What is the Rapid Site Access Program (RSAP)? The Rapid Site Access Program (RSAP) is an agreement among unions, employers, and site owners that facilitates expedited dispatch to participating sites for workers signed on to the program. Owners agree to waive site access testing requirement for those in good standing ("active") in the Rapid Site Access Program.

What are the purposes of the RSAP? RSAP is a safety-based alcohol and drug program meant to ensure efficient access to work sites, facilitate compliance with the Canadian Model Alcohol and Drug Work Rule while at work, and afford support and accommodation for those who are found in breach.

What is in it for me to join RSAP? 

By joining RSAP you get access to participating sites without having to submit to a site access test. This reduces the number of tests you have to take on your own time prior to being able to head out to the jobsite. Furthermore, should you fail an RSAP test, your file would be handled by third party professionals, which means very little of your sensitive personal information would be shared with your employer or union. 

What owner sites may I access without a site access test by joining RSAP?

• Alberta Enviro Fuels Inc. 

• CNRL

• Dow (construction only)

• Epcor Keephills (Cap.Power Corp - as split into 2 Companies)

• KBR Mod Yard

• Keephills (construction only)

• Long Lake

• Northwest Upgrader

• Opti Nexenthe

• PCL Fabrication shop and mod yard

• Petro Canada

• Shell (not maintenance)

• Suncor

• Syncrude

• Trans Alta

What do I agree to when I sign up for RSAP? When signing up for RSAP you agree to be in compliance with each of the following sets of rules: The Canadian Model (while at work), the RSAP Procedural Rules, and any return to work conditions that may be set by a case manager should you find yourself in after care. You also agree to be subject to random alcohol and drug testing while at work on a participating site. Such tests are completed on paid time on the job site.

REALLY, why should I join RSAP? 

Upon receiving your journeyman ticket, many of you are told you are entrepreneurs, business people who are the masters of your own destiny. 

Well, this for the most part comes down to a personal business decision as a tradesperson.

Think of how often you have had to:

• arrange for a site access test on your own time, 
  

• invest the travel and time involved in taking the test,
  

• be idle for the time to wait for results, and
  

• lose time and wages as a result of being unable to proceed straight to site.

For some that has been a significant hassle and RSAP may be a good option for you. All RSAP random tests are on paid work time and you do not lost time or wages while waiting for the results. 

In addition, others who have failed a test for a contractor have opted into RSAP so they could have their after-care and follow-up administered by third party professional by third professionals as personal information is more protected and kept off the worksite, and the likelihood of successful, safe return to work is greatly increased.

How can I sign up for RSAP?

Proceed to http://www.rsap.ca and click on "You can self register here". 

Where can I read all the information?
 All the RSAP documentation is available at:

NOTICE TO MEMBERS - enrolled in the voluntary RSAP Program: Please remember if you have not worked in a 6-month time period, your RSAP will go dormant. Please call the RSAP Program to re-test at 1-888-493- 0725. If you are unsure of your RSAP status you can call Amanda Stefanizyn at the Edmonton office directly at (780)801.5126.
Local 92 does not govern or administrate this program and we do not want Members going to site with no pre-access or active RSAP status, as this means you will not gain access to the site immediately and could potentially miss out on pay due to having to test when you arrive.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG TESTING ADMINISTERED BY RSAP

Under what circumstances are alcohol and drug tests administered by RSAP? RSAP administers tests in the following circumstances: Enrollment tests: A clean test is required as a part of the application process unless the individual is grandfathered into the program, Random tests: These are not-for-cause tests resulting from a random draw, Return to work tests: Return to work tests are administered following a positive test or other breach of the Canadian Model or Procedural Rules if the substance abuse expert prescribes a negative alcohol and drug test prior to returning to a safety sensitive worksite, and Follow-up tests: These are unannounced tests conducted if recommended by a substance abuse expert (eg. 6 follow-up tests in 12 months).

What kind of alcohol and drug testing technology is used for random testing? For random tests, RSAP uses laboratory-based oral fluid tests (sometimes referred to as oral swab tests) for drugs, and breath tests for alcohol.

