GLOSSARY

A

Absenteeism

Absenteeism is the unexcused and unscheduled absence from duty by an employee. In the context of occupation health and safety in the workplace, absenteeism is the absence or habitual absences of an employee from their workplace without legitimate causes or excuses.

Adulterate

A substance that has been adulterated has been made impure by the addition of extraneous ingredients, specifically inferior ingredients. In the context of drug testing, an adulterated sample is one that has been altered to render it unsuitable for testing. An adulterated sample may show the presence of drugs at a lower than actual level or mask the presence of a targeted drug altogether.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a lung disease caused due to exposure to asbestos fibres. Asbestos is a fire resistant mineral that is used as a building material. Asbestosis develops when an individual inhales asbestos fibres that settles in the lungs and cause scarring of the lung tissue. The condition develops with prolonged exposure to asbestos and can also lead to the development of mesothelioma and lung cancer.

B

Baseline Testing

In medicine, baseline testing refers to any test that measures a patient’s current or pre-treatment condition. In a clinical study, a baseline test is conducted at the beginning of the study. Baseline testing results are used as a reference point for comparison to subsequent test results.

Biological Monitoring

The measurement of chemicals in human tissues or bodily fluids such as blood or urine. This may be used by employers to detect their employees’ exposure levels to hazardous chemicals.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Infectious microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites, which are present in human blood and can cause disease. While Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and HIV are the most common examples, other pathogens like syphilis and malaria can also be considered bloodborne.

C

Canadian Model for Providing a Safe Workplace

The Canadian Model for Providing a Safe Workplace, commonly known as Canadian Model, refers to a paradigm that follows the US Department of Transportation model for advancing drug and alcohol testing procedures to optimize health and safety. The Canadian Model is a benchmark for leveling the scope of legal discrepancies to support continued efforts by companies to maximize drug and alcohol testing protocols alongside protecting individual rights against discrimination.

Chronic Illness

A chronic illness is defined as a persistent health condition that often features dormant or recurring symptoms along with an irreversible prognosis. A chronic illness induces both mental and physical constraints that predispose individuals to disabilities or functional impairments. Common examples include but are not limited to: asthma, arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes and others.

Chain of custody

Chain of custody is the chronological documentation or paper trail that records the sequence of custody, control, transfer, analysis and disposition of materials including physical or electronic evidence. The custody and control form serves as a proof by listing the names of the donor and collector following the methods used to handle and transport the urine specimen for investigation.

Chest X Ray

A chest X-ray is a medical procedure to capture images of the airways, blood vessels, bones, heart, lungs and the spine. X-rays are released from a plate, which captures digital images of the chest wall cavity from both a front and side view. A chest X-ray uses low doses of radiation to contrast visuals on a black-and-white film medium.

The examination can show latent signs, boosted by symptoms of chest pain/shortness of breath, of obstructive lung disease (i.e., asthma). As a result, this can affect a person’s ability to use a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or work in tight workspaces.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a type of lung disease in which the lung receives poor airflow constantly due to obstructive reasons. Studies have shown that the risk of contracting COPD increases when the employees are exposed to hazardous substances such as dust, fumes and chemicals at their working environments. Occupations that have a greater possibility of contracting COPD include, agriculture, mining, construction, industrial factories working with hazardous substances, petroleum industry and quarries.

Confined Space

A confined space in the workplace is one that is large enough to permit access by an employee but has limited room for thorough movement. The space must be one that is not intended to be continually occupied. These types of spaces are typically used to perform maintenance or other occasional or limited-duration tasks. In a workplace where an employee is required to work in confined spaces must conform to additional safety procedures.

Cut off Level

A cut-off level is an index used to show if the cumulative amount of traces of a drug metabolite(s) fall at or below/above the threshold range to yield a negative/positive test result.

