Have You Failed Post-Accident Drug Testing?

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires safety-sensitive employees to follow drug and alcohol testing rules. Safety-sensitive employees working in aviation, maritime, railroad, transit and pipeline, and commercial motor carriers are required to be 100 percent drug- and alcohol-free. In addition to pre-employment and random testing, drug and alcohol testing is possible in the event of an accident. Post-accident drug testing can occur after an accident involving a human fatality, bodily injury in which the injured is taken to a hospital for treatment, and such damage to a vehicle that it must be towed away from the scene.

In these instances, safety-sensitive employees undergo immediate, mandatory testing following such an accident. The employee is tested for the use of alcohol, marijuana/THC, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP). S/he will not return to work until such testing is completed and the results come back as “negative.”

You Failed Post-Accident Drug Testing. Now What?

In the event of a failed or refused post-accident drug test, a safety-sensitive employee must complete a return-to-duty process with a DOT-qualified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). SAPs are licensed professionals trained in substance abuse. These specialists guide safety-sensitive employees through the steps required by the DOT.

SAPs don’t work for the employer or the DOT. Alternatively, these independent professionals evaluate the employee’s capability of returning to work. A SAP assesses each person and recommends education and/or treatment, as well as follow-up testing and aftercare. After the employee undergoes counseling, treatment or education, they must return to see the SAP to get authorization for submitting to a return-to-duty drug/alcohol test. Additionally, they must pass follow-up testing for a minimum of 12 months following the accident.

How Do You Find a SAP?

You want to return to work as quickly as possible. But you may not know where to begin your post-accident process with a SAP. Employers are required to give employees a list of approved SAPs or a referral to a service agent. You can go through the list making calls on your own, but that may take quite a bit of time. Alternatively, a faster and easier approach is to reach out to a facilitator like SAP Referral Services (SRS). We maintain a broad, nationwide network of qualified SAPs for testing violations from any of the DOT’s modes. The availability of thousands of locations provides flexible, easy access for safety-sensitive employees looking for a simple approach to their treatment.

Sign Up for “FastTrack” Enrollment

Safety-sensitive employees seeking a qualified SAP simply go to the SRS website. Typically, within 72 hours after enrolling, you will be scheduled with a qualified DOT provider in your area. Enrolling takes only a few minutes and you are on your way. Click here to find out more information about FastTrack Enrollment.

SAP Referral Services (SRS) is the leading facilitator for mandated substance abuse evaluations. SRS maintains an extensive network of qualified providers in more than 3,000 locations nationwide for testing violations that originate from any of the DOT’s modes including FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, USCG and PHMSA, or a company’s internal drug and alcohol testing policy.