An alcohol and drug screening policy for employment secures the company and its employees from the risks of drug and alcohol abuse. Alcohol and drug abuse can lead to various impairments and increase the risk of workplace injuries and accidents. Therefore, if an employee is under the influence of alcohol, there’s a high probability that his vision, coordination, memory, judgment, and reaction times will be affected. Thus, businesses must identify and target individuals who are likely to put themselves and their colleagues in danger. Nowadays, employers would have a workplace policy to prevent and avoid alcohol and drug-related fatalities. These policies include guidelines and processes that outline the rules and regulations of the program. Furthermore, these policies would specify when and under what circumstances employers can administer alcohol and drug tests.

Mining, aviation, transportation, construction, healthcare, and manufacturing require drug and alcohol testing. Therefore, zero-tolerance policies are standard in these businesses. Most firms and business owners use alcohol and drug screening for employment to reduce the risk of accidents. Furthermore, to ensure the safety and productivity of their employees, companies should consider implementing a drug and alcohol screening test. Genuine BACtrack workplace breathalysers for alcohol tests are available from Breathalysers New Zealand.

Alcohol and Drug Test for Employment: Importance

The primary objective of an alcohol and drug screening for employment is utilising equipment such as Breathalysers New Zealand‘s workplace breathalyser and urine/saliva drug test kits to identify potentially risky applicants. No matter how competent or experienced, these applicants can significantly impact workplace safety and productivity. These practices can have a massive effect on their working performance. Furthermore, employees who abuse alcohol and drugs are more likely to have:

• Increased Absenteeism
• Low production rates
• Poor work quality
• Low work productivity and output
• A lot of pending and unfinished projects
• Possibility of having injuries and accidents

Aside from their performance, employees with drug and alcohol problems may also generate problems for their co-workers. Employees who are frequently absent can have a significant effect on the performance of others. Therefore, other employees will have more responsibilities and additional workload because of the missing workforce. It is also important to remember that overworked staff might contribute to high turnover rates. As a result, selecting the proper candidate can be essential to a company’s short- and long-term production. Without a doubt, an alcohol and drug screening for employment can help organisations hire more qualified personnel.

 

Alcohol and Drug Screening for Employment: Situations for Testing

There are various reasons for companies to conduct testing. Most employers’ workplace policies specify particular situations in which employers can legally administer alcohol and drug screening for employment. Screening in these situations can significantly improve worker safety. Therefore, companies can also provide tests during:

• Pre-Employment – Employers can do this testing before hiring employees to the workplace. By doing this, employers can eliminate employees from using alcohol.
• Blanket testing: This type of testing involves testing all employees simultaneously. This testing can help employers confirm that their employees are fit for work.
• Random testing: Employees chosen at random and tested on unannounced dates. This test can assist in identifying employees who may be concealing their usage.
• Post-accident/incident testing: Tests administered to individuals involved in a workplace accident or injury. This test can assist in determining the possible cause of an accident.
• For-cause testing: Employers would administer tests on employees they suspect are under the influence. However, strong evidence is required for an employer to provide testing in a viable manner. Evidence such as poor work quality or unprofessional behaviour can raise suspicion.
• Return to work testing: This test is for employees who have returned to work after an absence. Absences are usually made because of the leave, illness, or if they were positive on the previous screening for employment.

Alcohol and Drug Screening for Employment: Testing Methods

Companies frequently utilise breath and urine tests because they are dependable, quick, and simple to administer. Furthermore, these tests are the most cost-effective ways accessible. For example, when performing a breath test, employers will only need a breathalyser. During a breath test, your employer would ask the employees to blow into a workplace breathalyser. Breathalysers New Zealand’s workplace breathalysers can collect, store, and process breath samples accurately and efficiently. These devices are frequently used for employment drug and alcohol tests. However, your employer may request a urine sample during a urine drug test. This cup contains a solution that changes colour depending on the material discovered in the urine. In addition to a breath test and a urine test, companies can additionally provide these tests during an alcohol and drug screening for employment:

• Hair follicle testing: Can detect alcohol and drug use. The detection time for this test is up to 90 days.
• Saliva/oral swab tests: Can detect alcohol and drug use.
• Sweat test: Can be used to detect alcohol and drug use.
• Blood test: Can detect the use of alcohol and drugs. This method of testing is the most accurate test available, yet, it is also the most intrusive. Also, this is often utilised as a final resort during confirmatory testing.

 

Alcohol Breath Testing for Employment

Breath tests seem to be the most effective means of checking for alcohol in the workplace. Police officers and medical experts also use breath tests to help them maintain safer roads and provide proper medical prescriptions. Also, companies can easily offer alcohol breath testing with a breathalyser during an alcohol and drug screening for employment. Breathalysers New Zealand’s workplace breathalysers are highly reliable for workplace tests. These devices include fuel cell sensors similar to those found in a police officer’s breathalyser. Furthermore, these sensors are only sensitive to ethyl alcohol, ensuring employers that false-positive results are less likely. This precision is useful when evaluating candidates who have diabetes or are on a low-calorie diet. Furthermore, fuel cell sensors are incredibly durable, making them ideal for workplace testing.

The Workplace Breathalysers from Breathalysers New Zealand

Breath tests can now be quick and efficient during an alcohol and drug screening for employment. Breathalysers New Zealand’s BACtrack breathalysers process Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) results in 10 to 15 seconds. Therefore, workplace safety is manageable with the cooperation of employers and employees. Employers administer a drug and alcohol screening test to control hazards and preserve the well-being of their staff. The goal of drug and alcohol testing is to encourage healthier and safer workplaces. Additionally, it trains employees to make informed and responsible decisions inside and out of the workplace. Undoubtedly, Breathalysers New Zealand’s workplace breathalysers can be an excellent investment for any business. Likewise, rapid and straightforward testing procedures may enable enterprises to conduct more regular alcohol tests. As a result, more frequent workplace tests can help to improve workplace safety even more.