The construction industry presents unique challenges in establishing a substance abuse program. Acceptable standards, logistics of collection of new-hire, random, and for cause tests, and the transient nature of the construction workforce are all significant hurdles in developing an effective program.
In 1998, the contractors of the Master Builders' Association of Western Pennsylvania (MBA) sat down with their construction trade unions to begin the process of negotiating a new labor contract. During the negotiations, concerns surrounding the current state of drug testing were raised. Both the contractors and the labor representatives agreed that the current system was not working as it was intended.
Prior to 1998, each contractor had the right to establish their own substance abuse testing program and implement it as they wished. A number of contractors were performing testing upon hiring of individuals. It was the belief of these contractors that they were reaching their desired outcome of keeping substance-abusing employees from their projects. Unfortunately, upon further examination, this appeared to be a false impression. Contractors failed to consider the accuracy of their testing methods and the analysis of the results. Too often, false negatives and adulterated specimens were allowing substance abusers to work for well-intending employers. Furthermore, without a random component to the program, employees were free to abuse drugs without the threat of further testing.
The unseen impact to employees was even greater. Stories of false positive results filled the negotiations. Individuals were having their test results determined positive in an initial screening and sent home to await the results of laboratory analysis. When the results came back as negative due to a misinterpretation of the results or other factors, the employee was reinstated with pay. However, the employee remained suspected of drug use by his or her co-workers.
Additionally, confidentiality was often times being breached within the old system. One company was distributing a list of individuals who should not be hired because they had failed the drug test. Some projects were posting that list on the bulletin board.
Finally, there was no rehabilitation being offered within the program. Drug users were continuing to work freely within our industry. No assistance was being offered to individuals who needed help.
To address these problems it was agreed that a new and innovative approach was needed. A committee of labor and management representatives was formed. From the efforts of this committee, the Western Pennsylvania Construction Industry Drug Free Partnership was born.
Considerable data is available regarding substance abuse in the workplace. In evaluating the need for the Partnership, the committee considered these facts:
One out of every six fatalities that occur on construction sites is related to substance abuse.
In 2002, an estimated 19.5 million Americans were users of illicit drugs
74.6% of drug users are employed
An estimated 785,000 construction workers in America use drugs each month
12.8% of construction laborers and 17.2% of construction supervisors are current drug users.
