ABSTRACT
The need to test drivers for alcohol and drugs is clear. The use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace is one of the leading causes of accidental injuries and deaths in America’s workplaces. Alcohol testing is addressed in Subpart C of 49 CFR 40. Preliminary testing procedures given in 40.23 include the use of a drug testing form shown in Appendix A of the regulation. The type of specimen-collection bottles and tamperproof sealings are also specified. Laboratories are responsible for reporting drug test results to employers on two levels. Initially, the immediate test results will be reported to the employer through the medical review officer. Then, the laboratory must provide the employer with quarterly results of tests that were processed through their laboratory. Drug tests use a time frame of 32 hours, and the same steps of documentation must be taken if a test is not conducted within that amount of time.
