipment will be at hand and all unnecessary equipment removed.
8. There will be no sharp instruments present during the collection process.
9. Smoking, eating, chewing and the application of make-up are prohibited in the collection site.
10. Except in the case of a prisoner who has been supplied with the 200 ml of water per hour, the drinking of liquids is prohibited in the collection site.
11. All contact with the mouth with hands, pens and other objects such as gummed labels should be avoided.
12. Staff working in the collection site must wash their hands thoroughly with soap or an equivalent immediately before and after handling samples and again before leaving the collection site.
13. All equipment will be cleared away after work is finished in the collection site.
14. Gloves must be worn when handling urine samples.
15. Gowns and eye protection are available in collection sites. It is recommended that Designated Collection Officers wear this protective equipment whilst handling urine samples.
16. Biohazard disposable bags will be used for waste containers, gowns and gloves.