Australasian Mine Safety

Australasian Mine Safety Summer 2011-12

Australasian Mine Safety is the leading voice for all key decision makers within Mining company's and major contractors. Delivering the latest industry news as it breaks.

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102 The Australasian Mine Safety Journal Summer 2011/12 Products and services banner DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING Saliva Drug Testing Comes of Age I think it is timely, in fact, long overdue to pose the question. "Has urine drug testing in the workplace passed its use by date?" I n the 1990s and earlier urine drug testing was the only real option for the workplace. Therefore the urine methodology became firmly established. In the last 10 years saliva drug testing has emerged as an alternative technology. It was initially met with resistance, criticism, and most often – misinformation. Being involved in this industry since 2001 I have heard it all. "Saliva testing cannot be laboratory confirmed!" (Meanwhile I was happily obtaining accurate laboratory confirmations which could have been accepted as evidence in any court of law in Australia). "You cannot collect a sample from people with dry mouths!" (Meanwhile I never, yes never, failed to collect a measured and adequate sample during thousands of tests). "Saliva drug testing doesn't work!" (This is in part correct, some saliva drug testing doesn't work. However some do work extremely well, especially those which use an electronic reader and produce a printed result.) In more recent years the major obstacle seemed to be "There is no Australian Standard for saliva testing!" Of course the relevant Australian Standard AS4760 has now been in effect since 2006. The current environment is very discerning. Saliva testing has reached new levels of acceptance. I note: • Major workplace drug testing tenders now invariably request the saliva methodology. • Police services around Australia have validated saliva drug testing via academics, scientists, researchers and universities. • Fair Work Australia and formerly the Industrial Relations Commission have "endorsed" saliva testing by their decisions in recent years. (The Shell decision). • Significant scientific data now exists on the efficacy of saliva testing. An electronic instrument allows for greater sensitivity in drug detection and is far superior to the visual "interpretation" employed by urine devices and many cheaper saliva devices, which I often refer to as "widgets". An electronic instrument which provides a printed result, removes human subjectivity, visual interpretation and operator error from the equation. These electronic devices, when combined with proper procedure and documentation, ensure the complete drug test process is fully auditable. There is a distinct absence of an on-site electronic instrument available for urine drug testing. The real issue for consideration in any workplace drug testing program is saliva's relevance to fitness for work and detection of recent exposure to drugs. It is the actual psychoactive ingredient, or "parent drug" detected with saliva testing which is analysed. This is the component which causes the "high effect". Employees are far more able to manage their fitness for work to comply with a saliva regimen than a urine program which imposes "harsh and unreasonable", demands on employee lifestyles. (Perkins vs Golden Plains Fodder). Mining industry drug testing programs are now also "coming of age". More mines are making the change from urine to saliva. There is a distinct shift in the quality of service demanded from mines who are now seeking professional drug testing specialists to conduct their random drug testing programs, as opposed to the use of their own personnel "in- house", or security companies and other contractors. Integrity Sampling have specialised in saliva testing since our inception in 2001. Our wealth of experience combined with the use of the best testing technology available has allowed us to consistently achieve greater than 99% accuracy, as confirmed via independent NATA Accredited laboratories. In late 2008 Drager delivered their new Drug Test 5000 on-site test device to the market (this device has been further upgraded in 2011 and is in fact undergoing even further upgrade trials at present). Drager are very well known in mining circles for their quality and reliability in safety equipment. As always, Integrity Sampling continues to specialise as independent service providers in Drug and Alcohol Management Programs. We can now also offer the Drager drug testing equipment and consumables as part of our on-site testing services or direct to customers if required. Use of an independent testing provider has many advantages not the least of which is a higher level of privacy and confidentiality for your employees. If you would like to consider making a move to saliva or a more professional / independent testing provider, be assured the switch can be a very straightforward process. For readers of this article who become new customers we are also offering FREE consulting for conversion of your urine based policy and procedures, to saliva. Please refer to our accompanying advertisement for our contact details. Author: Cameron Stuart, Manager Business Development QLD

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