WHAT EMPLOYEES SHOULD EXPECT

For Drug and Alcohol Urine Testing

1. You will need to present photo identification.
2. You may be asked to sign a consent form authorizing the collection of the specimen and providing the test results to your employer.
3. You will be asked to remove any unnecessary outer clothing or accessories such as a jacket, backpack, or purse that might conceal any adulterates or substances which would alter the specimen. You have a right to keep your wallet with you.
4. You will be asked to wash your hands prior to providing the sample. After this point you will remain in sight of the collection personnel until you provide your sample.
5. At some point you will be provided with a sealed container for your sample.
6. Expect to enter a private and secure area where there is no access to water and if a toilet is present it will contain a bluing agent. This is done so that the specimen may not be diluted.
7. If you are unable to provide the amount (30 ml for a single sample and 45 ml for a split sample) necessary to do the testing then you will be asked to drink up to 40 ounces of fluid within a three hour period to remedy this situation. If you still are unable to provide the necessary amount, a physician’s explanation of your disability will be necessary to continue the process. This may include a documented pre-existing medical or psychological disorder but does not include situational anxiety.
8. If there is reason to believe that the specimen has be altered or substituted, a second sample will be requested under the direct observation of a same gender collection staff member.
9. If your urine specimen falls outside of the normal temperature range (90- 100 F) then you will be asked to provide an oral body temperature.
10. Failure to cooperate on the part of the employee will result in the documentation of that failure provided to the employer.
11. If the specimen collection is warranted based on a post accident situation medical attention shall not be delayed in order to collect the sample.
12. Legally prescribed drugs such as barbiturates, amphetamines, morphine, etc. may also be prohibited depending upon the employee’s position and the regulations involved. For instance, drivers involved in interstate commerce must report any medical use of controlled substances.

Initial Test Cut off Levels (ng/ml)
 

Marijuana metabolites	50
Cocaine metabolites	300
Opiate metabolites	2,000
Phencyclidine	25
Amphetamines	1,000

If the MRO is unable to reach you then s/he may go through the employers’ designated management official. If the management official can not reach you then after 14 days the positive test result will be submitted to the employer. If the management official has been able to reach you and you refuse to contact the MRO then after 5 days the positive test result will be submitted to the employer.

Alcohol

Department Of Transportation alcohol testing rules requires that a Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT) perform tests. Testing will be done in a location that prevents visual view from other individuals. If the testing must occur outdoors such as in the case of a vehicle accident then the BAT shall take every effort to create visual privacy.

After the test is performed a reading of .02 or greater will result in another test being performed to confirm the initial reading. The employee will be instructed not to eat or drink or put any object in his or her mouth prior to the confirmation test being done. This protects the employee since once something enters the mouth accumulation of "mouth alcohol" develops and may contribute to an artificially high reading on the test. The second test will be performed between 15 and 30 minutes after the initial test.

If this reading is confirmed then the employee will immediately be relieved of any safety sensitive function. The BAT will provide test results to the employer in a confidential manner. Drivers who have a reading of greater than .02 and less than .04 will be relieved from duty for 24 hours. Drivers who have a reading of .04 and above can not return to duty until they have been evaluated by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and complied with treatment recommendations.

Your Records

The employer or its agent shall maintain records for two years. Records are to be considered confidential information unless otherwise stipulated. Information may be provided to the following agencies and individuals either by request or by mandate:

• Any employee may have access to their information upon written request.
• A decision-maker in a lawsuit, grievance or other proceeding providing the proceeding was initiated by the employee.
• The National Transportation Safety Board as part of an accident investigation.
• The Secretary of Transportation or designee.

This information is taken from a variety of sources including the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Alcohol and Drug Rules – An Overview, Part 40 - Procedures for Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation An Overview- Alcohol & Drug Rules, Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance Office, 49 CFR Part 40 Policy Notice, and the 1999 Random Rate Notice.