Understanding DOT Screening for Your Business
As an employer in the transportation industry, it is crucial to ensure the safety of your employees and everyone else sharing the road. One way to do this is through Workplace Screening Intelligence (WSI) DOT screening program . WSI DOT screening is a drug and alcohol testing program that is compliant with the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations and takes away the headaches of being compliant within DOT program . In this blog post, we will delve into the basics of WSI DOT screening and why it is important for your business. We will also answer some common questions about finding a DOT drug screen near you, and what to expect during a DOT physical and all the services that WSI offers to help you remain compliant with the DOT Testing and Query guidelines.
What is WSI DOT Screening and Who Needs It?
WSI DOT screening is a drug and alcohol testing program required by the DOT for all commercial drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL). This includes drivers of large trucks and buses, as well as drivers of smaller vehicles that transport hazardous materials or have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of over 26,000 pounds. Employers are responsible for ensuring their drivers undergo DOT screening and are in compliance with the federal regulations.
Need to order a service today? Contact our knowledgeable support staff today to answer questions or order a service today at 844-573-8378 or [email protected] or press on link below to order a service today Order Here
What is the FMCSA Clearinghouse?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Clearinghouse is a secure online database allowing employers to obtain important information about an employee’s drug and alcohol program violations. The Clearinghouse also ensures that a driver’s drug and alcohol testing history is available to employers before allowing them to operate a commercial vehicle on public roads. Employers must register with the Clearinghouse and conduct queries as part of the hiring process and every year for current employees. The Clearinghouse FMCSA mandates the following:
Every FMCSA Employer must perform pre-employment and annual queries on each employee
Must have an addendum to drug and alcohol testing policy that outlines the FMCSA Clearinghouse and the employer & employee responsibilities.
Employees must be trained in their rights and responsibilities
Supervisors must be trained including:
Actual knowledge of drug and alcohol use
How to document refusals and actual knowledge in the FMCSA Clearinghouse
Employees must sign a release that allows the employer to perform an annual query. The release can be for a year or the lifetime of the employment.
Do you need assistance with the FMCSA Clearinghouse mandates? Workplace Screening Intelligence has programs to take care of all the Employers Clearinghouse mandates including training materials, documentation materials and performing queries as well as addendum needed for DOT drug and Alcohol Testing policy. Contact our knowledgeable support staff today at 844-573-8378 or [email protected]
Does the FAA, FTA, PHMSA, and US Coast Guard have a DOT Clearinghouse? Not currently at this time. There is no mandate to report those positives and refusals. However, there is 8 states today who take the information from the FMCSA Clearinghouse and suspends the CDL License in states system. The other 42 will have the ability soon. This will stop drivers who have a drug and alcohol issue in the FMCSA Clearinghouse from going to drive for an FTA employer.
What is a 5 Panel Drug Test?
A 5 panel drug test is the most common type of drug test utilized in the WSI DOT screening program. This test screens for metabolites of five different drugs – amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP). The 5-panel drug test is conducted through a urine sample and analyzed through a certified laboratory. The DOT approved Oral Fluids to be allowed under the Federal Drug and Alcohol testing program. It should roll out within 2024. Steps that have to happen before include a device being approved, 2 labs being certified for oral fluid testing utilizing the same device and collectors being trained and certified under DOT Oral Fluid Testing.
Where to Find a DOT Drug Screen Near Me
There are many options for finding a DOT drug screen near you. Many medical clinics and laboratories provide DOT screening services. Also, many third-party service providers like WSI specialize in administering drug and alcohol tests for transportation companies. We have over 20,000 testing sites nation wide near your workplace or your employee’s home that can offer DOT Drug Screens, Breath Alcohol and DOT Physicals. Simple as going to Order Here or calling our knowledgeable support staff at 844-573-8378 or [email protected]
What to Expect During a DOT Physical
A DOT physical is required for all commercial drivers and must be performed by a certified medical professional. During a DOT physical, the medical professional checks the driver’s health, vision, and hearing and ensures that the driver meets the DOT’s physical standards. The medical professional also conducts a drug and alcohol test through a urine sample and checks the driver’s medical history to ensure that they are medically fit to operate a commercial vehicle. We have physicals available nationwide that can be completed today. Simple as going to Order Here or calling our knowledgeable support staff at 844-573-8378 or [email protected]
Medical Review Officer
Every drug test for the Department of Transportation must include a Medical Review Officer or MRO who reviews every positive to determine if prescription meets the guidelines to overturn the positive into a negative. They also inform the employers when an employee has a prescription that indeed was overturned to a negative due to proper prescription, however, causes a safety concern. For example, a truck driver has a legitimate prescription for oxycodone. The MRO is concerned for the safety of the driver and the public due to oxycodone use. The Safety Sensitive Letter will inform the employer how to address.
