Drug and Alcohol Testing at Work
Drug Testing – Keeping Your Workplace Safe
The figures may vary slightly across states, but many studies and surveys have shown that a significant percentage of drug users are employed and active in the Australian workplace. Understandably, a growing number of employers are actively implementing measures that would curb drug use and abuse at work. Many business owners are now putting drug policies in place, and these policies should include a drug testing program.
A drug testing program is an essential part of any drug policy in the workplace. It is the only way employers can find out who among the workforce are under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on the job. This is crucial, because drug users and abusers are more likely to pose a threat to the health and safety of everyone in the workplace. You may also run the risk of legal liabilities if an accident at your company is found to be drug-related.
Take for example a worker who uses crystal methamphetamine or ice on a regular basis. As we all know, ice has a number of adverse effects on the human body. It makes a user’s body temperature rise, triggers paranoia, mood swings and violent behaviour, among other things. Now imagine that worker to be employed in the industrial sector, operating heavy machinery. If left undetected, that worker could cause an accident that may result in workplace injuries and even death.
As an employer, HR or OHS officer, you are responsible for the safety of staff and the general public. Moreover, workplace accidents means higher insurance premiums and even costlier lawsuits.
Our mission at Safework Laboratories is to help you secure and safe-guard your company and workforce from the impact of drug and alcohol related incidents at work. Our comprehensive drug testing services are leading the drug safety industry in Australia today.
On-Site Drug Testing – How it Works
Our Alcohol and Other Drug Testing in the workplace is comprehensive, reliable and designed to minimise operational down time on your work site, without cutting corners. We’ve put years of experience into creating cutting edge screening solutions that use the very latest thinking and the most up-to-date technology.
Our passionate team is always on hand to explain, discuss and interpret results for you, with our own Chief Toxicologist Dr Phil Tynan on hand for additional support and reference when needed.
Why We Screen
- Pre-employment
- Blanket
- Random
- Fit for work
- Return to work
- Inductions
- Pre-site visit
- Call out/accident/incident
What We Drug Test For
Under the Australian Standards, the drugs that are tested for are prescribed. We can only do drug testing at work for what is in a company’s policies and procedures. This could include synthetic drugs, such as synthetic cannabinoids and designer drugs, if a policy allows for it. Under the Australian Standards for testing, AS/NZS 4308:2008 and AS 4308:2006, the drugs that are tested for include the following:
Stimulants
- Cocaine
- Amphetamine (speed)
- Methamphetamine (ecstasy, ICE)
Depressants
- Opiates (heroin)
- Cannabis (marijuana, THC)
- Benzodiazepine (sleeping tablets, relaxants) Only in the AS/NZS4308:2008 not in the AS4760:2006
How We Perform Drug Testing
Sample collections for drug and alcohol testing are done by our trained team of Field Collection Officers. All our field officers have been carefully selected to be highly professional, yet sensitive to the needs of your staff and company.
Under AS/NSZ 4308:2008 Quality controls are completed, as well as standard integrity checks and temperature checks.
Alcohol Testing
- We use high quality breathalysers ensure efficient and dependable results. Our breathalysers meet the most rigorous Australian standards (AS 3547) and are shut down if they are out of calibration, so this can never be challenged.
Drug Testing
- Oral fluid or urine screening- our highly trained field staff are able to conduct drug tests using either oral fluid or urine.
We can also offer a “collection only” service, where no screening is done on the worksite. We collect urine or oral fluid and package it for our own NATA accredited laboratories.
Safework Laboratories field staff are able to test for a wide range synthetic and designer drugs through our laboratory-based analysis. For more information call our office and ask to speak with your client service representative or account manager.
Confirmation Testing and Analysis
Drug screening samples that require further testing (non negatives) after they are screened, are packaged and expressed to one of our own NATA accredited laboratories across Australia. To minimise employee down time, we guarantee a 24 hour turnaround time of results from receipt of the samples into our laboratories which saves you time and money. Analysis is carried out using Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS).
Where We Screen for Drug Use
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Mobile Clinic
Safe and hygienic solutions set up quickly for onsite drug tests by our experts for minimum disruption. Each clinic is staffed by one or two friendly Field Collection Officers, depending on your needs on the day.
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In-House
Conduct drug and alcohol screening discretely and swiftly with in-house solutions using private, hygienic facilities at your workplace.
Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can make your workplace safer. Implement an effective scheme for workplace on-site drug testing – easy, cost-effective and discreet.