2. 2

3. Section 1 – The rules
Section 2 – Alcohol
Section 3 – Illegal drugs
Section 4 – Prescription and non-prescription drugs

5. Come to work in an unfit state as a result of consuming alcohol or taking any drugs
Possess or supply any illegal drug or other drug of abuse in the workplace or while at work
Consume alcohol or illegal drugs or other drug of abuse in the workplace or while at work
Discontinue an agreed course of treatment for a drugs or alcohol related problem without good reason

6. Agree to take a drugs and alcohol test if requested
Tell your line manager about any drug or alcohol related problem you have or think you may be developing
Tell your line manager about any prescription or over the counter medication you are taking which could affect your ability to work safely

7. You can expect to be tested at:
Pre-employment and pre-appointment
Routine medical (periodic)
For cause - post incident / behaviour
Unannounced random screening
As part of a drug and/or alcohol rehabilitation programme and post treatment monitoring

8. You will test positive if:
There is more than 29mg (milligrams) of alcohol in 100ml (millilitres) of blood
There is more than 13mcg (micrograms) of alcohol in 100ml of breath
There is more than 39mg of alcohol in 100ml of urine
You refuse to undergo a test

9. You will be positive for drugs if:
You refuse to undergo a test
There is presence of an illegal drug
There is presence of a drug for which there is no medical reason

10. Alcohol

11. The drink-drive limit is 80mg alcohol per 100ml blood
Network Rail’s limit is 29mg alcohol per 100ml blood*
* This usually equates to drinking less than 1.5 units of alcohol

12. You may be surprised.
A pint of normal beer (like John Smith’s, Fosters or Guinness) contains around 2.27 units
A medium sized glass of wine contains around 2.28 units
So even if you only have a couple of pints, you are consuming more than 4.5 units.
That is probably more than you thought. You may also be surprised at how slowly you eliminate alcohol from your body.

14. Keep an eye on the number of units you are drinking
Keep an eye on the number of units you are drinking. It’s easy to go over your unit limit when drinking at home, as measures are often far bigger than pub measures.
There are a number of online alcohol unit calculators such as Check your drinking and see how it measures up. Some drinks display how many units they contain on the label.

15. Depression and anxiety Heart or respiratory
Hangovers
Brain damage
Depression and anxiety
Heart or respiratory
failure - caused by excessive drinking
High blood pressure
Depressed immune system
Cancer
Stomach ulcers
Liver disease
Weight gain
Sexual problems
Drugs and alcohol can affect co-ordination, reaction speed, judging distance, short term memory and decision making and can hence impact on your performance at work.

17. We regularly test for drugs at Network Rail.
Test positive and you could face losing your job.
Here are just a few of the drugs we test for:

19. Impacts concentration co-ordination and decision making
Causes anxiety and makes you paranoid
Affects long and short term memory
Causes depression
Can make asthma worse
Can cause lung diseases such as bronchitis and cancer
Can increase your heart rate and affect your blood pressure
Reduces your sperm count
If you’re pregnant, smoking cannabis can harm the baby
Drugs and alcohol can affect co-ordination, reaction speed, judging distance, short term memory and decision making and can hence impact on your performance at work.

20. Causes mood swings, anxiety, paranoia and psychosis
Causes strokes and seizures
Causes nose bleeds and nose erosion
Causes chest pain and muscle spasms
Can cause heart problems, including irregular heartbeat and heart failure
You can lose interest in sex
Drugs and alcohol can affect co-ordination, reaction speed, judging distance, short term memory and decision making and can hence impact on your performance at work.

22. Make sure you tell your line manager if you are taking any of the following:
Pain killers
Sleeping pills
Tranquillisers
Anaesthetic/sedation following minor operation/dental work
Anti-depressants
Cold and flu remedies (e.g. Lemsip Max, Benylin or Beecham Flu Plus)
Hay fever remedies and other anti-histamines

24. Don’t be afraid to speak to your line manager or HR manager in confidence at any time.
Support is also available through Care First on Tel No: