Pages

Why Use Mobile Drug Testing

By Alyssa Riggs


With the economy the way it is, companies are trying to cut costs and prevent excessive downtime in the safest manner possible. Many industries require employees to submit to mandatory drug testing to prevent the use of illegal drugs, or the misuse of alcohol or legal prescription medication. Drug abuse often contributes to workplace accidents and frequent absenteeism by the users. With the use of mobile drug testing, problems can be identified and prevented before they take place or get out of hand.

Employees no longer have to leave work to travel to a drug screening facility. This will save hours of travel time and waiting to be tested. It is now possible for the technology involved to come to the workplace, no matter where it is located, or when it is open. This flexibility allows the company to control the details of when and where, as well as save money.

Instead of disrupting the work day, employees continue their routine until it is time for their turn, then return immediately to their tasks. This also prevents liability involved if something happens to your employees while they are traveling to and from the testing site. Less time away from the job means reduced loss of profit.

Management of all the steps in the collection process of the specimens is the responsibility of the testing company. All equipment, any FDA approved reagent used and any staff needed to collect and analyze will all be organized and transported to the site. Many will also administer drug programs or counseling to those who show drug use, and some will help with interpreting test results and storing records of the results.

Mobile facilities are capable of performing many kinds of tests including urine, hair, oral fluid and breath alcohol. Most often the specimens that are collected from employees are urine. The procedure requires certain sterile conditions as well as preparation of the area before collection to prevent any tampering or contamination. Mobile facilities make the process easier for everyone. Cost will depend on your location and the availability of a collection site or the need for one to be provided. The number of employees, the number of shifts and days of work are also a factor.

To avoid contamination or tampering if there is a possibility that test results will be used in court, trained collectors keep the chain of custody so results are admissible. This way no employee errors will crop up. The collecting agency is also familiar with and responsible for all the paperwork necessary.

Customization of drug screening programs allows companies to meet their own industry regulated requirements. Whether used for pre-employment, random tests, reasonable suspicion, to allow an employee to return to duty, as a follow-up procedure or as post-accident testing, chosen options will be carried out by trained individuals with established protocols in place.

Making sure the environment remains drug free will lead to greater productivity and fewer accidents. Employee absenteeism and compensation claims should also diminish. The ease and convenience of mobile drug testing will facilitate mass hiring processes and get employees on the job sooner. Greater production and less downtime should lead to higher profits and a happier work place for all.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment