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Understanding the Reasons for Employee Drug Testing

According to local, state and federal laws, private employers can implement workplace drug-testing policies. In fact, federal agencies sometimes assist employers in implementing such policies to ensure a drug-free work environment. If an employer is interested in drug testing in Arizona, he or she should draft a written policy that educates employees on the requirements for maintaining employment with the organization.

Safety

For most employers, ensuring workplace safety is the major reason for implementing an employee drug-testing program. When an organization requires its employees to operate heavy machinery, work with consumers, or do manual labor, it needs to ensure the safety of everyone involved. By drug testing job candidates and random drug testing current employees, employers can help protect the general public’s safety. Employee drug testing also enhances consumer confidence that employees are working coherently.

Regulations

State and federal regulations actually require drug testing in certain work environments. For example, the United States Department of Transportation requires drug testing for employees working in transportation industries. Other work industries that may require drug testing include health care and education. However, each state is responsible for regulations in these industries. Even if drug testing isn’t required in a certain industry, some organizations administer drug testing to illustrate their integrity. Drug testing ensures the public that they can rely on their employee’s performance and professionalism.

Worker’s compensation

In some states, employers who comply with drug testing regulations can receive discounts and additional workers’ compensation benefits. Several health care insurance providers also grant group benefit discounts when employers have workplace drug testing policies. This can significantly reduce the overall cost of the benefit programs. Additionally, at least 30 states have laws making employees who violate workplace drug policies ineligible for unemployment compensation.

To learn more about workplace drug testing in Arizona, please contact Oschmann Employee Screening Services at (520) 745-1029 or (800) 224-8532. We are a national leader in developing, managing and servicing Drug Free Workplace Programs. Our goal is to minimize client risk through smart, streamlined business solutions.

DOT Compliance at a Glance

The United States Department of Transportation maintains certain standards to ensure public and private roadways remain safe. Compliance with hours of service regulations, driver qualification and vehicle inspection requirements, and drug and alcohol restrictions is required in a variety of transportation industries, including flight, trucking, railroad, maritime, and transit. Ensuring your company remains compliant with DOT regulations means ensuring you and your drivers adhere to all operational requirements set forth by this safety organization.

Driver Qualification Files

Before drivers can operate commercial or transit vehicles, they must meet certain DOT qualifications. As an employer, you are responsible for maintaining current driver qualification files for each of your drivers. These files must include the individual’s application for employment, a copy of the individual’s motor vehicle record, copies of the driver’s road test or driver’s license information, and the individual’s current medical examiner’s certificate.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

The DOT requires drug testing for all applicants prior to employment; alcohol testing is optional. Drug testing is also required for current employees who transfer from a non-safety-sensitive position into a new position that is safety-sensitive, even within the same company. Additional drug and alcohol testing may be performed randomly or in response to reasonable suspicion of drug abuse, upon returning to duty after leave, or after an accident or incident in which drugs or alcohol may have played a role.

Vehicle Inspections

In addition to ensuring drivers follow safety procedures, employers must also ensure that vehicles are safe for use. DOT requirements regarding inspection, repair, and maintenance include pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections on every day the vehicle is in operation. These inspections must be filed, along with information regarding any corrective action taken if issues are found.

If you are required to comply with DOT regulations, Oschmann Employee Screening Services can help. We can organize employee background screening, DOT drug testing, and manage your driver qualification files, vehicle inspection reports, and more to ensure you remain compliant with all regulations. Please visit us online or call (520) 745-1029 or (800) 224-8532 for more information about our compliance programs and services.

Background Screening Options You May Not Know About

As an employer, performing background checks on potential employees provides you with important information about past employment and conduct. During the application process, there are a variety of background screening options available to you. Keep reading to discover a few of the background screening options Oschmann Employee Screening Services can offer employers in Tucson.

Social Security Number Trace

An individual’s Social Security number is a unique identifier used to track Social Security benefits. All U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary working residents are issued a Social Security number. A Social Security number trace can be used to provide you with any current and past addresses, names, and employers associated with job applicants. Furthermore, this trace will verify whether the applicant’s Social Security number matches the location and date they claim it was issued.

Motor Vehicle Report

Obtaining a motor vehicle report will provide you with information about an applicant’s driving history for a minimum of three years and a maximum of seven years. This type of background check is important if employees will be handling company vehicles. A motor vehicle report lists all driving records and driving licenses issued to an individual, including Commercial Driver’s Licenses. This report also contains a list of any driving infractions, ranging from minor incidents to DUI charges.

Nationwide Wants and Warrants Search

Performing a nationwide wants and warrants search will return information about any currently outstanding extraditable warrants issued for the arrest of an individual. This search will return results for warrants issued anywhere in the U.S., as well as information about the reason for the warrant’s issue and its date. The database for this search includes sources such as the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshall Service, and city, county, and state law enforcement departments.

Oschmann Employee Screening Services is here to help you manage background screening and drug testing in Arizona. We invite you to learn more about our screening services on the web, or contact us today at (520) 745-1029 or (800) 224-8532 to schedule screening or drug testing services in Tucson for your company.

