Workplace Safety Screening

The Comprehensive Guide to Workplace Safety Screening

In today’s fast-paced business environment, maintaining a safe workplace is paramount. Not only does it contribute to the well-being of employees, but it also significantly impacts productivity and company reputation. Workplace safety screening plays a crucial role in this regard, helping employers to hire the right candidates and ensure ongoing compliance with regulations. This comprehensive blog post explores the ins and outs of workplace safety screening, with a special focus on the trucking industry as well as non-dot industries.

Hiring Right

For employers and human resources in the trucking and non dot industry, hiring the right candidate goes beyond assessing driving skills and experience. It involves conducting thorough background checks and drug testing to ensure potential hires do not pose a risk to safety. Workplace safety screening is the first step toward building a reliable and safe workforce.

What Our Customers Say about Us

John L gave us a 5 star google rating and said, From the beginning, Brenda has been a wealth of knowledge and has been very patient explaining aspect of the DOT random drug testing program. I called multiple times to clarify our responsibility and what WSI could do to help and Brenda has been cheerful and eager to help us get started. Phil the CEO of the company also provided guidance and was knowledge and was very pleasant throughout. I’m glad to have found WSI, this is truly a customer first company.

For more 5 star reviews: https://workplacescreening.com/testimonials/

Need to order a drug screen or other employee screening service today?  Contact our knowledgeable support staff at 844-573-8378 or press on link to order now: https://workplacescreening.com/order-here/

Employee Drug Testing

Employee drug testing is a critical component of the hiring process and ongoing employment. It helps in identifying drug use that can impair an employee’s ability to perform their duties safely, especially in safety-sensitive positions such as driving commercial vehicles.

Regulated Drug Test vs. NON Regulated Drug Test

The difference between regulated drug test (DOT) and non-regulated drug test regulated (NON DOT)  is significant. DOT tests are federally mandated for safety-sensitive employees in the transportation industry and follow strict testing guidelines set by the Department of Transportation. In contrast, NON-DOT tests are not federally regulated and can be customized by the employer.

5 Panel vs. 10 Panel Drug Test

Drug testing typically involves analyzing specimens for the presence of drugs. A 5-panel drug test screens for five common types of drugs, including amphetamines, THC, cocaine, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP). A 10-panel drug test expands this list to include benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methadone, propoxyphene, and Quaaludes or methaqualone.

DOT Drug Screen

A DOT drug screen is specific to the Department of Transportation regulations and is required for employees in safety-sensitive positions. This includes drivers who operate commercial vehicles. The DOT drug screen is designed to ensure these individuals do not use drugs that could impair their ability to drive safely. You need a DOT drug test if you drive any of these vehicles:

1. Drive a vehicle greater than 26,001 pounds.
2. Drive a vehicle that has the ability to carry 15 passengers.
3. Drive a vehicle that has a hazardous material placard.

Alternate Drug Screens

Aside from the standard urine tests, there are alternate forms of drug screens, including POCT non DOT, and non-dot hair follicle tests. These methods offer employers options in terms of testing for substance abuse.

• POCT Non DOT: Point of Collection Testing (POCT) for non-DOT purposes allows for instant drug testing and results, which can be particularly useful for pre-employment screenings.
• Non DOT Hair Follicle Test: Hair follicle testing can detect drug use over a longer period compared to urine tests. While not regulated by DOT, it is an option for employers seeking a comprehensive understanding of a candidate’s drug use history of up to 90 days.
• Oral Fluid Drug Test: Oral Fluid drug test are gaining popularity due to a dignified observed collection and thwarts cheating.

Instant Drug Screens

Instant drug screens provide immediate results and are valuable in making quick employment decisions. However, while they offer convenience, they may not be as accurate as laboratory tests and often require a confirmatory lab test for non-negative results.

Drug Testing Places Near Me

If you are looking for a drug test places near me or a dot drug screen near me, you have come to the right place.  We have 20,000 plus electronically enabled drug screen collection sites near your workplace or your employee/applicant’s home.  Want to see a list of drug screen sites near me?  Press on link and enter city and state or zip code.  For instance if you want an Orlando, FL Drug test, enter city and state or zip code in the search bar. https://workplacescreening.com/locations/

Need to order a drug screen or other employee screening service today?  Contact our knowledgeable support staff at 844-573-8378 or press on link to order now: https://workplacescreening.com/order-here/

Medical Review Officer

A Medical Review Officer (MRO) plays a vital role in the drug testing process. They are responsible for reviewing and interpreting confirmed positive, adulterated, substituted, and invalid drug test results. Having a knowledgeable Medical Review Officer is crucial for ensuring the integrity of the drug testing process and for maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. The Medical Review Office also is responsible for the non contact positive and safety sensitive letters.

FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

The FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse plays a vital role in enhancing safety protocols within the trucking sector. This secure digital database enables employers, the FMCSA, State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs), and law enforcement officers to instantly obtain information regarding drug and alcohol infractions by holders of commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and commercial learner’s permits (CLP). By facilitating access to these records, the Clearinghouse ensures that drivers in breach of federal drug and alcohol rules are temporarily relieved from their roles that are critical to safety until they have successfully gone through the mandatory return-to-duty process.

