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Marine & Coast Guard |
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 The DOT through its rules and regulations has laid strong emphasis on ensuring a drug & alcohol free working environment to reduce the number of accidents and crashes directly related to substance abuse. Through its various agencies it has implemented strict rules and procedures for all industries engaged in providing safety sensitive services.
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) regulations require drug testing of seamen on merchant fleets and drug tests crew of passenger vessels. The general purpose of this program is to provide a means to minimize the use of intoxicants such as Marijuana, Cocaine, Opiates, Phencyclidine (PCP) and Amphetamines by merchant marine & coast guard personnel and to promote a drug free and safe work environment.
To seriously deter substance abuse among employees in the safety sensitive marine sector the DOT encourages employers to have strong drug and alcohol testing programs. Employees who have violated the drug and alcohol testing rules must be removed from safety-sensitive duties immediately. These employees cannot return to safety-sensitive duty until they are referred for evaluation and have successfully complied with treatment recommendations.
DOT encourages employers to educate staff members properly on the personal and professional consequences of drug use and alcohol misuse. USCG requires all marine & coast guard personnel in the USA to test covered employees for the presence of prohibited drugs and alcohol. The DOT also requires employers to ensure that Supervisors are appropriately trained to identify signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol use. |
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Find out more about the USCG rules & regulations for drug & alcohol testing
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Norton Medical Industries offer
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Norton medical Industries offer a complete and comprehensive drug testing & drug screening services that comply with USCG rules & regulations for merchant marine and coast guard personnel.
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Pre-employment drug testing
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The USCG stipulates that no marine employer shall engage or employ any individual to serve as a crewmember unless the individual passes a chemical test for dangerous drugs for that employer.
About - Pre employment drug testing has become a common hiring requirement. With the US Department of Labor has estimating that drug use in the workplace costs employers up to $100 billion dollars annually in lost work time, accidents, health care costs and workers compensation costs, more and more employers are implementing drug testing and screening procedures. The majority of all Fortune 500 companies do employee drug testing.
Most pre-employment drug testing is urine-based. This form of testing is considered to be an 'intelligent' test. Generally pre-employment drug screening helps the employer to develop a healthy and more productive working environment, improving profits and also helps in monitoring drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace. Most companies have a written drug testing policy that requires job applicants to be drug-free. All applicants who have received a conditional offer of employment must take a drug test before receiving a final offer of employment.
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Random drug testing
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The USCG requires that marine employers establish programs for the chemical testing for dangerous drugs on a random basis of crewmembers on inspected vessels that occupy a position, or perform the duties and functions of a position, required by the vessel's Certificate of Inspection, Perform the duties and functions of patrolmen or watchmen and are specifically assigned the duties of warning, mustering, assembling, assisting, or controlling the movement of passengers during emergencies. The USGC requires that the selection of crewmembers for random drug testing is made by a scientifically valid method, such as a random number table or a computer-based random number generator that is matched with crewmembers' Social Security numbers, payroll identification numbers, or other comparable identifying numbers. The minimum annual percentage rate for random drug testing shall be 50 percent of covered crewmembers.
About - Random drug testing is the most effective format with a growing number of corporations using this form of testing. The objective of a random drug test is deterrence, as the threat of detection is much higher versus other testing methods. The goal of random testing is to discourage drug use among employees by not telling anyone who or when or where they are to be tested in advance.
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Post accident drug testing
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The USCG requires that the marine employer shall ensure that all persons directly involved in a serious marine incident are chemically tested for evidence of dangerous drugs and alcohol in accordance with the requirements of 46 CFR 4.06
About - An employee is required to undergo a drug test after an accident to determine if he/she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident. Post-Accident testing is often used in the transportation, manufacturing, and construction industries or when a company vehicle is involved. This type of testing can reduce the company's liability. Companies that implement this type of testing are often eligible for lower insurance and worker's compensation rates.
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Reasonable cause testing
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As per USCG requirements the marine employer shall require any crewmember engaged or employed on board a vessel owned in the United States that is required by law or regulation to engage, employ or be operated by an individual holding a credential, who is reasonably suspected of using a dangerous drug to be chemically tested for dangerous drugs. The marine employer's decision to test must be based on a reasonable and articulable belief that the individual has used a dangerous drug based on direct observation of specific, contemporaneous physical, behavioral, or performance indicators of probable use.
About - Probable drug testing is carried out when an employee is suspected to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while at work. This term should be defined within a company's Drug Testing policy to prevent discrimination.
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Return to duty drug testing
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According to USCG rules and regulation a covered employee who refuses to take or has a positive drug test may not return to duty in the covered function until the covered employee has complied with applicable provisions of DOT Procedures concerning substance abuse professionals and the return-to-duty process. Each marine employer shall ensure that before a crewmember is returned to duty to perform a safety-sensitive function, after refusing to submit to a drug test or receiving a verified positive drug test result on a test conducted, the crewmember shall undergo a return-to-duty drug test. No marine employer shall allow a crewmember required to undergo return-to-duty testing to perform a safety-sensitive function unless the employer has received a verified negative drug test result for the individual. The test cannot occur until after the SAP has determined that the employee has successfully complied with the prescribed education and/or treatment.
