Alcohol and illicit drugs are substances that can make someone behave unpredictably. In addition, substance misuse can cause long-term health problems and compromise job safety. To reduce the risk of accidents, workplaces that operate in a safety-sensitive environment require a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and drugs. A crucial condition for work is a drug test because these tests can assist in identifying drug use in the system. The employer can identify candidates with a history of drug usage through drug testing. Moreover, alcohol in a drug test for employment can also be detected even though it does not stay in the body long. 

Alcohol consumption can also affect judgment and reasoning and produce poor balance and coordination. Additionally, employees under the influence of alcohol risk their own and others’ safety. The employer may request alcohol in a drug test for employment even though it is not typically included. Moreover, alcohol in the body can be found using a urine, blood, or breath sample test. The most effective alcohol breath testing method for the workplace is a breathalyser because it is quick and straightforward. The BACtrack workplace breathalysers from Breathalysers New Zealand detect alcohol and estimate your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) in 10 to 15 seconds.

Benefits of Testing for Alcohol in Drug Test for Employment 

High-risk industries like mining, aviation, construction, transportation, and healthcare must conduct drug and alcohol tests as a safety measure. Many businesses also uphold a zero-tolerance policy to guarantee a drug- and alcohol-free workplace. Employees, for instance, are breath-tested before entering the work site. Therefore, workers must have a zero BAC to be fit to work. Additionally, some businesses put into place drug and alcohol testing procedures to manage workplace safety. Drug and alcohol tests have the following benefits:

• Enhance overall safety – employee alcohol testing discourages drinking and encourages healthier habits. Less alcohol use among employees means a lower risk of fatalities or injuries.
• Reduce overall costs – companies may incur high costs for insurance, compensation, or medical treatment due to workplace accidents. Due to high turnover rates, accidents can reduce healthcare costs, property damage, or training for new personnel.
• Improve productivity –A stable workforce is more productive and experiences less downtime and absenteeism.

Objectives of Testing for Alcohol in a Drug Test for Employment 

Workplace safety depends on preventing or reducing risks to employees and the workplace. As a result, substance usage significantly increases the risk of accidents at work. Therefore, alcohol in a drug test for employment is essential for any company. The following are the main objectives why businesses do drug and alcohol tests: 

• Identification of affected employees – employees who struggle with substance abuse and need assistance may be uncovered through alcohol and drug testing. Furthermore, an early warning can help prevent dangers and accidents. Employers may also provide rehabilitative aid to affected employees. 
• Candidate Hiring – pre-employment testing is essential for spotting potential employees who might have drug or alcohol addictions. Employees with alcohol issues may act hastily and endanger workplace safety. In addition, a successful application depends on passing the screening test. The applicant for the position must therefore be drug- and alcohol-free. 
• Business Protection – to abide by local, state, or federal safety regulations, employers use a drug and alcohol test. A workplace policy also safeguards the company and lessens its legal liabilities. Hence, employers can show that they adhered to all safety procedures and were not careless in the event of an accident. 
• Ensuring workplace safety – intoxicated employees put themselves and others in danger. 
• Awareness – Securing the workplace can be aided by training the labour force to recognise impairment symptoms. 

Methods in Testing Alcohol in a Drug Test for Employment 

There are various methods for determining alcohol in a drug test for employment. These methods can be: 

• Blood Test – blood tests are the most accurate but are invasive and expensive, which is why most employers do not use them. However, they have brief detection windows that can last up to a few hours.   
• Urine Test – employers most commonly use urine tests for pre-employment drug tests. However, they have a shorter detection window than other drug tests.   
• Saliva Test – saliva tests are less invasive than other types and have a detection window of 7 to 21 hours. Still, they can be a viable alternative for businesses that do not want to risk complications if employees don’t give enough urine.  
• Hair Test – hair tests have a long detection range and can detect drug usage up to three months before the test date. However, this testing can only reveal prior drug usage; it cannot see alcohol use.  

Additionally, breath testing is the most efficient when identifying an employee’s alcohol in a drug test for employment in the workplace. Compared to other tests, measuring someone’s breath is less invasive and more efficient in determining alcohol consumption. Additionally, it is easier to use a breathalyser than to have a urine sample tested in the lab for alcohol consumption. BACtrack breathalysers provide efficiency and accuracy in a compact device.

BACtrack Breathalyser: Excellent Tool for Alcohol Testing  

An organisation must have a workplace alcohol and drug policy to conduct workplace tests. However, issues like costs must still be taken into account. Most companies prefer breathalysers to detect alcohol in a drug test for employment since it is the most cost-efficient out of the other procedures. The BACtrack breathalysers are trustworthy, precise, and reasonably priced. They also provide these benefits:

• Fast results – breathalysers produce the most rapid results of alcohol screening techniques. The BACtrack devices from Breathalysers Australia can analyse breath samples and determine BAC levels in 10 to 15 seconds.
• Accuracy – modern breathalysers have improved sensor performance to guarantee the accuracy of the readings. For great precision and validity, workplace breath analysers use fuel cell sensors. The police and law enforcement employ the same technology.
• Easy to use – a laboratory analysis is unnecessary for breath testing. Anyone may get accurate results from a breathalyser by following the usage guidelines. Additionally, people can purchase tools fit for professionals for their use.
• Cost-efficient –A professional breathalyser is the most valuable and beneficial investment for any business. Fuel cell breathalysers continue to function consistently over time and under heavy usage, saving more costs. 

Breathalysers New Zealand 

Breathalysers New Zealand offers a wide range of breathalysers, from revolutionary smartphone and workplace breathalysers to small, portable keychain alcohol testers. These breathalysers can also read blood alcohol content quickly and easily. Additionally, they use larger fuel cell sensors to precisely detect BAC. The S80 Pro Gen2, Mobile Pro Gen 2, and Alcovisor Mercury are the best BACtrack breathalysers for workplace testing. Employers can best utilise these devices for identifying alcohol in a drug test for employment. The workplace breathalysers from Breathalysers New Zealand offer features that make detecting alcohol in a drug test for employment even more practical in addition to accuracy and efficient sensors. Users of these devices can initiate a breath test with a single press, thanks to their one-button capabilities.