Everything You Need to Know about DOT Pre Employment Drug Testing

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019 there were 10,142 fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes in which at least one driver was alcohol-impaired. This staggering figure represented 28% of all traffic fatalities for the year. 

What is pre-employment drug testing?

Pre-employment drug testing refers to the critical process of screening successful job applicants for the presence of alcohol and drugs in their system before they begin working in safety-sensitive positions, such as those that involve heavy machinery, vehicles, or hazardous materials. Pre-employment drug testing enables managers to establish and maintain a safe work environment, mitigating health and safety risks to staff, the public, property and the environment. 

What is DOT pre-employment drug testing and how is it different from non-DOT drug testing?

DOT pre-employment drug testing refers to the drug and alcohol testing standards and procedures that are mandated by the U.S. Department of Transportation. These regulations help to ensure safety in the transportation industry by testing individuals who have been offered work in safety-sensitive roles. Transportation industries that these rules apply to include: aviation, commercial motor vehicle carrier, pipeline, railroad, and transit industries, and any transportation company that crosses the Canadian/U.S. border as part of their business. 

Another key difference between DOT pre-employment testing and non-DOT pre-employment testing is the strictness of the guidelines around the testing and collection of urine samples, as well as, the rigorous chain of custody procedures that are required to ensure samples are not tampered with or contaminated. While all pre-employment drug and alcohol tests are conducted with a high degree of accuracy and care, DOT regulations require strict adherence to specific procedures in order to achieve proper compliance. 

Benefits of DOT pre-employment drug testing

The importance of pre-employment drug testing cannot be overstated. According to the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, between 2000 to 2014, over 12,000 people are estimated to have died in crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver in Canada. Additionally, between 2000 to 2010, 16.6% of fatally injured drivers in Canada tested positive for cannabis. In order to help prevent accidents and injuries resulting from the misuse of substances by drivers of commercial motor vehicles, the Department of Transportation requires drug and optional alcohol testing post-offer of employment. 

Some benefits to implementing a DOT pre-employment testing program include:

1. Ensuring DOT Compliance: Failing to comply with DOT regulations can have serious consequences for businesses, such as hefty fines, suspensions or even revocations of professional licences. By implementing a DOT pre-employment testing program with a trusted partner like CannAmm, managers can rest assured knowing that they are taking the needed steps to full compliance with DOT standards, ascertaining there will be no unnecessary disruptions to operations. 
2. Streamlined Hiring Processes: By ensuring that successful candidates are screened post-offer of employment, managers can streamline the hiring process by reducing the risk of offering employment to individuals who may pose a heightened safety risk to themselves and others in safety-sensitive work environments.
3. Enhanced Workplace Safety & Productivity: The Canadian Substance Use Costs and Harms: 2007–2014 report estimates that lost productivity to businesses attributable to substance use in 2014 was $15.7 billion dollars. By developing a DOT pre-employment program with CannAmm, managers can maintain a safe and healthy workplace, and avoid losses in productivity due to preventable accidents and injuries. 
4. Legally Defensible Testing Procedures: Since the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) considers addiction to be a disability, there are several legal implications involved in the event of a non-negative drug test. By ensuring testing procedures are equitable, consistent and compliant with relevant laws, employers can avoid costly legal consequences such as lawsuits, fines, or damage to reputation due to discrimination, false positives, and violations of privacy rights. 
5. Upholding Public Safety: Above all, by implementing DOT pre-employment drug testing  companies can ensure they act responsibly by doing everything in their power to protect public safety. 

How DOT pre-employment testing works

Employers should give potential candidates advance notice that a mandatory drug test will be administered before commencing work in any safety-sensitive position. Managers can do this by clearly stating this information in the job posting and during the interview process. 

Once an official offer of employment has been made, the successful candidate(s) will be invited to book a drug test at a collection site that uses a certified Health and Human Services (HHS) Laboratory near them. After a urine sample has been collected, the results will be interpreted by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) to ensure accuracy and compliance. In accordance with DOT regulations and best practices, all applicants being considered for the same position will undergo the same panel and method of drug testing to ensure fairness and accuracy. 

If an applicant tests positive and is determined to have a substance abuse addiction, the company has a legal obligation under the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) to offer accommodation, which may then involve offering return-to-duty services to ensure proper observance of CHRA laws and the maintenance of a safe workplace.

Types of DOT tests and what they test for

The most common types of DOT tests are 5-panel urinalysis test. This tests for the presence of the following types of substances: cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP). To see a complete breakdown of the 14 drugs that are included within a 5-panel test, see the list below. 

Drugs Included within a 5-panel Test

Cannabis (THC)

Cocaine

Amphetamines

1. Amphetamine
2. Methamphetamine
3. MDMA
4. MDA

Opioids

1. Codeine
2. Morphine
3. 6-AM (heroin)
4. Hydrocodone
5. Hydromorphone
6. Oxycodone
7. Oxymorphone

Phencyclidine (PCP)

CannAmm Can Help You Achieve DOT Compliance

Ready to get started with DOT pre-employment testing? Partner with CannAmm today and let us help you get on the right track to achieving DOT compliance. 

Call us today at 1-800-440-0023  to speak with one of our knowledgeable, trustworthy experts about how we can help your business ensure a safe and productive workplace.