DOT Random Consortium
Every DOT Employer must have their DOT employees enrolled into a DOT Random Testing Program. Owner Operators are also mandated to be enrolled as well. You can choose to be in a Stand-alone Pool or join a consortium. Most smaller employers and owner operators choose the DOT Consortium pool as it eliminates over testing and management of the pool. If you join a consortium, be careful to make sure the TPA manages the consortium closely and hits the numbers so that the consortium is complying. If the numbers don’t reach 100% of the goal, all members of the consortium are out of compliance. At Workplace Screening Intelligence, we aggressively manage the consortium pool so all members will be in compliance.
DOT Supervisor Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training
Every Supervisor must have one hour of drug and one hour of alcohol awareness training. After a Supervisor is trained, they will have the ability to easily spot and document necessary documentation to have suspected employees tested for reasonable suspicion. Every reasonable suspicion employee eliminated or sent to a SAP program allows the employer to reduce risk for accidents, increase productivity and profitability. Workplace Screening Intelligence has an unlimited use of a Supervisor Drug and Alcohol awareness program that is very affordable.
DOT Drug and Alcohol Policy
Every DOT employer must have a DOT Drug and Alcohol testing policy. This along with Supervisor Training is two of the most important parts of a DOT testing program. The policy will spell out the rights and responsibilities of the Employer, Supervisor and Employee. It will also spell out how positives and refusals are handled. WSI offers easy and customizable DOT Drug and Alcohol testing programs that will help keep you in Compliance with DOT Mandates.
DOT screening is critical for ensuring the safety of your employees and everyone else on the road. As an employer in the transportation industry, understanding the requirements and regulations of DOT screening is crucial for compliance. Workplace Screening Intelligence can have you covered with all DOT mandates for testing. Additionally, we can help with the FMCSA Clearinghouse, locating testing sites for drug, alcohol and physical, and provide assistance with an MRO, Supervisor training and drug and alcohol testing policies. . By ensuring that your drivers are in compliance with DOT screening, you can protect your business, your employees, and the public. If you need assistance with your DOT Testing Program or need to order a service today, contact our knowledgeable support staff at 844-573-8378 or [email protected] or press on link below to order a service now: Order Here
WSI DOT Screen
Understanding DOT Screening for Your Business
As an employer in the transportation industry, it is crucial to ensure the safety of your employees and everyone else sharing the road. One way to do this is through Workplace Screening Intelligence (WSI) DOT screening program . WSI DOT screening is a drug and alcohol testing program that is compliant with the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations and takes away the headaches of being compliant within DOT program . In this blog post, we will delve into the basics of WSI DOT screening and why it is important for your business. We will also answer some common questions about finding a DOT drug screen near you, and what to expect during a DOT physical and all the services that WSI offers to help you remain compliant with the DOT Testing and Query guidelines.
What is WSI DOT Screening and Who Needs It?
WSI DOT screening is a drug and alcohol testing program required by the DOT for all commercial drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL). This includes drivers of large trucks and buses, as well as drivers of smaller vehicles that transport hazardous materials or have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of over 26,000 pounds. Employers are responsible for ensuring their drivers undergo DOT screening and are in compliance with the federal regulations.
Need to order a service today? Contact our knowledgeable support staff today to answer questions or order a service today at 844-573-8378 or [email protected] or press on link below to order a service today Order Here
What is the FMCSA Clearinghouse?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Clearinghouse is a secure online database allowing employers to obtain important information about an employee’s drug and alcohol program violations. The Clearinghouse also ensures that a driver’s drug and alcohol testing history is available to employers before allowing them to operate a commercial vehicle on public roads. Employers must register with the Clearinghouse and conduct queries as part of the hiring process and every year for current employees. The Clearinghouse FMCSA mandates the following:
Every FMCSA Employer must perform pre-employment and annual queries on each employee
Must have an addendum to drug and alcohol testing policy that outlines the FMCSA Clearinghouse and the employer & employee responsibilities.
Employees must be trained in their rights and responsibilities
Supervisors must be trained including:
Actual knowledge of drug and alcohol use
How to document refusals and actual knowledge in the FMCSA Clearinghouse
Employees must sign a release that allows the employer to perform an annual query. The release can be for a year or the lifetime of the employment.
