Alcohol Testing

Impairment of cognitive and motor skills caused by alcohol consumption poses a significant danger to individuals working in safety-sensitive environments. In safety-sensitive workplaces, even a small lapse in concentration or coordination can lead to catastrophic accidents and injuries. ​

What is Alcohol Testing?

Alcohol testing is the process of measuring the presence and concentration of alcohol in a person’s system. In occupational settings, it is typically performed using evidential breath testing devices, which estimate blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and provide immediate, accurate results, making them the gold standard for detecting impairment at the time of testing.

While alternative methods such as saliva and urine drug testing are available, they are not routinely recommended. Saliva testing has been used in the past but is now uncommon, and urine alcohol results (reported in ng/mL) are not directly equivalent to BAC measurements obtained through breath testing. Blood alcohol testing is generally not used in workplace programs due to its invasive nature.

Overall, breath alcohol testing remains the preferred and standard approach in workplace safety programs, post-incident investigations, and regulated industries. It enables employers to maintain compliance, reduce risk, and support a safe, alcohol-free work environment.

Benefits of Alcohol Testing

An alcohol testing program is essential to help reduce risks. By implementing regular testing, companies can ensure a sober and safe work environment, reducing the likelihood of accidents. ​

DriverCheck’s alcohol testing services ensures that employers adhere to all regulatory requirements, as well as reduce risk of workplace substance abuse and incidents. We ensure that all our testing is confidential and legally defensible. There are many ways to test for Alcohol consumption, including urine ethanol, breath, urine EtG, oral fluid, and saliva. DriverCheck can work with you to develop the alcohol testing approach that works for you and your business. ​

If you must adhere to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) alcohol testing regulations, visit DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Related Services:​

Random Drug and Alcohol Program Management ​

Pre-Placement / Pre-Access Testing

DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing

Articles of Interest:

Alcohol Testing FAQs

Related Links:

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

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