Everything employers need to know about hair drug testing for safe and productive workplaces

Maintaining a safe and productive working environment is a major priority for employers. One way to ensure this is by implementing a drug testing program for your employees. While urine drug testing has been a popular choice for years, hair drug testing is gaining popularity due to its accuracy and longer detection window. A hair drug test involves analysing a small sample of hair from an employee's head, which can detect drug use for up to 12 months. This means that hair drug testing can provide a better indication of an employee's drug use history than urine testing, which typically only detects drug use within the past few days. By the end of this article, you'll possess the knowledge you require to make a well-informed decision about whether or not a hair strand test would be suitable for your business's needs.

What Is Drug Testing?
Drug testing is the process of evaluating biological samples to identify the presence of drugs in an individual's body. Urine, blood, saliva, and hair tests are the most prevalent forms of drug tests used for these tests. Each type of test has its advantages and limitations. Urine tests are the most commonly used but only detect drug use within the past few days. Blood tests are more accurate but are invasive and expensive. Saliva tests are non-invasive but have a shorter detection window than urine tests. A hair follicle test is the most accurate and has a longer detection window, making them a popular choice for employers.

Why Are Workplace Drug Tests Used?
Workplace drug tests are utilised for a variety of reasons. To begin with, drug usage can affect an employee's ability to execute their job safely and efficiently, perhaps leading to accidents and injuries. Secondly, drug use can affect an employee's behaviour and attitude, leading to conflicts with co-workers and customers. Third, drug usage can have an adverse effect on an employee's productivity and attendance. Finally, drug use can damage an employer's reputation and brand image. Employers can create a safe and productive work environment by implementing a drug testing programme to guarantee that their staff members are not under the influence of drugs while at work.

Arranging Testing For Your Business
There are various procedures you must take if you decide to use a hair test for drugs in your organisation. To begin with, you must decide which employees will be tested and how frequently. Most employers choose to test new hires as part of the recruitment process and then randomly test employees throughout their employment.

Once you have decided on the testing schedule, you need to find a reputable testing provider. Look for a provider that is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) and has experience in hair drug testing, like the hair strand test for drugs that AlphaBiolabs offers.

Bottom Line
Hair drug testing is a highly accurate and effective way to detect drug use in the workplace. By implementing a hair drug testing program, employers can promote a safe and drug-free workplace, comply with legal and regulatory requirements, and identify employees who may need help overcoming their addiction. If you're considering implementing a hair drug testing program for your business, be sure to choose a testing provider that meets your needs, develop a clear drug testing policy, communicate the policy to your employees, and train your supervisors on the policy and procedures.