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DOT Drug Testing
There are five situations when testing must be performed to determine the presence of drugs
and or alcohol.
- Pre-Employment
- Post-Accident
- Random
- Reasonable Suspicion
- Return to Duty/Follow-Up
Before a new hire can perform any safety sensitive duties he or she must have a verified
negative result from a preemployment drug screen.
Following an accident where: a) there was a loss of life, or b)the driver was cited for a
moving violation AND 1)a vehicle had to be towed from the sceen or 2)someone was injured
and required medical treatment away from the scene. A drug and alcohol test is required for a
post accident test. The Post Accident drug test should be performed as soon as possible follwing
the accident but not later than 32 hours afterwards. A Post Accident alcohol test should be
performed within 2 hours of the accident; if for some reason it cannot be performed within 8
hours after the accident, all attempts should be halted.
Unannounced random testing is required on a certain percentage of drivers each year. The
current rates of testing are 50% of the employees for drugs and 10% for alcohol. The random
selection process must ensure that each driver has an equal chance of being tested each time
a selection is performed. Random selection for alcohol must be completed just before, during
or immediately after performing safety-sensitive functions. Random drug testing can be done any
time an employee is at work.
If the employer has reason to believe that an employees behavior or appearance may indicate
alcohol or drug abuse, he may require this employee to under go drug and alcohol testing.
Testing for reasonable suspicion must be based on the observations of a trained supervisor.
Return to duty testing is required for drivers who have violated the drug and or alcohol
provisions. In order to return to work an employee must have a verified negative result from
a return to duty test. Follow up testing is required when a driver returns to a safety
sensitive function after violating the provisions for drug and alcohol testing. He must have
at least (6) tests during the first year back to work, and may be required to be tested for up
to 5 years.
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