Workplace testing is now a standard and regular procedure done by companies worldwide. Employers provide alcohol and drug tests to reduce and prevent workplace accidents and incidents. Furthermore, being able to reduce workplace accidents can help improve workplace safety. Alcohol and drug consumption can have adverse effects and impairments. These impairments can drastically affect an employee’s ability to work effectively and safely. Alcohol and drug use can affect our coordination, memory, judgement, and reaction time (slows it down). Undoubtedly, an employee who shows up to work with these impairments is more likely to endanger themselves and their coworkers. Constant workplace drug and alcohol tests can help single out employees that may potentially endanger others. Moreover, it can help determine if the employees are fit to work. To save more time and money during workplace testing, employers can also use a drug test for alcohol detection.

Using a drug test for alcohol detection is a standard procedure. It is essential to test for alcohol regularly, mainly because of how easy it is to acquire. In most cases, companies even assess alcohol usage on their own. Workplace devices like the BACtrack workplace breathalyser from Breathalysers Australia can allow companies to provide tests just for alcohol. Alcohol consumption and its effects are easier to hide. Therefore, constant alcohol tests in the workplace may be necessary to prevent alcohol usage before and during work.

Drug Test for Alcohol Detection: Kinds of Testing

When selecting a drug and alcohol test from testing facilities, employers need to know the kind of tests they can ask for. There is a wide variety of tests available for workplace testing. However, some may be more reliable than others, and some may be easier and faster to perform. Employers need to find a middle ground for both accuracy and simplicity. For example, blood sampling can provide the most accurate alcohol and drug usage results. Employers can also use blood sampling as a drug test for alcohol detection. However, this form of testing is invasive and needs a highly trained sample collector. Moreover, blood samples also need a certified laboratory to process them. This form of testing is highly accurate, but it is also very time consuming and challenging to perform.

Despite being the most accurate of all tests, companies do not typically perform blood sampling tests. Employers and police officers would perform blood tests only to confirm the drug used and the exact amount of alcohol consumed. This form of testing is perfect for retest and confirmatory situations and can be a practical drug test for alcohol detection. When providing workplace tests, companies can choose from:

• Breath tests (with BACtrack workplace breathalysers): Only tests for alcohol
• Urine Tests: Tests for alcohol and drugs.
• Blood tests
• Saliva tests: Tests for alcohol and drug usage
• Hair follicle test: Tests for alcohol and drug
• Sweat test: Tests for alcohol and drug

Drug Test for Alcohol Detection: Workplace Testing

Companies elect to perform urine and breath tests more regularly. Employers would choose these tests mainly because they are easy to perform and are highly reliable. Companies can even perform breath tests without the need for hiring testing services. Devices like the BACtrack workplace breathalyser allow companies to perform alcohol breath tests on their own more regularly. Moreover, performing more regular alcohol tests can help deter alcohol usage. This method can help ensure employers that their workforce will always be fit to work. Employers may need to request help from testing services when performing urine tests. A certified sample collector may be required during a urine test when collecting, storing, and processing the sample. Urine tests are standard because the test samples are easy to acquire. Companies can even perform these tests in the workplace itself. Employers can also use a urine drug test for alcohol detection.

Testing services nowadays also provide on-site testing. This option allows employers to offer tests to their employees within the workplace. On-site testing can help maintain workplace productivity. Employees would no longer need to take a day off just to get tested. Employers may also elect to perform an on-site drug test for alcohol detection. Moreover, employers may even perform on-site testing without hiring testing services. Employers can purchase a BACtrack workplace breathalyser from Breathalysers Australia to perform constant workplace alcohol tests.

Drug Test for Alcohol Detection: When Can Employers Test You?

Employers should follow specific guidelines and policies to provide workplace tests legally. Moreover, there should also be a signed formal agreement between the employer and employee. Upon hiring, the employee should sign a contract that gives consent for an employer to test them. This agreement applies to both alcohol and drug tests. The test results of a drug test for alcohol detection are valid if both parties have agreed upon the specific workplace policies. There are various reasons for employers to perform workplace drug and alcohol tests, and they are:

• Blanket testing: A procedure that tests all the employees in the company.
• Pre-employment testing: Tests are given to applicants before a company can hire them. This form of testing can prevent hiring potentially dangerous employees.
• Random testing: An unannounced test and can be at any time. This form of testing can help catch employees trying to hide their usage.
• Post-positive testing: A test required for employees returning to work after positive testing. This test can help ensure that the returning employees are fit to work.
• Post-accident/incident testing: A test provided to check if alcohol or drugs were involved in a specific workplace accident. This form of testing can help the company decide the next course of action after an accident.

Breath Tests

Instead of performing a drug test for alcohol detection, companies can also perform alcohol tests alone. These tests can also be done through blood, urine, and saliva sampling. However, the easiest and quickest way to perform an alcohol test is through a breath test. Companies can perform breath tests on their own with the help of devices like the BACtrack workplace breathalyser from Breathalysers Australia. Breathalysers are devices that can estimate your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) through your breath alcohol content. All an employee needs to do during a breathalyser test is provide a strong, firm blow into the device. A breathalyser device is capable of estimating the BAC results on its own.

Why use BACtrack Devices?

Employers must provide highly reliable alcohol tests to their employees. This reliability ensures that all workplace tests are valid. A breath test with a BACtrack device can be as accurate as a drug test for alcohol detection. BACtrack devices feature fuel cell sensors, the same sensors you can find in a police officer’s breathalyser. Moreover, these sensors are only sensitive to ethanol, making them less likely to provide false-positive results. Furthermore, BACtrack devices are easy to use because they have one-button operations. It only takes a BACtrack device 10 to 15 seconds to process your BAC results.