PRACTICES BY JULIA SALTSGAVER, QUALITY CONNECTION AND BEST TIFFANY ELLEFSON, MIDWEST TOXICOLOGY SERVICES, LLC (MTS) The Best Practices Are Basic Practices
2,000 workers and 100 employers. Workers and contractors may be spread across numerous job sites and hundreds of miles. Managing workers and contractors spread across numerous job sites and hundreds of miles requires a daily commitment to several basic practices. Tis calls for a great amount of time and talent focusing on drug
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and alcohol testing, both because this is a basic and vital element to help ensure worker and job site safety and because of the high degree of complexity, pace and volume of drug testing. Daily interaction is essential with current workers who are
due to test, new workers who are new to this type of testing and, infrequently workers who are in the remediation process aſter a violation has occurred. Interaction with employers is needed to make sure that their workers are in compliance, to address any policy questions and for provider overall program metrics to support bid opportunities. Tat means there are a lot of moving parts including workers who report to a job site rather than an office and employers who rely on mobile devices for information needs. Rather than staff all the professions and skill sets required to
implement the drug testing program, it works well to contract several key partners in order to execute this program efficiently, effectively and affordably. Each partner brings a distinct and essential expertise to the equation. Every effort is made to minimize duplication and to be informed of worker test status at all times. Tis type of partner arrangement can lead to fluid dynamics in a program that serves a geographically dispersed workforce and mobile employer base. While most might think that the latest technology such as cloud
storage, online data access via mobile devices and program metrics are at the top of the list of best practices for our program, they are not. Tere is no doubt that these are essential tools. However, the real best practices are time-tested values that can be part of any organization’s culture. Respect, communication and trust are the values brought to the program, the workforce and employers served and the partners involved to fulfill this program. Start by respecting the workforce and employers and
communicate at times and in ways that meet their work lives. Workers have rigorous and demanding jobs. Because their specialty is electrical construction, the jobs are physical, must be done in diverse weather conditions and require much expertise. Electrical construction is oſten described as the “central nervous system” of a structure; it takes smart, highly skilled people who can work hard in demanding conditions. Workers are oſten not in an office with a phone or at a computer to gather drug test information.
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f you are a labor-management cooperative that supports the union electrical construction industry, you may administer a drug and alcohol testing program for a workforce that exceeds
Everyone should understand that taking a drug test is a periodic
requirement but not something workers are overly familiar with or fond of. If workers have questions or need additional information, they typically have to call before or aſter their workday. Tat means taking calls from workers before and aſter the typical office workday is part of the drill. When workers call, it is best to answer promptly, give them the information they need to reassure them and do the needed research to answer their questions fully and promptly. Tese interactions always need to be professional and courteous. Te same is true for the employers served in this program; their workdays start early and end late. Teir core business is electrical construction. Tey need to know they can rely on you to make sure their workers are tested and up- to-date. Tey also regularly request essential program metrics and program certification that can be required as part of a bid process. Oſten they have short timelines and quick response is needed. Te goal is to make sure that a worker does not miss work because of the drug testing program. Te commitment is just as strong to make sure each contractor has the information they need to submit bids that address all bid requirements. In addition, the drug and alcohol testing program, industry
and community relations, business advancement and workforce development are critical organizational functions. Currently there are several sizeable construction projects that have been announced or are just now underway. Tey range from large power plants, hospitals, university facilities, corporate
Fall 2015
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