Author: Administrator

When you open your own business, it will be up to you to hire a responsible team of staff. To facilitate this, state and federal law both provide employers with the legal right to perform drug screenings to any of their workers. With a routine drug testing program, you can make sure that your workers … Continue reading “How Employee Drug Testing Can Benefit Your Business”

When you open your own business, it will be up to you to hire a responsible team of staff. To facilitate this, state and federal law both provide employers with the legal right to perform drug screenings to any of their workers. With a routine drug testing program, you can make sure that your workers are not using illegal substances on or off the job. To highlight the benefits of drug screening in Tucson, here is a look at how employee drug testing can benefit your business.

Enhanced Safety

Safety is a top concern for any business owner. In order to make sure that your employees are able to safely perform the functions that their positions require, you may want to consider implementing drug testing. Drug testing is a particularly important safety measure for any business that uses heavy equipment, such as road construction, trucking, or mining.

Improved Productivity

Along with enhancing the safety of your workplace, employee drug screening will also improve the productivity of your workers. Illegal substances have been shown to slow reaction times and reduce the overall performance of workers on the job. By setting up drug screening, you can rest assured that all of your workers are performing to their highest potential.

Boosted Reputation

Employee drug testing can also provide your company with a public relations boost. By advertising that you administer drug tests to your workers, you can help to inspire confidence in your customers and clients that they are in good hands.

At HDS Safety, we are thrilled to offer employers in Tucson with a full range of drug screening services. From DOT compliance screening to drug and alcohol tests, we will be there to assist you. For more information about the great compliance solutions that we can provide for your company, call us at 1-800-800-7801.

In the world of transportation, safety is paramount, and for semi-trucks, it’s not just a preference—it’s a necessity. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has established rigorous safety requirements to ensure the well-being of not only truck drivers but also other road users. In this article, we will explore the DOT safety requirements for semi-trucks, shedding light on the regulations that keep our highways safe.

DOT Safety Requirements

1. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL): One of the foundational safety requirements for anyone operating a semi-truck is the possession of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). The CDL ensures that drivers are adequately trained and tested on the safe operation of these massive vehicles.

2. Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations: To prevent driver fatigue and enhance roadway safety, the DOT has strict HOS regulations in place. These rules dictate the number of hours a driver can work and drive each day, as well as mandatory rest breaks. Adhering to these regulations is crucial for preventing accidents caused by tired drivers.

3. Vehicle Inspections: Regular vehicle inspections are vital to ensuring the roadworthiness of semi-trucks. The DOT mandates thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections, and drivers must document any defects. These inspections help prevent accidents due to mechanical failures.

4. Weight Limits: Overloaded trucks can be a significant hazard on the road. The DOT has set specific weight limit standards for semi-trucks, including maximum gross vehicle weight, axle weight, and more. Complying with these limits is essential for maintaining stability and road safety.

5. Maintenance and Repairs: Adequate maintenance and prompt repairs are non-negotiable for semi-truck operators. Regular inspections and servicing are essential to keep the vehicle in top condition. Neglecting maintenance can lead to breakdowns on the road, endangering the driver and other motorists.

6. Vehicle Lighting and Markings: Proper lighting and markings on semi-trucks are crucial for visibility and road safety. The DOT mandates the use of approved reflectors, lights, and reflective tape to ensure that other drivers can see and identify the truck, particularly in adverse weather conditions or at night.

7. Drug and Alcohol Testing: To maintain a sober and alert workforce, the DOT requires mandatory drug and alcohol testing for all commercial drivers. This helps in eliminating impaired driving and enhancing safety on the road.

8. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): In the past, drivers maintained paper logbooks to track their driving hours. Now, electronic logging devices are mandatory to ensure accurate recording of HOS. ELDs help prevent false reporting and keep drivers within their allowable driving hours.

9. Braking Systems: Semi-trucks require advanced braking systems to handle their significant weight and size. The DOT has specific requirements for brake maintenance and performance, ensuring that trucks can stop safely and in a controlled manner.

