Now, more than ever, clearly defined policies and procedures are critical for employers. The policy decision must consider DOT fitness for duty as well as the possible accommodations that an employer can make in these times when prescription drug abuse impacts millions of Americans from all socioeconomic, political, age, gender, and ethnicity groups.
MRO’s are adding on negative test results “safety concerns” which have confused lots of DER’s on how to handle a safety concern.
Employers, DER’S, Collectors, laboratories, OR Medical Review Officers (MRO’s) may not use “old CCF forms for DOT mandated drug test after June 30, 2018. DOT revised Federal Custody and Control Form will be the only accepted CCF for a valid DOT drug test after June 30, 2018. What is the difference?
Carriers and drivers tend to believe that Hours-of-Service (HOS) regulations are stacked against them and, in some cases, make fatigue and speeding problems worse. It takes effort for drivers and dispatchers to track hours on and off the road and appropriately schedule trips. What benefit is there to the carrier to comply with these regulations?
As one of the nation’s leading safety advocates, the National Safety Council (NSC) spotlights issues in an effort to “eliminate preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy.” The organization has identified prescription drug misuse as one of its key safety issues because of the alarming rise in addiction rates, ER visits, overdoses, and fatalities. Dr. Don Teater, Medical Advisor for the National Safety Council, has emphatically stated, “Painkillers don’t kill pain. They kill people.”
In a world this size, it is very easy to underestimate the number of harmful and highly addictive drugs that thrive on our streets, as well as drugs that are just now gaining public awareness. Each week, we'll examine harmful and/or illegal drugs of all forms, shapes, and sizes. There are some you may be familiar with, but there will likely be a surprise or two along the way. This week, we'll be looking at a small yet powerful benzodiazepine known as Rohypnol and its troubling impact on teens and young adults.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The Memorial Service began in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement. Decades later, the event, more commonly known as National Police Week, has grown to a series of events which attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to our Nation's Capital each year.
The National Peace Officers' Memorial Service, which is sponsored by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, is one in a series of events which includes the Candlelight Vigil, which is sponsored...
Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
This federal program provides secure take-back locations for anyone to turn in their unused prescription medications, no strings attached.
If you’ve identified that you have a problem with drug or alcohol abuse, made a decision to do something about it, and made a solid, specific plan of recovery, congratulations - you’ve put yourself on the path.
Honestly, both to others and to yourself, is crucial at this moment. It’s important to be honest about the process as well, which means that you know this: putting yourself on the path to recovery, though brave and commendable, does not mean your work is over. It’s called a path to recovery for a reason - you must walk down it and avoid the pitfalls that arise along the way.
Now that you’re on the path, here are some helpful things to know as you begin.
Identify, familiarize yourself, and prepare for you triggers
Throughout your journey to recovery, it’s likely you’ll face many triggers, or circumstances that tempt one into relapse. Triggers are...
When employers hire workers that are smokers, the insurance costs are higher. At DATCS, we can test your prospective employees for NICOTINE. A simple urine drug screen can tell you if you are hiring someone who uses tobacco in any form. If you have a policy to hire only those who do not use tobacco products and the prospective new hire has told you they do not use, then a simple test will make a big difference in your insurance costs. It is as simple as that.
Overview of Drug and Alcohol Rules
The United States Congress recognized the need for a drug and alcohol free transportation industry, and in 1991 passed the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act, requiring DOT agencies to implement drug and alcohol testing of safety-sensitive transportation employees. 49 CFR Part 40, or Part 40 as we call it, is a DOT-wide regulation that states how to conduct testing and how to return employees to safety-sensitive duties after they violate a DOT drug and alcohol regulation. Part 40 applies to all DOT-required testing, regardless of mode of transportation. For example, whether you are an airline employee covered by FAA rules or a trucking company driver covered by FMCSA rules, Part 40 procedures for collecting and testing specimens and reporting of test results apply to you. Each DOT Agency-specific regulation spells out who is subject to testing, whenand in what situations for a particular transportation industry.
Since the early 1990s, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration... 
