100% Drug-Free Workforce Improves Bottom Line

Across the nation, companies are enforcing drug-testing policies – and while these policies have helped improve employee performance in most work settings, they are especially crucial on construction sites. There, workers need to be alert at all times to ensure greater safety. Accidents and injuries caused by drug use or drinking on the job can increase lost time, decrease productivity, send insurance rates skyrocketing, and create delays that will throw a project off-schedule.

More than 12 percent of full-time construction workers between the ages of 18 and 49 report illicit drug use.* The government estimates that approximately 77 percent of the 19 million current, illicit drug users are employed – with the highest percentage of those in the construction industry.

SUBSTANCE ABSUE TOLL IS HIGH

Studies show that substance abusers are 33 percent less productive, 4 times as likely to hurt others or themselves, 3 times as likely to be late, 10 times as likely to miss work, and 5 times as likely to sue for compensation.

Drug-testing has been shown to effectively reduce workforce drug abuse. That’s why MCA of Indiana and the Indiana Pipe Trades are committed to a statewide drug-testing program.

Construction firms of every size, from large international corporations to smaller local contractors, can benefit from drug-testing. The implementation of drug-testing by employers leads to improvements in work quality, productivity, discipline, employee morale, plus accident and absenteeism rates.

DECREASED PRODUCTIVITY

While workplace safety is a major issue, productivity also factors into the reasons for implementing drug-testing. The link between substance abuse in the workplace and decreased productivity is undeniable. The causes of this diminished productivity include higher absenteeism and turnover, as well as lower performance. Drug-testing has been shown to effectively reduce workforce drug abuse, as employees are less likely to misuse drugs or alcohol while the possibility of being tested exists.

 

SETTING THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE IN WORKFORCE SAFETY

The Indiana State Pipe Trades believe so strongly in the value of drug-testing, they have set in place a statewide drug and alcohol testing policy. While many programs test to a 5-panel test, this program requites a stringent 10-panel test.

In addition to the random testing, employees involved in an accident/incident, or who demonstrate a reasonable cause for testing, are required to be tested. Urine and blood tests are performed by laboratories certified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If an employee who tested "positive" wishes for the results to be double-checked, he or she can make a written request for retesting of the original sample at another accredited lab. Since its implementation, abuse incidents total less than half-a-percent among 1,900 workers.

Promoting safer worksites and greater productivity are top priorities for the Indiana State Pipe Trades and the MCA of Indiana. Isn't that the workforce you want working on your next project?

*ConstructionRisk.com