Post-Accident Drug Testing

June 26, 2014 Alcohol Testing, Drug Testing, Drug-free Workplace, UncategorizedAdam BellLeave a comment

Post-Accident Drug Testing is performed after an employee is involved in an accident of some kind. Non-DOT employers may require employees to submit to post-accident drug tests as are stipulated by their drug testing policy. Employees that are regulated by the Department of Transportation are required to submit to a DOT Post-Accident urine drug and/or breath alcohol tests under certain circumstances. The following are the requirements as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

FMCSA Post Accident Tree

Under DOT regulations the alcohol test should be conducted within two hours and the drug test should be conducted within 32 hours of the accident. If the alcohol test is not conducted within two hours, the employer should continue to make an effort to have the driver tested for up to eight hours. If a drug test is not conducted within 32 hours of the accident, the employer shall cease any attempt to administer a drug test. If either test is not performed in the allotted timeframe the employer should prepare and maintain a record on file stating why the test was not administered within the allotted timeframe.

For more information on why post-accident drug testing is important and how it can help your business please feel free to contact us.

An Innocent Drink?

January 10, 2014 Alcohol Education, Alcohol Testing, Drug-free WorkplaceAdam BellLeave a comment

Many people are able to have just “an innocent drink”, consuming alcohol in social situations and continuing their day to day life without their alcohol use causing damage to themselves or those around them. On the other hand, some people are NOT able to control their alcohol consumption. For these individuals, what was once “an innocent drink” becomes a chain that rules their life. Recent data from the National Institutes of Health reports that 15% of the people living in the United States are considered “problem drinkers”. Another study found that approximately 30% of people in the U.S. report experiencing an alcohol disorder at one point in their lifetime. Researchers from the University of California in San Diego have found that the lifetime risk of alcohol-use disorders for men is greater than 20%. They share that there is a risk of around 15% for alcohol abuse and 10% risk for alcohol dependence. Some employees and employers believe drinking after working hours will not result in negative job performance, however, over-consumption may cause lingering effects while at work. Whether they are aware of it or not, the effects of alcohol may still be in their system, which is why Alcohol Testing is an essential tool.

Individuals metabolize alcohol differently so it is impossible to say what effects having a certain number of drinks has on a person. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is used as a guide as to what affects alcohol may have on behavior. Alcohol takes an effect on the brain within five minutes of being consumed. The BAC peaks about 30-45 minutes after a drink is consumed. Rapid consumption of multiple drinks results in higher BAC because the average body can only break down one standard drink per hour.

The more you drink daily, the more likely you are to develop alcohol withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. Physical withdrawal symptoms from alcohol can begin as early as 2 hours after the last drink. These symptoms usually worsen within 48 – 72 hours and may persist for weeks. Withdrawal symptoms occur because long-time alcohol abuse causes adaptations in the brain whereby the brain and central nervous system become physiologically changed to become dependent on alcohol. Once this physiological dependence occurs, a sudden drop in blood-alcohol levels can cause the central nervous system to enter a hyper-excitable state, which causes a number of physical symptoms – some of them potentially deadly. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can range from mild anxiety and shakiness to severe complications, such as seizures and delirium tremens (also called DTs). The death rate from DTs — which are characterized by confusion, rapid heartbeat, and fever — is estimated to range from 1% to 5%.

Our facility has provided Alcohol Testing services for over 10 years. We have assisted many companies in determining alcohol issues in their employees and referred them for treatment and/or counseling to a qualified professional. Call us if you need personal assistance to help you select the type of alcohol test that would best accommodate your needs. We offer several options for you to choose from, including instant breath alcohol testing kits, which allow you to administer the breath alcohol test conveniently by yourself on an employee or loved one. You may also have the test conducted at our facility without an appointment between the hours of 8am – 5pm on Monday – Friday. We provide breath alcohol tests that conform with DOT’s (Department of Transportation) stringent regulations. All of our testing is focused on maintaining the highest level of integrity as we are an Accredited Collection Facility by the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA).

Are your supervisors trained?

October 16, 2013 Alcohol Testing, Drug Testing, Drug-free Workplace, Training ProgramsAdam BellLeave a comment

According to the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “Of the 17.2 million illicit drug users aged 18 or older in 2005, 12.9 million (74.8 percent) were employed either full or part time.” OSHA also states that 10-20 percent of work related fatalities test positive for drugs or alcohol.

According to the United States Department of Labor, in 1984, CSX Transportation implemented Operation Redblock, a way of tackling the issue. The program’s 4000 volunteers are trained to confront substance abusers, and if appropriate, refer them to the company’s EAP, or employee assistance program. Since 1990, less than one percent of the drug tests administered to safety-sensitive employees have been positive.

It is obvious training makes a difference. That is why the Department of Transportation (DOT) currently requires their supervisors to obtain a certain amount of hours of training for alcohol and drug use in the workplace. This training not only ensures workplace safety, but also protects the public.

In a training program supervisors will learn how to make correct decisions, maintain adequate documentation, and learn the appropriate steps to perform when an issue is suspected. MedScreens, Inc. offers a reasonable suspicion course that will prepare your supervisors for discerning when a reasonable suspicion test would be appropriate, ensure your compliance with established regulations and decrease your company’s liability.