10. Load Securement: Proper load securement is vital to prevent cargo from shifting during transport. The DOT has regulations in place to ensure that loads are properly secured, reducing the risk of accidents caused by shifting cargo.

11. Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Transportation: For trucks carrying hazardous materials, additional regulations apply. This includes proper CDL Hazmat endorsements, specific placarding, labeling, and safety requirements to minimize the risks associated with transporting hazardous substances.

12. Insurance Requirements:

The DOT mandates that trucking companies carry a minimum level of liability insurance. This ensures that, in the event of an accident, there is adequate coverage to compensate victims and cover property damage.

Discover the Safety Requirements from our Compliance Experts

DOT safety requirements for the transportation industry are designed to protect the public and the drivers themselves. Adhering to these regulations is not just a legal obligation; it’s a moral duty to keep our roads safe for everyone. By prioritizing safety and compliance, the transportation industry contributes to a safer and more efficient transportation network for all.

To learn more about DOT compliance or for more information on semi-truck CDL classes, please contact HDS Safety Services.

Maintaining a drug-free workplace is essential to remain compliant with Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. There are specific times when companies must complete drug and/or alcohol testing. One instance is if a supervisor has reasonable suspicion that a safety-sensitive worker is under the influence. Ensuring that your supervisors have proper training helps keep your fleet and the public safe. 

What is Reasonable Suspicion?

Reasonable suspicion is when a supervisor believes they have identified symptoms of drug or alcohol abuse in a fleet driver. A supervisor who requests a reasonable suspicion test must base this on their own “specific, contemporaneous, articulable” observations of a driver. They cannot rely on any third-party information. These observations can be related to speech, appearance, behavior, or body odor as long as they match the indications of drug/alcohol use that are covered in training. Only the actual supervisor of a driver can order a test. A qualified individual from another motor carrier that the driver interacts with may ask them to cease safety-sensitive duties and contact the driver’s supervisor. However, the FMCSA does not require this.

What is the Reasonable Suspicion Testing Process?

Reasonable suspicion testing is necessary when a supervisor observes signs of alcohol or controlled substance use by a safety-sensitive employee. After seeing these indications, the employee will need to submit to a drug and/or alcohol test. A qualified technician must complete this screening and if the employee tests positive, they must cease all safety-sensitive functions immediately until they complete the return-to-duty process. 

Why is Training Necessary?

The FMCSA requires anyone who supervises those who drive commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to complete 120 minutes of reasonable suspicion training. This is included in Title 49 §382.603 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The training includes 60 minutes covering signs of alcohol use and 60 minutes about the indications of controlled substance use. Without completing this necessary course, supervisors are not qualified to order testing of employees when they are displaying signs of intoxication on the job. This not only puts your motor carrier at risk of large fines. It also endangers your drivers and others on the road. 

Specific Requirements for Alcohol Testing

For controlled substances, withdrawal symptoms are valid for reasonable suspicion. However, this is not the case for alcohol. This is because alcohol use is acceptable for drivers so long as it is not in their system while operating a CMV. Comparatively, controlled substance use is strictly prohibited under all circumstances. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms do not indicate that the driver was using alcohol while performing safety-sensitive functions.  As a result, they cannot be used to justify testing. Supervisors must also order alcohol testing just before the start of duty, during the time the driver is on duty, or just after they go off duty. 

Comprehensive training for Your Supervisors

HDS Safety Services offers reasonable suspicion training both online and in-person. After completing this course, your supervisors will be certified by the DOT in Supervisor Reasonable Suspicion. Additionally, we offer other types of compliance training for supervisors and drivers. 

To learn more or to enroll in our reasonable suspicion training, contact us today.

Highway safety is important and with so many semi-trucks in operation, motor carriers play a significant role in keeping our nation’s roads safe. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates this industry. One of the ways they track metrics for trucking companies is with their Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) program. Carriers are assigned a percentile rank based on performance and these ranks are known as CSA scores. Understanding what this number means and how you can improve it is important to keep your company safe and compliant.

