The Upside of Workplace Drug Testing

For employers with safety-sensitive employees, DOT drug testing rules are imperative and must be followed to ensure not only a safe working environment for your employees but the general public as well. Drug and alcohol testing is the number one way to keep all of your employees safe within the workplace. A safe workplace will increase productivity, overall morale, and help prevent injuries.

How Does Substance Abuse Affect the Workplace?

Businesses have three problems to address regarding drug use in the workplace. First, workplace substance abuse can negatively impact production and overall profits because employees do not work productively. Second, it can harm the reputation of your company, primarily if you work with the public. No one wants to work with a company that employs people under the influence. Third, if employers are not in compliance with DOT drug testing rules, they can be fined by the federal government.

What are DOT Drug Testing Rules?

These rules are the result of the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act. Since tasks that are performed by safety-sensitive employees can negatively impact the health and safety of the general public they must remain drug and alcohol free. As part of the DOT drug testing rules, all employees must be tested upon hiring, following certain accidents, due to reasonable suspicion, at random times throughout their employment, and during or following the return to duty process.

Statistics About Substance Abuse in the Workplace

Workplace drug abuse occurs more frequently than most people know. The National Safety Council estimates that around 15% of the workforce has a substance abuse disorder. This makes it likely that, at some point, someone within your company may struggle with substance abuse. DOT has a clean line of action that employers can take to help their DOT-mandated employees get back on track and it starts with providing them with a SAP list, or referring them to a service agent, if they fail a drug and/or alcohol test.

If you need to find a SAP for your employees, contact SRS immediately they can get started on the return to duty process.