DOT drug testing in Jackson, Brandon, Flowood, Pearl, Madison, Ridgeland, Clinton, and Canton, Mississippi, is required for anyone who drives a Department of Transportation regulated vehicle, which is only applicable for commercially licensed drivers. If your business requires this specific type of employee drug testing, contact us to get started with this smooth and easy process at a reasonable price for your business.
What is DOT Drug Testing?
Following several major transportation accidents, Congress passed the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991. The Act requires uniform drug and alcohol testing for safety-sensitive employees across all major DOT-regulated industries, including aviation, rail, transit, and trucking, under 49 CFR Part 40.
It is required that all agencies and employers ensure that all employees under this criteria follow the stipulated rules and regulations of DOT.
The DOT rules are applicable to only one group of workers, who in this case are commercially licensed drivers. Even though other staff are involved, such as assistants who load and unload freight, they are not subject to DOT.
ALL the rules, regulations and procedures are to be found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 40, in what is often referred to as “PAR 40”.
Who is Subject to DOT Drug Tests?
DOT drug testing in Jackson, MS, is required for all “safety-sensitive” employees. These employees are usually categorized as safety sensitive because of the tasks they undertake, and not because of their job title.
The reasons for this are to ensure safety for all travelers, coworkers, and the person themselves, as well as cargo. As such, the following employees are required to be tested:
– Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): Employees in this group include flight crews and flight attendants, flight instructors, aircraft dispatchers, among others.
– Federal Commercial Motor Carriers Administration(FCMCIA): Includes Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders operating Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs), as well as vehicles that carry 16 passengers or more (including the driver), or vehicles which transport hazardous materials and are required to display a DOT placard.
– U.S. Coast Guard (Maritime): Includes all crew members operating a commercial vessel.
– Federal Railroad Administration (FRA): all the Hours of Service Act personnel, engine & train, and signal service or train dispatchers are tested.
– Pipeline and Hazardous Materials (PHMSA): emergency response, operations, and maintenance.
– Federal Transit Administration (FTA): It includes vehicle operators, controllers, mechanics as well as armed security.
For businesses within these categories, Mobile Drug Screen, Inc., can offer onsite DOT drug screening in Jackson, MS. We can bring our mobile lab to you, or utilize your own facilities upon request. As experienced professionals who have handled DOT drug testing for years, we can ensure that the proper testing protocol is followed, and provide fast and accurate results at an affordable rate. We can help you to ensure that your employees are safe, and your reputation as a business is protected.
DOT Drug Testing Requirements
A DOT drug test includes the following drugs:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Amphetamine, methamphetamine
- Opioids such as codeine, heroin, morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, and oxymorphone
- PCP
When Is DOT Drug Testing Required?
- Pre-employment
- Post-accident (see DOT Rule 49 CFR Part 40)
- Random (see DOT Rule 49 CFR Part 40)
- Return to duty (observed)
- Follow-up testing (observed)
- Reasonable suspicion
What Are the Consequences for Failing a DOT Drug Test?
If an employee fails a DOT drug test in Jackson, MS, whether the testing is done at random or per a predetermined schedule, DOT rules and regulations stipulate that you, the employer, are required to remove the employee from performing any DOT safety-sensitive job. Depending on the specifics of the circumstances, as well as your company’s individual employment policy, the employee may also lose their license. Failing to remove an employee from DOT safety-sensitive jobs after they have failed a drug test can leave your company liable and in danger of legal consequences.