What is a Good CSA Score?

CSA scores represent a percentage value from 0 to 100. Lower scores are best. The score includes different categories and each category has a different intervention threshold set by the FMCSA.

How Can I Check My CSA Score?

Motor carriers can check their CSA scores on the FMCSA website. You will need your United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) number and PIN to log in. These scores are updated monthly so your company can monitor trends and take corrective action as needed. If your score rises above a certain point, the FMCSA may also send a warning letter.

Final CSA scores are not available to the public. However, percentiles for certain categories are available and anyone can look these up by company name or USDOT number.

What are the Seven CSA BASICs?

CSA scores are broken down into seven categories, which are called Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs). Each BASIC has its own individual percentile rank and also contributes to the final score.

The seven BASICs are:

Unsafe Driving

This BASIC score increases for violations related to careless or dangerous driving. This can include texting, speeding, improper lane change, driver inattention, and more.

Crash Indicator

A motor carrier’s Crash Indicator is one of the BASICs that is only visible when logged into the CSA website. This score is based on crash involvement and both severity and frequency are factors.

HOS Compliance

Commercial drivers must comply with hours of service (HOS) requirements. These are designed to reduce driver fatigue and lower the risk of crashes. HOS violations raise the CSA score for this BASIC.

Vehicle Maintenance

Trucking companies need to properly maintain their commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to help prevent crashes. Any violations at roadside inspections can increase the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC.

Controlled Substances/Alcohol

Operating a commercial vehicle while impaired is a serious safety violation and is against the law. If one of your drivers fails a roadside alcohol or drug test, it will affect this BASIC.

Hazardous Materials Compliance

There are many different regulations for transporting hazardous materials (hazmat). Violating any of these can result in an increase of the Hazardous Materials Compliance BASIC.

Driver Fitness

Motor carriers must ensure that their drivers are qualified to operate a CMV. If a driver doesn’t have a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) or is medically unqualified, it will affect the company’s Driver Fitness score.

How Can You Improve Your CSA Score?

Your motor carrier should have proper safety protocols in place and follow these at all times to keep your CSA score low. If your CSA score is beginning to rise, you should consider which BASIC is affected. This will determine which actions you should take. Working with a safety consulting company can also be beneficial. HDS Safety Services can help you improve your fleet’s safety and can provide training, file management, drug testing, and more.

Contact us today to discuss how we can help you lower your fleet’s CSA score.

As the owner of a trucking company, it is your job to make sure that your truck drivers are meeting all safety requirements that are mandated by state and federal authorities. One of the most important aspects of trucking safety is going through a DOT compliance checklist. A company offering drug testing near Tucson can provide you with important assistance during your DOT compliance checkup. Read on for essential information about the DOT compliance checklist for truck driving companies.

CDL Compliance

One of the most important parts of the DOT compliance checklist is the CDL compliance portion. All truck drivers must have valid CDLs in order to legally operate commercial vehicles. As the owner of a truck driving company, you will need to keep records of all of the CDL qualifications of your drivers. In addition, you will also need to make sure that your driver’s service hours are documented.

Drug and Alcohol Compliance

Along with CDL compliance, the DOT compliance checklist also contains a drug and alcohol compliance portion. Drug and alcohol compliance is important for making sure that your truck drivers are not using illegal substances when they are behind the wheel. A drug testing company can provide you with pre-employment drug testing, as well as random screenings for your drivers. In addition, you will also need to ask any potential employees about whether they have had any prior issues with drug or alcohol use each year. The DOT will also require that you test at least 10 percent of your workforce for alcohol issues on an annual basis.

When you are working on a DOT compliance checklist for your trucking company, be sure to get in touch with HDS Safety and Compliance. Our highly-rated drug screening company can help you streamline the drug testing process for your employees. To set up drug and alcohol testing today, give us a call at (800) 800-7801.

