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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.
Drug and alcohol testing has been required by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for railroad industry employees since 1986. The general purpose of this program is to prevent accidents and casualties in railroad operations that result from impairment of employees by alcohol and/or drugs.
To seriously deter substance abuse among employees in the safety sensitive railways 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. FRA requires all railroad industry employers 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 FRA 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 FRA rules & regulations for railroad industry employees.
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Pre-employment drug testing
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The FRA stipulates that prior to the first time a covered employee performs covered service for a railroad, the employee must undergo testing for drugs. No railroad may allow a covered employee to perform covered service, unless the employee has been administered a test for drugs with a result that did not indicate the misuse of controlled substances. This requirement applies to final applicants for employment and to employees seeking to transfer for the first time from non-covered service to duties involving covered service.
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.
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Random drug testing
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The FRA requires that each railroad must submit for FRA approval a random testing program meeting the requirements. A railroad commencing operations must submit such a program not later than 30 days prior to such commencement. Selection of covered employees for testing must be made by a method employing objective, neutral criteria which ensure that every covered employee has a substantially equal statistical chance of being selected within a specified time frame. The minimum annual percentage rate for random drug testing must be 50 percent of covered employees.
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 FRA requires that an employee who is identified for post-accident toxicological testing shall cooperate in testing as required by the railroad and personnel of the independent medical facility. In the event of an accident/incident for which testing is required, the railroad representative shall follow the designated set of instructions, and, upon arrival at the independent medical facility, promptly present to the collection facility representative a post-accident shipping box or boxes with all remaining sets of instructions. (Each box contains supplies to collect specimens from three employees.)
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 FRA requirements a railroad may, under the conditions specified in this subpart, require any covered employee, as a condition of employment in covered service, to cooperate in breath or body fluid testing, or both, to determine compliance with 219.101 and 219.102 or a railroad rule implementing the requirements of 219.101 and 219.102. This authority is limited to testing after observations or events that occur during duty hours (including any period of overtime or emergency service).
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 FRA 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 employer shall ensure that before a railroad employee 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 employee shall undergo a return-to-duty drug test. No employer shall allow a railroad employee 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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FRA regulations state that a covered employee who refuses to take or has a positive drug test shall be subject to unannounced follow-up drug tests administered by the railroad employer following the covered employee'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 railroad industry employees 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 has a network of Ph.D. Psychologists, Members of the American Psychological Association, who are experts in addiction problems, and who are trained in issues related to getting workers back to work and complying with Department of Transportation's requirements.
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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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