Drugs & Alcohol

It is a criminal offence to be unfit through drugs or alcohol while doing work known as safety critical work. We believe drugs and alcohol misuse is unacceptable under any work-related circumstances and therefore apply a zero-tolerance approach. We support this approach through regular drugs and alcohol testing.

Workers with Personal Track Safety (PTS) cards or in safety critical jobs must also comply with internal regulations on prescription medications.

Drugs & alcohol testing for employees

All employees are subject to Network Rail’s drugs & alcohol policy. It applies to all employees, including those on part-time or temporary contracts, consultants, agency and other people working for or on behalf of Network Rail, including all PTS card holders.

Network Rail carries out random drugs & alcohol tests on workers with PTS cards or in safety critical jobs. All staff will be tested for drugs & alcohol if they are involved in a serious accident or incident or appear to be under the influence of either drugs or alcohol.

Refusal to take a test will be treated as a positive result and may result in dismissal.

Drugs & alcohol testing in the recruitment process

All job offers from Network Rail are made on the condition of compliance with our drugs & alcohol policy.

People applying for safety-critical posts or jobs that require a Sentinel Competence Card will be required to undergo a pre-appointment drugs & alcohol test.

All other applicants are required to sign a statement to confirm that they understand the drugs & alcohol policy and state their personal intention to comply.

Anyone who refuses to comply with our drugs & alcohol policy will not be considered for employment with Network Rail.