Use of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Clearinghouse is mandatory beginning January 6, 2020. This means that commercial driver’s license (CDL) drivers, medical review officers, consortiums/third-party administrators (C/TPAs), and employers will be required to register with the Clearinghouse. Registration is currently open and it is important to start to familiarize yourself with the system. 

If you run a trucking company, here is some information you should know about the new FMCSA Clearinghouse:

The Purpose of the FMCSA Clearinghouse

The FMCSA and Department of Transportation (DOT) established the new Clearinghouse system to make it easier for motor carriers to get real-time information about CDL holders’ drug and alcohol program violations. This makes it harder for drivers with violations to conceal these issues from a prospective employer. It also makes it easier for motor carriers to complete proper pre-employment screening. The system includes positive test results, refusal to test, and information on whether a driver has completed a return-to-duty process after any violations. 

Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse Registration

In order to conduct queries and stay compliant once the Clearinghouse takes effect, you must be registered. You can complete registration on the Clearinghouse site. You will need a login.gov account and if you do not have one you will be prompted to register. Then, you can continue Clearinghouse registration by selecting the role “employer.” 

If you have an existing FMCSA Portal account, you can sign into it to link your company information to the new Clearinghouse login. Otherwise, you will need to enter this data manually.  

You will need to designate your C/TPA if you have one, in order to give them access to your Clearinghouse information. This is required for all owner-operators. If your C/TPA does not appear in the search results, they may not have registered for the Clearinghouse yet. 

HDS Safety Services has shared a guide to registering for the FMCSA Clearinghouse on our LinkedIn page. This gives more detailed information about the process. 

Compliance in 2020: Queries and Violations

Once the Clearinghouse mandate takes full effect in 2020, you will need to use the database during the pre-employment process for all new CDL drivers. You will also need to properly report any violations.

Limited and Full Queries

Before hiring a safety-sensitive employee, your company will need to run a search through the Clearinghouse to determine if they have had any violations. A limited query allows you to determine if a driver has any information in the Clearinghouse system. A full query will give you access to the complete records of that driver and will require their consent. Until 2023, you will need to complete a manual query as well to determine if a potential driver has any violations on record with their previous employers. 

In addition to querying the system for new drivers, you will need to search the Clearinghouse database once a year for your current safety-sensitive employees. 

Reporting Violations

Employers will be required to report any adverse drug and alcohol testing information to the FMCSA Clearinghouse. This includes positive test results, refusal to test, or other non-test violations of FMCSA regulations. You will need to report these violations within three business days of their occurrence. 

You must report “actual knowledge” violations along with complete documentation and information of any witnesses to the event. An “actual knowledge” violation is a situation where an employer is aware that a safety-sensitive employee has used alcohol or a controlled substance based on direct observation, information from a previous employer, or a traffic citation for driving under the influence. 

We Can Help with FMCSA Clearinghouse Compliance

The FMCSA Clearinghouse database will make it easier for trucking companies to ensure they are compliant with drug and alcohol testing regulations. However, it may be difficult to get familiar with this new system. At HDS Safety Services, we are here to help you stay compliant. 

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you prepare for the implementation of the FMCSA Clearinghouse.


People tend to tune out when they hear the word “compliance”, but understanding DOT compliance demands the attention of people looking to have their freight shipped by truck, as well as the owners of the trucking companies doing the shipping. DOT compliance isn’t just another government hoop to jump through: it is an important preventative measure to ensure safety on our nation’s highways. If your company isn’t compliant, it could mean serious fines and serious safety hazards!

What Is DOT Compliance, Anyway?

DOT regulations are the guidelines that ensure truckers (and other related professions) aren’t using drugs or alcohol on the job. This is the clear reason why they’re so important: can you imagine a 40-ton semi being driven down a busy highway by a drunk person? It’s not a pleasant thought. To ensure that stuff like that doesn’t happen, DOT regulations were created.

