If you are considering conducting an alcohol and drug test for employment to avoid substance abuse issues in the workplace. Then you may be one of the countless employers in the world who have to deal with workplace issues related to drug use and alcohol consumption at work. Substance abuse costs Australian companies and business owners high productivity loss and increased income loss. This issue also puts the employee’s general health and safety at the workplace at risk. So having an alcohol and drug test policy in the workplace is an excellent choice for any employer. Fortunately, there are highly effective solutions to dealing with drug use and alcohol consumption at work.

The Effects of Alcohol Consumption at Work

There is no doubt that alcohol consumption at the workplace have severe effects. Firstly, an employee who is an alcoholic will most likely have higher absenteeism and unexplained tardiness rates. Poor risk management and loss of productivity is also a possible effect for alcohol use at work. Workplace alcohol consumption also causes various safety risks. Intoxicated employees are most likely impaired and should not drive vehicles or operate heavy machinery or potentially dangerous equipment. Intoxicated employees are more vulnerable to workplace accidents and injuries. Furthermore, they will also put their coworkers at risk.

The company will also have to pay compensation claims for potential workplace alcohol-related injuries. In most cases, employees involved in a workplace accident could also file a lawsuit in court, which means the company’s annual costs will considerably increase with the legal fees alone. Conducting an alcohol and drug test for employment effectively reduces these risks.

Alcohol and Drug test for Employment

The most effective way to control and lessen alcohol and drug use at the workplace issue is to create a clear and thorough drug and alcohol workplace policy. This policy should include requirements and restrictions for drug and alcohol testing. The company can use these policy terms to determine if its employees are working with alcohol impairments. Alcohol and Drug test for employment is essential to the workplace. Companies typically use alcohol and drug testing on employees who have been in a workplace accident. However, the company can have their employees undergo an alcohol or drug test with reasonable suspicion. 

At present, alcohol and drug testing facilities use three main methods for alcohol screening:

• Alcohol breath testing – is a standard method of law enforcement officers to identify drunk drivers. Companies use breathalysers for workplace use to test employees for alcohol abuse. The device gives out quick results. A compact and highly portable handheld breathalyser can detect an individual’s blood alcohol level. Breathalysers Australia supplies genuine BACtrack breathalyser units that are excellent for workplace alcohol testing.
• Urine Sample testing – detects alcohol in the system for up to 2 days after consumption.
• Oral Fluid testing – the most practical and least invasive alcohol testing method. Employers typically us oral fluid tests to detect workplace drug and alcohol use. These types of tests give out quick results and are highly accurate.

Conducting Alcohol and Drug test for Employment

As part of the application process, an alcohol and drug test for employment are strict requirements for aspiring job applicants. Depending on the company’s workplace drug and alcohol policy, employers may conduct these tests before making a job offer. Employers may legally test employees for drugs or alcohol usage in the workplace. Companies conduct various employment-related drug and alcohol tests.

Alcohol and Drug Test for Employment: Procedures

Companies can perform an alcohol and drug test for employment with many different methods:

• Blood test– is used when aspiring applicants or current employees are tested for illegal drugs. It measures the levels of alcohol or drugs currently present in the blood.
• Alcohol breath testing – also known as a breathalyser, this device measures the level of alcohol present in your breath. The results calculate your BAC level. Alcohol Breath tests show current levels of intoxication. Typically, one standard drink can stay an hour in an individual’s system. 
• Hair Test – This is commonly known as a hair follicle test. The test has a detection window of 90 days, although it does not detect alcohol consumption.
• Swab Test – commonly known as an oral fluids test, a saliva sample will be taken inside the mouth. This test is typically for pre employment testing, random testing, and post-accident testing. The sample is tested for drugs up to two days after use. Furthermore, this is one of the quickest and least intimidating types of drug testing. 
• Urine drug test – is the most used test when aspiring applicants or current employees are tested for illegal drugs or alcohol consumption. Urinalysis is a requirement during an alcohol and drug test for employment. Moreover, the company may provide these tests randomly, especially on employees in high-risk roles.

Passing a Drug Test

Aspiring job applicants may be need to undergo alcohol and drug test for employment before being hired. Workers may be screened for drugs or alcohol in the workplace. Furthermore, if you are concerned about taking a drug or alcohol test, you should take precautions. The most effective way is to ensure that you do not take or consume any drugs or alcohol. Additionally, if you want to know more about the detection window of various substances in your system, read here. Breathalysers can be for personal use or workplace use. If you are interested in keeping yourself safe from drunk driving accidents, Breathalysers Australia provides various personal breathalyser models. Additionally, if you want to keep the workplace free from alcohol use, BACtrack rofessional and workplace models can be excellent choices.

A company may conduct alcohol and drug test for employment as part of the pre-employment hiring process. You will likely fail the process if you test positive. Drug and alcohol testing laws vary. And there are limits to when and how drug tests can be done. In some cases, the law requires drug testing and enforces a zero-tolerance policy for mining, construction and aviation industries. Having an alcohol breath tester for workplace testing can be helpful. BACtrack professional models like the sturdy S80 Pro model utilizes police-grade fuel cell sensors that provide high accuracy. The S80 pro can help with workplace testing as it can provide thousands of tests before needing calibration service. 

Developing a Comprehensive Alcohol and Drug Test Policy

There are laws that provide guidelines on companies’ policies regarding a alcohol and drug test for employment. A company can prohibit the use of drugs and alcohol, test for alcohol or drug use, and dismiss staff who are breaching company policy. Moreover, the best way to lessen alcohol and drug abuse is to have a clear and extensive workplace drug and alcohol policy. Drug and Alcohol Testing Laboratories can help develop a highly effective workplace drug and alcohol procedure. Furthermore, these companies can also help with educating and training employees about the repercussions of substance abuse at the workplace.