“Nearly 23 million Canadians ages 15 and older reported having consumed alcohol in the past 12 months, with almost….7.2 million being considered heavy drinkers. A further 3% or close to 990,000 Canadians also reported using at least 1 illegal drug…during the previous 12 months.” (Statistics Canada, 2017).

Unfortunately, even a global pandemic has not reduced the prevalence of drug and alcohol use. In fact, many researchers point out that substance abuse is on the rise, which can prove devastating for employers and their employees.

Companies are also dealing with the costs of lost productivity and increased health and safety hazards as well as absenteeism. For many of these companies, such as those governed by DOT regulations, a drug-testing program is the law. For many others, it just makes sense. Mobile testing brings the laboratory to your workplace, eliminating many of the issues related to sending your workers to an off-site lab.

Whether you are considering mobile testing as an interim measure or as a permanent alternative to fixed-site or on-site testing, here are 6 advantages to consider. 

1. Reduced Downtime | Mobile testing can be more cost-effective. Of course, the initial costs may be slightly higher to bring the services to your workplace, but that is more than made up for in reduced downtime and increased productivity. Each worker needs to spend only a few minutes at a mobile site rather than several hours in transport, waiting, and so on. As a result, it is far less disruptive for the entire team and far less costly in the end for the employer.
2. Fewer Missed or Delayed Tests | Sending workers out to collection sites increases opportunities for missed or delayed tests. Bringing the facilities to the workplace eliminates these opportunities.
3. Reduced Possibility of Compromised Tests | The more time a worker has between being selected for a random or other test and arriving at the collection site, the more opportunity there is to compromise the test. Having your workers walking straight off the line or out of the office and into the collection site significantly reduces the possibility of compromise.
4. Higher Participation | Mobile facilities make it easy for your company to test larger groups at the same time, helping to eliminate the non-participants in your drug testing program. It also reduces the complicated logistics that often accompany coordinating transportation and scheduling testing for large groups of employees.
5. Reduced Liability | There is some liability attached to requiring your workers to travel to off-site drug testing facilities, particularly if they are travelling in company vehicles. This is also an issue when it comes to post-incident testing. Mobile facilities eliminate the need for travel and eliminate the possibility of additional accidents, including those occurring due to impairment. Additionally, in the case of both post-accident and reasonable suspicion situations, it is often not possible to arrange immediate tests for affected employees at an off-site facility. Mobile facilities offer ease of access in a safe, timely manner.
6. Flexibility | Mobile testing offers increased flexibility for both employers and employees who can conveniently complete their tests and immediately return to work. Mobile testing companies will also often handle everything for you from scheduling to collection, eliminating the need for you to micromanage your drug testing program. Many companies that offer mobile testing have a 24/7 option that can accommodate your night and weekend shifts as well. They can also quickly respond to requests for post-accident and reasonable suspicion testing.

Disadvantages of Mobile Testing

For many companies, the advantages of mobile drug testing far outweigh the disadvantages. However, every situation is unique, and mobile testing is not the best solution for every company. Most of the disadvantages of mobile testing are related to stigma and confidentiality. Your company may not want to have a mobile drug testing van parked on your premises in a publicly visible place. It can also be more challenging to preserve confidentiality in an on-premise mobile testing facility, particularly for certain types of drug tests and in high traffic areas.

Weigh the pros and cons and discuss your options with your provider as well as your supervisors and employee representatives. Getting company-wide buy-in for any drug testing program, including a mobile testing program, will help ensure the program’s success.

SureHire’s Mobile Testing Options

Our state-of-the-art mobile testing units are unique to SureHire and have the ability to provide a wide range of occupational tests. Mobile testing is exclusively available to SureHire clients.

Occupational Tests Available:

• Audiometric Testing
• Spirometry Testing
• Qualitative and Quantitative Respirator Fitting
• Breath Alcohol Testing
• Oral Fluid Drug Testing

Ready to book your mobile unit now? Contact us.