What does DOT compliance involve? Although different types of carriers have to abide by different types of regulations, they share some common guidelines like:

  • Maintaining current drug and alcohol testing programs
  • Keeping track of how long drivers are on the road
  • Driver physicals
  • Following HAZMAT regulations, if applicable
  • Proper vehicle maintenance and inspection
  • And of course, making sure your trucks are properly insured

That’s a lot of stuff to keep track of, and not having one of those things taken care of can result in pretty hefty fines. Over $33 million in penalties have been collected in 2015, and the year’s not even over yet. Individual penalties can range from hundreds of dollars to tens of thousands.

Find Out Where You Stand
If you’re not sure where you stand when it comes to your company’s DOT compliance, HDS Safety and Compliance is the company to call. We do DOT compliance for a living, so we know what to focus on so your company can stay compliant and focus on what you do best: running your business. Our auditing and complete DOT compliance consulting services can help turn you into a safer and more efficient company in no time. Don’t wait for a disaster to happen: call us at 1-800-800-7801 or contact us on the web today.

Workplace drug and alcohol testing play an important part in employee and client safety. Solid drug policy and support program is a valuable resource for your business, reducing the incidence of drug- and alcohol-related injuries or accidents while increasing the overall integrity of your company.

Improved Safety

Drug- and alcohol-related accidents can pose a serious hazard to employees, clients, and even innocent bystanders. Even if accidents are not responsible for injuries, they can cause serious product delivery delays or property damage. Regular drug and alcohol testing is an excellent way to improve the safety of your workplace for all employees, as well as driver safety records while out on the road.

Increased Productivity

Drugs and alcohol have been associated with poor employee performance and frequently skipped or missed workdays. Thus, a drug or alcohol problem can have serious consequences for your business’ productivity, hindering or even halting important daily operations. Drug and alcohol testing will reduce or address drug and alcohol abuse to keep employees on task and at work.

Positive Reputation

Regular drug and alcohol testing are important for more than simple compliance reasons. By maintaining a strict drug and alcohol program through professional testing, your company will also enjoy a more positive reputation. Addressing drug and alcohol concerns in the workplace shows your commitment to your employees and your community at large, which can play a vital role in your company’s image and encourage brand loyalty for a higher percentage of return customers.

Are you wondering how to implement a successful drug and alcohol testing program in your Tucson workplace? HDS Safety and Compliance can help you uphold your company policy and all state and federal regulations with pre-employment, post-accident, random, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing services. You can find more information about our programs and services on our website, or reach us by calling (520) 622-0419 for assistance.

Motor carriers and organizations that employ safety-sensitive workers subject to Department of Transportation rules and regulations are required to administer a variety of drug and alcohol tests, including pre-employment screenings, random testing, and post-accident/reasonable suspicious testing. HDS Safety & Compliance offers drug and alcohol testing services that are compliant with DOT rules and regulations. If you’re looking for a drug and alcohol testing service to maintain a compliant workforce, consider these reasons to partner with a DOT-compliant test provider like HDS Safety & Compliance.

Multi-Agency Compliance Requirements

There are six separate agencies that fall under the umbrella of the Department of Transportation, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), United States Coast Guard (USCG), and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). DOT-compliant drug and alcohol testing services stay up-to-date with current regulations as they pertain to each agency, ensuring that your organization meets all drug and alcohol testing requirements set forth by the particular agency or agencies to which you directly report.

Numerous Testing Programs

DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements include a number of different tests that must be administered at various points. In addition to pre-employment drug and alcohol screening, DOT testing is required following an accident, before a driver can return to duty, and at random intervals to ensure a clean and sober workforce. Partnering with a DOT-compliant drug and alcohol testing service allows you to quickly order the specific type of test you need when you need it, without having to search for different testing services that may or may not offer the testing program you need for any particular driver at any particular time.

