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Random Drug Test
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Random Drug Test
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Hello!
Has anyone everyone drug tested an entire manufacturing facility? Our plant is a 24/7 operation, and we are thinking about moving forward with this within the next three or four weeks. Does an
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Random Drug Test
posted at 8/24/2009 3:42 PM EDT
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Posts: 4
First: 1/18/2006 Last: 8/25/2009 |
Hello!
Has anyone everyone drug tested an entire manufacturing facility? Our plant is a 24/7 operation, and we are thinking about moving forward with this within the next three or four weeks. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions as to how this can be successfully done? Oh yeah, the HR staff will have to adminster the drug tests onsite, and if the results are positive, we will temporarily suspend the employees, and send results to a lab for further testing. UGH! |
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Random Drug Test
posted at 8/24/2009 4:14 PM EDT
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Posts: 155
First: 8/24/2009 Last: 2/9/2010 |
You didn't identify the state you are in and in that many states have special rules and restrictions regarding drug testing that would be the first place to start. For example some states require that before you begin testing you give a rather substantial notice period.
You also haven't stated whether you currently drug test, have a written drug testing policy and what that policy states about this kind of testing. For example, is this reasonable suspicion (unlikely if you are testing an entire plant), part of a random test (you may well not meet the criteria if you test everyone at once), post incident, etc. How has the HR department, or anyone else directly involved in the testing, been trained? Is this to be observed or unobserved collection? What type of facility will you be using for the collection ( existing bathrooms with appropriate pre-collection procedures in place; water off, dye in the toilet, etc)Are their collective bargaining agreements in place? My questions can help you get started. I would add that if in fact you are really doing this then the involvement of competent legal authority, preferably one well versed in employment law for your location, be arranged. Don Herrmann |
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Random Drug Test
posted at 8/25/2009 1:38 AM EDT
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Posts: 186
First: 4/23/2001 Last: 4/14/2010 |
In addition to Don's comments which, as usual, are right on I would suggest you communicate the program to your employees well in advance and explain the reasons for the change. Also, have you decided what type of test and procedure (split sample, urine, hair, blood). Also, how will you select/notify the selected employees? Have you purchased a random generator computer program, using an outside agency, etc... I'm also intrigued by your statement that HR will administer and then send out to a lab if the tests are positive. Not sure I understand how that will work. Good luck. |
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Random Drug Test
posted at 8/25/2009 5:38 AM EDT
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Posts: 155
First: 8/24/2009 Last: 2/9/2010 |
kenlazo,
There are products available that give an "instant read" on the drug test. The process is designed that a negative is treated as a negative and the specimen is not sent to the lab. A positive is then sent to the lab for further testing and MRO review. As with any of these products there are pluses and minuses. |
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Random Drug Test
posted at 8/25/2009 6:03 AM EDT
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Posts: 2146
First: 2/15/2006 Last: 9/14/2011 |
Adding to the above, HR/mgmt needs to also consider the consequences of how many they expect to fail and be put on suspension/terminated. Is this truly that large of an issue that 100% of the employees NEED to be drug tested? If so, can the location handle a large unknown number out? If there are too many, what is the employer going to do, close the facility? There might be a high cost to the turnover this creates. I know someone asked on another post why some companies refuse to have employee handbooks. Well, there are some companies that don't drug test (whether good business practice or not) because they know the consequences will hurt the business. Because if they KNOW for sure x employee(s) have failed the drug tests and do nothing about it, it is worse from a liability perspective than not drug testing in the first place. |
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Random Drug Test
posted at 8/25/2009 6:25 AM EDT
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Posts: 4
First: 1/18/2006 Last: 8/25/2009 |
We are in Ohio, and we randomly drug test now, and we also have a written drug policy. We also do pre-employment drug testing which is adminstered by HR. I think rrupert hit the nail on the head when talking about if we can afford to loose employees that day, which I'm sure we will. We work in a manufacturing facility, and suspect that there is some drug use; we've had a lot of safety incidents and after a post-incident drug test, several employees failed it. Can we afford to loose employees for the day, no but we can't afford not to have them working around machinery and getting hurt; especially when we suspect that there is drug use. Also, the testing will be handled in private conference rooms.
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Random Drug Test
posted at 8/25/2009 10:49 AM EDT
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Posts: 155
First: 8/24/2009 Last: 2/9/2010 |
No prob Kenlazlo. These tools appear to be more costly up front but if you factor in time plus the frequency of a positive they can actually save you money (assuming you don't already have a high positive test rate)
Don Herrmann |
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