Do you operate a commercial vehicle in the United States? You should be aware of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSA) and their drug testing requirements. This blog post will discuss what you need to know about FMCSA random drug testing.
What Is an FMCSA Random Drug Test
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations are designed to promote safety on the roads. The FMCSA requires trucking companies to have a random drug testing program. But what is an FMCSA random drug test, and why does your company need one?
An FMCSA random drug test is simply a test conducted on workers who drive trucks that weigh over 26000 pounds or carry hazardous material, or buses that carry more than 16 passengers including the driver. If there are 100 drivers the company must complete at least 50 tests per year through out the year. Since the initiation of drug testing in 1989 the rate of fatalities in drivers has gone down like a rock in water. An 80 percent fall in death rate for commercial drivers.
Selection Process Work for Choosing Who Will Be Tested
Companies can use a only a valid random number generating processes when it comes to random drug testing. All workers must have an equal chance of being tested every testing period.
What Substances Are Tested For?
The US Federal government has specific drugs that must be tested for. These include THC marijauana, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Methamphetamine, Esctasy, Opioids including Morphine, Codeine, Heroine, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, PCP.
What Happens If an Employee Tests Positive for Drugs?
If an employee tests positive for drugs, they will be subject be taken off the covered job. The worker fwill be referred to a S;ubstance Abuse Professional for evaluation and to write a return to duty letter. It is that letter and a clean test that allows the worker to return to work. Each test is evaluated by a Medical Doctor who has been trained to talk to workers with non negative tests. If the worker has a prescription medication the worker will have his test reported as negative. Issues of fitness for duty such as taking a narcotic while driving a large commercial vehicle and the doctor can notify the company that the driver is taking such a substance. .
Why Choose A Testing Service?
There are many reasons to choose an independent drug testing service for FMCSA random drug tests. An independent drug testing service does the management of the antidrug program to meet federal requirements, finds collection site, provides doctors to evaluate non negative tests, and provides documentation that the company has meet federal requirements in case of an audit. .