HDS Safety & Compliance is one of the largest drug and alcohol testing consortiums in Arizona. We are current on all DOT rules and regulations and can provide expert guidance to help you implement a drug-free and DOT-compliant workplace. Call us at 1-800-800-7801 to learn more about our drug and alcohol testing services.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires motor carriers to perform drug and alcohol testing. This is essential for ensuring that drivers are able to safely operate commercial motor vehicles. Whether a company has thousands of drivers or only one owner-operator, it must have a drug and alcohol testing program in place to stay compliant and avoid large fines. A drug testing consortium is an association of multiple different companies which form one larger testing pool. This is required for owner-operators or small companies, and even larger motor carriers can benefit from partnering with a third-party for DOT compliance services.

Do You Need to Be Part of a Drug Testing Consortium?

Under federal law, all commercial drivers must undergo drug and alcohol testing at specific times before and during their employment. Motor carriers must follow strict regulations while setting up and running their testing program. Being part of a consortium is not a requirement for all trucking companies, but it can be helpful when there are so many rules to keep track of. Additionally, consortium membership is required by the DOT for owner-operators and motor carriers with fewer than 10 employees. This is because random testing is not effective for carriers of this size, so they need to combine their testing pool with other companies to achieve accurate random selection.

Random Drug Testing

To understand how a drug testing consortium works, it’s helpful to understand how random testing works overall. The DOT requires carriers to select a minimum percentage of drivers each year for drug and alcohol screening. This can be increased or decreased based on the number of violations in the industry. It is necessary to use a “scientifically valid method” for selection so that each driver in the pool has an equal chance of being selected.

If a company is part of a consortium, their drivers are included in a larger pool for random selection. The percentage requirement applies to the pool as a whole, not to the individual companies that are included. This means that as long as the consortium follows all regulations for scientifically valid random selection and minimum percentages, each company is compliant with the random testing rule.

Benefits of Joining a Drug Testing Consortium

Even for companies that are not required to fulfill their drug testing requirement through a consortium, there are many benefits to membership.

These include:

  • A consortium/third-party administrator will have knowledge of DOT compliance and will keep your company up-to-date with the latest changes.
  • Your consortium can help you find a testing site for selected drivers no matter where they are in the country when they are selected.
  • You can reduce your company’s administrative burden while still remaining compliant.

One of the Largest Consortiums in Arizona

HDS Safety Services operates one of the largest random drug testing consortiums in the State of Arizona. We also offer non-DOT testing and can manage every aspect of your testing program. Additionally, our compliance services extend beyond drug and alcohol screening and include electronic logging device (ELD) audits, driver qualification file management, and training.

To learn more about joining our drug testing consortium, contact us today.

 

The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) require DOT physicals for safety-sensitive transportation employees. These medical exams ensure truck drivers are in good health and can safely operate a commercial vehicle. Motor carriers must keep up-to-date records of their drivers’ DOT physical exams and test results. 

It is important to understand what DOT physicals are, why they are necessary, and how trucking companies can maintain proper records. 

What Are DOT Physicals?

A DOT physical is a medical exam that determines if a commercial driver is healthy enough to perform their job duties safely. Drivers will need to complete an exam before the start of their employment in the trucking industry. Additional exams must be performed every 24 months. When the driver has a health condition that requires regular monitoring, a DOT medical examiner may require more frequent physicals. For example, this may apply to drivers with high blood pressure, insulin-controlled diabetes, or a variety of other conditions.

The physical includes vision and hearing tests, a blood pressure and pulse rate check, a urinalysis to check for underlying conditions, and a full physical examination. The certified medical examiner will consider the driver’s general appearance and overall health. They will also examine the eyes, ears, lungs and chest, heart, spine, extremities, and other areas of the body to ensure that the driver’s health is up to FMCSA standards. 

After the DOT physical examination, the provider will fill out several forms that the driver and their employer will need to keep on record. As an employer, these forms must be stored according to DOT regulations. At HDS, we can streamline your DOT paperwork and securely store your files electronically. 

Why Are DOT Physicals Necessary?

The FMCSA and DOT outline clear regulations for motor carriers to help ensure that those traveling on our nation’s roadways are as safe as possible. DOT physicals are an important aspect of trucking safety. They protect not only the drivers themselves, but also others on the road. 

How Can Trucking Companies Stay Compliant?