About - Employees who have violated their companies' drug testing policy and are allowed to return to work must submit to a return-to-duty test. Follow-up tests are conducted unannounced and at least six tests will are generally conducted in the first 12 months after an employee returns to duty. Follow-up testing may also be extended for up to 60 months following return to duty. The test results of all return-to-duty and follow-up tests of the employees must be negative.
Effective August 31, 2009, the Department of Transportation ("DOT") will require employees in safety-sensitive positions to submit to "observed" urination drug testing for all follow-up and return-to-duty drug tests. DOT regulations require these employees to complete substance abuse programs before returning to their safety-sensitive positions.
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Follow-up drug testing
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USCG regulations state that a covered crewmember that refuses to take or has a positive drug test shall be subject to unannounced follow-up drug tests administered by the marine employer following the covered crewmember's return to duty. The number and frequency of such follow-up testing shall be determined by a substance abuse professional, but shall consist of at least six tests in the first 12 months following the covered employee's return to duty. In addition, follow-up testing may include testing for alcohol as directed by the substance abuse professional. Follow-up testing shall not exceed 60 months from the date of the covered employee's return to duty.
About - Much in the same manner as return to duty drug testing, employees who have previously violated their companies' drug testing policies must submit to return to duty and consequent follow up drug testing.
Follow-up tests are conducted unannounced and at least six tests will are generally conducted in the first 12 months after an employee returns to duty. Follow-up testing may also be extended for up to 60 months following return to duty. The test results of all return-to-duty and follow-up tests of the employees must be negative.
Effective August 31, 2009, the Department of Transportation ("DOT") will require employees in safety-sensitive positions to submit to "observed" urination drug testing for all follow-up and return-to-duty drug tests. DOT regulations require these employees to complete substance abuse programs before returning to their safety-sensitive positions.
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Norton Drug Screening Services
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Norton medical Industries offer a comprehensive list of drug screening services for marine & coast guard crew members including
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Writing anti-drug & alcohol testing program
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We formulate and customize your company's anti-drug & alcohol testing program to comply with all
state, federal and city laws. If your company already has an anti-drug and alcohol plan, our staff will review it to make certain your plan is an effective deterrent. The written plans are customized to each
company's drug testing requirements.
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DOT Approved & Certified Laboratory Test Results
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SAMHSA certified laboratories will screen samples using only methods approved by
the Federal government. The lab will test for the five substances required by law. Clients' laboratories include Fortune 500 companies and the Federal Government. These labs have processed millions of tests and successfully withstood legal challenges of their test results.
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Online Test Results & Web Reporting
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Negative Drug Test Results Available the Next Working Day Online
Positives Reported by Voice as well as Confidential email or Fax
Employee List That You Can Edit for Correct Random Selection
Random Employee Selection for Drug & Alcohol Testing
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Compliance Officer
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A Compliance Officer from Norton Medical's Client Relation's Department will manage your company's anti-drug and alcohol misuse prevention program and will assist you during every phase of the program.
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Medical Review Officer
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Norton Medical has a full time Medical Review Officer on staff trained in the Federal Drug and Alcohol Abatement program. Each test result is reviewed. Our commitment is to protect both the employee and the employer.
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Reporting and Record Keeping
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Norton Medical will prepare and keep all records for each facility. Records are kept at our location for a minimum of two years. Electronic records are kept indefinitely. In addition, Norton will pull all randoms for each facility. This will ensure confidentiality and impartiality.
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Employee & Supervisor Education
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Norton Medical provides the required one hour employee and two hour supervisor training
materials. We provide worker education materials in English or Spanish. Norton Medical offers on-site training for supervisor's via-video. It is our emphasis on education, both supervisor and employee that separates Norton Medical Industries from other drug and alcohol companies. We believe that a thorough knowledge of drugs, alcohol, and the law is the key to successful prevention programs.
Click Here to see more on our Educational Materials.
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Database Management
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Norton Medical will maintain strict control over each company's employee census to generate accurate monthly, periodic, and annual reports. Random pulls are generated off-site at our location.
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Litigation Support
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Norton Medical will provide expert support in the unlikely event a drug test result is legally challenged. This support would take the form of witness testimony.
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Audit Support
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Our compliance officers will arrange your drug testing history and prepare reports requested by federal, state or city agencies. These reports may require documentation of drug and alcohol program education for workers and supervisors. Norton Medical will furnish evidence of pre-employment testing, random drug testing and statistical summaries.
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Specimen Collection
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Norton Medical will arrange for specimen collection at any of our preferred locations that are convenient for you or the employee.
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Blind Samples
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Norton Medical will handle the entire blind sample. Quality control requirements are according to 49 CFR, and 655, of the DOT's rules and regulations.
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Reporting
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Norton Medical will prepare and submit any reports that are required by any of your facilities.
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Background Checks
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Norton Medical with Informed Choice provides instant background checks that include criminal check upon employer request.
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SAP Services
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Norton Medical with Informed Choice provides instant background checks that include criminal check upon employer request.
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Norton Medical Industries leads the way
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Norton medical Industries, with our vast experience in the field of drug testing and screening, understands the sensitivity and concerns of employees when subjected to drug testing. Our highly trained technicians conduct the testing procedures that accord the employees full dignity and privacy.
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At Norton Medical we ensure
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Complete privacy of the employees during testing
Confidentiality of the data and private details submitted
Non invasive and dignified procedures while testing
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