D

Decibel

A decibel is a unit of measure that is used to quantify the level of a particular sound or noise and is commonly denoted as (dB).  It is a unit used to determine the danger level of a given environment to a person’s hearing and is also used within the fields of electronics, signals, and communication. It is measured on a scale of human hearing, starting with the threshold of 0 dB to a level of 120-140 dB.

Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is a division of the United States federal government that is tasked with overseeing national transportation programs. This agency consists of several subdivisions that oversee various segments of the transportation system ranging from water and roadways to air traffic. As a part of this oversight, the DOT is responsible for ensuring the safety of travelers and transportation employees.

Diagnostic Test

A Diagnostic test is a medical evaluation undertaken when an individual experiences pain symptoms or sustains an injury that may point to underlying health conditions. Diagnostic testing provides multiple benefits ranging from identifying diseases to tracking the progression of the diseases. The wide variety of available tests means that health professionals can get as much information as possible about an individual’s issues, aiding in their quest to provide health solutions.

Doffing

Doffing and Donning are two commonly used terms in the context of respirator fit testing. Doffing is defined as the task of removing the facepiece of a respirator from the face. Depending on the type of the respirator, every manufacturer has standard guidelines explaining the doffing. The doffing process requires the know how to clean, handle and dispose of different types of respirators at a worksite.

Donning

Doffing and Donning are two commonly used terms in the context of respirator fit testing. Donning is defined as the process of wearing a face mask placed over the head that covers the mouth and nose to filter out or protect the mucus membranes from harmful agents. A user seal check is measured subjectively by wearer while donning the equipment to ensure the facepiece is free of air leaks between the different uses.

E

Ergonomics

The science of matching the job to the worker, which involves designing tasks, equipment, tools, and the work environment to match the physical, cognitive, and emotional capabilities of the workforce. This is done for the purpose of improving safety, health, and productivity.

Express Test

An express test refers to an initial drug screening performed on-site to analyze a biological specimen to identify drug metabolites pending a fast turnaround on negative or positive test results. Also called point-of-collection testing (POCT), employers often administer express tests as an accessible, convenient, and cost-effective drug screening method.

F

Functional Capacity Evaluation

The Functional Capacity Evaluation is a standard used to assess whether a person meets the criterion to handle the physical demands of a job. A detailed medical history and health status evaluation serves as an index to outline the odds pooled against candidates or employees who might not fit the job given the physical demands taxed on the body.

If an employer is looking to hire for a role where the worker would need to be physically fit in order to carry heavy load and equipment. The evaluator will assess the gross motor skills (via FCE guidelines) which cover the ability to bend, lift, pull, push, squat and walk and see if the individual is physically fit for the role assuring the safety of the worker and the workplace both.

G

Gas Chromatography

Historically considered as the gold standard for analyzing biochemical compounds such as lipids, proteins and drug metabolites. It is composed of two main components: Gas Chromatography (GC) and Mass Spectrometry (MS). Gas chromatography is technique used for separating compounds that can easily be vaporized without decomposition. Once separated, the coupled mass spectrometer identifies the different separated and eluted substances based on the MS principle described above. One of the advantages of GC-MS is the reproducible fragmentation pattern for each metabolite which allows for easy identification based on known metabolite patterns stored in a database.

H

Hazard

A hazard, in the context of occupational health and safety, is a situation that represents a level of threat to health, life, property, or the environment. A hazard is generally considered dormant, or potential, when it only represents a theoretical risk of harm.

I

Impairment

An impairment is defined as an inability to perform job task(s) based on a mental or physical deficit that can lead to adverse health effects. Substance use, chronic fatigue, and ongoing stress can cause impairment on the job. A holistic approach to reducing impairments in the workplace falls on a dual premise to keep a safe work environment for all employees and conserve human rights laws.

Incident Report

A form that documents the circumstances leading up to a workplace accident resulting in bodily injury or property damage. Incident report forms vary by province and may be referred to under a different name.

