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Dave Bainbridge Better Testing

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Dave Bainbridge Better Testing

Smart workplace D+A testing that works for your business and protects you

12/05/2026

I feel that there is a major problem that I am seeing regularly with training courses of late. The sales funnel issue.

It seems to me that a lot of companies are using their in-house training course as a sales funnel.

The purpose? To drive reoccurring work to a lab.

The Issue? They miss topics that need to be covered.

Knowledge you need should the worse happen and it is tribunal time.

Most workplace substance misuse training covers the basics cover the same areas, what substances are what policies say how to conduct a test or how to record the outcome.

Yes, that matters. Good training should go much further than simply teaching someone how to “catch” a problem.

But, a solid workplace training programme should also help managers and staff understand:

• What impairment actually looks like in the real world
• The difference between detection and impairment
• How to approach difficult the conversations professionally
• What medical cannabis and other prescription medication means for employers
• Why documentation and consistency matter
• How poor handling can create a tribunal risk
• What support pathways should look like after a concern or test result
• How workplace culture affects substance misuse in the first place

That is where Better Testing differs.

Testing should not just be about finding problems. It should be about managing risk properly, protecting people, supporting businesses and creating workplaces that are safer, more informed and more professional.

The best training leaves people more confident, not more fearful.

That is the standard workplace training should be aiming for in 2026.

24/03/2026

I am excited about this and I really believe it could be a game changer. That's why I am giving one away for free.

For sometime now, I have been working on a fit for work/impairment system that you can put into your workplace and have ready to go.

All in one day.

That's all your worries, concerns and issues about drugs and alcohol in your workplace, sorted.

● All the paperwork you need to test and support correctly
● Any issues identified and fixed
● All the systems needed written, rolled out and in place
● All the training you and your staff need to confidentially and effectively manage drug and alcohol testing and support in your company.

This system basically puts in place everything you need to take your impairment testing to the next level, while supporting your staff and supporting your business. (Who'd have thought, drug and alcohol testing making your company money!)

I am giving one of these one day protection set ups away for free. All you have to do is comment with the phrase "Me Please" and be in a position within your company to authorise and roll this service out.

At the end of March (that's the 31st of you weren't aware) I will pick one entry randomly and that company will win this service.

However, that isn't all. For every person who does comment and who qualifies, I will offer the service at 20% off the market price.

Interested? comment below and I will chat with you soon.

Dave

16/02/2026

Detection does not always equal impairment.

This is one of the biggest misunderstandings in workplace drug and alcohol testing and something that is crucial you get right.

Your basic point of collection test detects the presence of a substance. But that's all it does. Now, depending on the substance, some can still be picked up well after the effects have worn off. (A urine test can still detect cannabis months after it was consumed.)

But impairment is different. impairment is about safety RIGHT NOW. It's about whether someone can carry out their roles safely, make sound decisions and operate without putting themselves or others at risk.

Problems start when these 2 things are confused.

● People can be treated unfairly.
● Managers loose confidence in the process
● Real safety risks can be missed

Workplace testing works best when it is part of a wider, informed decision process alongside observation, conversation, training and management.

Used properly the test should give you clarity for your next steps but it doesn't replace responsibility for making the right call.

05/02/2026

"I don't know what I'm doing. I don't want to do this test."

It's a panicked phrase I have heard more than once.

Let me set the scene. A company decides it wants to do in-house testing and it chooses who they want in the company to do the tests. They don't ask, they tell them.

These members of staff often have no interest in doing these tests, or don't want to be seen as a grass, or are worried they will get it wrong and it will fall on their toes spectacularly.

They are often worried that they are going to end up getting one of their mates sacked.

It's understandable, there is a lot riding on being able to conduct a test properly.

That is why it is so, so important to get the basics right, staff properly and fully educated and all the supporting resources in place before you do your first test.

Yes, there is a lot riding on it being conducted correctly. BUT IT IS SOMETHING YOU CAN LEARN AND DO RIGHT, EVERY TIME.

I've put a brief guide on with this post. While every type of test is different, it gives you some brief pointers on what to do.
However, it is only a guide. It does not cover a full and proper training course.

I have full, indepth training courses available, along with the resources should you be interested.

Do not think you are in this alone.

29/01/2026

Want to know how to handle prescription cannabis in your workplace?

You're welcome. ⬇️

Managing prescription cannabis follows the same steps as any other prescription medication your employees may be taking.

Here are the steps I follow when I am asked to help a company manage such a scenario.