Motor carriers are required to keep driver qualification files. This is necessary when you first hire a new driver. You will also need to add updates, including copies of their most recent DOT physical results. If you do not have records for these medical exams, your company may be subject to fines if you are audited by the DOT. 

HDS Safety Services

WE Audit and Manage DOT Physical Records

At HDS Safety Services, we offer driver qualification file management. We organize files and track expiration dates for DOT physicals, driver’s licenses, annual reviews, and more. This makes it easy for you to stay up-to-date with renewing and updating your files. We update you weekly so you know you are compliant and prepared in the case of an audit. In the event that you do get audited, this will streamline the process. 

Contact us today to learn more about our services to manage, organize, and audit your DOT physicals and other driver qualification files.

In 1991, the United States Congress passed the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act. This established drug and alcohol testing guidelines for companies and agencies that the Department of Transportation (DOT) governs. It is important for all motor carriers to follow DOT and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines in order to stay compliant and to keep employees and others on the road safe.

Here is what you should know about DOT-required testing:

What is a Safety-Sensitive Employee?

The DOT and FMCSA require certain types of drug and alcohol testing for safety-sensitive employees. These are individuals who have jobs that can impact their own safety as well as the safety of the larger public. For motor carriers, this includes anyone who operates a commercial vehicle. An employee is designated as safety-sensitive based on the tasks they perform rather than based on their job title.

Prohibited Conduct for Alcohol

FMCSA regulations outline alcohol violations for safety-sensitive employees. Subpart B of Part 383 of federal transportation regulations lists types of prohibited conduct.

These include:

Having an Alcohol Concentration Over 0.02

Safety-sensitive employees may not report for duty if they have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.02 or higher.

Refusal of Alcohol Testing

Refusing to submit to an alcohol test or controlled substance test is a form of prohibited conduct.

How a DOT Alcohol Test Works

A Screening Test Technician (STT) or a Blood Alcohol Technician (BAT) conducts DOT alcohol tests using an Evidential Breath Testing (EBT) device, more commonly known as a breathalyzer. The STT or BAT establishes a private area for employee testing and will show each employee their results. If their BAC is above a 0.02, then it is considered a positive test result. In this case, the STT or BAT must perform a second test in 15-30 minutes to rule out a false positive. Any employee with a positive alcohol test result will need to cease safety-sensitive functions for 24 hours. They will also need to complete the return-to-duty process.

DOT-Required Alcohol Testing

DOT regulations for when to test for alcohol use are very similar to their guidelines for drug testing. The main difference is pre-employment testing. Whereas drug testing is always necessary before the start of employment, the DOT does not require pre-employment alcohol tests. However, motor carriers may choose to test for alcohol use during the pre-employment process.

The DOT and FMCSA require alcohol tests at the following times: 

Reasonable Suspicion

If a supervisor sees indications of alcohol use by a safety-sensitive employee, then they may initiate reasonable suspicion testing. A supervisor must undergo two hours of training in order to identify these signs of drug use or alcohol abuse by their employees.

Random Alcohol Testing

Motor carriers must perform random drug and alcohol tests. Companies must use a truly random process to meet DOT requirements and employees must be informed just before testing, leaving only enough time to stop safety-sensitive functions and report to the testing location.

Post-Accident Testing

After an accident while on duty, drivers must submit to drug and alcohol testing.

Return-to-Duty

Following a drug or alcohol violation, employees will need to complete the return-to-duty process to resume safety-sensitive tasks.

Follow-Up Tests

After a violation, a substance abuse professional (SAP) will determine a schedule for follow-up drug or alcohol tests. This can include additional tests beyond what is necessary for the return-to-duty process.

We Can Help You Stay Compliant With alcohol Testing

A DOT-compliant drug and alcohol testing program is essential for any motor carrier. HDS Safety Services operates one of the largest random testing consortiums in Arizona. We can help ensure that you are compliant with all DOT and FMCSA regulations.

Contact us today to learn more about our drug and alcohol testing services.