 

 

DNA Testing 101

DNA testing is an accurate method of confirming an individual’s identity. Every individual is unique; however, each person’s DNA contains inherited information from his biological mother and father. Thus, DNA testing allows for confirmation of paternity or identity for any number of reasons.

How DNA Testing Works

DNA testing is a comparison of DNA samples from a known individual and an individual whose identity must be confirmed. During this comparison, similarities are sought to determine whether the two individuals are related. DNA testing compares the DNA of both individuals in several locations to confirm or deny a valid match. Thus, DNA testing requires samples of DNA from both parties in the form of cells; these cells can come from blood, skin, saliva, semen, or hair. The results of a DNA fingerprinting test performed by an accredited facility are recognizable in courts across the country for any legal purpose.

Benefits of DNA Testing

DNA testing is a non-invasive and conclusive test used to confirm identity or familial ties. This type of testing is frequently used in criminal investigations, but it is often used to determine paternity or other family relationships as well. Individuals who are adopted can use DNA testing to confirm blood relatives, while twins can use DNA testing to determine whether they are fraternal or identical in nature. Through identity confirmation, DNA testing allows individuals to determine whether they may be at risk for inherited diseases or conditions and take preemptive steps for better health. DNA testing can be used for other healthcare purposes as well, allowing physicians to provide more targeted therapies for serious conditions such as cancer and heart disease.

Oschmann Employee Screening Services is dedicated to providing accurate DNA, drug, and alcohol testing services throughout Arizona. We invite you to visit us on the web for more information about the wide range of services we offer, including breathalyzer tests, identity confirmation and background screening, and supervisor training. Please call (520) 745-1029 or use our toll-free number at (800) 224-8532 to reach us.

 

Benefits of Onsite Drug and Alcohol Testing

As an employer, accurate and timely drug and alcohol testing of current and potential employees allows you to maintain a high level of workplace integrity and safety. Onsite drug and alcohol testing brings the laboratory right to you, helping you to save time and money.

Saves Time

Bringing a drug and alcohol collection center and laboratory right to your business is a major benefit over the process of collecting or sending samples offsite. Because your employees won’t need to take time out of their day for testing, they can remain at work longer and won’t require personal or paid time to drive to a drug testing facility. Furthermore, onsite drug and alcohol testing can speed delivery of the results by testing your entire company in a single day for the utmost in convenience for you and your employees.

Saves Money

When your employees never need to leave their worksite for drug and alcohol testing, they’ll be able to return to work much faster. This allows you to reduce the loss of productivity and its associated profit losses that can be associated with offsite drug and alcohol testing. Additionally, you won’t need to reimburse employees for mileage or incur transportation costs to send your employees to a separate location for sample collection.

Prevents Cheating

Although cheating on a drug or alcohol test is difficult, determined employees may find a way. By opting for onsite drug and alcohol testing, you ensure your results are accurate and up to date because employees are tested immediately and without an opportunity to acquire drug-free samples or wait for drugs and alcohol to naturally leave the body.

Oschmann Employee Screening Services is pleased to offer onsite drug and alcohol testing in Arizona with our mobile van service. You can find out more about all of our drug testing solutions or schedule employee drug and alcohol testing for your business when you visit us on the web. Our staff can be reached by calling (520) 745-1029 or (800) 224-8532 for more information.

Reasons to Screen Future Employees

Incorporating background screening as part of the hiring process is an effective way for employers to maintain a productive workforce. With more and more applicants competing for jobs, employers need a way to ensure they are only hiring the best employees available. Background screenings provide information on a potential employee’s criminal record, resume accuracy and drug and alcohol use.

Motor vehicle report

If a future employee is going to be driving a company vehicle or driving his or her own vehicle for company purposes, then it’s important to check his or her driving record. The motor vehicle report shows commercial driving license status for at least three years and shows all driving infractions, including DUIs.

Criminal background search

Searching the county criminal record can help determine whether or not a job applicant has a criminal history. Law enforcement officials report all charges, including arrests, felonies, and misdemeanors at the county level. An employment screening service can check every county where the applicant may have criminal history information filed. Screening agencies can also conduct statewide searches to supplement the records search with the county.

Sex offender registry

The court system requires those convicted of certain sexual offenses to notify local law enforcement of the charges. This information is located in the sex offender registry, which reflects current reported addresses.

Social Security number trace

The first way to verify that a job applicant has provided accurate information is by tracing his or her social security number. This can identify when an employee has concealed his or her previous address to hide prior criminal convictions. The Social Security trace provides the employer with a list of current and previous addresses as well as any previous names the applicant has used. A screening agency can also verify that the Social Security number provides matches his or her name, gender and birth date.

Oschmann Employee Screening Services is a leading national provider of drug and alcohol testing programs. We offer drug testing services and employment screening services in Arizona. For more information, please call (520) 745-1029 or (800) 224-8532.