State program encourages drug testing by employers (6/11)
Businesses in Wyoming are starting to take advantage of a new state program that encourages employers to test employees for drug and alcohol use.
The Workers' Compensation Drug and Alcohol Testing Discount Program, approved by Gov. Dave Freudenthal earlier this year, offers a 5 percent discount on workers' compensation premiums to entice employers to implement drug- and alcohol-free policies in their workplaces.
To take part in the program, companies must:
• Have a written drug- and alcohol-free workplace policy.
• Require pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident substance abuse testing.
• Require employees to participate in an hour of substance abuse education training each year, and supervisors to have two hours of training — one hour for drug use, the other devoted to alcohol use.
"The overriding goal is to promote health and safety in the workplace," said Gary Child, Workers' Safety and Compensation division administrator. "We hope that the discount will incentivize large and small employers alike."
The Workers' Compensation Drug and Alcohol Testing Discount Program, approved by Gov. Dave Freudenthal earlier this year, offers a 5 percent discount on workers' compensation premiums to entice employers to implement drug- and alcohol-free policies in their workplaces.
To take part in the program, companies must:
• Have a written drug- and alcohol-free workplace policy.
• Require pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident substance abuse testing.
• Require employees to participate in an hour of substance abuse education training each year, and supervisors to have two hours of training — one hour for drug use, the other devoted to alcohol use.
"The overriding goal is to promote health and safety in the workplace," said Gary Child, Workers' Safety and Compensation division administrator. "We hope that the discount will incentivize large and small employers alike."
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