What is a SAP Program for Safety-Sensitive Employees?

If you work in a DOT mandated safety-sensitive position, you know that periodic drug and/or alcohol testing is a part of the job. Fail or refuse a drug and/or alcohol test and you face penalties that could include suspension, dismissal and even loss of certification. What’s more, you are obligated to complete a mandated treatment program. This policy, required by the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991, applies to employees in the trucking, pipeline, aviation, railroad and mass transit industries.

What Happens if I Test Positive on a DOT Drug or Alcohol Test?

Should a DOT mandated safety-sensitive employee test positive on a drug/alcohol test, they are given the opportunity to speak to a medical review officer (MRO). There are a few medical reasons why a person might receive positive results, and these will be evaluated by the MRO if the person has the required documentation from their doctor. Additionally, someone with a positive result also has the option to have their split specimen tested by another lab.

If there is no medical reason for your positive result, DOT requires employers to remove the employee from working in safety-sensitive functions. Next, the employee must be evaluated by a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). The employee must successfully comply with the SAP program and have a negative drug/alcohol test result before returning to safety-sensitive work duties. The employee is also subject to random testing for anywhere from 12 to 60 months following their return to work.

What is a SAP Program?

Employers are required to provide employees names and contact information of SAP programs in their area or a referral to a SAP service agent like SRS. SAPs are independent drug and alcohol evaluators that are qualified to perform assessments on DOT mandated employees. All return-to-duty programs include an initial evaluation and may be followed by in-patient or out-patient treatment and/or education as deemed necessary by the SAP. An employee is not permitted to return to safety-sensitive work if they enroll with in a non-qualified SAP.

To learn more about finding local SAP resources and what it means if your employee is required to complete such a program, contact SAP Referral Services. We’ve been helping employers be compliant with DOT regulations and employees get back to work quickly and safely for more than 15 years.

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.