Do You Get A Second Chance If And When You Fail The Drug And Alcohol Testing Program?
Well, technically yes. You do get a second chance but not to deposit the sample. You get a second chance to get the same sample tested again and this time with more care and diligence from the lab or the personnel at work. You may request a retest within 72 hours of receiving a positive test result after consulting with your MRO. You see, DOT drug and alcohol testing rely heavily on urine samples. The tests performed are carried on split samples. Only one of the samples gets tested and the other is what they call a “backup.” This is saved for confirmation or in case you choose to demand another test. The law will let you have your second urine sample tested by a different lab that is approved to assist in the provision of DOT compliance services.
The procedure is rather simple. The Medical Review Officer assigned to you will contact you if both the tests come back positive. In such cases, an individual may present evidence that they have been or had been taking medication prescribed by a physician. This is considered reason enough for the test coming out as positive and the MRO will do the rest from thereon. He will confirm the same to the authorities and establish that those medicines you are taking are known to create positive readings.
What Are The Consequences Of Testing Positive On A Random DOT Drug And Alcohol Test?
There are individuals who test positive for drugs and substances such as marijuana, cocaine, opiates or PCP and amphetamines. This will lead to immediate suspension. Same happens when a saliva/breath alcohol test detects there is alcohol present. You may test positive if the breath alcohol level is 0.4 or more. You will be barred from returning to work especially in a safety-sensitive position. Nobody working in the transportation industry will be willing to take you in until you fulfill the DOT "return-to-work" requirements. This means you will have to go through the following and not waver in any one of them:
As An Employee Who Has Failed On The Drug Test Would You Be Prevented From Working Immediately?
When your employee fails a drug test, you as the employer are responsible for and obligated to remove them from any safety-sensitive positions/functions. They should not be allowed to handle any such jobs as defined by the DOT. The employers need not wait for a written test review or a direction issued by the DOT or any other directives by the medical review officer or any other test results to remove the employee from duty. Federal law directs the employers to remove the employee from the safety-sensitive duties right away. They can however still continue to do jobs that are considered safe for someone who has tested positive for drug use, i.e. jobs not safety-sensitive by nature.
In case you have failed the DOT drug and alcohol testing program or have not done satisfactorily in the DOT physical exam and are afraid that your test results might come out positive, don’t be alarmed. Visit DOT Compliance Group for more insights today. You can get more information on all kinds of DOT compliance drug testing methods, and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations and much more.