Post-Accident Testing
When an accident occurs, time is of the essence. Post-accident testing is generally handled exactly like the reasonable suspicion testing, except there may have been serious injuries resulting from the accident that created the need for prompt action. Remember that seeking medical help for your employee is your number one responsibility at the time of an accident.
The best time to prepare for a post-accident situation is before it happens. Ensuring that procedures are written and staff know their respective responsibilities in advance of an accident is paramount. Key managers and backups should know who to call and where to take the employee for medical care and drug testing.
Questions may include:
- Should we call emergency responders or assistance?
- Do we have a pre-contracted medical provider for minor injuries?
- Do we need to notify our insurance claim center, workers’ union organization, or other workers’ agency?
- What manager or supervisor will go with the employee to the medical facility?
- Do we need to call our drug testing administrator to ensure that drug and alcohol testing will take place?
- What if the accident involved damage to critical equipment or key infrastructure?
- Who will document the accident scene and circumstances and take statements from those involved employees or bystanders?
Here are a few additional considerations:
>> Your employees must understand that they must immediately notify their employer (supervisor) of any accident situation with or without personal injury in order to address any resulting issues or to mitigate further injury or damage.
>> Accidents involving damage to company property with or without injury does not exclude the responsible employee(s) from post-accident testing.
>> An employee(s) causing an accident involving, for example, a breakdown of equipment, damage to property or the premises, or injury to co-workers and/or other non-employees, should always be tested under most employers’ drug-free workplace policy.
>> Remeber, in a reasonable suspicion or post-accident situation, always test for both drugs and alcohol.
Are you familiar with all of these steps? Would you add any? If so, what are they and why would you include them?