A wrongful death suit was filed against Ford Motor Co. for failing to drug test an employee. A full-time employee of Ford collapsed at work and was brought to a hospital, where he later passed away. A toxicology report showed that this employee had marijuana, fentanyl, and alcohol in his system at the time of death. Ford Motor had a workplace drug policy, but they failed to implement it. The lack of supervision prompted employees to use drugs and alcohol while at work. The claim was filed stating that Ford was negligent with its workplace practices, which ultimately led to the death of this individual.

As the acceptance of illegal and recreational drug use rises throughout the US, the need for a firm workplace drug policy has never been more critical. Employers are held responsible for the actions of their employees while on the clock, especially when employers are willfully negligent of safety measures in the workplace and their own company policy. Choosing not to have a drug testing policy, or choosing to have one but not implementing it, can have serious negative consequences that may reflect poorly on your company.

Knowing what drugs to test for, what method to use, who and when to test, and how testing should be done can be confusing. Luckily, Blueline has you covered. Our experts can help you develop a workplace drug policy that is tailored to your organization’s every need.

The post LEARN FROM FORD MOTOR CO.’S DRUG TESTING MISTAKE appeared first on Blueline.

The need for drug testing has never been more crucial…and employer liability only increases as society becomes more casual in the acceptance of drug abuse.

Legalization

Now we may not be as laid back as our friends up north who are handing out free drugs to everyone, but more and more places in the US are legalizing drugs. The CDC reported in June 2020 that 13% of adults, age 18 and older, started or increased their substance use as a result of the pandemic. This means that 33.6 million adults began using illicit drugs to cope with emotions related to COVID-19. ODMAP, an overdose reporting system, found that 62% of US counties experienced increased drug overdoses due to the pandemic.

To keep your workplace safe, productive, and drug-free, knowing all your drug testing options is essential. Common drug test types include urine, saliva, and hair testing.

What Should I Test For?

It is essential to know which drugs to screen for. Some commonly abused drugs are:

• Narcotics: includes heroin, fentanyl, morphine, opium, methadone
• Depressants: includes benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methaqualone, quaaludes
• Stimulants: includes cocaine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, methamphetamine
• Hallucinogens: common “club drugs” such as ecstasy, LSD, phencyclidine
• Cannabis: includes marijuana, THC, hashish
• Synthetics: includes spice, bath salts, anabolic steroids

Types Of Testing Available

It is also essential to review your company policy to ensure all your drug testing needs are being met. Blueline offers many different testing options. Our most popular tests are:

• 5 Panel: includes amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and phencyclidine
• 7 Panel: consists of all 5-panel drugs, plus barbiturates and benzodiazepines
• 9 Panel: consists of all 7-panel drugs, plus barbiturates propoxyphene
• 10 Panel: includes all 9-panel drugs, plus methadone and methaqualone
• Popular Add-ons: tramadol, meperidine, fentanyl, spice, bath salts

Knowing which drugs to screen for can be tricky. Luckily, Blueline can help you navigate the right testing configuration for your organization and the proper drug testing policy catered specifically to your needs.

The post It’s Been a While Since Breaking Bad, so Here’s Your Refresher Course on Illegal Drugs appeared first on Blueline.

Keep Testing For Marijuana?

Marijuana is still federally illegal and is considered a Schedule I drug, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Because state and federal laws differ for marijuana use, drug testing can be complicated especially for companies across multiple states. What does all of this uncertainty mean for employers?

Some companies may choose to remove marijuana screening from their drug testing policy for various reasons. The window of detection for marijuana use is a common reason. Employers often wonder how accurately impairment can be decided based on a positive test because marijuana stays in your system longer than many other drugs. So… there still isn’t a viable option for testing for real-time impairment. Another frequent concern of HR professionals is an issue of privacy in states that have legalized the drug.

Does Testing Help Limit Employee Risk?

There are many reasons to continue screening for marijuana use. Other ongoing benefits of testing include it can prevent drug users from applying to your company. Continued screening or random drug testing can also help protect your company from legal liability if an accident occurs. According to a study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, employees that tested positive for marijuana were 55% more likely to have industrial accidents, 85% more likely to be injured, and 75% more likely to be absent. Screening for cannabis may be beneficial, particularly for those in safety-sensitive positions where employee risk is concerned.

Untangling the issue of whether or not to screen for marijuana can be tricky. Let Blueline experts help you implement a drug testing program that will keep your company and employees safe and compliant.

The post Amazon Has Entered the Jungle of Serious Employee Risk & Liability appeared first on Blueline.

