A drug and alcohol test for employment protects the business and its employees from the dangers of drug and alcohol use. Alcohol and drug consumption can cause various impairments. These impairments can typically increase the likelihood of workplace accidents and injuries. An employee under the influence of drugs or alcohol may have issues with vision, coordination, memory, judgement, and reaction times. Therefore, employers must identify and single-out employees that are likely to endanger themselves and their coworkers. Nowadays, employers would have a workplace policy ready to prevent and avoid alcohol and drug-induced accidents. These policies contain guidelines and procedures that state the rules and regulations for alcohol and drug tests within the workplace. Moreover, these policies would also state when and in what situation employers are allowed to provide alcohol and drug tests.

First and foremost, an important thing to know about workplace testing is the need for employee consent. Upon hiring, new employees must read up on company policies and sign a consent form allowing further tests. Only then can an employer legally provide workplace alcohol and drug tests. Additionally, before an alcohol test for employment, employers would still need to inform and ask the applicant for consent. Furthermore, it is worth noting that alcohol tests nowadays are non-invasive and completely safe, so applicants do not have much to worry about. Employers would typically use devices like the workplace breathalysers from Breathalysers New Zealand for alcohol tests.

Drug and Alcohol Test for Employment: Procedures Done

Aspiring applicants or newly hired employees should expect all the viable drug and alcohol testing methods. It is worth noting that most drug tests have similar accuracy and results. The workplace testing method depends entirely on the preference of the company or the employer. Urine and saliva drug tests are standard because they are cost-effective, easy, and quick to perform. Additionally, if an employer has limited options, these tests can also test for alcohol. During an alcohol test for employment, breath tests are now the main go-to option for employers worldwide. The workplace breathalysers from Breathalysers New Zealand are internationally acclaimed and proven to be highly reliable. A breathalyser’s simplicity allows employers to provide more frequent and constant alcohol tests. This can drastically help businesses prevent workplace accidents and injuries, reducing the likelihood of workflow disruptions.

Moreover, employers can also use other forms of testing when performing an alcohol test for employment. Aside from urine, saliva/oral (swab), and breath tests, applicants and employees can also encounter the following tests: (all with a 24 – 48-hour detection period)

• Sweat test: Can test for alcohol and drugs.
• Hair follicle test: Can test for alcohol and drugs. Additionally, this test also has the longest possible detection period (90 days).
• Blood test: Can test for alcohol and drugs. This test is the most accurate among all the other tests. However, this is also the most invasive and costly test available. Therefore, this test is mainly used for confirmatory testing (after a positive test).

Alcohol Test for Employment: Other Situations for Testing

Aside from an alcohol test for employment (pre-employment), there are plenty of other reasons for employers to perform tests. The workplace policies of most companies state certain situations where employers can legally provide drug and alcohol tests. Providing tests during these situations can drastically help improve workplace safety. Aside from pre-employment testing, employers can also offer tests during:

• Blanket testing: Mass workplace testing aims to test all employees. This form of testing can help ensure employers that their workers are fit to work.
• Random testing: Testing randomly selected employees on unannounced dates. This test can help identify employees that may be hiding their usage.
• Post-accident/incident testing: Tests given to those involved in a workplace accident or injury. This test can help identify the potential cause of an accident. Furthermore, this test can help employers decide the next course of action after an accident. For example, if the accident was not alcohol-related, employers can investigate the other potential causes, like faulty equipment or procedures.
• For-cause testing: Employers would give tests to employees that they suspect are working under the influence. However, there must be solid evidence for an employer to provide tests viably. Evidence like poor quality of work, near misses (almost having an accident), or unprofessional behaviour can cause suspicion.
• Return to work testing: These tests are given to employees that have only recently returned to work after a holiday or suspension. These tests can ensure that all returning employees are fit to work.

Alcohol Test for Employment: Breath Tests

A breath test is the most efficient method for workplace alcohol testing. Additionally, it is also worth noting that it is still highly reliable despite being a quick and easy test to perform. Law enforcers and judges also rely on a breathalyser’s results when determining a driver’s penalty and charges. Moreover, medical professionals would also use alcohol breath tests before prescribing medication (in some emergencies). Employers can use and take advantage of the highly accurate workplace breathalysers from Breathalysers New Zealand when providing an alcohol test for employment. These devices can provide precise testing results that are also viable in court. It is worth noting that all workplace breathalysers from Breathalysers New Zealand have DOT and FDA approval to be efficient breath testing devices.

Why Use the Breathalysers from Breathalysers New Zealand?

The workplace breathalysers available on Breathalysers New Zealand have various features that make them the best option for workplace testing. Firstly, these breathalysers feature fuel cell sensors. These are the same sensors in a police officer’s breathalyser in roadside screenings. Additionally, these sensors are also only sensitive to ethyl alcohol, reducing the likelihood of false-positive results. Moreover, this accuracy can drastically help employers test employees with diabetes or low-calorie diets (prone to false positives). Secondly, these devices have highly durable sensors. Employers can perform over 1000 tests before ever needing to recalibrate these devices. Furthermore, these durable sensors are capable of frequent and back-to-back tests, perfect for workplace testing. Lastly, these devices are highly portable. This feature makes on-site testing all around the workplace easier to perform. An alcohol test for employment can now easily be performed anywhere in the workplace.

Aside from accuracy and effective sensors, the workplace breathalysers from Breathalysers New Zealand have features that make breath testing even more convenient. These devices have one-button operations, allowing users to start a breath test with just a push of a button. Additionally, these breathalysers can also provide quick alcohol tests. It only takes a BACtrack workplace breathalyser from Breathalysers New Zealand 10 to 15 seconds to process Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) results. These devices can provide more convenient breath testing during an alcohol test for employment.

Conclusion

Workplace testing can play a vital role in a company’s success. This is because an alcohol test for employment and other forms of testing can help prevent workplace accidents and incidents. Fewer accidents in the workplace can help companies avoid workflow disruptions, improving their overall productivity rates. Therefore, effective workplace devices like the BACtrack workplace breathalyser from Breathalysers New Zealand can be an excellent investment.