The Department of Transportation (DOT) in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations 49 (CFR) part 40 requires drug and alcohol testing for employees holding positions designated as “Safety Sensitive”. These positions usually apply to the trucking, aviation, railroad, pipeline, Coast Guard and mass transit industries. Government agencies covered by DOT such as FMCSA, FRA, FAA, FTA, PHMSA, and USCO have specific regulations regarding drug and alcohol testing.
The DOT requires that all employees designated as “Safety Sensitive” must comply with all drug and alcohol testing requirements. These requirements include, pre-employment, random selection, post accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty and follow up drug testing if applicable. A breath alcohol test is also required as a random selection or post accident test. A DOT drug test must utilize a DOT “Federal Chain of Custody form”. This form must be utilized any time a DOT drug test is collected.
The DOT only recognizes a 5 panel urine drug test and a breathalyzer for alcohol testing. All 5 panel drug tests must be analyzed by a SAMHSA certified laboratory and reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (MRO). Instant result drug tests are not permitted for DOT drug tests. Alcohol tests must be administered utilizing a breathalyzer and given by a certified breath alcohol technician. The 5 panel DOT drug test screens for the following drugs:
• Amphetamines • Cocaine • Marijuana • Opiates • PCP
In addition, to a pre-employment drug test all DOT designated employees must participate in and be a member of a DOT approved Random pool/Consortium. DOT requires that 50% of the pool be selected for a drug test and 10% must be selected for a alcohol test annually. Other governmental agencies may have other random pool testing selection requirements. Quarterly notifications should be given and current employee list should be maintained and updated prior to quarterly selections.
DOT requires that any person who supervises a DOT regulated safety sensitive employee must receive a minimum of two hours of supervisor training relating to the detection of illegal drug use and corrective action to be taken. Employees must also be given educational training relating to the drug and alcohol testing program. In addition, employers are required to have a designated employer representative (DER) and a substance abuse professional (SPA) resource available.
BEWARE-While there are many drug testing collection facilities such as medical clinics, doctor offices and urgent care centers. Many of these type of locations do not fully understand or are familiar with DOT Drug and Alcohol testing regulations. Unfortunately a DOT regulated business or employee only finds out that the drug test which was administered was not in compliance with DOT specimen collection or Chain of Custody procedures and the test is not valid after the test has been administered and paid for.
Accredited Drug Testing Inc not only provides convenient, affordable and confidential drug and alcohol testing services, but we are also committed to insuring that our DOT clients are in compliance with all DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations. In addition, we provide verification and support in the event of a DOT safety audit.
For more information regarding DOT requirements or the services provided by Accredited Drug Testing Inc, please call (800)221-4291 or info@accrediteddrugtesting.net.