Injury rates, severity, and drug testing programs in small construction companies

ProblemConstruction work is hazardous and workers consistently rank in the top of all occupations and industries for illicit drug and heavy alcohol use.MethodsDrug-testing programs were classified into three categories: no program, pre-employment/post-accident, and pre-employment/post-accident/random/suspicion. We analyzed workers’ compensation claims from 1,360 construction companies over a six-year period to assess the possible association of testing program with injury rate.ResultsCompared to no program, results respectively were RR = 0.85 (CI = 0.72 – 1.0) and RR = 0.97 (CI = 0.86 – 1.10) for all injuries, and RR = 0.78 (CI = 0.60 – 1.03) and RR = 1.01 (CI = 0.86 – 1.19) for lost-time injuries. Variability of results was exhibited across trade and union status, among other categories.SummaryDrug-testing programs may be associated with lower, non-significant, injury rates in this population.Impact on IndustryDrug-testing programs may be associated with lower injury rates, but care should be exercised to ensure accurate injury reporting, characterize underlying safety practices of a company, and to determine quality and consistency of testing.

► We examined the effect of drug testing programs on small construction companies.
► Workers’ compensation claims and hours at-risk were used to determine injury rates.
► Drug testing programs were associated with lower risk of injury claims.
► Testing programs were associated with lower risk of both lesser and more severe claims.
► Associations varied by testing program, trade, union status, and claim type.