Drug overdoses can happen anywhere, and the workplace is not exempt from these problems. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reported that drug overdose deaths at work have increased for seven years in a row.

Drug Overdose Rates Soaring

Drug related deaths in the U.S. skyrocketed 30% in 2020 to a record 93,331. This means an average of 256 Americans died every day from a drug overdose. This surge of overdoses was not unforeseen as drug abuse is a continually increasing problem in the U.S.

The strongest approach to prevent workplace drug overdoses is to implement a drug testing policy for your company.

How Can Drug Testing Reduce Workplace Drug Overdoses?

There are many circumstances in which a company may conduct drug testing. Each of these strategies can be used to eliminate the chance of a workplace overdose.

• Pre-Employment: This test is used to establish illicit drug use by a potential hire. Your workplace is less likely to have drug problems if applicant testing becomes part of the hiring process.
• Random: A random selection process chooses employees to perform drug testing. This will ensure employees are following your workplace drug policy.
• Post-Accident: This is performed after a workplace incident occurs. When a company has a post-accident drug testing policy, employees are less likely to consume drugs before or during work.
• Reasonable Suspicion: When there is evidence or reasonable cause to suspect an employee’s drug use, this test can be performed. Supervisors must complete a prior training course to report drug and alcohol symptoms.
• Return to Duty: This test may be used as a condition of a worker’s return to safety-sensitive duties after a company’s drug or alcohol policy has been violated. This will help prevent continued policy violations.

As drug overdose deaths are continuing to soar throughout the country, Blueline is here to protect your company. We can help navigate this sensitive subject by creating a drug testing program that is right for you.

The post How Drug Testing Can Prevent Workplace Death appeared first on Blueline.

Here are the big questions around synthetics we encounter when doing drug screenings:

Is Synthetic Urine Detectable?

The short answer is Yes. By using a process called specimen validity testing, we can determine the origins of the urine – i.e., whether it is human or synthetic. However, as of now, there isn’t an industry standard for determining if a specimen is synthetic or has been substituted with another person’s urine. While several states have made synthetic urine illegal, there hasn’t been anything stopping cheaters from crossing state lines to get the products.

Without actual direct observation of the collection, there is not any 100% guarantee that real urine isn’t being substituted. That’s why it’s so critical that you use a reputable company. Blueline Services can administer your testing and screening processes.

As you’ve learned from working with our highly experienced team, the drug testing procedures can go very smoothly. That isn’t always the case, with several background and drug testing companies failing to provide fully accurate information. Some reporting doesn’t stay within legal guidelines. We take the worry and confusion out of the entire process. Our platform design will keep stress and confusion at bay. Check us out and see how we can work even better together.

The post Synthetic Urine Getting Flushed by States appeared first on Blueline.

If there is reason to suspect that an employee is under the influence, be sure to document everything thoroughly. You’ll need to take note of your direct observations. Be sure to include appearance, odor, behavior, and any work performance issues that support reasonable suspicion testing. Without the proper procedures and policies in place, your company could be at risk for legal and financial penalties.

It is common for employers to just report the requested test as a “random” test. If you go this route, you are opening the door for legal liabilities. While it is possible to order random testing, it’s not the appropriate option for reasonable suspicion and can lead to legal issues.

The provision can be difficult to define and execute. Blueline Services provides employers and management teams in-depth training to help with recognizing impairment and executing the provision. Being able to recognize impairment and properly ordering reasonable suspicion tests is critical for your organization to avoid any legal issues.

Additional training is available to help you create a detailed Workplace Drug and Alcohol Policy that includes an in-depth reasonable suspicion provision. Reach out to us at Blueline Services today to get started.

The post Why a Reasonable Suspicion Policy is Important appeared first on Blueline.

A California-based background screening company has recently learned this the hard way. The firm has found itself on the hook for providing inaccurate background information. The company received background records from a third-party vendor and didn’t take steps to confirm their accuracy. How would something like this affect your business? Could you recover if you are faced with fines running into the millions of dollars?

The need for background and drug screening is higher than ever. Employers need to provide a safe workplace, and screenings help with that.

Choosing a credible background screening provider should involve more than a quick glance at Google. There are companies out there that don’t see anything wrong with cutting corners. When working with compliance issues, there is no corner-cutting. Blueline Services provides thoroughly researched and vetted reports that are relevant, up to date, and most importantly, credible. Our platform will give you accurate, easily navigable reports to ensure you stay within compliance.

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Addiction recovery centers are also going to be set up for free, using tax revenues from marijuana sales as funding.

