Transportation employees of DOT-regulated employers who perform tasks that have been defined as "safety-sensitive" are subject to drug and alcohol testing. This includes "reasonable suspicion" testing, which is required when a properly trained supervisor suspects that an employee is under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs based on the employee's appearance, behavior, speech, or smell. Supervisors and company officials who may need to make a "reasonable suspicion" test determination are required to complete at least 1 hour of training on the signs and symptoms of alcohol misuse. This course describes the purpose of DOT testing regulations, defines "reasonable suspicion," lists the signs and symptoms of alcohol use, and describes best practices for conducting reasonable suspicion interviews and alcohol testing.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this module, you will be able to:
- State the purpose of U.S. DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations
- Describe who is subject to U.S. DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations
- Identify the components of a DOT-compliant Drug and Alcohol Policy
- Describe the six types of DOT-mandated drug and alcohol testing, including reasonable suspicion testing
- Define "reasonable suspicion"
- List the signs and symptoms of alcohol use that can be used to make a reasonable suspicion test determination
- Describe best practices for conducting reasonable suspicion interviews and alcohol testing
- List the consequences of a positive breath alcohol test result and refusal to test