When safety matters most, ongoing drug testing is a must for effective workplaces. We explain the many valuable benefits of occupational health screenings and similar services for employers from a variety of industries.
A study by the National Institute of Drug Abuse found that about two-thirds of all adults who use illegal drugs are employed. Furthermore, a National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that a little under half of the substance abusers sold drugs to other employees, and about one-fifth stole from coworkers to support their habit. Furthermore, they are statistically much more likely to be involved in a workplace accident and injure themselves or others. With data like this, it is easy to understand why many employers utilize ongoing drug testing.
While any kind of screening comes with costs, the benefits of pre-employment, routine, and random drug screenings are worth the expense for many organizations. In particular, safety-sensitive industries like aviation, trucking, mass transit, pipelines, and more are typically required to have strict testing policies in place. However, employers in other fields can take advantage of the benefits as well, which include:
Preventing Workplace Accidents
Reducing Staff Health Issues and Costs
Decreasing Absenteeism and Tardiness
Warding Off Litigation
Protecting Employees
Improving Productivity and Morale
If ongoing drug testing is not feasible, setting other policies can also help. Some of the most common times for employers to conduct drug screenings are before hiring, after accidents, at random, and in response to reasonable suspicion. However, it is crucial for businesses to ensure that their drug testing policies and practices are legally compliant.
