Workplace alcohol testing addresses the hazards presented by employees who appear for work with hangovers, or who actively drink alcohol during the workday. Intoximeters Incorporated states that alcohol-related industrial accidents have resulted in many injuries and deaths. Worker productivity and absenteeism are also affected by alcohol. Although alcohol testing creates additional business expenses, the company can reduce its liability and insurance rates when it identifies and addresses the employee's problem.
Mandated Versus Non-Mandated Testing
Mandated alcohol testing is required for safety-sensitive workers regulated by the United States Department of Transportation. Examples include railroad workers, aviation mechanics and pilots. Trained blood alcohol technicians administer breath alcohol tests to these employees. Non-mandated testing is performed for many other industries, and is often tailored to the employer's needs. Many companies follow the Department of Transportation test model, according to Lifeloc Technologies.
Testing Scenarios
Employers can order an alcohol test for several reasons, notes the University of Utah Department of Environmental Health and Safety. Pre-employment tests are ordered before a final job offer. Suspicion-based tests are given when an employee displays job performance problems or behaviors that may be connected to alcohol use. Post-accident testing is applied after a death or serious accident-related injury. Random alcohol testing requires an employee to immediately submit a sample at a testing site. Return-to-work testing and follow-up testing apply to employees with previous alcohol-related infractions.
Testing Modalities
Your employer has access to five alcohol tests. He selects a urine alcohol test; a breath alcohol test, also known as a Breathalyzer test; a blood alcohol test; a saliva alcohol test; or a hair alcohol test. Each test has advantages and disadvantages. Alcohol Test Info notes that these tests indicate whether the subject has alcohol in his system during the test, but not whether he necessarily has an alcohol abuse problem.
Testing Procedures
Most alcohol testing is conducted at offsite locations such as medical service businesses that perform tests for many employers. Facility personnel follow strict protocols to obtain test samples and send the specimens to an offsite laboratory. Negative results are usually provided within 24 hours. Initial positive results are sent to a medical review officer, a physician who contacts the subject to determine if there is a medical reason for the positive test. Confirmed positive results are transmitted to the employer for further action, states Pre-Employment Drug Screening.com.
Legal Considerations
Employers are required to conform to applicable state and federal alcohol testing laws. The United States Department of Labor notes that although no federal laws prohibit alcohol testing, some states restrict random testing for employees in non-safety-sensitive jobs. Employers should familiarize themselves with their state laws before implementing an alcohol testing program.
References
- Intoximeters Incorporated: Workplace Testing
- Lifeloc Technologies: Breath Alcohol Training for the Workplace
- University of Utah: Department of Environmental Health and Safety: Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing
- Alcohol Test Info: Why Test for Alcohol?
- Pre-Employment Drug Screening.com: Intro to Drug Screening
