Work Place Drug Testing
What is Drug Testing?
Drug testing is one way you can protect your workplace from the negative effects of alcohol and other drug abuse. A drug testing program can deter people from coming to work unfit for duty and also discourage alcohol and other drug abusers from joining your organization in the first place.
When considering a drug testing program, the first question to ask is, “Am I required to drug test some or all of my employees?” If not, then ask, “Are there other reasons I should consider drug testing? Below are some of the most frequent reasons employers give for having a drug testing program.
• To comply with Federal regulation, e.g. the Department of Transportation, etc
• To comply with customer or contract requirements
• To comply with insurance carrier requirements
• To match other employers efforts to have a drug free environment
• To minimize the chance of hiring employees who may be users or abusers
• To reinforce the company position on “no drug use”
• To identify current users and abusers and refer them for assistance
• To establish grounds for discipline or firing
• To improve safety
• To convince “casual users” that the cost of using is too high
• To deter “recreational” drug use that could lead to addiction
• To reduce the costs of alcohol and other drug abuse in the workplace
• To give recovering users another reason to stay sober
When Should You Drug Test?
Pre-Employment Tests
To decrease the chance of hiring someone who is currently using or abusing drugs.
Random Tests
To discourage use and abuse by making testing unpredictable, and to identify current users and abusers so they can be refered for assistance and / or disciplinary action if needed.
Reasonable Suspicion and For Cause Test
Testing employees who show obvious signs of being unfit for duty (For Cause) or have documented patterns of unsafe work behavior (Reasonable Suspicion).
To protect the safety and well-being of the employee and other coworkers and to provide the opportunity for rehabilitation if the employee tests positive.
Post-Accident Tests
Testing employees who are involved in an accident to help determine whether alcohol or other drug use was a factor.
.O.T Consortium Services
Northern Drug Screening, Inc. can assist you to meet the needs of a random selection program. Our consortium services help companies nationwide stay compliant with DOT rules and regulations. We work with all laboratories and other service agents. With so many options available we are confident we can find you and your business the right consortium.
How consortium pools work?
After your business is set up with a consortium pool, your list of employees are entered into a pool with other companies. Once a quarter a random list is generated by a computer program. It is up to your discretion on when to send your employee in to a clinic for testing. When you give your employee notification they must immediately proceed to the clinic for drug testing. The clinic will then collect a urine sample and send it to the appropriate laboratory for testing. Once the lab tests the urine and results are obtained, the results are sent to the Medical Review Officer (MRO). After the MRO reviews the results, they then release the results to the employer either by fax, e-mail or mail.
After every random draw the employee names will be entered into the pool again. Because it is a random computer program, your employees could be picked multiple times a year. A quarterly and annual report will be sent to you for statistical and audit purposes.
D.O.T. Physicals
Department of Transportation Physicals
D.O.T. physical examinations are health physicals required of commercial motor vehicle drivers. D.O.T. regulations state any “Medical Examiner” can conduct D.O.T. physicals. The term “Medical Examiner” includes Chiropractors (DC), Nurse Practictioners (APN), Physician Assistants (PA), Doctors of Osteopathy (DO) and Doctors of Medicine (MD). The D.O.T. physical exam is valid for up to 2 years. The Medical Examiner may also issue a Medical Examiners certificate for LESS than 2 years when it is desirable to monitor a condition, such as high blood pressure or other conditions. The Medical Examiner will furnish a copy of the results (long form), plus a Medical Examiners certificate (DOT health card) to the person who was examined the same day. The driver is required to carry this card with them while driving a commercial vehicle. The government is now requiring all CDL holders to submit their health card along with a self certification form to the state in which their drivers license is from. It is recommended that each person bring their forms to a DMV office and have it processed there instead of mailing or faxing the forms.
Cost for a D.O.T. physical is $59.95.