Changes to Substance Testing Create More Flexibility

Posted on November 15, 2011 10:28 am

Persons who undergo pre-access substance testing now have the opportunity to have their pre-access test used as the gateway into the voluntary testing. This gives them more flexibility as they won't have to re-test every time before going to another site where the BC Construction Industry Substance Abuse Testing and Treatment Program (the Program) is in place.

All persons who undergo pre-access testing will be provided with the opportunity to select this option when completing their Form A, Pre Access Test Dispatch Notice and Clearance Requisition at the sample collection site.

If a person chooses the voluntary testing option, he / she will be subject to unannounced testing for any period when working on a site where the Program is in place, per the requirements of the Program. CDS will perform unannounced testing selections 6 times per year at an annualized rate of no more than 20% of the employer's workforce.

If a person does not choose the voluntary testing option, he / she will be required to provide a pre-access test each time the person goes to a site where the Program is in place, per the requirements of the Program. Under this provision of the Program, a person will be required to provide a pre-access test even when they are returning to the same site within thirty (30) days from the date of their last test.

Should a person who has chosen the voluntary testing option have his / her name selected, that person will be referred for a test per the Program policy. At a minimum, each person who has chosen to participate in the voluntary program will be tested after three years have passed from his or her last test.

Persons who choose the voluntary testing option are not subject to unannounced testing when not assigned to work on a site where the Program is in place.

If a worker who has chosen the voluntary testing option is not working on a site when his / her name is selected for unannounced testing, he / she is not required to take the test at that time. However, that person will be required to take a test (and provide a negative test result) before proceeding again to a site where the Program is in place.