Nowadays, employers in the USA prefer pre-employment drug testing while hiring new employees. Those companies, especially engaged in certain safety-sensitive sectors, such as healthcare and transportation, will always prefer to go for drug screenings before offering employment. These drug screening process can be either of the following:
- Periodic
- Random
- Post-accident testing.
It is possible to increase workplace health and safety by conducting drug tests. This can help reduce drug and alcohol presence within the workplace and, as a result, minimize the chances of accidents. Check https://drugtestkitusa.com/ to know more about drug test kits.
What proportion of workers are involved in substance abuse?
As per the statistics obtained from The National Safety Council (NSC), sixteen percent of workers in different industries struggle with drug abuse issues.
Their report reveals that in certain specific sectors, the rate of drug and alcohol abuse is much higher. A few data available are:
- In construction sector: 19 percent
- In service sector: 15.6 percent
- In transportation sector: 13.9 percent.
These findings highlight the widespread impact of substance abuse across different occupational fields.
How many people use drugs or drink while at work?
The University of Buffalo published one report in 2006, revealing that 15% of employees were under alcohol influence. After that, a remote working system was introduced, as reported by the U.S. Census report. Consequently, contemporary surveys now investigate behavior like alcohol or drug use during work video calls in light of these evolving work dynamics.
In a 2021 survey, 22 percent of respondents admitted using alcohol, marijuana, or recreational drugs during work video calls. These findings illustrate the evolving work landscape and its impact on employee behavior.
How employers’ benefit from oral drug testing?
Oral drug testing provides a multitude of advantages. It is an attractive choice for employers aiming for efficient and convenient employee screening.
In pursuing workplace safety and productivity, oral drug testing delivers swift results without complications. Its rapid processing ensures quick answers, eliminating the need for lengthy waiting periods.
Regarding administration, oral drug testing stands out with its straightforward procedure that demands minimal training. This simplicity reduces the likelihood of errors in both test administration and result interpretation.
Research further substantiates the effectiveness of routine substance abuse screenings in discouraging drug use among employees.
How accurate are these tests?
Oral drug tests perform exceptionally well regarding sensitivity and specificity and these two important variables affecting test accuracy. Studies have shown that they can achieve up to 99% accuracy rates. As a result, they become not only useful, but essential tools for upholding safety standards at workplaces worldwide.
In addition to their great degree of accuracy, they also have a good association with blood concentrations, which points to recent use rather than prior exposure. Consequently, compared to other available varieties, they are better adapted to identifying existing impairment.
Conclusion
Oral drug testing offers quick, non-invasive, cost-effective screening, detecting drugs within minutes. Despite some limitations, its potential for reducing workplace accidents makes it valuable. This simple saliva test enhances workplace safety, ensuring everyone is protected from drug-related incidents, making it a crucial tool for businesses.
About The Author