Inconclusive Sample

An invalid/inconclusive sample refers to an initial drug testing specimen that receives an incomplete result status, usually pending further testing analyses to establish a negative or positive test result to override any potential discrepancy. Different factors may contribute to an invalid/inconclusive sample, depending on the circumstances, such as an applicant/employee tampering with a sample (i.e. a diluted specimen) or an erroneous technicality via drug testing protocol.

J

Job Hazard Analysis

A process that identifies potential workplace hazards by breaking down a task into its constituent steps before analyzing each step for risk. Only then is it possible to determine and implement necessary safety measures.

Just Culture

A type of workplace framework that encourages employees to report errors and safety concerns without fear of punishment. Additional training and coaching may be offered to those who are responsible for a mistake. However, employees are still punished for willful misconduct, even if no harm was caused.

K

Ketone Test

A test that checks urine or blood for the presence of ketones, which are produced when the body burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. An increase in ketones may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis or a very low-carbohydrate diet.

L

Latency Period

The interval of time between the initial exposure to a workplace health hazard and the first appearance of an occupational disease. Occupational diseases such as Mesothelioma may take up to 50 years to develop after exposure to asbestos. Worker’s compensations boards have policies and guidelines that take the latency period into account when evaluating compensation claims.

Laboratory-based Drug Test

A test that uses highly accurate techniques like gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to detect and confirm the presence of specific drugs or their metabolites in a sample. While a rapid, on-site test can provide a definitive negative result, it can only indicate a “non-negative” result for the presence of drugs. The lab-based confirmation test is required to provide a conclusive and legally defensible positive result, ensuring its validity in legal settings.

Liquid Chromatography

It is an analytical chemistry technique that utilises the separation capabilities of liquid chromatography (LC) and mass analysis capabilities of mass spectrometry (MS). It is a highly sensitive technique and has applications across a wide range of industries including biotechnology, pharmaceutical, agrochemical and cosmetic industry. The analyte (mix of liquids) is separated using liquid chromatography into different components followed by mass spectrometry that provides spectral information to help identify or confirm each of the separated components.

M

Mask Fit Testing

Mask fit testing is a series of steps used to determine the suitability of a respirator mask for a specific user. Each respirator model will fit on the face of a user differently and mask fit testing helps to assure the best and safest fit. The level of suitability of a particular mask is called its fit factor.

Medical Review Officer

A Medical Review Officer is a licensed physician who plays an important role in occupational health testing companies. The MRO analyzes the laboratory results from drug testing programs and provides impartial reporting with individualized medical explanation for the test results.

Although urinalysis is the most common method of drug testing in Canada, many individuals may resort to tampering with a urine specimen to bypass a positive test result, skewing analyses to the extent that confirmatory testing is mandatory.  In such a situation, an MRO serves as the appropriate liaison to cross reference the subject’s medical history, detailing anything that could indicate a false positive.

Medical Surveillance

The analysis of health information to identify potential workplace health problems that require targeted prevention. By acting on early warning signs identified through surveillance, the effects of occupational diseases can be mitigated or prevented entirely.

Metabolite

A metabolite is an intermediate or an end product of metabolism. A metabolite is an endogenous compound made or used when the body breaks down food, drugs or chemicals, or its own tissue (for example, fat or muscle tissue)

Metabolomics

The comprehensive analysis of small molecules called metabolites present in the cells, biofluids, tissues or organisms. Metabolomics provides a comprehensive profile of the metabolites, evaluates patterns related to core biological systems and offers insight into biochemical dysfunction that may need attention.

N

Near Miss

A potentially consequential occupational error that bypasses several safety measures but is stopped by a final safeguard. An employee involved in a near-miss may be required to undergo post-incident drug and alcohol testing.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) refers to a hearing impairment where the hair like cells, called stereocilia, cannot transmit sound frequencies within a range to filter out unwanted noise from a particular source. Long-term NIHL exposure to noise above the 85 decibels (dB) threshold can cause sensitivity in both ears. A doctor uses an audiogram to chart the damage over time to note changes in the extent of the damage.

