Drugs RX

Safety consultants say most fleets that run to the United States are complying with U.S. Dept. of Transportation drug and alcohol testing rules, but you couldn’t prove it by their records. So periodically check your files to make sure everything is in order. Here are four things to look for:

1. Pre-employment drug tests. You cannot allow a driver to perform any safety-sensitive function until he or she has passed a drug test. Exception: if the driver participated in a test program within the last 30 days and was either tested for drugs or was in a random testing pool in the last 12 months. Important: You must obtain detailed information regarding the program and the driver’s participation before you put that driver to work. If you can’t get it, says DOT, have him/her tested yourself.

2. Casual drivers. If you use a driver more than once a year but don’t employ that driver, you must verify participation in a testing program at least every six months. If not, you must conduct a pre-employment test before using the driver.

3. Background checks. With the driver’s consent, you must get testing information from previous employers going back two years (failed tests or refusals to be tested). You can put a driver to work before you have responses in hand, but you must be able to show that you made “every reasonable effort” to get it within 14 days. Document phone calls with date, time, the person you spoke with, and what was said. A driver may provide previous testing information, but verification is up to you.

4. Records of driver training. You must give drivers an overview of DOT test procedures, prohibitions, and consequences; information on effect of drugs and alcohol on health and work; signs of substance abuse; and a company contact if they have questions about testing. Forms certifying that drivers received this info must be in their files.