Oral Fluid Drug Testing in the Workplace

What is Oral Fluid Drug Testing?

Trusted, laboratory-based saliva testing for workplace safety and compliance

Oral fluid (saliva) drug testing is an increasingly popular option for employers seeking fast, less invasive, and reliable substance use detection. Especially useful in safety-sensitive roles or remote job sites, CannAmm’s lab-based oral fluid drug tests are legally defensible and aligned with the Canadian Model for workplace drug and alcohol testing.

Whether you’re updating your testing protocols or expanding your program to new sites or employee groups, our team helps you implement solutions that meet today’s legal, safety, and operational standards.

Why Choose Oral Fluid Testing?

Fast, observed, and practical for real-world work environments

CannAmm’s laboratory-based oral fluid drug testing offers key benefits for employers:

• Shorter detection window
  for recent use – ideal for post-incident and reasonable cause testing
• No shy bladder delays
  making it suitable for random programs
• Directly observed collection
  reduces sample tampering risk
• Non-intrusive and easier for employees
  compared to urine collection
• Easier logistics
  in remote or mobile worksites

This method is increasingly favored by employers looking to reduce operational delays while maintaining high standards for accuracy and fairness.

When Should You Use Oral Fluid Testing?

A strategic fit for modern workplace needs

Lab-based oral fluid drug tests are an excellent option for:

• Random testing
  eliminates shy bladder issues and simplifies logistics
• Post-incident and reasonable cause scenarios
  detects recent use and supports risk mitigation
• Remote site testing
  convenient for locations without fixed collection infrastructure
• Situations with privacy concerns
  less invasive and more broadly accepted by employees
• Legal or policy-driven testing requirements
  especially where observed collection is critical

Our experts can help you determine where oral fluid testing best fits into your overall drug and alcohol testing program.

Canadian Workplace Testing Standards

Built for legal defensibility and risk-based decision making

At CannAmm, every oral fluid drug test we perform is laboratory-based and aligned with recognized Canadian workplace testing protocols. These protocols ensure results are accurate, fair, and defensible, so employers can take action with confidence.

We adhere to the highest workplace testing standards, including:

• The Canadian Model for Providing a Safe Workplace
  Developed and maintained by the Construction Owners Association of Alberta (COAA), this model provides a consistent framework for workplace drug and alcohol testing across Canada. It sets out clear expectations for test types, substances monitored, and collection procedures for safety-sensitive industries. 

• DHHS Oral Fluid Cut-Off Levels
  While Canada does not yet have a national certifying body for oral fluid testing, the Canadian Model typically adopts the oral fluid cut-off levels recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). These thresholds are designed to ensure balanced sensitivity and specificity, reducing the risk of both false positives and false negatives.

• Recognized Applications for Testing
  Under the Canadian Model V6.1, oral fluid testing is permitted and recommended for several key workplace scenarios:
  • Pre-access testing
    to ensure workers are substance-free before entering safety-sensitive sites
  • Post-incident testing
    to investigate incidents and identify contributing risk factors
  • Reasonable cause testing
    when observable indicators suggest possible substance use

By aligning with these established standards, CannAmm ensures that your testing program supports informed, risk-based decision-making while meeting industry and client contractual obligations. This standards-based approach also provides critical protection against legal challenges related to testing procedures or outcomes. Whether you operate in the oil and gas, construction, transportation, utilities, or another safety-sensitive industry, a lab-based, compliant testing program is essential for protecting both your workforce and your business.

The Risks of Instant Oral Fluid Testing

Why lab-based testing remains the only trusted standard

While instant oral fluid drug tests may appear convenient, especially for pre-access or on-site decisions, they come with serious shortcomings that make them unsuitable for safety-sensitive work environments.

Currently, no instant oral fluid testing devices are approved by Health Canada or the U.S. FDA for use at the cut-off levels required by the Canadian Model for workplace drug testing. In fact, many instant devices are calibrated to detect drugs at thresholds that are up to 10 times higher than recommended standards. This means they may fail to identify substance use that poses real workplace risks.

Compounding the issue, these devices often show inconsistent accuracy, especially within ±25% of the established cut-off levels. This level of inaccuracy significantly increases the chances of false negatives, allowing potentially workers unfit for duty to remain on-site undetected.

Perhaps most critically, instant oral fluid tests lack legal defensibility. Because they are not conducted by accredited laboratories and do not meet forensic testing standards, the results are rarely admissible in arbitration, litigation, or regulatory hearings.

For these reasons, CannAmm does not offer instant oral fluid testing. Our focus remains on laboratory-based testing methods that meet rigorous standards, protect your employees, and hold up under legal scrutiny.

When Results Matter, Count on CannAmm

The most trusted name in Canadian workplace testing

When it comes to managing workplace safety through drug and alcohol testing, CannAmm stands apart as a leader in safety-sensitive industries across Canada. We offer fully lab-based oral fluid testing that meets the most rigorous standards, including cannabis (THC) detection aligned with Canadian Model cut-off levels. 

Our team of experts provides personalized consultation to help you design or transition your testing program with confidence. With some of the fastest turnaround times in the industry, we ensure your results are not only reliable but actionable when they matter most.

You deserve a testing partner that makes safety simpler, smarter, and more defensible, every step of the way.

Let’s Build a Program You Can Trust – Every Time.

Ready to add oral fluid testing to your workplace program?

Let’s talk about your goals, challenges, and how we can help.