O

Occupational Health Hazard

The Occupational Hazard is any workplace condition that causes a risk to a worker’s health. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the government organization in charge of keeping workers safe, has defined six main categories of occupational hazards: safety, chemical, biological, physical, ergonomic and work organization hazard. Occupational health hazards can pose a legitimate harm to the workers with far reaching ramifications, and thus it is critical to identify and implement hazard control solutions.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a United States government organization that was created to introduce and enforce standards of safety measures to ensure the safety and well-being of the workers. The purpose of OSHA is to define guidelines within the context of health and safety that identifies potential workplace hazards relative to environmental surroundings including equipment, ergonomics, available resources and protocol management.

Onsite Testing

On-site testing refers to alcohol testing or drug testing that is performed at a workplace location, satellite branch, or third-party clinic with an observer on hand. For many employers, on-site testing is a convenient solution that provides a quick turnaround on test results. Many types of tests can be done in this format including pre-employment or pre-access testing, reasonable cause testing, post-incident testing, and follow-up or return-to-duty testing.

Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL)

Indicates the maximum level of admissible exposure, for a length of time (usually 8 hours), to a chemical or physical hazard that is not likely to affect the health of a worker. Hazards may include noise, sunlight, radiation, vibration, heat and cold.

Occupational Hygiene

The branch of occupational health and safety which focuses on the prevention of the occupational diseases. Anticipation, identification, evaluation, and control are used to identify and evaluate exposure to hazards present in the workplace.

Overexposure

When a worker’s exposure to a chemical or physical hazard exceeds the legally or professionally established Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL).

P

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Equipment or clothing worn to minimize exposure to chemical hazards in the workplace. Employers are obligated to ensure that the functionality of their employees’ PPE is not jeopardized due to poor fit or condition.

Pre-employment Testing

A type of drug and alcohol testing that occurs after a prospective employee has been offered a letter of employment. This type of testing reduces the risk of offering employment to individuals who may pose a safety risk to themselves or others.

Pre-access Testing

A type of drug and alcohol testing that helps identify workers who could pose a risk in a safety sensitive work environment. Therefore, by conducting pre-access drug and alcohol testing, the company can ensure that access to the work site is provided to only those who are fit for duty.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test is a laboratory technique that helps to make multiple copies of a specific DNA sample. The amplified DNA sample is used for investigative studies such as detection of viruses or infectious agents, genetic testing and research.

Post-incident Testing

A type of drug and alcohol testing that is conducted after an accident or near-miss occurs at the workplace. It is important to note that post-incident testing must be performed within a certain window of time from when the incident occurred.

Pulmonary Function Test

Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) is a clinical test used to check and monitor lung function and health. The test is performed with the help of a spirometer. The test provides a comparison between the lung volume, capacity and gas exchange against the baseline value and helps understand the general health of the lungs.

Q

Quantitative Fit Test

Quantitative respirator fit testing is considered the gold standard for fit testing. This test measures and compares the particles in the surrounding air to the air particles that leak into the respirator. The comparison helps confirm the integrity and performance of the respirator. The worker/client is made to perform certain breathing exercises to mock their working conditions.

R

Reasonable Cause Testing

A type of drug and alcohol testing that occurs after evaluating factors suggesting suspicious behavior from a worker that could compromise workplace safety. Testing is done in this case to rule out substance use as the cause of harmful behaviour in the workplace.

Return-to-Work Testing

A type of drug and alcohol testing for employees returning to a safety-sensitive position after an injury, a leave of absence, medical leave, or substance use rehabilitation.

Random Testing

A type of drug and alcohol testing that occurs after varying intervals of time. This helps identify those who have a substance abuse disorder but do not present obvious signs or

S

Safety Sensitive Position

 As per Canadian Model for Providing Workplace Safety Version 6.0.,  safety sensitive positions are those where the employee has a key and direct role in an on-site operation where performance limitations (e.g. due to substance use) could result in an incident or near miss with the potential for high consequences (e.g. significant property damage, environmental damage or negative impact to reputation, and/or serious injury or fatalities to workers or the public).

