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Q. |
What are the objectives of
the Workplace Drug Programs? Aren’t employers and the
Federal Government infringing on the private lives of
employees? |
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A. |
The Workplace Drug Programs are
simply commitments to provide a safe and productive working
environment for all employees. The Federal Government and
employers are not trying to control employees’ private
lives. The concern is that employees’ inappropriate drug and
alcohol behaviors don’t have an adverse impact on
performance and/or safety at work. |
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Q. |
When should employers drug
test? |
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A. |
As an employer, you can drug
test for Pre-employment, Random, Post accident, Reasonable
Suspicion/Cause, Return to Duty (following an extended
absence) or Follow up testing following a previous positive.
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Q. |
Are applicants who test
positive disqualified forever? |
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A. |
Not necessarily. Applicants may
re-apply if they can show proof they have recovered from a
drug or alcohol problem. Current employees may continue to
work provided that they have completed all treatment
requirements and the employees policy allows them to return
to work. |
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Q. |
What if an employee refuses
to have a drug or alcohol test? |
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A. |
Refusing a drug test that has
been authorized may result in termination. At the least, you
will not be allowed to resume your work in a safety or
security sensitive position unless you test negative and are
released for duty by a Substance Abuse Professional or
consulting physician. |
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Q. |
Can someone test positive if
they have had second hand exposure to marijuana? |
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A. |
SAMHSA Laboratories test for
drugs at pre-determined fixed cutoff levels. Second hand use
of marijuana would not cause sufficient levels of THC to
test positive in a drug screen. |
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Q. |
Are the laboratories
reliable? |
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A. |
The federal drug testing rules
require that the most reliable tests be used. Any drug found
to be positive in the initial screen must be reconfirmed
with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. If any one of the
tests is negative, the results will be reported to the
Medical Review Officer as negative. The only laboratories
allowed to receive specimens are ones that have been
rigorously tested for competency and reliability. |
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Q. |
How can I be sure that no
one tampers with my employees’ urine specimen? |
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A. |
The urine specimens are under
continuous observation by the employee until sealed with a
special tamper proof tape. The employee witnesses this
taping. The specimens are then put inside plastic bags,
sealed and initiated by the employee. The specimens are
shipped in locked boxes to the testing laboratory. The
responsible parties sign for custody of the specimens at
each transfer point. |
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Q. |
If my name is selected for a
random test, can I be selected again in the same year? |
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A. |
Yes. Random testing means all
persons subject to testing and have an equal chance of being
selected each time the selection is made. |
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Q. |
I have CDL drivers that are
DOT regulated, but we are not currently in a random drug
testing program – how do I get started? |
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A. |
Call MBG at 800-676-0522. We
can assist you to get in compliance with all DOT regulations
relating to drug and alcohol testing. |
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