Certain industries, such as transportation, healthcare, and construction, are legally required to perform drug testing before hiring. But any employer can choose to test employees for drug use at any time, and doing so is often an effective way of maintaining a safe work environment.
Learn a few common types of drug testing in the workplace. Then discover more about drug testing in Wichita, KS, by contacting WorkSafe.
Why Is Drug Testing Important for Workplace Safety?
Even if substance screening is not legally mandated for your company, investing in routine screenings can improve workplace safety.
When workers are under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on the job, their decision-making abilities become impaired. They may be more prone to mistakes or accidents that put themselves and other employees at risk of injury.
Substance use also affects a person’s coordination and reaction time. These are especially important for employees who must work in precarious positions or act with extreme precision, such as on construction sites or in healthcare.
Routine or random drug testing can help you identify workers who may be abusing substances outside of work, preventing these negligent employees from causing accidents. It can also encourage employees to avoid substance use, as they will know that you may test for it at any time and their jobs may be on the line.
Prevalent Types of Drug Testing in the Workplace
Companies use several types of drug testing in the workplace to identify recreational substance use. The type that makes the most sense for your company depends on the specific drugs you want to test for, your budget, and a range of other factors.
Here are a few common types to consider:
- Urine testing: This requires taking a urine sample from the employee. It can detect alcohol use, amphetamines, opiates, benzodiazepines, marijuana (THC), and cocaine use. Urinalysis is the most common type of drug test because it is easy to collect and is able to detect substance use over a longer time frame than other methods.
- Blood testing: A blood test can detect drugs in the bloodstream for a short amount of time after consumption, indicating an employee’s recent usage. This type of screening provides a precise measure of alcohol levels and is often performed in urgent scenarios.
- Saliva testing: The saliva contains traces of drugs from very recent use, allowing this type of screening to determine whether an employee is currently impaired. It can test for cocaine, amphetamines, and marijuana.
Meanwhile, you may also want to consider a few lesser-known methods, such as:
- Hair follicle testing: This is a minimally invasive method of detecting past drug use. The hair follicles can show a worker’s substance history within the past 90 days, providing valuable insight into their potential drug use while on the job months prior. It does not test for alcohol use or provide information about current or recent substance consumption.
- Sweat patch testing: While less common in workplaces, sweat patches can collect sweat from a worker’s skin over time. Sweat shows a person’s substance use, but this method is more commonly used for parole or rehabilitation than in workplaces.
Which Type of Drug Testing Is Right for Your Workplace?
When considering the various types of drug testing in the workplace, your company has several options. The method you choose depends on your:
- Budget: Instant urine drug tests are relatively affordable, while blood and hair follicle tests are more advanced and typically cost more.
- Time sensitivity: If you suspect an employee is currently on drugs, a blood or saliva test can show this. If you want to test for past usage, a urine or hair follicle test can show longer time frames.
- Desired substance detection: Consider the types of substances you want to test employees for. Some companies have become more lenient regarding THC usage, for example, while others still need a fast way to test for alcohol and marijuana use.
Of course, you can always use several methods for different purposes. You may perform a urine test as part of an applicant’s employment screening and reserve blood screening to check for current substance abuse at work, for instance.
WorkSafe Is Your Partner in Workplace Safety
Understanding the common types of drug testing in the workplace is just one of many ways you can promote a safer work environment. At WorkSafe, we help companies like yours prevent occupational injuries through a range of customized solutions. Learn more about urine drug testing in the workplace, then contact us at 316-262-8800 for a free consultation.