What’s a Saliva Drug Test?

Drug Test, Drug Testing

With the prevalence of drug and alcohol use within society, there’s been a corresponding call by occupational safety experts and businesses to address the matter in a satisfactory way. In ‘high risk’ industries such aviation, mining and construction, the call to eliminate or reduce risks caused by intoxication or drug induced impairment is a very real health and safety concern of critical importance. To date, the most effective method (from both a deterrent and detection standpoint) is the workplace drug and alcohol testing program.

In many workplaces throughout the world, the traditional method for drug and alcohol testing consists of urine testing. However, with the advent of state-of-the-art technology and a more educative as opposed to punitive approach towards breaches of workplace protocol, less invasive methods of detection have increased in use: one such method being the saliva drug test.

The saliva drug test (also called an oral fluid or a mouth swab test), is an increasingly popular method of detection by many Unions and employees. A commonly cited reason for its preferred status is that its limited detection window (which only extends to very recent drug use), contrasts with traditional urine drug test which can detect a history of drug use that reaches back for many weeks or even months in the case of cannabis. Another reason for the popularity of this methodology, is due to the simplicity of this new technology and to the much simpler, more cost-effective and comparatively easy to deploy method of implementation: as no advanced medical knowledge or urine testing units are required to collect samples, most staff can, in fact, competently manage their workplace drug test program without a nursing or medical qualification. However, most countries do require that authorised collectors receive accredited training.

Overall, some of the key advantages of the saliva drug test (to traditional forms of drug and alcohol detection methods) include:

• Simple application

• Procedures are less disruptive for normative workplace operations

• Screening results are obtained within minutes

• ‘Down time’ for employees is minimised

• Less resistance by unions and employees on the grounds of privacy invasion and intrusive detection methodology

• Only recent drug use or exposure is identified

• Cost-effective testing method

• Collection process is observed from start to finish: this prevents sample collections being tampered, diluted, substituted or adulterated

• Testing process can be conducted wherever necessary: from remote work sites to other places of employment, thereby causing minimal disruption to workplace business

• In most countries, the process is fully supported by laboratory confirmation of ‘presumptive positive’ results. In this way, employees are not required to provide additional samples for analysis.

For more information about the workplace saliva test, contact CMM Technology™ today on (+618) 9204 2500 or visit www.cmm.com.au. As a leading drug and alcohol testing supplier and professional service provider, they’re your first choice industry expert. Providing a comprehensive selection of quality saliva testing technology, you can be confident in receiving only the best available technology. Moreover, CMM Technology’s professional services (such as consultation, accredited training, online product training) provide additional expert support.

Lion AlcoBlow® – a fully portable, handheld professional breathalyser

Lion AlcoBlow

An effective method for monitoring your workforce’s alcohol intake is by utilising alcohol detection technology. At CMM Technology, we offer a wide variety of alcohol testing products which can accurately determine the level of alcohol in the human breath.
One of most advanced and simple to use, state-of-the-art, digital handheld breathalysers, is the Lion AlcoBlow. This fully portable, handheld professional breathalsyer is recommended for use by authorised collectors and security personnel in the workplace. Other industry applications suitable for this unit include: mining; correction facilities; and education establishments.

What makes this device a sensible and practical choice for your workplace drug and alcohol testing program is its simple operation features and lightweight design. Consequently, training requirements are minimal and the Lion AlcoBlow can be operated at multiple sites as necessary. The Lion AlcoBlow can also be used as an alternative or in addition to fixed breathalyzer wall units that are held at one site.

Another good reason why the Lion AlcoBlow is a popular choice for most businesses and organisations is that each test is performed at a low cost. For example, unlike conventional alcohol breath testing instruments, the Lion AlcoBlow makes no physical contact with the subject. This means there are no disposable mouthpieces (which are an additional cost consideration for comparable units).

Listed below are additional key product features which make the Lion AlcoBlow breathalyser unit an excellent choice for your workplace drug and alcohol testing program, including:

• Easy functions: two button control to enable easy operation and readings.

• Fast readings: to enable the collector/supervisor to determine whether a driver or employee has ingested any alcohol in his or her body – literally, within seconds.

• Accurate analysis: the Lion fuel cell sensor ensures high specificity to alcohol.

• Durability: the unit has a long, stable working life.

• Easy to read display: the subject’s alcohol level is shown on a single LED.

• Meets AS3547 Australian Standard.

Alternatively, you can contact the expert CMM Technology Team to further discuss your needs and our other breathlayser ranges on (+618) 9204 2500.

What types of testing methods are best for your workplace?

Breathalyser

The types of testing methodologies currently available in the Australian and international markets varies greatly. To determine the best testing technology option(s) for your workplace, it is highly recommended that you speak to our expert CMM Technology team for guidance on (+618) 9204 2500. For example, variables used to determine the best testing technology options for your workplace testing program are contingent on the following assessment areas:

National and state legislation guidelines

OHS risk assessment

Risk culture indentification

Geographic location

Industry type

Size of business

Industrial relations rulings

Budget.

Overall, present testing methodologies available include: saliva drug test, urine tests and other testing applications that assess impairment levels. Our extensive range of breathalysers, simple saliva mouth swabs, state-of -the-art testing technologies and urine testers (which facilitate these testing methodologies), are just some of the instruments which can be introduced to your testing program.

With the ongoing advances in drug and alcohol testing technology as well as policy and legislation developments, it is highly recommended that you visit our CMM Technology website regularly to ensure you’re up-to-date with the latest testing technologies, legislation changes, best practices and support services. Speak to our helpful team of experts today on (+618) 9204 2500 for more information about our comprehensive, market leading products and services.

Drug Test Kits

Alcohol Test

At CMM Technology, we offer one of Australia’s largest ranges of workplace drug and alcohol testing equipment. Our comprehensive services and products cater for all industry sectors, including: mining, transport, aviation, engineering, maritime, construction and many others. We also provide quality products, training and policy consulting and advice engineered for the Australian market and to Australian Standards. This helps our clients achieve a far safer workplace, exercise their duty of care and meet their OHS legal compliance obligations. The importance of these objectives is reaffirmed by the following statistics:

According to Work Safe Australia, the latest published estimate for compensated workplace injuries (i.e. serious claims category) totaled 134,105 during 2006-07. In the same financial period, a tragically high figure of 232 compensated workplace fatalities were recorded in Australia.

The ABS published an even greater workplace incidents total of 457, 603 recorded for 2005-2006.

Aside from the primary focus of creating Drug Free Workplace, a secondary benefit realised when instituting CMM Technology’s risk management systems are cost savings. Essentially, by minimising workplace injures, your business can save on their insurance premiums and other related costs. In fact, workers compensation (in addition to employee salaries) is one of the biggest workplace-related costs for Australian employers. For example:

Approximately $6.3 billion was paid to workers compensation schemes during 2007-08.

The Federal Government estimated the cost of work-related injury and disease to workers, their employer, the community and the Australian economy amounted to $57.5 billion during 2005-2006 (equivalent to 5.9 per cent gross domestic product).

With these sobering statistics in mind, it is vital that managers, OHS professionals and business owners approach health and safety issues proactively and consistently. Our helpful and knowledgeable staff can assist you with deciding what instruments and Alcohol Test services are conducive to making your workplace safer, more efficient and more profitable.

With our team of experts and professional assistance, your business can greatly improve its risk management processes, cultivate a culture of compliance and elevate individual performance all vital elements to forging a strong competitive advantage for your business.