Last updated : November 18, 2024
Are you certain that the drug testing company that you work with is ready to assist you if an after-hours drug test is required? Drug testing companies should be proactive in identifying whether or not a client may need after-hours drug testing. Knowing a client’s operating procedures or regulatory requirements should be part of the onboarding process.
As an example, the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates employers of the safety-sensitive workforce. Owners of trucking companies must adhere to drug testing regulations no matter what time of the day or night it is. Some scenarios that require a DOT drug test after-hours would be after an accident or the need for a reasonable suspicion drug test.
Employers who hire the general public could require after-hours testing as well. They may operate on a 24-hour schedule and include post-accident or reasonable suspicion testing. They could also be complying with union or labor contracts.
An ounce of prevention
Ultimately, it’s your responsibility as the business owner to ensure that your employees are drug tested when the situation calls for it. You must follow the drug testing policy that you have on file without exception. Failure to do so can leave you open to a lawsuit.
Moreover, if regulated to drug test in a certain situation and you fail to do so, you’re out of compliance. The DOT, for instance, strictly enforces its regulations and holds employers accountable in every instance of non-compliance. In case you aren’t aware, the fine for failing to drug test in a post-accident situation is $1,780.
That’s a huge expense for a small company to incur.
If you don’t know if your drug test provider can assist you with after-hours testing, find out. If someone’s involved in an accident at work, a drug test must be given as soon as possible. A blood test identifies the parent drug proving impairment. However, the length of time that they do so is not long. Current impairment can prove responsibility.
It may not be as big an issue if you always operate from a single location. There may be a local clinic or collection site that will accommodate an after-hours drug test. It could be that a local hospital is available to conduct an emergency drug and alcohol test if needed. However, both possibilities may hinge on whether or not your provider has set up an account to cover such an event in advance.
If you have multiple locations, employees working from different areas, or employees who are on the road—truck drivers or contractors, for example, you may want to use a mobile drug testing company, like ours.
Mobile drug testing
Mobile drug testing companies don’t just roll out in the event of an emergency. You can schedule them to come on-site to perform all types of drug testing.
Employees don’t eat up time on the clock leaving work to report to a clinic or collection facility. Instead, a mobile unit rolls up at your place of business or shows up on the job site.
Of course, you still have the option of using a collection center. You can request on-site testing—no matter where it is—in emergency situations only. Just make sure your test provider documents your preferences—and include them in your written drug testing policies for sure!
