The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires drug testing for a variety of reasons. Anyone who holds a job that can impact their own and the public’s safety is subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing. These are known as safety-sensitive positions or employees. Some examples of DOT departments with safety-sensitive positions are; Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Railroad Administration, and the Federal Transit Authority. These employees are subject to random drug and alcohol screening based on the Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 40.
Standard Pre-employment Drug Screening
Drug screening is a necessary step for anyone beginning work as a driver for public transportation. The initial screening requires basic drug testing, which means you will have to find a qualified lab. They will then run the SAP evaluation based on your urine. You will have to leave all items at the front desk and fill a specimen cup in the restroom. Depending on what your employer requires, this may be monitored. The urine is then checked for the temperature to prevent fraud and sent off to a lab. A negative result means no drugs were detected in the urine, whereas a positive result indicates the opposite. If you come up positive, you’re going to need an SAP evaluation.
DOT Regulations Regarding Alcohol and Drugs
There is specific conduct prohibited by DOT regulations. An employee cannot possess alcohol or any illicit drug while assigned to perform safety-sensitive functions or while performing these functions. An employee cannot report for service or remain on duty if they are under the influence of alcohol or have used any illicit drug. An employee must not use alcohol within four hours or 8 for flight crew members of reporting for service. One cannot report for duty or remain on duty when using any controlled substance unless used pursuant to the instructions of an authorized medical practitioner. An employee must not refuse to submit to any test for alcohol or controlled substance or refuse to submit to any test by adulterating or substituting your specimen.
Random Drug Tests for Employees
To ensure that these regulations are followed testing can happen randomly. Random drug tests are known as the best tool employers have for deterring drug and alcohol use in the workplace. By implementing random drug testing, lives are saved, injuries are prevented, and employer liability is reduced. This is a fair way of testing and the random testing rate is regulated by the DOT Agency that regulates each specific transportation industry. The pool of employees who are selected for random testing are based on their job function and not their occupational title. DOT testing is separate from a company’s private non-DOT testing program.
There are also other reasons for a safety-sensitive employee to require drug testing. Testing is done prior to employment, reasonable suspicion/cause, return-to-duty testing, follow-up testing, and post-accident testing. If the test is failed, DOT regulations require you to be immediately removed by your employer from performing any DOT safety-sensitive job. An employer must receive a negative drug test before permitting an employee to begin their safety-sensitive duties. An employee may also be tested if they appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This is determined by one or more trained supervisors having a suspicion that the employee is under the influence. This would be immediate testing.
SAP Evaluation Following a Failed Drug Screening
If you’ve been caught unaware by a surprise drug test, or something happened that put you under suspicion by the DOT, then you’re going to have to find a substance abuse professional to perform an evaluation. This goes way beyond a drug test. If you haven’t been caught outright, you will likely need to fail a drug test in addition to whatever happened to bring you into question before you end up in front of an SAP. Make sure to properly prepare for a SAP evaluation.
During the substance abuse evaluation, you will sit down with a trained SAP and have a clinical assessment. This person is familiar with addictive behaviors, and they will be able to tell if someone is likely to repeat the offense. Based on this conversation, they may make a recommendation for treatment programs. After successfully completing the treatment program, you will have a follow-up SAP evaluation.
The SAP has to provide you and your employer with an official write-up of both evaluations and any treatment recommendations. They may also suggest additional drug screenings or treatment sessions. Once the process is completed, they mark you as either compliant or non-compliant.
It is important to note here that a SAP evaluator does not make a recommendation to your employer regarding your future employment. They are an impartial evaluator put in place to protect the safety of the public. Even if you are judged as not in compliance, your employer could still choose to work with you. Unfortunately, the opposite is true as well. Compliance doesn’t guarantee your job. The best way to stay out of a SAP evaluator’s office is simply to follow the DOT guidelines and not partake in prohibited substances.
Return to Duty
Return to duty testing refers to an employee who tested positive, refused to test, or otherwise violated the prohibitions of 49 CFR and have completed the return-to-duty process with a DOT qualified substance abuse professional (SAP). The test is directly observed and must be negative before the employee can resume their position.
Follow up testing is required for an employee who tested positive, refused, or otherwise violated the prohibitions of 49 CFR and have completed the return-to-duty process with a DOT qualified SAP, and has tested negative for the return-to-duty test. This testing can vary, and it is prescribed by the SAP for a minimum of 6 directly observed tests in 12 months but can also be extended for an additional four years.
Post Accident Drug and Alcohol Testing
The final reason for testing is post-accident testing. If an employee is involved in an accident meeting certain criteria of the DOT agency, a post-accident test will be required. This is an obligation of the employee, by law, to submit and cooperate to these mandated DOT regulations.
Testing is performed for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and phencyclidine using urine. Testing is performed for alcohol using breath and saliva. An employer must know the testing processes in order to ensure proper procedures are followed. This protects the interest of the company and its employees.
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