Author: csdesign

2014 Better Business Bureau Torch Award winners

Benefits of a Good Drug Free Workplace Program

Written by csdesign on July 6, 2014. Posted in Drug Free Workplace.

A drug free workplace is an environment in which both employees and supervisors follow policies designed to create a working environment where drug and alcohol use are discouraged. Maintaining a good drug free workplace program can help your business thrive and allow your employees to enjoy better health and safety. If you need help developing a drug free workplace program, contact AZC Drug Testing Employee Screening Services of Arizona today.

Improved Productivity

A drug free workplace is more productive workplace. Numerous studies have found a correlation between decreased productivity and the use of alcohol and drugs. Employees who continually use drugs or alcohol are more likely to be late, experience poor health, and have trouble concentrating or completing tasks at work.

Safer Workplace

A drug free workplace is also a safer workplace. Drugs and alcohol can impair both judgment and reaction times, putting your employees, your clients, and even bystanders at risk. A drug free workplace means healthier employees and fewer accidents, disagreements, and a safer overall working environment for all.

Higher-Quality Employees

A drug-free workplace program starts with the hiring process. Drug testing allows you to screen out potential problem employees who will not contribute to your program or your business before you bring them on board. This allows you to hire an overall higher quality of employee who is not concerned about passing a drug test.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance Incentives

Workers’ compensation insurance provides coverage for your employees if they are hurt or become ill on the job. In many states, a drug free workplace program can gain you benefits in the form of insurance incentives to lower the cost or increase the benefits provided by your workers’ compensation insurance.

At AZC Drug Testing Employee Screening Services, we have the tools and knowledge to help you develop a drug free workplace in Arizona. You can learn more about our drug testing services by calling (520) 745-1029 or toll-free at (800) 224-8532. Visit our website to find additional tips and information on developing a drug free workplace on our blog.

FAA’s Additional Safety Position Subject to Testing Rules

Written by csdesign on June 25, 2014. Posted in Drug Testing.

On April 22, 2014 the Federal Register published a final rule amending 14 CFR Parts 91, 120, and 135 affecting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulated companies. As part of the final rule the FAA has created in additional safety sensitive position, operations controls specialist, that is subject to the drug & alcohol testing rules of 14 CFR Part 120.

This final rule addresses helicopter air ambulance, commercial helicopter, and general aviation helicopter operations. To address an increase in fatal helicopter air ambulance accidents, the FAA is implementing new operational procedures and additional equipment requirements for helicopter air ambulance operations. This final rule also increases safety for commercial helicopter operations by revising requirements for equipment, pilot testing, and alternate airports. It increases weather minimums for all general aviation helicopter operations. Many of these requirements address National Transportation Safety Board safety recommendations, and are already found in FAA guidance. The changes are intended to provide certificate holders and pilots with additional tools and procedures that will aid in preventing accidents.

The final rule requires certificate holders with 10 or more helicopter air ambulances to establish operations control centers (OCC) (Sec. 135.619) and requires drug and alcohol testing for operations control specialists (Sec. Sec. 120.105 and 120.215). OCC personnel will communicate with pilots, provide weather information, monitor flights and assist with preflight risk assessments providing an additional measure of safety for complex operations. Operations control specialists perform safety sensitive functions, similar to an aircraft dispatcher, and therefore must be subject to the restrictions on drug and alcohol use.

Reasons to Schedule Employee Drug Testing

Written by csdesign on June 20, 2014. Posted in Drug Testing.

Are you considering drug testing for your employees? This process is useful in many different industries, ensuring that employees are following company standards to provide the best products and services possible. Scheduling a drug test can be helpful to both management and employees by maintaining a safe environment. Reasons to schedule employee drug testing in your workplace include:

Enforcing Company Drug Policies

Many companies have drug policies that are clearly outlined in employee hiring paperwork. This ensures that new employees are aware of the company’s stance on drug use as well as their chance of getting drug tested in the future. Scheduling drug testing allows you to enforce your company’s drug policies by checking employee drug use regularly.

Maintaining a Safe Working Environment

Drug use can have many consequences for employees and the company as a whole. One of the biggest concerns regarding employee drug use is the danger it poses to all employees in the workplace. Drug testing lets you know that your employees are not using any illegal substances that would result in a dangerous working environment.

Protecting Your Customers

While employee drug use is dangerous to the company, it also poses many dangers for the company’s customers. If employees are under the influence while on the clock, they are more likely to suffer from errors when delivering products and services. This can result in customers missing out on products or even suffering health concerns, depending on the industry.

Keeping Employees Motivated

Enforcing rules is important for creating boundaries and keeping employees motivated. Employees may not do their best when they see that rules are not enforced. Scheduling employee drug testing shows your team that you take the rules seriously. This will motivate employees to follow the rules and provide the best for the company during every working day.

If you want to learn more about scheduling drug testing for your employees, contact AZC Drug Testing Employee Screening Services of Tucson. We provide drug and alcohol testing for many different Arizona businesses. Call us at (520) 745-1029 for more information.

AZC Drug Testing DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Service Overview

Written by csdesign on June 5, 2014. Posted in Drug Testing.

