Drug and Alcohol Testing Procedures Risk Assessment

Assessment Date: [DATE]

Assessor: [ASSESSOR NAME]

Department/Area: [DEPARTMENT/AREA]

Review Date: [REVIEW DATE]

1. Assessment Scope

This risk assessment covers the procedures for drug and alcohol testing within the workplace. It includes all steps from initial suspicion or trigger for testing to the review of results and any subsequent actions. Excluded are the specific details of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), which are covered in a separate document.

2. Risk Assessment Methodology

This risk assessment uses a 5x5 risk matrix to determine risk ratings. The hierarchy of controls is applied to determine appropriate control measures.

3. Risk Matrix Reference

The following matrix is used to evaluate risk levels based on likelihood and severity:

		Likelihood
Rare	Unlikely	Possible	Likely	Almost Certain
Severity	Catastrophic	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	High
Major	Low	Low	Medium	High	Extreme
Moderate	Low	Medium	Medium	High	Extreme
Minor	Low	Medium	High	Extreme	Extreme
Negligible	Low	Medium	High	Extreme	Extreme

4. Hazard Identification and Risk Evaluation

1. Tampering with drug or alcohol test samples, leading to inaccurate results.

Potential Consequences: Inaccurate test results, potential for impaired employees to remain on duty, legal challenges.

Affected Persons: Employees, supervisors, and the public

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Moderate	Medium

Control Measures

• Elimination: N/A
• Substitution: N/A
• Engineering: Use tamper-proof containers for sample collection.
• Administrative: Implement chain of custody procedures.
• PPE: Provide gloves for handling samples.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Minor	Low

2. Exposure to infectious materials during sample collection (e.g., blood, saliva, urine).

Potential Consequences: Transmission of infectious diseases.

Affected Persons: Employees being tested

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Moderate	Medium

Control Measures

• Elimination: N/A
• Substitution: N/A
• Engineering: Ensure adequate ventilation in testing areas.
• Administrative: Follow proper handling and disposal procedures for testing materials.
• PPE: Provide gloves and eye protection for personnel administering tests.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Minor	Low

3. False positive or false negative test results.

Potential Consequences: Unfair disciplinary actions, impaired employees not identified.

Affected Persons: Employees, testing personnel

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Moderate	Medium

Control Measures

• Elimination: N/A
• Substitution: N/A
• Engineering: N/A
• Administrative: Implement strict adherence to testing protocols and cut-off levels.
• PPE: N/A

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Minor	Low

4. Psychological distress or anxiety related to testing procedures.

Potential Consequences: Anxiety, stress, refusal to participate in testing.

Affected Persons: Employees undergoing testing

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Moderate	Medium

Control Measures

• Elimination: N/A
• Substitution: N/A
• Engineering: Provide private and comfortable testing areas.
• Administrative: Ensure confidentiality and respect during the testing process.
• PPE: N/A

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Minor	Low

5. Subjectivity in interpreting signs of impairment.

Potential Consequences: Inconsistent application of the drug and alcohol policy, potential for discrimination.

Affected Persons: Employees, supervisors

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Moderate	Medium

Control Measures

• Elimination: N/A
• Substitution: N/A
• Engineering: N/A
• Administrative: Provide clear guidelines on recognizing impairment.
• PPE: N/A

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Minor	Low

6. Refusal to undergo testing when required.

Potential Consequences: Disciplinary action, potential for impaired employee to remain on duty.

Affected Persons: Employees

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Moderate	Low

Control Measures

• Elimination: N/A
• Substitution: N/A
• Engineering: N/A
• Administrative: Clearly communicate the consequences of policy violations.
• PPE: N/A

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Rare	Minor	Low

5. General Control Measures

• Implement a clear and comprehensive drug and alcohol policy that outlines testing procedures, consequences of violations, and support resources.

Distribute the policy to all employees and ensure they acknowledge receipt and understanding.

• Maintain confidentiality of employee drug and alcohol testing results.

Store test results in secure, confidential files with limited access.

• Provide training to supervisors on recognizing signs of impairment and implementing the drug and alcohol testing policy.

Conduct regular training sessions and provide refresher courses as needed.

6. Emergency Preparedness

• In the event of a positive drug or alcohol test result that indicates impairment, immediately remove the employee from safety-sensitive duties.
• Ensure a designated emergency contact is available to assist the employee in getting home safely.
• Have a spill kit available in areas where alcohol testing is conducted to clean up any spills.

7. Training Requirements

• Supervisory Training: Supervisors must be trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of impairment, understand the company's drug and alcohol policy, and know how to initiate the testing process.
  • Recognizing signs of impairment
  • Understanding the drug and alcohol policy
  • Initiating the testing process
• Employee Awareness Training: All employees should receive training on the company's drug and alcohol policy, including the reasons for testing, the testing procedures, and the consequences of policy violations.
  • Reasons for testing
  • Testing procedures
  • Consequences of policy violations
• Testing Personnel Training: Personnel responsible for administering drug and alcohol tests must be trained on proper sample collection techniques, chain of custody procedures, and the use of testing equipment.
  • Sample collection techniques
  • Chain of custody procedures
  • Use of testing equipment

8. Monitoring and Review

Review Frequency: Annually, or after any incident involving drug or alcohol use

Monitoring Type	Frequency	Responsible Party	Description
Audit	Annually	Safety Manager	Regular audits of the drug and alcohol testing process to ensure compliance with policy and regulations.
Performance Indicator	Quarterly	Safety Committee	Review of incident reports to identify any trends related to drug or alcohol use.
Regular Inspection	Every 6 months	Designated Testing Personnel	Periodic checks of testing equipment to ensure proper calibration and functionality.

9. Special Circumstances

• Night work may increase fatigue, potentially mimicking or exacerbating signs of impairment.
• Lone work situations may delay the detection of impairment.
• Extreme weather conditions can affect employee performance and should be considered when assessing potential impairment.

Approval and Sign-off

This risk assessment has been reviewed and approved by:

Assessor: _________________________ Date: __________

Manager/Supervisor: _________________________ Date: __________

Safety Representative: _________________________ Date: __________

This risk assessment must be reviewed annually, or after any incident involving drug or alcohol use or when significant changes occur.

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