Drug testing services allow people to get their drugs tested for content and potency, as well as provide harm reduction advice tailored to individual test results. Testing can include a range of tests on saliva, hair, urine, and sweat samples.
Regular workplace drug tests can help companies reduce theft, employee accidents, and other costs related to substance abuse. There are many ways that drug testing services can help you.
Promote Workplace Safety
Drug testing services Richmond VA can help a company’s bottom line by deterring drug use and promoting safety. Employees who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol tend to have poor decision-making skills and can lack focus, which can lead to mistakes and accidents on the job. A comprehensive drug testing program can prevent these mistakes by ensuring that employees are alert and capable of comprehending dangerous situations.
A drug-free workplace policy can also improve morale and productivity by encouraging a healthy work environment. In addition, many insurance companies offer discounts on workers’ compensation policies for employers who establish these programs.
Employers should consider the state regulations, industry requirements, and substances they want to test for when developing their drug-testing program. They should also decide whether to conduct tests onsite or have them undertaken professionally at laboratories equipped for quality control, split samples, and chain of custody. Tests can be collected from urine, saliva, hair, or sweat.
Identify Employees at Risk for Substance Abuse
Drug abuse isn’t just a personal problem; it affects communities and workplaces as well. People who are using drugs are more likely to miss work, be late, act aggressively, have accidents, or file workers’ compensation claims. They are also less productive and more prone to theft.
Pre-employment drug screenings are used to verify that job candidates are not abusing drugs or alcohol. They may be required as part of a job offer or to comply with industry-specific regulations.
Drug tests can be performed on urine samples. They can be administered before an employee begins working when there is reasonable suspicion that drugs are being used or in response to a workplace incident. The results are interpreted by an MRO and reported to the employer. They can indicate that an employee needs rehabilitation or disciplinary action. The MRO can also recommend community resources or an employee assistance fund to help employees struggling with addiction.
Reduce Substance Abuse in the Workplace
Workplace drug testing is a powerful deterrent against employee substance abuse, which can have adverse effects on productivity, morale, and safety. It also helps identify employees who may need treatment and support.
A drug-free workplace helps ensure a safe environment for all employees, and drug testing services can help create a drug-free workplace policy that meets all local, state, and federal laws. Generally, these programs include pre-employment screening, reasonable suspicion testing (saliva or urine), and follow-up testing once an employee has completed a rehabilitation program.
Screening for drugs is crucial because it can prevent the adverse effects of drug abuse in the workplace, such as poor decision-making, tardiness, absenteeism, theft, and accidents. Workplace accidents caused by drug abuse are 50% higher than those involving alcohol and have a direct impact on workers’ compensation costs. Moreover, drug abuse can cause physical and emotional problems in employees, including PTSD, which can be severe enough to leave them unable to perform their jobs safely.
Reduce Costs of Substance Abuse in the Workplace
Drug abuse in the workplace costs businesses millions of dollars each year. This is due to lost productivity, higher accident rates and workers’ compensation claims, theft, morale issues, and the increased cost of medical treatments for drug abusers.
A workplace drug testing program can help reduce these costs by deterring employee use and helping those with a substance use disorder get treatment. Many employers make passing a drug test a requirement for job applicants before hiring them. In addition, some employers require a pre-accident or post-accident drug test for employees involved in accidents on the job.
These tests can be conducted with urine, hair, saliva (oral fluid), or sweat samples. Most federally regulated drug tests are performed with urine, however. Tests are typically administered for five categories of drugs: amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, and opiates. Other substances may also be tested depending on a company’s or industry’s needs. Test results are usually available within 24 hours of sample collection.