Do you need assistance with the FMCSA Clearinghouse mandates? Workplace Screening Intelligence has programs to take care of all the Employers Clearinghouse mandates including training materials, documentation materials and performing queries as well as addendum needed for DOT drug and Alcohol Testing policy. Contact our knowledgeable support staff today at 844-573-8378 or [email protected]
Does the FAA, FTA, PHMSA, and US Coast Guard have a DOT Clearinghouse? Not currently at this time. There is no mandate to report those positives and refusals. However, there is 8 states today who take the information from the FMCSA Clearinghouse and suspends the CDL License in states system. The other 42 will have the ability soon. This will stop drivers who have a drug and alcohol issue in the FMCSA Clearinghouse from going to drive for an FTA employer.
What is a 5 Panel Drug Test?
A 5 panel drug test is the most common type of drug test utilized in the WSI DOT screening program. This test screens for metabolites of five different drugs – amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP). The 5-panel drug test is conducted through a urine sample and analyzed through a certified laboratory. The DOT approved Oral Fluids to be allowed under the Federal Drug and Alcohol testing program. It should roll out within 2024. Steps that have to happen before include a device being approved, 2 labs being certified for oral fluid testing utilizing the same device and collectors being trained and certified under DOT Oral Fluid Testing.
Where to Find a DOT Drug Screen Near Me
There are many options for finding a DOT drug screen near you. Many medical clinics and laboratories provide DOT screening services. Also, many third-party service providers like WSI specialize in administering drug and alcohol tests for transportation companies. We have over 20,000 testing sites nation wide near your workplace or your employee’s home that can offer DOT Drug Screens, Breath Alcohol and DOT Physicals. Simple as going to Order Here or calling our knowledgeable support staff at 844-573-8378 or [email protected]
What to Expect During a DOT Physical
A DOT physical is required for all commercial drivers and must be performed by a certified medical professional. During a DOT physical, the medical professional checks the driver’s health, vision, and hearing and ensures that the driver meets the DOT’s physical standards. The medical professional also conducts a drug and alcohol test through a urine sample and checks the driver’s medical history to ensure that they are medically fit to operate a commercial vehicle. We have physicals available nationwide that can be completed today. Simple as going to Order Here or calling our knowledgeable support staff at 844-573-8378 or [email protected]
Medical Review Officer
Every drug test for the Department of Transportation must include a Medical Review Officer or MRO who reviews every positive to determine if prescription meets the guidelines to overturn the positive into a negative. They also inform the employers when an employee has a prescription that indeed was overturned to a negative due to proper prescription, however, causes a safety concern. For example, a truck driver has a legitimate prescription for oxycodone. The MRO is concerned for the safety of the driver and the public due to oxycodone use. The Safety Sensitive Letter will inform the employer how to address.
DOT Random Consortium
Every DOT Employer must have their DOT employees enrolled into a DOT Random Testing Program. Owner Operators are also mandated to be enrolled as well. You can choose to be in a Stand-alone Pool or join a consortium. Most smaller employers and owner operators choose the DOT Consortium pool as it eliminates over testing and management of the pool. If you join a consortium, be careful to make sure the TPA manages the consortium closely and hits the numbers so that the consortium is complying. If the numbers don’t reach 100% of the goal, all members of the consortium are out of compliance. At Workplace Screening Intelligence, we aggressively manage the consortium pool so all members will be in compliance.
DOT Supervisor Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training
Every Supervisor must have one hour of drug and one hour of alcohol awareness training. After a Supervisor is trained, they will have the ability to easily spot and document necessary documentation to have suspected employees tested for reasonable suspicion. Every reasonable suspicion employee eliminated or sent to a SAP program allows the employer to reduce risk for accidents, increase productivity and profitability. Workplace Screening Intelligence has an unlimited use of a Supervisor Drug and Alcohol awareness program that is very affordable.
DOT Drug and Alcohol Policy
Every DOT employer must have a DOT Drug and Alcohol testing policy. This along with Supervisor Training is two of the most important parts of a DOT testing program. The policy will spell out the rights and responsibilities of the Employer, Supervisor and Employee. It will also spell out how positives and refusals are handled. WSI offers easy and customizable DOT Drug and Alcohol testing programs that will help keep you in Compliance with DOT Mandates.
DOT screening is critical for ensuring the safety of your employees and everyone else on the road. As an employer in the transportation industry, understanding the requirements and regulations of DOT screening is crucial for compliance. Workplace Screening Intelligence can have you covered with all DOT mandates for testing. Additionally, we can help with the FMCSA Clearinghouse, locating testing sites for drug, alcohol and physical, and provide assistance with an MRO, Supervisor training and drug and alcohol testing policies. . By ensuring that your drivers are in compliance with DOT screening, you can protect your business, your employees, and the public. If you need assistance with your DOT Testing Program or need to order a service today, contact our knowledgeable support staff at 844-573-8378 or [email protected] or press on link below to order a service now: Order Here