Employees who are impaired by alcohol or drugs can be dangerous. But this can even be more frightening in the transportation industry because the workplace is usually the open road, which the general public uses. The Department of Transportation (DOT) sets rules and standards for the alcohol or drug testing that is applicable to employees for the protection of everyone. These policies have DOT tests for alcohol or drugs testing and can use their authority to test a safety-sensitive and regulated employee.
Remember that the DOT monitors drug or alcohol use among commercial drivers. Hence, all commercial drivers can be checked for alcohol or drugs during the DOT physical checkups. But it’s also crucial to have employee training courses so that the members of staff can be aware of their responsibilities when it comes to having a drug-free workplace. This article discusses the DOT drug testing.
The DOT test for drug
Excessive drinking and the use of drugs can severely reduce a person’s judgment and coordination. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol causes a serious danger to the life of every road user. You can prevent most of the accidents that are caused due to intoxication. The DOT is responsible for ensuring that a driver conducts themselves responsibly at work. The lifestyle and health problems associated with drug addiction can also be prevented. DOT drug testing as well as physical checkups can help to keep commercial drivers healthy.
You should note that a driver who transports at least 8 or more people in a car needs to have regular DOT drug testing. Besides, a driver of a fully loaded car that weighs a certain weight needs the test. Also, drivers who move hazardous chemicals and those who transport 15 more passengers also require DOT drug testing.
After a DOT physical, you can drive commercially for two years. But for some health issues like heart disease and diabetes may need regular DOT checkup. Other staff members and contractors dealing with the Department of Transport can also have a medical checkup every two years. In short, drug testing is a crucial component of the DOT checkup process.
The key element of this drug test is a urine test. And, in most cases, a blood test can also be done depending on whether or not there are other health issues. The sample is tested for several types of drugs, infections, and other health conditions. DOT drug testing can focus on five types of drugs. Cannabis is one of them and may include hashish and marijuana. Cocaine and phencyclidine are also included in the list. Also, the DOT drug test can check for opiates. Finally, a driver can be tested for methamphetamines and amphetamines use.
Some opiate-based pain relievers can appear on a DOT drug test. Therefore, the physician handling the drug test can refer to a positive result for a review. It’s important to complete the medical history form during the DOT physical so that you can avoid such false positives. All prescriptions, medications, or otherwise, need to be included in this form.
Preparing for the DOT drug testing
A commercial driver can go through DOT testing because it’s part of their medical checkup. A doctor or nurse can perform the drug test after the main physical exam. Remember that the DOT has a register of all medical practitioners responsible for approving a driver as fit for work.
It’s worth mentioning that there is also a non-DOT drug test. A non-DOT drug test can be administered by the authority of an employer according to state standards. An employer can do this drug test to make sure that they save money and have a drug-free workplace. But the criteria tend to vary by state when it comes to the employees who need to be drug tested.
In most cases, an employer can have some procedures and policies for this drug testing. This includes the substances to screen for, the type of tests to run, the specimens to be collected, the employees to screen, and what can happen when there are violations.
With DOT, the regulations usually specify that safety-sensitive employees need to submit to drug testing. Some of the specific situations that warrant a drug test include after an accident, as a part of requirement for returning to work, when asked for random testing, pre-employment screening, when there is reasonable suspicion, and many more.
By now you may be wondering how the procedures of these tests compare. DOT tests usually utilize urine specimens, but non-DOT drug tests can use saliva, urine, or hair depending on the regulations of your state.
DOT drug testing uses a document known as the Federal Drug Testing Control and Custody Form. On the other hand, each employer, state, or drug testing firm can create its form for non-DOT drug testing. The form available for DOT drug testing cannot be utilized when conducting a non-DOT drug test.
If a safety-sensitive worker refuses to do a drug test or fails a drug test, then they need to meet the DOT requirements for the employee to return to work before resuming their safety-sensitive duties. But with non-DOT drug testing, a staff member who fails or refuses a drug test needs to follow the policy of the employer for them to return to work.
And, with both DOT and non-DOT drug testing, a worker who fails an alcohol or drug test can be fired regardless of whether or not it’s the first offence. A worker who is fired after the DOT test needs to follow the return to work process before they work for another DOT agency performing safety-sensitive tasks. But with non-DOT drug testing, there is no legal prohibition that can keep them from taking another position.
DOT companies must always undergo DOT drug testing. But they can also establish their drug testing policies, which can include non-DOT urine drug tests. You should remember that these companies have to do DOT drug testing first before they decide to conduct any non-DOT drug testing. A non-DOT urine drug test process can be fast compared to DOT drug test and an employee can receive the results even on the same day as drug testing.