Quick disclaimer here. This is advice for the UK workplace only and aligned with UK laws and guidance. While the principles here can work in any workplace around the world, check against relevant laws to ensure compliance.

1) Policy. Make sure your drug and alcohol testing policy contains the management of prescription medication prior to rolling it out and make sure your staff know and understand it.

2) Disclose. Workers should know to come forward and report any medication they may be on without fear of judgement. They should also show relevant parties their prescription that matches up with both themselves and their medication.

If it doesn't align, it's not fine.

3) Risk assessment. A trained person (like moì) needs to conduct a workplace risk assessment against their current job role and the potential affects their medication could cause to the safe operation of their tasks. There are a range of resources where you can source this information.

4) Monitor. With the risk assessment conducted and relevant persons informed of any potential changes to the usual operation procedures, it is time to monitor the worker to make sure that any changes made are proactive, safe and basically work! If they don't, revise the risk assessment, ammend it and monitor once more.

5) Other steps to take. To help the person manage their medication safely, you can seek help from specialist outside sources. For example, their GP may say that it is perfectly safe for the worker to change the times they take their cannabis to allow time for it to leave the users system prior to work, thus reducing the side affects.

While it can seem daunting managing this substance in the workplace, with a bit of training and guidance it is easily managed.

If you are in this position and want to know more, DM me.

Dave.

30/12/2025

I may have lost it, giving this away like I am.

WARNING, this post could seriously improve your business health.

How? Well, if you want to get your Substance Misuse on point as working better than it ever has for you, I’m opening a limited number of on-site “One-Day Set-Up” slots for 2026. This is only for organisations that want their workplace drug & alcohol testing set up and helping their business properly.

In one day, on your premises, I will work directly with your staff to take you from where you are now to a position where your testing, training, and decision-making are clear, compliant, and defensible.

Hands on, expert led, practical, and delivered by me.

What the One-Day Set-Up includes:
1) A full audit of your D+A testing practices to see where the gaps are and fix them.
2) A Full and ACAS friendly policy aligned with the Better Testing model and EWDTS guidelines
3) An appeals form and an appeals process, both essentials to have should things go wrong
4) A management of prescribed medication policy for your staff who are required to take medication for their health
5) A prescribed medication declaration from
6) An illegal substances list for your referral
7) A tribunal readiness checklist
8) A Managers guide
9) A collection manual for workplace substance misuse
10) Chain of custody forms for Saliva, Urine and Alcohol Breath testing.

On top of this, your company will also receive in person training for 2 staff members to conduct THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SAMPLE COLLECTIONS, WITH PRACTICAL TRAINING!

Usual price: £ 1,150
Limited-availability price: £ 595

This deal is perfect for;
• Businesses that already test but aren’t confident in the process
• Organisations setting testing up for the first time
• Employers who want support-first, risk-managed testing, not knee-jerk decisions
• Companies who want to train their own people properly, on site

Places are strictly limited for this offer and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

A consultant on your site, all day, giving you all of this? To help protect your staff, your business, be a part of the BETTER TESTING community AND make you money? Why wouldn’t you want this?

For more info, DM me or comment below and I will get in contact.

18/12/2025

Is this a good idea?

I have built a testing and support package for businesses to improve how they manage their Drug and Alcohol testing in their workplace, with the view of raising how current testing programs are conducted.

The goal is making testing and support for your company in a more productive manner (fail and fire is so last century), all while allowing you to remain fully compliant and protect your bottom-line investment in it.

It includes the following and can be used whether is it to set up in a company brand new or to improve a current inhouse testing model

· One day set up guide
· Workplace drug and alcohol procedures audit
· Workplace drug and alcohol policy
· Policy appeals form
· Appeals process
· Management of prescribed medication policy
· Prescribed medication declaration form
· Illegal substances list
· Tribunal readiness checklist
· Manager guide
· Collection manual for workplace substance misuse
· Chain of custody forms for oral saliva collection, urine collection and alcohol breath collection
· Staff sample collection and awareness training courses

Thoughts on this? Is it something you would look to bring into your workplace?

12/12/2025

You have HR and H+S looking after your business. Guess what Santa is bringing you this year.

25/10/2025

Public Service Announcement Post.

People know what I do for a living, so I thought it best to get this out there early…

With Halloween just around the corner, remember kids, don’t drink and fly.

Stay safe out there!

(Disclaimer, no witches were hurt in the making of this public service announcement.)

19/10/2025

Behind every failed test is someone who didn’t plan to end up there.

What we do next decides whether it’s an ending or a turning point.

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Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 3pm

Website

http://www.davidbainbridge.com/

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