Working in the transportation industry in New Hampshire means that you have to follow strict regulations, many of which are set by the federal Department of Transportation (DOT). One of the most important is reporting for drug testing.

Our team at Fleet Drug Testing can make this process much easier for you and your company by finding convenient locations near your daily route or workplace. Whether you work in Concord or your route takes you along Interstate 193 in Manchester, we can help. Contact us today to get started.

Why Does the DOT Have Drug Testing?

It’s actually not complicated: the DOT is the main federal agency in charge of making sure that all modes of transportation are safe. This, obviously, is a huge undertaking. But one of the best ways to do this is to implement a strict drug testing program for certain employees whose job duties impact the safety of others.

These are known as “safety-sensitive” employees, and if you’re in one of these positions in New Hampshire, you will have to periodically be drug tested. While it can be stressful, you also know exactly when they’ll occur–for the most part. Here’s when you’ll be tested under DOT regulations:

• Pre-employment – Your introduction to drug testing begins before securing the job. A mandatory pre-employment drug test is a prerequisite for starting your employment.
  
  
• Random testing – Throughout the year, a portion of safety-sensitive employees will undergo unannounced drug tests. Currently, the drug testing rate is established at 50%, with alcohol testing set at 10%.
  
  
• Post-accident – After an accident involving significant vehicle damage or injury, employees involved must undergo drug testing.
  
  
• Return-to-duty – If you or another employee tested positive in a previous test, a subsequent drug test is mandatory before resuming safety-sensitive duties and returning to work.
  
  
• Reasonable suspicion – In instances where a supervisor or trained Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) suspects drug use or impairment, they can request a drug test for you or another employee.
  
  

Knowing when drug tests could happen gives you some control over the results, even though it might be stressful. Understanding the procedure is essential for your job, as is grasping the reasons for these testing measures.

Why Does It Matter Where I Get Drug Tested?

Taking time away from your usual routes for drug testing can impact your business. Moreover, it can be stressful to be drug tested, let alone worrying about passing it. If you don’t follow the DOT regulations, you might lose clients and money, which is not good for your overall business. That’s why it’s important to have a testing plan, and our team at Fleet Drug Testing can help with that.

Our programs not only cover all the rules from the DOT but also have many testing locations throughout the state. This is helpful for your business in a few ways:

• Testing in convenient places means your drivers can get tested quickly, avoiding delays and making random testing more efficient.
• Truck drivers have tight schedules, so testing nearby reduces the time they’re not working, letting them get back to work faster.
• Having testing spots close by is essential to protect a driver’s job by lowering the chance of test failures.
  
  

In short, having easy access to testing spots helps your safety-sensitive employees follow the rules, stay efficient, keep the roads safe, and protect their jobs.

How Does the Process Work?

Another good thing about the DOT’s drug testing program is that, as long as you report to a certified testing location, the procedure is always the same. The DOT takes strict measures to ensure accurate and consistent results, providing you and or your company with reliable and compliant testing services.

Let’s delve into the DOT’s drug testing process:

• Notification – You and other employees are informed about the need for drug testing and its details.
  
  
• Collection – Trained collectors collect a urine or saliva sample from you, then follow proper procedures for getting it to the laboratory.
  
  
• Split specimen – The collected sample is divided into two containers (A and B), sealed in front of the employee, creating two separate samples for testing.
  
  
• Sample testing – The sample is sent to a certified laboratory approved by the DHHR and NLCP, where tests are conducted to detect any banned substances. This includes marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, and PCP.
  
  
• Review by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) – The MRO reviews the test results. If necessary, the MRO contacts you for clarification or if any concerns come up.
  
  
• Reporting results – The MRO informs you or your employer about the test results.
  
  

The next steps depend on the test results. A positive test might require you to stop working in your safety-sensitive role. You may also need to complete a substance abuse treatment program before returning to work.

Accurate drug test results are crucial for both employees and employers. It’s not just about compliance but also maintaining business efficiency and supporting one’s family. Whether you’re a safety-sensitive employee or a transportation industry manager, understanding and adhering to DOT regulations is vital.

Fleet Drug Testing Has the Programs You Need in New Hampshire

As a safety-sensitive employee in New Hampshire, you have a lot of responsibility, part of which is following the strict regulations put in place by the federal government. Let Fleet Drug Testing’s team take the burden of the DOT drug testing program off of you. We have full service programs to meet your needs. Contact us today to get started.