Shy Bladder

A shy bladder, also known as paruresis, refers to a difficulty in voiding urine in the presence of an individual or individuals (for example in a public restroom). The condition can develop from early childhood into adulthood. For individuals with a shy bladder, it can pose challenges for job opportunities where submission to mandatory urine drug screening (urinalysis) is a pre-requisite in the workplace.

Silicosis

Silicosis is a harmful pulmonary disease incurred by regular exposure to crystalline silica dust, a composite mineral found in dust, granite, sand, and other material deposits. Individuals can develop silicosis at different stages, often reflecting independent factors including concentration levels to crystalline silica, exposure duration, absence of safety measures, and personal health lifestyles.

Standard Precautions

An infection control strategy that combines the major features of universal precautions and body substance isolation. It is based on the principle that all blood, body fluids (excluding sweat), secretions, excretions, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes may contain transmissible infectious agents. Standard precautions should be applied to the care of all patients in all healthcare settings, regardless of their suspected or confirmed infection

T

Third Party Administrator (TPA)

A Third Party Administrator (TPA) is an organization that provides administrative services to employers to facilitate their drug and alcohol testing programs. A TPA may manage a portion of an employer’s drug and alcohol testing policy or the entire program. They may be contracted to administer either federal, provincial, or state-mandated or voluntary employer drug and alcohol testing programs. The TPA must also take responsibility for compliance, testing, and record-keeping as an agent of the employer.

Threshold Limit Value (TLV)

The concentration of a hazardous substance in the air to which it is believed nearly all workers can be repeatedly exposed day after day without experiencing adverse health effects. The TLVs are guidelines developed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). There are four primary variations of TLV: Time-Weighted Average (TWA), Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL), Ceiling (C), and Surface Limit (SL).

Toxicology

Toxicology is the scientific study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical, and biological agents on living organisms and the ecosystem. It encompasses the analysis of toxic substances, understanding how they cause harm, and developing strategies for prevention and treatment. Applications include detecting and analyzing substances like drugs or alcohol in biological samples for legal investigations, such as after an accident, and addressing chemical and biological hazards found in the workplace.

Turnaround time

Turnaround times (TAT) refer to the cumulative time between the start of a task and the final outcome.

U

Urinalysis

A lab test that analyzes a urine sample to check for signs of disease or illness by examining the urine’s appearance, concentration, and chemical content. Laboratories can also perform separate, more advanced urine drug tests, often for legal or employment purposes, when a standard express drug screen is not sufficient or legally defensible.

V

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

A group of organic chemicals, found in both indoor and outdoor air, which can be harmful to human health and the environment. Common sources include paints, solvents, and cleaning supplies. Exposure to VOCs can be reduced through proper ventilation and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respirators and gloves.

W

Wellness Program

A program that focuses on improving employee well-being through proactive and reactive measures that support physical, mental, and emotional health. Proactive measures can include health risk assessments, educational resources on potential health issues, and initiatives that promote healthy habits.

X

Xenobiotic

Chemical substances that are foreign to a living organism, not naturally produced by it, and often come from sources like drugs, pesticides, pollutants, and industrial chemicals. Workers exposed to xenobiotics such as asbestos and heavy metals may be at risk of occupational diseases.

Y

Yield

In Occupational Health and Safety, yield can refer to the measurable output, rate, or effectiveness of safety and health initiatives, such as the number of employees meeting fitness-for-duty standards. It reflects how efficiently workplace health testing or safety programs produce positive, reliable, and compliant outcomes.

Z

Zinc Protoporphyrin Test

A blood test that measures the amount of Zinc Protoporphyrin (ZPP) in the blood. ZPP is a compound that forms when there is not enough iron in the body to make heme, a component of hemoglobin. High ZPP may indicate iron deficiency or lead exposure.