Pre-employment medical assessments are a vital part of hiring processes, ensuring that candidates are physically fit for their prospective roles. Within these assessments, drug and alcohol testing plays a crucial role in upholding the health and safety standards in the workplace. In Australia, these tests adhere to specific standards, serving to protect employees, employers, and the general public.
Australian Standards for Drug and Alcohol Testing
In Australia, drug and alcohol testing in pre-employment medicals follows the Australian Standard AS 4308-2008. This standard sets clear guidelines for the collection and analysis of samples, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the results. Adhering to these standards is essential for maintaining a safe work environment and minimising risks associated with substance abuse.
Importance for Health and Safety
Drug and alcohol testing in pre-employment medicals is crucial for several reasons, all revolving around health and safety:
Accident Prevention: Impaired individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol are more likely to cause accidents in the workplace, endangering their own safety and that of others.
Productivity and Performance: Substance abuse can lead to decreased productivity and performance, impacting the overall efficiency of the workforce.
Legal Compliance: Many industries have strict regulations regarding drug and alcohol use, and non-compliance can lead to legal consequences for both employees and employers.
Public Safety: In safety-sensitive industries like transportation, healthcare, and heavy machinery operation, a lapse in judgment due to substance abuse can have catastrophic consequences for the public.
Performing a Urine Drug Test:
A urine drug test is a common method for detecting the presence of drugs or their metabolites in an individual's system. The process typically involves the following steps:
Sample Collection:
The individual being tested is provided with a clean collection cup and a private space to provide a urine sample.
It's important that the sample collection is observed by a trained collector or supervisor to prevent tampering or substitution of the sample.
Sample Verification:
The collected urine sample is inspected for temperature, color, and other visual indicators to ensure its integrity. It must be provided within a specific temperature range to prevent the use of adulterants.
Chain of Custody:
The sample is labeled and sealed with a unique identification number, and a strict chain of custody is maintained to track the sample's handling and storage from collection to analysis.
Laboratory Analysis:
The sealed urine sample is sent to a certified laboratory for analysis. In the laboratory, specialized equipment and highly trained technicians perform the testing.
Depending on the type of urine drug test, the sample is screened for a range of drugs based on the testing panel chosen. Common drugs tested for include marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and others.
If the initial screening test produces a positive result for any of the drugs, a confirmation test, such as Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), is often conducted to confirm the presence of specific substances.
Result Reporting:
Once the laboratory analysis is complete, the results are reported to the requesting party, such as an employer, medical professional, or organisation.
Positive results indicate the presence of specific drugs or their metabolites in the urine sample, while negative results suggest no drugs were detected.
The Process for Non-Negative Test Results
When a drug or alcohol test returns a non-negative result, it indicates the presence of substances in the candidate's system. This result triggers further investigation:
Confirmation by GCMS: To confirm the result's accuracy, the sample is sent to a laboratory for Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) confirmation. This highly precise test verifies the presence of specific substances.
Medical Review Officer (MRO): If GCMS confirms a positive result, it's essential to consider that prescribed medications can sometimes lead to a positive drug test. In such cases, a Medical Review Officer (MRO) service comes into play.
Prescribed Medications and Positive Drug Tests
It's important to understand that many prescribed medications can contain substances that are flagged during drug testing. However, a positive result doesn't necessarily indicate illicit drug use. In these situations, the MRO plays a critical role.
The MRO is a licensed medical professional responsible for reviewing and verifying positive drug test results. They will:
Evaluate Medical Records: The MRO reviews the candidate's medical history and prescribed medications to determine if any of them could result in a positive drug test.
Contact the Candidate: If necessary, the MRO may contact the candidate to discuss their medical conditions and medications in confidence.
Issue a Determination: Based on their findings, the MRO will issue a determination as to whether the positive test result is due to prescribed medication or illicit drug use.
Performing a Breath Alcohol Test:
A breath alcohol test is used to measure an individual's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and determine if they are under the influence of alcohol. The process typically involves the following steps:
Breathalyser Device:
A breathalyser device, which measures the concentration of alcohol in the breath, is used for the test. There are various types of breathalysers, including handheld devices and more advanced models.
Subject Preparation:
The individual being tested is instructed not to eat, drink, smoke, or use mouthwash for a specified period before the test, as these actions could affect the results.
Mouthpiece Placement:
The individual is provided with a disposable mouthpiece, which is attached to the breathalyzer.
Breath Sample Collection:
The individual is asked to take a deep breath and then exhale forcefully into the breathalyzer's mouthpiece. The breathalyzer records the alcohol content in the exhaled air.
Measurement:
The breathalyzer measures the individual's BAC and provides a numerical result, typically in units of grams per deciliter (g/dL) or milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Result Reporting:
The test results are immediately available, and the numerical BAC reading is reported. Legal BAC limits for different purposes, such as driving under the influence (DUI) laws, are often set by the relevant authorities.