Employers must do the following to be compliant with the FMCSA Clearinghouse Mandate:

1. Write a FMCSA Clearinghouse addendum to their DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy.
   1. Educate employees and supervisors on rights and responsibilities of the Clearinghouse FMCSA.
   1. Query all new hires to the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
   1. Query each driver annually to the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
   1. Must report all positive alcohols to the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
   1. Must document and report all Collection Site Refusals to the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
   1. Must document and report all Known Drug or Alcohol use to the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
   1. Must report all Return to Duty Drug Test to the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
   1. Must report all Follow-up Drug test completion to the FMCSA Clearinghouse.
   1. Medical Review Officers report all positive drug screens to the FMCSA Clearinghouse.

Employers may choose to appoint a CTPA, like Workplace Screening Intelligence, to perform some or all of the querying, documentation and reporting to the FMCSA Clearinghouse. For more information on our FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse program, contact our knowledgeable support staff at 844-573-8378 or press on link for more information: https://workplacescreening.com/fmcsa-chs/

Is the FMCSA Clearinghouse Mandatory?

Yes, the FMCSA Clearinghouse is mandatory for all employers of CDL drivers operating commercial motor vehicles on public roads, and for all FMCSA drivers required to undergo DOT drug and alcohol testing. Employers must query the Clearinghouse for current and prospective employees’ drug and alcohol violations before permitting them to operate a CMV on public roads.

Physical

DOT Physical

A DOT physical is a health examination mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for commercial vehicle drivers. The purpose of the physical is to determine if a driver is fit enough to safely operate a commercial vehicle. This includes an assessment of the driver’s medical history, vision, hearing, and overall physical ability. DOT physicals must be repeated every two years for healthy individuals.  For less healthier individuals, a physical may be repeated 90-365 days.

NON DOT Physical

A non-DOT physical refers to health examinations not regulated by any federal guidelines but required by an employer. These exams are tailored to the job’s physical requirements and are designed to ensure that an employee is medically capable of performing their job safely. Some popular physicals are:

• Audiogram (Annual) – for current employees

Not so Frequently Asked Questions

Dilute Specimen Meaning

A dilute specimen refers to a urine sample with a higher than average water content. It raises concerns about the sample’s concentration, potentially masking drug use. It may also be a sign of an individual that intakes more liquid than the average individuals.   Employers need to understand the implications of dilute samples and how they should proceed in such cases.

Do Owner Operators Get Drug Tested?

Yes, owner-operators are subject to the same drug and alcohol testing requirements as employed drivers. This includes pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing. They need to be in a DOT consortium in order to be complaint with the FMCSA mandates.

Can a DOT driver have a non-dot drug test?

Yes, a DOT (Department of Transportation) driver can receive a non-DOT drug or alcohol test, depending on the circumstances and who is requiring the test. While DOT regulations set stringent testing requirements for safety-sensitive employees, including drivers, employers may also have their own workplace drug and alcohol policies that are separate from, and possibly more comprehensive than, DOT mandates. These internal policies may require non-DOT tests for situations not covered by DOT regulations, such as pre-employment screening not mandated by the DOT, or for employees in non-safety-sensitive positions within the same company. However, it’s crucial to note that if a safety-sensitive employee, like a DOT-regulated driver, is tested for drugs or alcohol, any test conducted for reasons falling under DOT regulations must adhere to DOT testing procedures and cannot be replaced by a non-DOT test. Some examples of a dot driver receiving a non-dot drug test:

• Company policy of a pre-employment hair follicle test and a dot drug test at hire.
• Company policy of always test a post-accident drug screen even when they don’t meet the FMCSA’s guidance for post-accident drug testing.

Conclusion

Workplace safety screening, including comprehensive drug and alcohol testing and rigorous physical exams, is essential for maintaining a safe working environment, particularly in industries with safety-sensitive positions. By understanding the intricacies of both DOT and non-DOT regulations, employers can ensure they stay compliant while fostering a culture of safety and responsibility among their employees. Workplace Screening Intelligence has over 30 years of experience, our technology and expertise offer employers peace of mind in navigating the complex landscape of workplace safety screening, pre-employment hair follicle test,  post-accident drug test and navigating the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

What Our Customers Say about Us

John L gave us a 5 star google rating and said, From the beginning, Brenda has been a wealth of knowledge and has been very patient explaining aspect of the DOT random drug testing program. I called multiple times to clarify our responsibility and what WSI could do to help and Brenda has been cheerful and eager to help us get started. Phil the CEO of the company also provided guidance and was knowledge and was very pleasant throughout. I’m glad to have found WSI, this is truly a customer first company.

For more 5 star reviews: https://workplacescreening.com/testimonials/

Need to order a drug screen or other employee screening service today?  Contact our knowledgeable support staff at 844-573-8378 or press on link to order now: https://workplacescreening.com/order-here/