FAQs on drug and alcohol management

If an employee has recorded a non-negative workplace testing result, laboratory confirmation analysis is required. It generally takes around two working days for results to be obtained.

The process for workplace alcohol testing is very quick and only takes a minute or two for each test. For workplace drug testing using saliva samples it’s slightly slower, but still quick and easy. Results are generally obtained in around five minutes.

Having a workplace drug testing policy is the first step in managing drugs and alcohol. It provides a roadmap and all the details about how you will manage drugs and alcohol in your workplace, including information on your testing. See our drug and alcohol management page for more information.

If you are taking medicinal cannabis you can fail workplace drug testing. Whether you do will depend on how much THC is in your system at the time of the test and the testing method. See our information on medicinal cannabis for more information.

Integrity Sampling’s accredited technicians conduct drug and alcohol testing for clients as required, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year.

With locations in over 50 cities and towns throughout Australia and New Zealand, Integrity Sampling has geographical coverage in every state and territory. Our services are available far and wide and our testing can be completed on remote sites. If you’re unsure whether we can service your workplace, please contact us.

A workplace can legally implement testing if it’s justified and appropriate due to safety. There are no specific Australian workplace drug testing laws that dictate whether a business can or can’t implement testing. However, every workplace has legal obligations under OHS laws to ensure the health and safety of employees and others in the workplace. See our post on this subject for more details.

Integrity Sampling is NATA accredited and all technicians have received specific training and accreditation for the testing devices we use and are qualified to manage on-site testing. In addition, our technicians have a thorough understanding of privacy laws, confidentiality of information and OH&S.

This is a common misconception. Fitness for work has always been a safety expectation and requirement in every workplace. Provided your employees present at your workplace fit for work, they will not risk returning a positive test result. This is another benefit of identifying recent exposure to drugs via saliva testing as opposed to a history of drug use with urine testing.

Education is an essential part in any robust drug and alcohol management plan. Employees, management, contractors and other stakeholders need regular education to remind them of the health and safety implications of the misuse of drugs and alcohol. Education is also important to ensure people understand the details of your drug and alcohol policy, buy into the way you manage drugs and alcohol and dispel any potential fears. See our education page for more information.

Integrity Sampling uses Dräger drug and alcohol testing equipment for all its workplace testing. This equipment is extremely precise and reliable. In the case of our drug testing equipment, it’s been independently evaluated to be greater than 99% accurate. It’s also important to note that any non-negative result must be confirmed by independent laboratory analysis. See this post for more details.

Integrity Sampling can test for cannabis or Delta-9-THC, cocaine, methamphetamines, amphetamines, opiates. We also test for alcohol using breathalysers.

Integrity Sampling is enrolled with The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia oral and urine toxicology quality assurance programs.

In the event of a disputed result, we follow a rigorous process to ensure accuracy. This may include retesting the sample and collaborating with a certified laboratory for confirmation.

For over 20 years, our extensive experience, commitment to accuracy, customised solutions, exceptional customer service, and comprehensive knowledge of industry best practices for onsite workplace drug and alcohol testing, make us stand out as a trusted partner.

While drug and alcohol testing will detect if an employee is unsafe to be in the workplace, hair follicle drug testing offers a broader detection window. This is due to the longer timeframe substances remain detectable in hair. Find out more about hair follicle drug testing.