Should we test in-house?

Many businesses at some point or another ask, "can we save money and time by testing in-house?"

It's a valid question. Utilising any external provider costs money, so is it worth the investment? External providers often insist on a lot of compliance stuff too and that can take up valuable time.

Anyone in business will always be very focussed on ensuring that their activities are both efficient and operating in a quality manner. Ethical considerations aside, very few businesses can afford to cut corners in our highly regulated environment today. There have of course been some high profile safety breaches in recent years that should have every business on high alert around safety compliance (including with regard to drug and alcohol safety).

In this article, we'll have a look at some of the business and safety exposures of internal testing and why using an accredited external testing provider such as Fit4Duty is an important investment in the safe operations of your business.

Potential Exposures of in-house testing

In-house testing is adopted by some businesses as a means of saving money and time, however the exposures from performing testing using internal staff outweigh any investment in engaging with an external provider.

Case Law

A key case dealing with internal testing was heard by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) in 2016.? In Moore vs Specialist Diagnostic Services, supervisors testing subordinates including associated privacy matters was a key element for consideration by the FWC.? In this instance, Moore refused to be tested among other reasons because her supervisor was going to perform the test.? The commissioner substantially upheld her refusal and she was awarded damages. The commissioner observed that testing of this nature was not best practice.

Legal Defensibility

Externalising risk is a wise strategy for any business.? A Collecting Agency such as Fit4Duty has very sophisticated processes for ensuring that testing is compliant.? We assume the professional responsibility for performing testing compliantly and within appropriate legal frameworks including case law precedents.? Many businesses also rely on us for policy development, advice and support.

Expertise Issues

Testing is a very complex set of processes with often very nuanced requirements.? Compliance with each aspect of the testing standards is very easy to get wrong if testers are not supported by highly skilled and competent experts.? If testers are not constantly performing testing then competence and skill fades rapidly.? Experience and repetition are vital ingredients in ensuring compliant testing.

Privacy

Workers and employers provide confidential and personal data during testing in compliance with the testing Standards.? This data may include information that they do not wish to share with co-workers such as information about cross reacting medications.? During in-house testing, this information is clearly shared with individuals who may be colleagues.? This may result in a breach of privacy.

Conflict of Interest

Fit4Duty complies with ISO IEC 17025 which has a significant compliance element associated with conflict of interest.? We maintain a conflict of interest register and report any perceived, possible or actual conflict to affected clients.? Generally, what underpins a conflict is a relationship between the parties.? When businesses bring testing in-house, the potential for a conflict of interest increases exponentially.? Testers may potentially breach by falsely reporting results or by unfairly targeting individuals.? External testing providers operate at arm’s length providing strong protections against impropriety.

Accredited Testing Benefits Employers

Some businesses believe that if they have staff who have undergone training to HLTPAT005, their staff are accredited or certified to perform testing.? This is incorrect.? Training forms a part of the requirements of the Standards but does not confer accreditation.? The Standards require that testers demonstrate ongoing competency. The training is one component of this only.

Similarly, if samples are referred to an accredited confirmatory laboratory, this does not mean that the rest of the Standard has been complied with.? Confirmation is merely the end stage of the testing process in compliance with once section of the relevant Standard. Sections for compliance cover everything from verification of devices, screening, collection and dispatch of samples and a range of other compliance matters.

The Value of Accreditation

Many businesses choose Fit4Duty because we are accredited testing providers.? We are certified to ISO IEC 17025, ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 and we are accredited to provide testing under AS/NZS4760 and AS/NZS4308.? Our alcohol testing devices are manufactured to AS3547:2019.?

NATA accreditation ensures that testing processes are verified for compliance with the relevant Standards. I have written about the importance of accreditation previously: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/accredited-testing-peace-mind-scott-osborne-mallc/?trackingId=vr%2BYJfTNQlSLzByv%2BrSNkg%3D%3D

Proficiency of Testing Processes

Fit4Duty proactively challenges all of its processes against the Australian Standards using materials provided by an independent third party.? This gives our clients peace of mind in the proficiency of our testing systems including device accuracy, collector accuracy, recording systems and reporting processes.

Complaints, Conflict of Interest, Continuous Improvement

Our certified systems ensure a formal complaints management process so that you can be certain that any concerns raised by our clients or their staff are appropriately managed.? We actively monitor any potential conflict of interest to ensure the integrity of our testing service is beyond question.? Any process and protocol errors are tracked and monitored with subsequent continuous improvement of our systems and processes.

Information Management

We maintain a laboratory information management system that protects the integrity of data that we collect from unauthorised access.? Privacy is our obsession and we invest heavily in protecting all data entrusted to us.?I have written previously on this topic too: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/privacy-drug-alcohol-testing-scott-osborne-uavcc/?trackingId=wvzUjpU%2FSjaKhIk0NozxBA%3D%3D

Verified Equipment

Testing device selection is a key element of compliance.? Devices must be verified for performance to the relevant sections of the Standards.? Maintaining conformance requirements for these devices including proficiency testing is a very significant aspect of compliance often overlooked where accreditation is not achieved. Here's an article about devices: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/all-test-kits-equal-scott-osborne-2zssc/?trackingId=eLnb888eSH6YYol43y6EyQ%3D%3D

Ongoing Competence

Ensuring that testers have ongoing competence is a key element of accreditation.? Ongoing professional development in the form of regular updates and refreshers is mandatory for maintaining accreditation.

Fit4Duty are Drug and Alcohol Testing Experts

Fit4Duty understands the unique requirements of many different industries because we work with a wide array of clients? We are a NATA Accredited Drug and Alcohol Collecting Agency.? We device and implement onsite workplace drug and alcohol testing programs, custom designed to meet the diverse requirements of businesses all over Australia and New Zealand.

For a discussion of your needs and to find out how we can help you, please contact Paul Wigzell on 1300 660 908 or visit our website at www.fit4duty.com.au.