Last updated : December 16, 2024
Companies around the globe have had to find new ways to conduct their businesses with the advent of COVID-19 on the scene. The drug and alcohol testing industry is no different, which is why oral fluid testing has become more prominent. Therefore, the primary criteria that have been established to create the safest drug and alcohol testing environment possible include:
- Frequent hand washing
- Wearing masks
- Wearing gloves
- Social distancing
- Keeping all work areas clean
- Not sharing pens or other items
Advantages of Oral Fluid Testing
With the safety criteria mentioned above, oral fluid tests for drugs and/or alcohol are testing methods your business may want to consider for your drug free workplace program. Advantages to oral fluid testing include:
- The ability to properly social distance
- The donor can self-administer the test and handle the device themselves (the donor will need to pull down or remove their mask to put the swab in their mouth, but they can do that at a safe distance from the collector)
- The collector can stay six feet away from the donor during the testing process
- Collections are observed
- No gender concerns
- Adulteration/cheating the test is nearly impossible
- Increased productivity:
- Quick testing time
- No concern about shy bladder
- No supervisor required to be present during the test
Oral Fluid Testing Options
Firstly, if you decide oral fluid testing is a good option for your company, there are both instant and lab-based oral fluid tests available for use in your drug free workplace program. Secondly, if your policy only refers to urine testing, it must be updated to include that employees may be saliva tested. Thirdly, if oral fluid testing is used for alcohol and the screening test is positive (above .000 for non-DOT and above .020 for DOT) a confirmation test must be conducted. The additional alcohol test will be done using a breathalyzer 15 minutes after the conclusion of the first screening test. More details on using Alco Screen tests to screen for the absence or presence of alcohol can be found here.
Summary
As part of the execution of your drug free workplace policy and random testing, you may want to consider on-site mobile testing along with oral fluid testing. At USA Mobile Drug Testing of Northeast Ohio, we can come to your place of business to conduct drug and/or alcohol testing. This ensures that all CDC guidelines are followed while minimizing the exposure of your employees to potentially infected COVID-19 patients at traditional walk-in facilities. For more information about our services, please call 440/653-5003 or contact us here.