If your Tucson business needs to comply with drug and alcohol testing standards set by the Department of Transportation, AZC Drug Testing Employee Screening Services can help. Read on to discover how our drug and alcohol testing services can help your company meet regulations.

Company Drug and Alcohol Policy and Employee Training Packet

The DOT requires that regulated mode employees receive training in the company’s drug and alcohol policy as well as an understanding of the company’s drug and alcohol testing plan. AZC Drug Testing can work with your company to develop an appropriate drug and alcohol policy to include in your employee training packet. Both the policy and packet will be customized to meet the specific needs of your industry and company.

Drug and Alcohol Consortiums

AZC Drug Testing makes it easy for companies to keep their employees in a random drug testing pool with our drug and alcohol consortiums. This service refers to groups of employees from multiple companies that are placed into one large random pool for drug testing. AZC Drug Testing randomly selects individuals for drug and alcohol testing, helping all companies keep employees aware of their drug and alcohol policies.

Recognizing Drug and Alcohol Abuse/Misuse Training for Supervisors

As per DOT regulation, supervisors must undergo training to learn how to spot symptoms of drug and alcohol use in employees. Supervisors must have at least two hours of training in this area to ensure that they meet the standards set by the DOT. AZC Drug Testing provides training for supervisors, ensuring that companies can meet the rules and regulations.

Consulting Service and Referrals

If you are unsure of what steps to take for your employee drug testing policy, contact AZC Drug Testing to start a conversation. We offer consulting services and referrals, making it easy to learn about our other services and whether or not they are right for your employees.

AZC Drug Testing Employee Screening Services can help you understand DOT regulations regarding drug testing for employees. Contact us at (520) 745-1029 to learn more about our drug and alcohol testing services.

Understanding the Omnibus Employee Testing Act of 1991

Written by csdesign on May 20, 2014. Posted in Drug Testing.

Workplace safety is of utmost importance, and this is even more true when the place your employees work is on the road. If your company employs drivers, you should take every precaution to make sure they keep themselves and other motorists safe every time they work. Thanks to the Omnibus Employee Testing Act of 1991, employees in transportation industries must undergo drug and alcohol testing performed by a certified facility. Keep reading to learn more about the Omnibus Employee Testing Act and how it affects your business.

Background

The Omnibus Employee Testing Act of 1991 was put into place because of a subway train that derailed in New York City. Not only was the train operator intoxicated with alcohol at the time of the crash, but it was found that his blood alcohol percentage was still at 0.21 hours after the crash occurred. The legislation originally included only testing employees for alcohol, but eventually expanded to include a larger list of other drugs that must be tested for.

Who Gets Tested

The U.S. Department of Transportation put the Omnibus Employee Testing Act into effect, which requires employees in “aviation, trucking, railroads, mass transit, and pipeline industries” to be tested. In other words, essentially anyone who operates some kind of vehicle in a commercial capacity is covered under the Act. Testing happens before a person is hired, if they are suspected of being under the influence during the course of employment, after an accident, or at random times determined by the employer.

How Testing Works

If you are running a company that has employees that fall under the Omnibus Employee Testing Act of 1991, you will probably need to outsource the testing to an independent agency. Drug testing works through urinalysis, and breath or saliva tests are used to test for alcohol. Various industries have different rates set for how often tests must take place, which is another reason it’s wise to have an experienced outside agency working with you.

Make sure your Tucson company stays compliant with all Department of Transportation regulations with the help of AZC Drug Testing Employee Screening Services. Contact us at (520) 745-1029 to learn more about the products and services we provide to help your business stay on track.

A Look at Employee Drug Testing Laws

Written by csdesign on May 5, 2014. Posted in Drug Testing.

Your business is your lifeblood, and it takes a lot of work to keep it running smoothly. In addition to providing your customers with superior service, you need to have a team of employees that represent your company in a positive and safe light. A drug-free workplace is very important to many employers, and drug testing in the workplace exists for that very reason. State and federal drug testing regulations apply to certain professions, but not others that are left to the private sector. Read on to learn more about employee drug testing laws.

State and Federal Regulations

You may be surprised to learn that most employers in the country are not required to have their employees drug tested. Additionally, there are statutes in place that limit drug testing in the workplace unless it is specifically required by law for certain types of jobs, such as those in transportation. Though private employers are usually not required to test their employees for drugs and alcohol, most still have a right to do so if they choose. Working with an outside drug testing agency can help you put an appropriate substance policy and subsequent testing and enforcement into use.

Testing Procedures

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has established standardized procedures for federal agencies that drug test their employees. A Medical Review Officer evaluates the tests as part of the mandatory guidelines for said testing. Private employers don’t have to follow these same SAMHSA, but it’s a good idea to do so to help stay within the bounds of the law.

Non-Unionized Workers

If your company is non-union, your company may be allowed to administer drug tests to people before they are hired, and while they are employed with you. It’s always a good idea to consult with a legal advisor as well as a drug and alcohol screening service to make sure your testing policies are safe, fair, and legal.

AZC Drug Testing Employee Screening Services of Tucson is here to help you make your business and workplace as safe and reliable as they can be. Call us at (520) 745-1029 to learn more about drug and alcohol testing for your workplace.