Drug policies were changed in New Jersey and Arizona to allow the legalization of recreational marijuana. Mississippi voted to allow the use of medical marijuana. There was also a major change in Washington, D.C., where a measure was passed decriminalizing the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms.

There are definite concerns within the drug testing industry about how these changes are going to impact the ability to continue workplace drug testing. Continuing drug testing is imperative, though the idea of just testing for marijuana and/or alcohol is becoming outdated. Continue testing for them, but going forward, a full panel of drugs may be a more effective manner of testing.

While each state is creating its own rules and regulations regarding drug testing and collection processes, one thing is still going to be vital. Companies are still going to be liable for safety-sensitive positions that may cause accidents. Testing within these groups is ultimately going to keep both employees and the public safer.

As Oregon legalizes most drugs, more states are legalizing and lessening restrictions on drugs, the testing industry is going to go through changes. We are here to help our clients navigate these new waters and keep you up to date on any new regulations and changes coming your way.

The post Oregon Legalizes Most Drugs appeared first on Blueline.

Positive Tests From Marijuana Use

In the US workforce, positive tests are on the rise, with an increase of 29% since 2015. The continued increase year over year is telling of wider distribution and availability of the drug, leaving employers struggling to meet federal guidelines and not violate state legislation.

Why should there be a concern about using marijuana? Since it isn’t legal on the federal level, the FDA doesn’t regulate it. Products have no central oversight to ensure safety. There are different guidelines in different states, making the overall manufacturing and distribution largely up to the distributors.

Unwanted Side-Effects

Marijuana use can be a serious safety concern within the construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries. With continued use, marijuana can cause several long-term side-effects that can negatively impact the workplace.  Using the drug can cause mental health issues such as depression, paranoia, psychosis, and several other problems. Users also run the risk of addiction and the deterioration of essential brain functions. All of these side effects can cause workplace issues.

The state legislature sets the rules about testing. When going through the testing process, we can help navigate this tricky subject and make your drug testing program meet the requirements placed on you by the state.

The post Marijuana Use is Way Up, Testing Shows appeared first on Blueline.

The drug testing world is constantly changing and evolving in today’s world—which means that your drug testing policy should also be updating regularly.

Having a clear drug testing policy helps protect your company and your employees. It provides clear guidance that can help you sidestep any confusing loopholes or accidents that might open up from an unclear or outdated policy.

Just as drug and alcohol testing policies are continually evolving and changing to reflect new state laws, federal regulations, or workplace attitudes. A regular review of your company’s current policy and procedures will help ensure that your company is on track to meet its goals and be legally compliant.

So what are some things you should look at or consider when drafting or updating your drug testing policy? Here are few suggestions:

MEDICAL MARIJUANA HASN’T BEEN DISCUSSED

Although an employer is generally allowed to create their own drug testing policy including the right to a drug-free workplace, with changing laws surrounding both medical and recreational marijuana there may be some nuances you should be familiar with. Check out our article talking about testing for marijuana in the workplace today here and consult with your legal team about what guidelines you should follow.

NO PROCESS IS IN PLACE TO MONITOR INDUSTRY STANDARDS OR CHANGES

After spending so much time and consideration building your drug testing policy, you won’t need to review or update it for several years, right? Wrong! Most drug testing companies advise that you should review your policy at least once a year. Laws are ever-changing and this includes background screening and drug testing laws. Make sure that your policy is up-to-date with your specific state and industry’s standards.

YOU HAVEN’T RECENTLY ASSESSED YOUR TESTING TYPE OR PANEL

We find that employers sometimes need to change their testing type or panel to best reflect changes within their company or improve their testing process. It’s a learning game and there isn’t necessarily a testing type or panel that is “best”; it depends on what options are most beneficial for your company.

Some examples of cause for change include:

-With the opioid epidemic, many employers have now updated their testing panel to include semi-synthetic opioids (hydrocodone, oxycodone, etc.) or other prescription medications.

-Some employers decide to change testing types to allow on-site testing which can help cut down on time spent for an employee to take a test.

-Other employers have had issues arise with certain drugs they hadn’t previously included in their testing panel which they then added. Or they’ve had a workplace accident occur due to drug use that has prompted them to add things to their testing program such as: reasonable suspicion training for their supervisors and post-accident testing.

At the beginning of every new year we would advise you to take some time reviewing your company’s current drug testing policy. If you have any questions about how adding or changing your current services could potentially benefit your company, please give us a call at the number above or reach out to our support team at mail@blueline-services.com.

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