Substances like drugs and alcohol pose significant risks to both individuals and the community. When individuals are under their influence, it greatly compromises safety, especially in activities such as driving or working. Consequently, many companies opt to seek drug and alcohol testing near me. Employers can locate nearby testing centres by conducting a simple search for the most suitable location in their area. Furthermore, onsite testing presents several advantages, including enhanced safety measures, prompt result delivery, and cost efficiency.

Alcohol and illegal drugs have the potential to damage the nervous system, leading to substantial impairments. These substances can particularly affect the senses, reasoning, and motor abilities. For instance, consuming excessive alcohol or drugs can result in blurred vision, delayed reflexes, or uncoordinated movements. Therefore, such impairments pose significant risks when individuals are engaged in work activities or operating heavy machinery. This article will discuss the advantages of onsite testing, including their test methods and importance.

Drug and Alcohol Testing Near Me: Onsite Testing Advantages

Onsite drug and alcohol testing has numerous advantages. It enhances safety by reducing the chances of accidents. By conducting regular screenings, companies can ensure that employees are not intoxicated while working. Additionally, it helps identify employees with substance abuse issues, allowing the company to offer assistance. Furthermore, onsite testing serves as a deterrent for persistent substance use.

Moreover, employers have the option to utilise mobile laboratory services for conducting tests conveniently near the workplace. Instead of employees having to visit a clinic, testing agencies bring a mobile facility to a secure location. As a result, onsite testing can deliver fast results within minutes. This is particularly crucial for high-risk industries that demand prompt reports.

Furthermore, onsite testing offers cost and resource savings for companies. It allows for the simultaneous testing of multiple employees, enabling those who receive negative results to resume work immediately. Consequently, this reduces downtime and minimises productivity losses compared to employees having to visit external clinics. Overall, these advantages are the primary factors that drive companies to seek drug and alcohol testing near me.

When to Conduct Drug and Alcohol Tests

• Pre-employment testing: it aims to assess a prospective employee’s past drug and alcohol usage, patterns, or behaviours.
• Blanket testing: this testing applies to all employees and is often part of periodic medical examinations.
• Random drug testing: companies conduct this test without prior notice to employees. The selection process is done randomly.
• Post-incident testing: performed on employees after an incident to determine if drugs and alcohol played a role.
• Reasonable suspicion testing: it involves requesting a particular employee to undergo testing if they display symptoms of impairment.
• Return-to-duty testing: conducted on employees returning from hospitalisation or a rehabilitation centre to ensure their fitness for duty.

 

Drug and Alcohol Testing Near Me: Test Methods

Drug and alcohol testing near me offers different methods based on their client’s specific requirements. The most commonly employed methods include urine and breath alcohol testing. The urine test effectively identifies illicit substances and inappropriate prescription drug usage. Additionally, urine samples can detect drugs and alcohol for up to 48 hours after use. Alternatively, employers may choose the saliva drug test to detect recent drug exposure.

Alcohol can be detected in urine and saliva, but the preferred screening method is a breath test. Within 15 minutes of drinking alcohol, the breath can contain ethanol. A breathalyser, such as the BACtrack from Breathalysers New Zealand, can accurately measure the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) in the breath. Lastly, hair follicle tests can identify drug usage within the past 90 days.

Furthermore, drug and alcohol screening facilities use rapid test kits for quick results, typically within five minutes. However, these kits cannot determine the exact amount of drugs present in the body. Therefore, positive results require further laboratory analysis. Nevertheless, these quick tests offer benefits to workplaces requiring testing, as they are both time-efficient and cost-effective.

Workplace Breathalysers

A breathalyser plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of employees. Its primary purpose is to detect any impairments caused by alcohol and prevent possible accidents by actively monitoring alcohol levels. Industries with high-risk environments can pose significant dangers when workers are under the influence of alcohol.

Companies can employ workplace breathalysers, like SHIELD Express Identity, to check their employees’ BAC levels. These devices utilise fuel cell sensor technology, which is the established industry standard for conducting reliable alcohol breath tests. Furthermore, workplace breathalysers are highly accurate in detecting ethanol and do not react to other substances.

 

The Need for Drug and Alcohol Testing Near Me

Workplace injuries can occur as a result of sudden accidents, such as trips and falls. Additionally, the use of alcohol and drugs increases the likelihood of such incidents. Substance impairment causes work-related casualties and reduces productivity, leading to poor performance and increased absenteeism. Onsite drug and alcohol testing can assist companies in addressing these issues.

High-risk industries like mining, transportation, and construction have a zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol due to safety concerns. Employees in these positions are required to be clean and sober at all times. Furthermore, employers have policies in place that help them handle workplace dangers effectively. These policies include setting safety rules and regularly testing employees for drugs and alcohol.

Not all workplaces require onsite drug and alcohol testing near me. However, all companies are legally liable under the Health and Safety Work Act (HSWA) of New Zealand. This law mandates that they must provide a safe working environment for employees. Therefore, more organisations adopt a working policy, especially if they have a history of drug or alcohol-related incidents.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

A drug and alcohol policy in NZ addresses substance use and impairments with objectives, scopes, and strategies. It establishes the employer’s rules and guidelines regarding drug and alcohol use while working or outside of work hours. Additionally, the policy provides an extensive drug and alcohol testing guide so employees know what to expect.

Furthermore, a drug and alcohol policy in NZ communicates acceptable practices to employees, ensuring proper conduct in the workplace. It enforces zero tolerance for impairing substances, outlines testing procedures, and defines consequences for violations. This helps maintain safety, performance standards and reduces risks for the business.

Conclusion

Onsite drug and alcohol testing near me offers several advantages for companies. It improves safety by identifying substance abuse problems and acting as a deterrent against ongoing drug or alcohol use. It also provides convenience, fast results, and cost savings for employers. Common testing methods include urine, breath, oral fluid, and hair follicle tests, with rapid test kits delivering quick results. These testing methods and advantages make onsite testing effective.

Implementing workplace breathalysers and conducting onsite drug and alcohol testing help keep employees safe and well. Breathalysers from Breathalysers New Zealand accurately detect alcohol impairments and prevent accidents in high-risk industries. Onsite testing allows companies to deal with substance abuse problems, lower workplace injuries, and keep productivity intact. It also helps companies meet their legal responsibilities. By prioritising onsite drug testing and breathalyser usage, employers can minimise workplace risks associated with drugs and alcohol.