If you are in need of breath alcohol testing, WorkSafe Physical Therapy is here to help. We offer a variety of services to our clients, and breath alcohol testing is one of them. In this blog post, we will discuss what you need to know about breath alcohol testing. What it is, how it works, and what to expect with a breath alcohol test at WorkSafe Physical Therapy

What is Breath Alcohol Testing

A breath alcohol test, or BAT, is a screening that tells you how much alcohol is in someone’s breath. This test uses a principle called “Henry’s law” to figure out the percentage of alcohol in someone’s blood.

Breath alcohol tests are more convenient, less painful, and faster than blood alcohol tests. They are also just as accurate. This is why breath alcohol tests are the most popular way to detect if someone is intoxicated. They are used by employers, DOT, and law enforcement.

When Employers Might Require a BAT

There are 4 times that a breath alcohol test may be done in the workplace. These include Pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion cases.  

Pre-employment: An employer may require a job applicant to take a breath alcohol test as part of the hiring process.

Random: In some workplaces, employees may be selected at random to take a breath alcohol test based on various regulations.

Post-accident: An employer may require an employee to take a breath alcohol test after a workplace accident or injury.

Reasonable suspicion: An employer may require an employee to take a breath alcohol test if the employer has a reasonable suspicion that the employee is under the influence.

What to Expect When You Take a Breath Alcohol Test

Often, a BAT is ordered alongside a urine drug screen. When this occurs, the BAT will ALWAYS be done before the UA collection.

When you arrive at our office you will be asked for your ID as well as if you have had anything to eat or drink in the last 15 minutes other than water. This includes gum, mints, brushing your teeth, etc.

If it has been 15 minutes since you have had anything to eat or drink the test will be performed. You will select a mouthpiece for the device. The collector will then place it on the machine and hold the machine for you to blow into. You will be instructed to blow into the machine until it beeps. It isn’t a short amount of time so make sure you take a big deep breath and blow a steady flow of air into the device. Results are immediately available.

Breath Alcohol Test Results

The results of a breath alcohol test are available immediately. If the result is 0.02 or higher, you will be required to do a confirmation test. This confirmation test will be done 15 minutes after the initial test, no sooner. You will remain in the room with the tester and then complete the confirmation test. DOT and Non-DOT tests follow the same guidelines for positive results and confirmation testing.

BAT testing can produce a positive result for up to 24 hours after alcohol consumption. Remember, 1 drink consumed can produce a result of .02. 

According to DOT, a result over .02 is considered positive and makes an employee unsafe to work. This employee must be removed from work for 24 hours.

Some employers have policies on their minimum BAT result when not operating under DOT regulations. However, a result over .04 is considered positive and at this level, the employee is required to be evaluated by a Substance Abuse Provider. 

Each employer has its own Drug/Alcohol guidelines, know your employer’s guidelines!

After the Breath Alcohol Test

After you have completed the BAT you will then proceed to the urine drug screen if it was requested by your employer. Following all testing, WorkSafe Physical Therapy will report the results to the designated employer representative.

Final Thoughts on Breath Alcohol Testing at WorkSafe Physical Therapy

Some key things to remember when you are scheduled for a BAT.

Employers often require breath alcohol tests for pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and random purposes. Results are available immediately and can produce a positive result for up to 24 hours after alcohol consumption.

Contact WorkSafe Physical Therapy to set up a call and get started with Breath Alcohol Testing!

Contact WorkSafe to find out how we can help your company today!

Working to keep you safe, healthy, and productive,