Does the collector have the option of taking a blood sample to test for alcohol?
No. Under Canadian workplace testing programs, the collector would never take a blood sample. People sometimes confuse employer testing programs with medical assessments. In the case of a medical assessment, the doctor may take a blood sample for medical reasons (for example as part of an annual physical), the sample is analyzed in a medical lab, and the results are sent to their doctor. However, under employee testing programs currently in place in Canada, the only samples which can be taken for alcohol analysis are: a breath sample confirmed by a second breath sample, or a saliva sample confirmed by a breath sample. The results are sent by the collector to your Program Administrator. In limited circumstances when a breath analyzer is not readily available, the collector may collect a saliva sample and if the result is above the cut-off, would collect a second urine sample. The urine sample would be sent to a certified laboratory for analysis. The company policy should clarify if and
