A drug test is a test of a biological specimen to identify whether a specific drug is present in the patient’s system. A breathalyzer test is a common type of screening to determine blood alcohol level, while most employment drug testing requires a urine specimen. Saliva, blood, and hair are other biological substances that can reveal the presence of a drug. There are several reasons for Drug Testing in Cincinnati OH.
Pre-employment Drug Testing
Drug abuse can have a significant negative impact on a workplace as it is associated with problems like absenteeism, accidents, downtime, and theft. The Department of Labor estimates that employees’ use of alcohol and drugs costs employers over $80 billion every year. Screening for drug use can help employers minimize this loss. Pre-employment screenings test the urine for the most common street drugs including marijuana, cocaine, opioids, and amphetamines.
Random Drug Testing
Some employers use random drug testing in order to discourage drug use. Random testing is unannounced and subjects are chosen without any reason for suspicion or other bias, usually with a computer-generated system. Random tests can be more effective at detecting drug use since job applicants have the opportunity to prepare in advance.
OSHA Drug Testing
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) seeks to ensure that employees have a healthy working environment. The purpose of OSHA drug testing is to determine whether employees have been exposed to any harmful substances in the workplace. While some employers require drug testing of employees after a workplace accident or injury, OSHA discourages this practice because it can deter workers from reporting accidents.
Reasonable Suspicion Drug Testing
Often it is the employer who determines the criteria for a reasonable suspicion of drug use. Typically, the suspicion should be based on multiple witnesses’ observations of current or very recent actions. The testing is usually conducted immediately on site or scheduled at a lab as soon as possible. Some common reasons for suspicion include the smell of alcohol on a worker’s breath, slurred speech, unsteady movements, confusion, and inability to safely complete tasks. Eastside Urgent Care is one organization that provides a range of occupational health services including Drug Testing in Cincinnati OH.
