As a general contractor (GC) or end user, you surely know that construction sites are, by their very nature, dangerous environments. While accidents can and do happen in all phases of construction, the electrical contractor you hire for your next project should take every available precaution to avoid them. Safety should be in their DNA—and a major component of workplace safety is committing to maintain a drug-free workforce and workplace.
Tragically, use and abuse of drugs and alcohol has been a widespread problem in the construction industry for decades—and it remains so today. In fact, reports indicate that the construction industry experiences some of the highest rates of alcohol and drug abuse among all workforce sectors. Among construction workers 18-49 years old:
As a GC or end user, you should pay careful attention to an electrical contractor’s drug-free practices when you’re evaluating which contractor to hire. At RJ Martin Electric, a centerpiece of our award-winning safety program is comprehensive drug-free workplace education, training and testing. We established our drug-free workplace program in the early 2000s and have rigidly enforced it year in and year out ever since, while updating it as necessary in conformance with best practices, updated regulations and new mandates.
Below are the essential components of our drug-free workplace program. We believe this represents the gold standard of drug-free workplace programs that you should demand of your electrical contractor.
Who is covered in our drug-free workplace program, and what is tested?
This program covers all full-time, part-time, seasonal, casual and temporary employees in three main areas: illicit drugs, prescription medication and alcohol. Two types of testing are performed: drug testing and blood-alcohol testing. For drug testing, RJ Martin Electric utilizes the 10-Panel Plus test, which is a federally certified test. Initial tests are 92-98 percent accurate, and confirmatory tests are 99 percent accurate. All testing is performed in conjunction with Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) federally certified labs.
Testing is performed on all RJ Martin Electric employees in the following circumstances:
Education is a key component.
Additionally, our leading-edge program provides employees with education regarding substance abuse, safety and specific program components. Supervisors are continually trained on their roles and responsibilities for administering the program.
Our program’s primary focus is on the health, safety and well-being of our employees. Our approach is to help our employees address substance abuse issues while ensuring that our workplace is operating safely and effectively. With that in mind, the overarching goals of our Drug-Free (Substance-Free) Program are twofold.
Enforcement is strict – and employee assistance is always available.
At RJ Martin Electric, we stringently enforce our drug-free workplace program to minimize the chances for workplace accidents and injuries. The benefits of fewer accidents are evident from both a financial and human standpoint.
That said, substance abuse is a serious problem that exacts a heavy human cost. Ours is a family-owned and operated business, and we treat every employee like family. If one of our team members struggles with use, dependency or addiction, it affects them, their loved ones and our RJ Martin Electric family in many ways. In this regard, a significant component of the program is a confidential employee assistance counseling service, offered free of charge to all employees and their immediate family members, which covers issues such as stress management, family/marital issues and anxiety, in addition to substance use/abuse.
Contact RJ Martin Electric to learn more.
Whatever your next project may be, make sure the electrical contractor you choose has a comprehensive and established drug-free workplace program in place—and check to see that it’s consistently enforced over time. That program is one way you can rest assured that your contractor stays safe on the job. And that, in turn, will help keep your project on time and on budget.
We hope this blog helps you understand the essential components of a comprehensive drug-free workplace program. If you would like more information about our Drug-Free (Substance-Free) Program, please contact us. If you’re looking for an exceptional electrical contracting firm for your next project, or if you want information about RJ Martin Electric’s experience in industrial, health care, commercial, education and retail markets, please call Robert J. Martin at 216-662-7100 or email rmartinjr@rjmartinelectric.com.
.jpg)
