According to the Surgeon General,

“Substance misuse is estimated to cost society $442 billion each year in health care costs, lost productivity, and criminal justice costs”.

Drug and alcohol consumption not only increases health care costs, but also increases absences and turn over while reducing earning potential for the organization and employees. Substance use also increases the potential for costly incidents.

Implementing safety measures, such as contractor compliance auditing, is one way that businesses can reduce substance use and increase safety in the workplace.

TPS Alert found that 90% of contractors are not in compliance with most Operators’ drug and alcohol testing requirements upon initial audit.

Here are the top five reasons for contractor non-compliance:

1. Employees have never had a pre-employment drug test
2. The company cannot provide documentation of claimed completed drug test
3. DOT employees have not completed the federally-mandated pre-employment or random testing
4. The company has not tested to the accurate drug testing panel required by the Operator
5. The company does not have a drug & alcohol program in place

Employers who participate in screening programs regularly reduce healthcare costs while significantly improving quality, effectiveness, and safety for the organization and employees.

TPS Alert helps define contractor drug and alcohol expectations while verifying that they are actually being met. After implementing TPS Alert compliance audits, contractors are 90% more likely to comply, resulting in a safer workplace and operations for all involved.

Sources: SurgeonGeneral