After a workplace accident, an employer may be required or may choose to drug test individuals involved in the accident to determine if drugs played a role. Post-accident drug testing is the third most common reason for drug testing. New findings from the Quest Diagnostics Drug Testing Index show the following facts about post-accident urine drug testing.
- Post-accident drug positivity for urine testing has been increasing annually since 2011 across the combined US workforce.
- For the general US workforce tested, post-accident positivity in 2018 was 8.4%, up 9% from 2017.
- One in twelve US workforce employees tested was positive for drugs following an accident.
- For the federally mandated safety-sensitive workforce tested, post-accident positivity in 2018 was 4.7% up 51% from 2017.
- General US workforce positivity has increased by 29% over five years.
- Safety-sensitive workforce positivity has increased by 81% over five years.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioid prescribing rates are still very high in certain areas across the country. Having a valid prescription does not mean the medication is risk-free or is being used properly.
In 2018, marijuana was more than twice as likely to be detected by a post-accident drug test than in 2009. Marijuana can impair body movement, cause difficulty with thinking, and may even cause hallucinations and delusions when taken in high doses. All of these impacts can pose a risk and lower a user’s productivity regardless of the workplace setting.
Are you doing post-accident testing? Should you be? Contact our office today to learn about the risks! (800) 452-0030