Safety is the most important thing at work and this is the reason why it is essential that your transportation company complies with the regulation imposed by the DOT. An employee that puts his colleagues or other people in danger because of his drug consumption is a risk that no company should take. This is the reason why a drug testing program for DOT is required for every company that has employees working in safety sensitive situations. However, the employer must be careful to impose legal DOT drug testing procedures.
Workplace testing for drug consumption is something common nowadays. They are meant to predict the ability of the employee to do his job without being a potential danger for him and for the others. And these tests can become stringent in industries such as transportation. Drivers are involved in safety sensitive duties and they are responsible for the security of those around them. Imagine only what a disaster would be if a petroleum transporting tanker is involved in a traffic accident. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has imposed some serious regulations on this matter, since drug related accidents are a serious concern.
Every transportation company should implement a drug testing program for DOT that follows all legal requirements. This means that the employers must keep an eye on their workers if they are going to carry a job that requires maximum responsibility and attention. However, the procedure cannot be done in any way and at any time. Not managing all legal regulations can cost you more than a fine if it turns out that you are conducting an illegal drug testing policy. Your employees can easily sue you and you might end up losing your company and paying a lot of money in compensation.
A DOT drug testing will consist of examining a simple urine sample in order to determine if there are any signs of drug use. It can be performed randomly, if the employer decides to have such a policy or it can be done when different suspicions are being raised. It is also required that the DOT drug testing should be done before hiring an employee that is going to perform safety sensitive duties. Another case when drug testing is necessary is after a driver has been involved in an accident.
Be careful when choosing your testing policy because too much testing over your employees can get you in trouble for violating their privacy. Another thing you should keep in mind is that finding a certified lab to work with is essential in this matter. Furthermore, do not forget that confidentiality is extremely important and if the results turn out to be positive, try to be consistent with your decisions and deal with all the workers in the same way.
An accepted drug testing program for DOT must meet all legal requirements imposed by federal agencies. If you want to guarantee a safe working environment, then DOT drug testing is a procedure that can help you screen potential problem employees.