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What are DOT Assessments? Why are they important?

What are DOT Assessments? Why are they important?

DOT Assessments

DOT Assessments are drug test regulated by the govt – specifically, the Department of Transportation (DOT).

In 1991, the U.S. Congress passed the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act once they recognized the necessity for a drug and alcohol-free transportation industry. The Act required DOT agencies to implement drug and alcohol testing of safety-sensitive employees to take care of the security of the travelling public and workers.

The DOT’s drug screening rules and procedures are listed within Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 40, commonly referred to as “Part 40.” An office publishes these rules within the DOT: The Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance (ODAPC).

DOT agencies and, therefore, the U.S. Coast Guard write industry-specific regulations that specify who is subject to testing, when, and in what situations. The transportation industry drug and alcohol testing program may be a critical element of the Department of Transportation’s safety mission.

Working closely with the industry, we have, over time, seen the number of crashes and accidents linked to drug and alcohol use by safety-sensitive employees decline. Still, human risk factors remain, so there is much work to be done, and that we cannot rest until we have eliminated the damaging risk posed by illegal drug use and alcohol misuse within the transportation industries we oversee.

Safety is our highest priority, and that we are committed to making sure that transportation employees are drug and alcohol-free. Employers should confirm that employees understand the private and professional consequences of failing to comply, and supervisors must be trained to spot the signs of drug use and alcohol misuse.

Employers must even have strong drug and alcohol testing programs, and employees must be far away from safety-sensitive duties immediately if they need to violate drug and alcohol testing rules. Employees must not be returned to safety-sensitive duties until they need been referred for evaluation and have successfully complied with treatment recommendations.

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