A compelling study by the U.S. Postal Service found that substance abusers, when compared to their non-substance abusing co-workers, are involved in 55 percent more accidents, and sustain 85 percent more on-the-job injuries. Further, the National Safety Council reported that 80 percent of those injured in "serious" drug-related accidents at work are not the

A compelling study by the U.S. Postal Service found that substance abusers, when compared to their non-substance abusing co-workers, are involved in 55 percent more accidents, and sustain 85 percent more on-the-job injuries. Further, the National Safety Council reported that 80 percent of those injured in "serious" drug-related accidents at work are not the drug abusing employees but innocent coworkers
and others.

It stands to reason that if the construction industry employs more drug users than other industries, then the impact of drug abuse would be significant at construction sites. And given the safety-sensitive nature of the construction industry that impact is most significant in the area of safety. A study conducted by a Cornell University graduate student found that construction laborers between 25 and 34 years of age who have been treated for substance abuse have a time-loss injury rate of 23.6 per 100 full-time equivalent workers (FTEs).

That’s nearly double the rate of non-substance abusers, who had a rate of 12.2 FTEs. The study concluded that the difference between the known substance abusers and the non-substance abusers is “likely understated.”
The study observed that: “Injuries
were counted as related to substance abuse only after substance abuse was diagnosed,
yet 1/3 of the substance abusers’ work-related injuries occurred before diagnosis.”
The study only tracked workers on union jobs and only substance abusers treated in programs paid for by union health insurance.

Drug Testing As a Solution

Workplace drug and alcohol testing have proven to be highly effective ways of deterring substance abuse and identifying those who need help. It is legal in every state, though a handful of states regulate it, and commonly accepted as a way of life in American industry.

For many years construction companies that drug test have utilized the services of laboratories certified by the federal government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA) to analyze all drug screens. And for many years this was the best testing method available.

However, while drug testing makes a lot of sense for many construction companies, waiting two to four days to get a result from a lab is highly impractical.

When a drug test result is the only thing stopping a crew of 20 or 30 new workers from starting a job, an immediate, accurate result is really what is needed. Rapid-result, on-site testing has become
a popular alternative to traditional lab-based testing, especially in safety-sensitive industries. Often a construction company can significantly reduce the time it takes to conduct a test by utilizing
rapid result testing. The results are available within minutes and, depending on the product being used, can be as accurate as the screening technologies used in laboratories.

When accidents or some other unacceptable behavior occurs, construction companies rarely have the luxury of waiting for a lab result to come in 24-48 hours later. Rapid result testing is a viable option for post-accident and reasonable suspicion drug testing.

Oral Fluid Testing
Construction employers also now have options available in terms of what specimen to test. No longer is urine the only specimen recognized as an accurate medium for detecting drugs. Oral fluid, in
particular, has proven to be effective in detecting drugs of abuse. Oral fluid testing is an attractive option to the construction industry because it can be conducted either with a rapid result device or through a
laboratory.

It eliminates the inconvenience of securing a restroom in the middle of a construction site. It makes it possible for every collection to be observed, and eliminates concerns about mixed gender collections.
Studies show that oral fluid testing is an accurate indicator of the presence of drugs in a person’s system.

Choosing a Rapid
Result Testing Device
A word of caution about rapid result testing: Not all of these testing devices are created equal. While the prices of these products have come down significantly in the last few years, the old adage“you get what you pay for” often comes into play. When considering instant testing, be it with urine or oral fluid, consider the following:
Make sure your state allows it. Most states have no restrictions on instant testing or oral fluid testing. Some do.

Carefully review the information found in the product’s package insert. This is where you should find, among other things, specifications about the accuracy of the device. Ask the provider to back
up these claims; if they’re true, meeting your request should be no problem.

Limit your considerations to devices that come with independent scientific data to back up all accuracy claims. It’s not enough to see it in writing; make sure the source is an independent, objective one.
Try all devices under consideration in real work situations. Devices differ in how they are administered, how results are read, how long it takes to get a result, etc. Make sure the device you’re considering
will work for you.

Deal with a provider who has been in the business more than a few months (and maybe even years). You’re going to need support, both technical and perhaps legal. Not all providers have staffs of experts on hand to answer your questions.

Does Rapid Result Drug Testing Work?
In the construction industry, drug testing is credited with significant reductions in accidents. According to one study, construction companies that implement drug testing experience a 51 percent reduction
in injury rates within two years of implementing a drug-testing program compared with only a 14 percent decline in injury rates in the average construction company in general during the same two-year period.

The study also found that “the average company that drug tests in the study sample experienced an 11.4 percent reduction in its workers’ compensation experience rating modification factor. At the same
time, companies in the study sample that did not employ drug testing saw no such decline.”

Additionally, the report found that construction industry employers believed that drug testing programs have a positive impact in “virtually every respect.” The report cited “better overall safety of the
work environment, reductions in workers’ compensation costs, and improved quality of job applicants as three of the most positive developments.” Employers also said “drug testing contributed positively
to a company’s image and was an effective deterrent to workplace drug abuse.”

Rapid result testing simply makes drug testing even more effective. The time it takes to administer a drug test is significantly reduced, thus minimizing the down time commonly associated
with drug testing. The test result is available within minutes rather than days making it possible to hire and start an applicant the morning he or she applies for a job. Fast results also make it
possible to efficiently deal with accidents and situations where reasonable suspicion of drug use exists. FSM
William F. Current is the president and founder of WFC & Associates, a national firm that specializes in employee screening policy development, including drug testing and background screening,
and drug testing marketing and sales consulting. His 11th book, “How to Get the Most Out of Drug Testing: 50 Things You Can Do to Improve Your ROI,” is a comprehensive, reader-friendly guide to
improving your return-on-investment in drug testing and will be available in early 2007. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He and his family reside in Coral Springs, Florida.