Why do some prefer oral fluid (oral swab) tests to urine tests? The oral fluid cut-off levels are safety-based levels set in consultation with experts. One significant difference between urine and oral fluid testing resides with the marijuana measurement, which for oral fluid has a shorter "window of detection" than urine based testing. At the levels set in RSAP oral fluid tests have a 12-20 hours window of detection for the marijuana panel. This means that a test will identify past marijuana use up to 20 hours prior to the test. Many view this measurement to be more workplace related and less likely to bring into review a person's off-duty lifestyle. Also, the collection of the oral fluid sample is more dignified in that it does not call upon the donor to submit a urine sample. Oral fluid is collected by a swab being placed in the mouth by the donor under the observation of the collector. Others like the fact that oral fluid tests are all observed so the risk of tampering of a sample is less than with urines test, which are unobserved except in special circumstances.

Why do some members get a urine test and others get an oral fluid test? Urine tests are required for: initial RSAP registrations, and for members who are in case management (following a breach) and who require follow up testing as part of a return to work agreement.

Oral fluid tests are used for random testing on RSAP members in good standing. Why can't all of the testing be done by oral swab? The Canadian Model doesn't accept oral swab tests for reasonable grounds and post-incident tests. Furthermore, experts state that oral fluid testing is not appropriate when there is prior notice of the test and not appropriate for follow-up testing. The RSAP committee approved the use of oral swabs for random tests only.

Why are the cut off levels different for urine and swab based tests? The numeric cut-off levels are not going to be the same as it is a completely different measurement. Comparing the numeric cut-off levels is like comparing apples and oranges. Urinalysis test levels are those mandated by the Canadian Model Alcohol and Drug Work Rule (Article 3) or, if applicable, based on recommendations of a substance abuse expert. The scientific community has demonstrated that these test levels are legally defensible safety-based levels. Oral fluid cutoff levels are those opined by leading scientific experts and the Department of Health and Human Services as reliably detectable, safety-based levels.

Will fluids such as mouthwash, mints or ice cappuccinos affect my alcohol testing results? Drinking non-alcoholic fluids will not affect your alcohol results. Oral fluid tests are not used to measure alcohol levels. All alcohol tests are conducted via a breath alcohol testing device.

What if I don't agree with the test results? You can contact the medical review officer for clarification. All specimens are sent to a certified laboratory facility for, scientific analysis. In addition, consistent with the Canadian Model, the oral fluid sample is split prior to analysis. Within 72 hours you may request that your split sample be sent to another laboratory for a second analysis.

If I sign up for RSAP, do I have to be tested or can I send in my previous pre-access testing result? You can be grandfathered into the program without further testing if the following conditions apply: you are currently working with a participating contractor on a site that requires site-access testing, or you are not working but have a valid negative test within past 90 days (and can provide copy of same). If you are currently unemployed and do not have a valid test within the last 90 days, a negative enrolment test is required to approve RSAP "active status". RSAP pays for the cost of the test.

How often will I be tested if I sign up for the RSAP program? Each month, a computer generates a random draw from members who are actively working. The draw randomly selects 4.17% of RSAP members who are actively working. Random tests are always done on work time.

How do I know that your alcohol test machine is getting a correct result? The calibration on each evidentiary breath testing device (EBTs) is checked daily before testing, using a known gas standard. In the event a result is confirmed as a non-negative, the calibration is re-checked as soon as is reasonably practicable, usually immediately after the test.

Why don't you accept tests from other labs? Mobile Industrial Health Services is contracted to provide all testing services for the RSAP program. For initial tests, other SAMHSA-certified lab results, if proper "Chain of Custody" procedures were followed, will be accepted. This does not mean that you can arrange your own RSAP testing. It must be facilitated by OHI.

Why don't you accept quick/express tests? "Quick" tests are not allowed under the Canadian Model - they do not involve the same high standards for integrity as laboratory-based tests. Also, quick tests often do not include the protections afforded to individuals by having a medical review officer consider whether or not there is a legitimate medical explanation for a positive result. RSAP only uses laboratory-based testing with review from a medical review officer.

If my first sample is not accepted, why can't I leave the testing facility once the testing process is underway?

Once the testing process is underway, the collector is responsible for the integrity/validity of the result. Allowing you to leave the facility during the collection process opens the process up to challenges to the integrity/validity of the final result. Leaving prior to the completion of the testing process will be reported as a refusal to test.