Construction Drug Testing

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Construction workers use heavy machinery and often find themselves in risky conditions. Cocaine and opioid use among construction employees is higher than in any other profession. Drug testing for construction workers helps mitigate risks to fellow employees and the company. Companies implementing construction drug screenings can reduce work-related injuries by more than 50 percent.

Construction employers must develop and implement a detailed drug-free workplace policy and ensure that every employee receives a written copy. Employers must be familiar with local, state, and federal drug testing laws and ensure their policies comply with these laws. In some states, marijuana is legal. This does not prohibit employers from enforcing drug-free workplace policies, but employers must be aware of state laws.

Make sure you are hiring the right person for the job with Health Street’s drug screening and background check services. Order online today or call (888) 378-2499.

What Drug Tests Does Health Street Offer in the Construction Industry?

Employment Drug Tests

With thousands of locations nationwide, Health Street offers drug tests tailored to fit the needs of employers in the Construction industry. Our comprehensive drug tests are analyzed by SAMHSA certified laboratories so that employers can hire fearlessly.

Urine Drug Test

(starting at $75)

Urine drug testing is the most common method of testing ordered by employers. This is a cost-effective, time-tested method for comprehensive employee drug screening.

ORDER URINE DRUG TEST
Hair Drug Test

(starting at $175)

For drug testing with a longer detection window, employers sometimes choose hair drug tests. Hair drug testing can detect drug use up to 90 days back.

ORDER HAIR DRUG TEST
Alcohol Test

(starting at $77)

Alcohol tests are used to determine if a person is currently intoxicated or if a person has been drinking in the past. Health Street offers a variety of alcohol tests depending on the window of detection that is needed.

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Employment Drug Test

(starting at $75)

Prevent liability, ensure safety in the workplace, and protect the health of your staff with Health Street’s employment drug testing.

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DOT Drug Test

(starting at $95)

The Department of Transportation regulates the specific requirements for employee drug testing. Health Street offers DOT drug testing to ensure compliance with DOT regulations.

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Mobile Drug Testing

(starting at $300)

Schedule on-site drug tests for 10 or more employees, or request immediate dispatch for post-accident emergency drug testing.

ORDER MOBILE DRUG TEST

Construction Drug Screening Laws and Regulations

Although federal law does not require most private employers to enforce workplace drug testing, there are some exceptions for federal contractors and security and safety-sensitive positions. However, all construction employers should consider implementing drug-free workplace policies to ensure the safety of their employees and their business. When drug testing in construction, employers must comply with federal laws and regulations to detect substance abuse while ensuring fairness and protection of employees’ rights.

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The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits companies with 15 or more employees from discriminating against an applicant due to a disability when the applicant is otherwise qualified for the job. This law also protects former drug and alcohol users that have gone through a treatment program. In addition, employers should not ask an applicant about their prescription drug use. Employers must become familiar with the ADA since nearly half of all discrimination lawsuits are a violation of this law.
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The Civil Rights Act forbids companies with 15 or more employees from discriminating against an applicant or employee based on race, nationality, sex, or religion. Workplace drug testing policies must ensure that drug testing is equal among all workers to prevent discrimination claims.
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The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 applies to public and private employers with 50 or more employees. The act allows employers who’ve worked a particular number of hours in the past 12 months to take 12 weeks of paid, job-protected leave to handle serious health conditions, which include drug or alcohol addiction treatment, another substance use-related injury, or taking care of a close family member with these health issues. Employers cannot fire or take adverse employment action on a worker for taking time off to handle substance use-related issues.
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Employers of unionized workplaces must be familiar with the National Labor Relations Act (NRLA), which states that drug testing programs for union workers must be negotiated and agreed upon through collective bargaining.
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ensures workplace safety and that employers provide healthy and safe working conditions. OSHA regulations do not forbid employers from post-accident drug testing, but they do protect employees from being penalized for reporting workplace-related accidents. Employers may not use drug testing or threaten drug testing to deter workers from reporting on-the-job accidents and injuries.

Drug Testing in Construction

Why Drug Testing in Construction Is Important

Injuries, strenuous work, and pain from repetitive motions in construction often lead workers to seek treatment or self-treatment for pain, leading to painkiller use, including opioids or marijuana.

Drug testing is critical for construction workers since construction is a high-risk industry. For example, construction workers use heavy machinery and face the risk of falling or exposure to asbestos and silica dust. Despite these risks, many construction workers use drugs or alcohol, putting them and the company at risk for injuries, deaths, and legal ramifications.

Construction pre-employment drug screening, random drug tests, and pre- and post-accident drug tests help deter employees from drug and alcohol use, reducing workplace injuries and lowering insurance costs. Construction drug screening also improves productivity among employees, keeps the business reliable and marketable, and allows the employer to choose reliable employees that will stick around, reducing turnover rates.

What Does Construction Drug Screening Involve?

Drug testing in construction generally includes urine testing, the most common specimen type, or hair follicle testing. Urine testing is cost-effective, common, and approved for federally mandated and DOT testing. Breathalyzer tests provide alcohol screening.

Construction employers can choose from multiple drug tests. Basic five-panel urine drug tests detect the most commonly used substances — opiates, PCP, amphetamines, marijuana, and cocaine. To detect even more substances, employers can choose up to a 25-panel drug test.

When a company chooses to drug test will depend on their workplace policy. Construction pre-employment screening is the most common. Construction employers can also drug test randomly, for reasonable suspicion, and following accidents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are drug tests important in the construction industry?

Construction workers face risks of accidents, injuries, and death. Drug use is high in construction. Construction drug screening reduces the risk of accidents and injuries, protecting workers and the company from legal troubles.

Citations

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Hallissey, Tom. “Should I be Drug Screening my Construction Workers?” Contractors Insurance, https://www.contractorsinsurance.org/drug-screening-construction-workers
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“Construction Industry.” United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), https://www.osha.gov/construction
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“Federal Laws and Regulations.” Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/employer-resources/federal-laws
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“Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, As Amended.” U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/ada/
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“Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.” U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, https://www.eeoc.gov/statutes/title-vii-civil-rights-act-1964
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“H.R.1 – Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.” Library of Congress, https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-bill/1
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“National Labor Relations Act.” Nation Labor Relations Board, https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/the-law
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“Clarification of OSHA’s Position on Workplace Safety Incentive Programs and Post-Incident Drug Testing Under 29 C.F.R. 1904.35(b)(1)(iv).” Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), United States Department of Labor, 11 October 2018, https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2018-10-11
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“Of all professions, construction workers most likely to use opioids and cocaine.” ScienceDaily, 30 October 2019, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191030082825.htm
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Nagele-Piazza, Lisa. “OSHA Clarifies When Post-Accident Drug Testing Is Permitted.” Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 13 November 2018, https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/osha-clarifies-when-post-accident-drug-testing-is-permitted.aspx
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Bell, David. “Which Drug Testing Method Is Best for Your Construction Company.” ConstructConnect, 2 November 2018, https://www.constructconnect.com/blog/drug-testing-method-best-construction-company