JD Sports Distribution Centre to test employees for drugs and alcohol

Aerial shot of JD Sports Distribution Centre

JD Sports Distribution Centre is to introduce drug and alcohol testing for all employees at its Rochdale warehouse from September.

The sports retailer is to introduce the testing in autumn and will be conducted by "approved and trained staff only, using equipment provided and trained by an external supplier". 

The testing will include random testing, or in a specific instance, such as believing an employee has arrived on site under the influence.

A spokesman for JD Sports Fashion PLC said: “JD Sports Fashion PLC takes the health, safety and wellbeing of all individuals who work in the distribution centre very seriously.

“Like many large businesses, we have a substance abuse policy, which is clearly outlined in our staff handbook issued to all new starters. The aim of substance abuse policy is to protect the health and safety of all our employees and to help anyone who may be suffering from a drug or alcohol-related problem.

“The workforce at Kingsway Distribution Centre continues to grow and we are increasingly aware of more substance related issues in the local area and in Kingsway.  For this reason, the decision has been made to implement drugs and alcohol testing on site and this will apply to all employees, workers and contractors on site in Kingsway.

"The tests are limited; any testing would be conducted by approved and trained colleagues only, using equipment provided and trained by an external supplier. 

“The testing will include a small percentage of random testing (data will be randomised by an external party), or in a specific instance, if we have reasonable cause to believe that an individual has arrived on site under the influence of drugs or alcohol, most especially in specific roles which are safety critical, such as engineers who work at height and those operating mechanical equipment.”