Drug Testing In The Workplace Essay

According to the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 40% of all industrial workplace fatalities are caused by substance abusers. How is it possible to be under the influence and be able to work/operate machinery not only efficiently, but also safely? The problem is, working efficiently while under the influence of any drug is not possible. Being in a safe, controlled work environment is important for the safety of employees and other people in the workplace environment. Being under the influence while on the job can lead to many horrific accidents such as accidents behind the scenes of the workplace, directly in the workplace, and accidents that hurt other employees or who the service is being provided for. Whether there are suspicions of an employee being under the influence, or it is evident that the employee is under the influence, a drug test can save many lives by getting the drug abusing employee out of the workplace. On-the-job drug testing …show more content…
As some customers could be walking through a warehouse, such as Lowe’s, an employee operating machinery while under the influence could knock over multiple shelves on customers, knock single heavy items onto customers, or run over customers while operating this machinery, seriously injuring or killing someone. Other employees could be hurt, or possibly killed. While accidents like these can occur, the victim/families of victims hurt or killed can sue the company for such events occurring to pay medical expenses. If these horrific accidents do occur, these accidents fall back onto the employee and the company. With on-the-job drug tests all of these scenarios are prevented beforehand and the workplace is kept safe as it should be. Not only are on-the-job drug tests mandatory for the employees, but drug tests for the employees also look out for the welfare of all