Workplace Drug Screening is an important and necessary component in a Drug Testing Policy.

Several testing methods are available for companies and some companies will elect to use more than one testing method to meet the demands of their business.  A brief summary is listed below to help an organization setup or update their testing program.

Workplace Drug Screening-Urine:

Urine is one of the most common methods used for workplace drug screening and it is also reliable and accurate.  Detection times vary based on drugs screened. Several testing panels are available as well.

• Urine tests can be completed at a fixed facility or onsite with a rapid result test kit.

Workplace Drug Screening-Oral fluid:

Oral fluid testing is gaining popularity as it is collected under direct supervision which limits adulteration of the specimen and testing is not considered an invasion of privacy. Oral fluid testing can also be used as an alternative for a shy bladder situation in non-regulated testing situations.

Workplace Drug Screening-Hair:

The main reason companies elect hair as a method of testing is due to the detection window. Hair testing allows for detection of use over a period of time. This is most often seen in pre-employment testing when a company wants to make sure the candidate didn’t just clean-up for their urine test rather that they have been clean for a longer period of time.  Hair is a costly option with limitations on collection sites and employees providing the sample may be hesitant to provide a hair sample.

Be sure to check your state and/or federal regulations to see what testing methods are allowed for your business.

Every company policy should define workplace drug screening and consider the following sample questions:

Q:    Who can be tested?
A:    Full-time employees

Q:    When can employees be tested?
A:    while on duty or on call

Q:    What drugs will be screened?
A:    5 panel (AMP, COC, PCP, THC, OPI)

Q:    How will employees be tested?
A:    Hair follicle or oral fluid

Q:    Why they will be tested?
A:    Pre-hire & post-accident situations

Q:    Where they will be tested
A:    In-house by trained collector

Follow this link to our online workplace drug screening store.  This store has instant kits for urine drug, saliva alcohol, synthetic, and oral fluids.