Drug And Alcohol Testing In The Workplace
Operating machinery, driving a company vehicle, and interacting with customers requires that an employee is coherent and able to handle their duties in a responsible manner. Passing a drug and alcohol test is a commonplace prerequisite to being hired at many places of business. Outline your plans and set a testing procedure in motion that all of your employees will need to adhere to.
Testing Materials
An OSHA-compliant and FDA-approved test should be available for use during each employee prescreening session. Tests that are supplied through a company that caters to large and small businesses and their testing needs may list products that are minimally invasive and easy to use.
A test that requires the use of a swab will allow an end-user to collect saliva from their own mouth and place it inside of a sealed container. There are also urine tests on the market that are equally effective. This type of test will require the use of a lavatory during each testing session.
Sanitizing Strategies
Gloves, wipes, and disinfectant spray should be used whenever bodily fluids are going to be collected. A hazardous waste container should be available for use. Any materials that have come into contact with a test and that could potentially have bodily fluids on them should be placed inside of the waste container. If tests are going to be sent to a lab, they should be collected and stored inside of a box or bag that will be used to transport the tests.
Testing Guidelines
Avoid any uncertainties with your testing requirements by placing signage within your facility that outlines the testing protocol. Post this information inside of employee handbooks that will be given out to potential hires. The same person or group of people should administer all of the tests. This will ensure that the same set of steps is completed during each testing phase.
Decide what types of testing results will deem an employee ineligible to obtain a job at your place of employment. For instance, if someone's drug screen indicates that they have not used illicit drugs, but that they have consumed alcohol, you may choose to perform a second test. The indication that alcohol is in someone's system is not proof of them having a dependency on alcohol.
If a subsequent test comes back negative for alcohol, you may choose to hire the person. Random drug screens can be given to your employees to guarantee that they are continuing to follow the drug and alcohol policies that you have mandated.
Talk to a medical professional to get help implementing drug & alcohol testing.