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Arkansas Employee Drug Testing
Arkansas Company Boosts Workplace Safety Through Employee Drug Testing
March 2008
The Bella Vista Property Owners Association in Arkansas has been recognized this month for going more than two years without a lost-time accident. By relying on background screening measures, including employee drug testing, and other in-house safety measures the company has managed to completely turn itself around and minimize on-the-job accidents.
In 2005, the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission declared the POA a "hazardous employer," based on the number of claims, types of incidents and time lost from work. As a result, each property owners association (POA) member had to pay more than half of one month's assessment to cover workers' comp costs.
But today the company is a prime example of how background screening procedures minimize workplace accidents, and in the case of employee drug testing, have a significant impact on the company as a whole.
The POA incorporated several safety-focused measures into their daily operations, including classroom training, safety talks, and accident investigations.
But what made the biggest difference was their take on employee drug testing. Most companies do pre-hire testing as part of a standard background screening procedure, but the POA decided to implement that alongside post-accident drug testing. As a result of their efforts, with the marked improvements evident in a drug-free workplace, an official with the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission suggested that the POA might be eligible for a 5% discount in workers' compensation premiums. The POA applied for and was granted the discount.
This move by the commission makes sense, since on-the-job drug users are 3 times more likely to injure themselves or someone else at work, and 5 times more likely to file a claim when they do.
The results of stricter background screening implementation saved money that could later be used to look for potential hazards to property owners and public safety at POA facilities. As a result, hundreds of improvements have been made to POA facilities, leading to a huge savings in workers' compensation premiums, greater workplace safety, and much deserved positive public press.
Call EBI to discuss background screening for your firm through a custom program to suit your company's needs.
Our thorough background screening programs can make the difference in helping ensure you're candidates are who
they say they are
Criminal records searches. Random drug testing. Reference checks. Everything for a comprehensive picture of your prospective employees.
Call us at 800.324.7700 for details.
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