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Explore the importance of drug testing in the workplace, including reasons to test, whom to test, when to test, and the role of the Occupational Medicine Practitioner. Learn about sampling procedures, policy decisions, and pitfalls to avoid in drug testing.
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DRUG TESTING IN INDUSTRY THE OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER’S ROLE Acknowledgement: Dr Peter Boogaard, Chief Toxicologist, Shell Health Services, SIPC, The Hague, Netherlands: Medical Review Officer Course
DRUG TESTING IN INDUSTRY Why test? • Judgement errors • HSE consequences • Financial & reputational consequences • OHS requirement
DRUG TESTING IN INDUSTRY Who to test? • HSE-sensitive positions • Heavy Plant Operators (vehicles, machinery etc) • Maintenance staff • Security staff • Chauffeurs • Company representatives • Senior management
DRUG TESTING IN INDUSTRY When to test? • Periodic medical surveillance examinations • Post-illness • Random • Pre-employment/placement • For-cause
DRUG TESTING IN INDUSTRY- OMP ROLE • Receive test results from lab. • Notify employee of confirmed pos. test result • Review & interpret each confirmed pos. test result • Provide opportunity for employee to discuss pos. test result Cont …….
DRUG TESTING IN INDUSTRY- OMP ROLE (2) • Review employee’s medical history as appropriate • Review medical records as appropriate • Verify laboratory results • Notify employer of verified positive result Cont …….
DRUG TESTING IN INDUSTRY- OMP ROLE (3) • Process employee request for re-test • Make decision-to-hire or return-to-duty recommendation • Ensure decision-to-hire or return-to-duty requirements are accomplished Cont ……
DRUG TESTING IN INDUSTRY- OMP ROLE: SUMMARY • All eleven steps! • Nothing else! • Provide a MEDICAL service – NOTHING ELSE!
DRUG TESTING IN INDUSTRY But Doc, he’s my best (driller/driver/ digger/etc)! AVOID THIS TRAP AT ALL COSTS!
DRUG TESTING IN INDUSTRY- POLICY DECISIONS • Are taken in the boardroom, not the medical centre! • Fall within overall A & D policy • Concern: • When to test • Whom to test • Outcome of positive test results • Disciplinary and other decisions • Confidentiality measures • Must have no comeback on the OMP
DRUG TESTING IN INDUSTRY- the last word? If you can’t do it properly, don’t do it at all!
DRUG TESTING IN INDUSTRY OTHER: • Laboratory accreditation • Screening vs confirmatory tests OVER TO PATHCARE!