Testing Equipment

Performance Testing

Forty-eight percent of deaths due to work-related accidents are the results of either motor-vehicle accidents or falls. Forty-two percent of work injuries resulting in disability involve either “struck by or struck against” injuries or falls. The average cost of a disabling injury is estimated at $17,000, for a death that is estimated at $550,000. The cost to the worker and the workers’ dependents is incalculable. These accidents are caused by lack of vigilance, poor discrimination and failure to react quickly enough. Loss of balance is an additional factor in falls.

In an effort to reduce this toll, many companies have undertaken drug testing programs hoping to identify individuals more likely to have accidents due to impairment. By focusing only on drug levels in body fluids, drug testing often fails to identify workers who are unable to safety perform their assigned tasks for reasons not related to drugs.

Performance Testing evaluates the ability to function at an acceptable level. Poor performance is detected by these tests, no matter what the cause. If a driver fails to react quickly or make appropriate choices during a performance test, that employee should not operate a vehicle until the level of performance improves. Individuals whose speed of reaction, vigilance and discrimination are sub-par should not be employed as truck drivers. Workers whose ability to balance is impaired should not be sent to work on ladders or scaffolds.

Neuro-Test, Inc., has introduced a new line of computerized performance analyzers which test balance, speed of reaction, vigilance and discrimination.

The Neuro-Test Choice Reaction Time Analyzer tests speed of reaction, vigilance and discrimination. After the initial six minute test, repeat evaluations takes only two minutes. Because testing is rapid and inexpensive, workers may be tested before each shift. Results are printed and stored on a diskette and up to a year of testing may be reviewed and plotted with a few keystrokes.

The Neuro-Test Postural Sway Analyzer tests balance. Baseline testing takes six minutes and follow-up testing takes less than one minute. If a drug test is positive, the employer’s range of options is limited. The consequences are severe, long-lasting and largely irreversible. False positives are an ever-present danger. If a drug test is negative, the employee’s ability to perform safety may still be impaired for reasons other than drugs. A positive test labels the employee as having engaged in criminal activity.

If an employee or prospective employee fails a performance test, the employer’s options remain open. Since the tests are rapid and inexpensive, they can be repeated immediately. If the test performance is still poor, the only determination necessary is that the employee is not fit, at the time of testing, to perform a particular task. If the cause of the failure is correctable, the employee may subsequently take and pass the test and return to work. Passing the test implies that the employee is performing at an acceptable level for the job at hand.

An Alternative to Drug Testing

The stated purpose of most drug testing programs is to identify workers whose use of illegal drugs places them at risk of injury to themselves and others in the workplace. Job applicants who fail these tests are not hired. Current employees who fail them are ether offered treatment, terminated or terminated following the failure of treatment, depending on the policy of the employer.

While the aims of these programs are correct, there are pitfalls. There is always the risk of errors in the testing procedure. Such errors are particularly serious because a positive finding implies illegal activity on the subject’s part. Worst of all, testing for drug levels in body fluids fails in many cases to answer the most important question - can the worker safely perform the job?

A truck driver whose reactions are slow or a construction worker on a ladder or scaffold whose balance is impaired is a danger to himself and others, no matter what the blood levels of legal or illegal drugs may be.

With performance testing, the employers sets minimum standards for balance and/or reaction for a particular job. An applicant who is unable to meet the standard is not hired. Current employees who do not meet the standard are investigated further to determine the cause of the failure. No determination of wrongdoing on the part of the applicant or employee has been made.

Neuro-Test, Inc., is proud to announce a line of performance analyzers which are intended to augment or in many cases replace drug testing for pre-employment testing and on-going surveillance of employees.

Performance testing is rapid, involves no collection of specimens, and inexpensive. Baseline testing takes less than 10 minutes and periodic retest as little as two minutes per subject. Results are stored on disk and/or printed.

The testing requires very little space and portable battery operated versions are available.