A Shipley firm is helping companies to expose workers who are under the influence of drugs while at work.

Modern Health Systems Ltd today announced it had secured deals with two multi-national chemical firms to provide its pioneering drug testing kits.

It follows the successful launch of the new easy-tests.com website which sells pregnancy and drug testing kits online.

The website, set up with the help of Business Link, is thought to be the only one in the country to offer a confidential link to the laboratory to access the results of the test.

The service enables people or businesses to purchase kits, submit samples such as urine strips, hair and oral fluid, and check their results within two working days in total privacy, using a pin code.

Former Bradford police superintendent Les Vasey, managing director of Modern Health Systems, said there had been plenty of interest from firms.

"A lot of companies were contacting us about what kind of testing they might be able to do on employees," he said.

"Now we offer a one-stop shop giving companies advice on their policies towards drugs as well as offering the kits."

And he said a growing number were seeing the benefits of testing in the workplace.

"Accidents and absenteeism associated with drugs and alcohol cost British industry £12 billion a year," he said.

"The market for drug checks is now expanding and could eventually replicate the situation in the United States where workplace testing is very common.

"In Britain there is a significant and growing minority carrying out tests, largely among firms which have got obvious health and safety issues, like heavy industry and chemicals."

Mr Vasey said 75 per cent of the top 100 companies in the USA have been routinely testing employees for years and the policy is backed by the TUC.

"Unfortunately, progress is a little bit lethargic here at the moment because some companies are a bit reluctant to turn the stone over," he said, "However, our experience is that testing has only positive effects on productivity."

The company's website, which was used on the TV show Trisha to expose drug cheats, has already proved popular with parents wanting to check their children are clean of drugs.

And he said the response had been very positive.

"Testing gives families reassurance and confirmation that treatment is working and can prove a family member has given up taking drugs," he said.