• Non-DOT drug testing helps create a safe and productive work environment.
• Non-DOT drug testing services are offered for companies and agencies that are not required to meet federally mandated DOT standards.
• ARCpoint Labs of Omaha offers convenient, local services for employers and individuals.
Businesses that fall outside of U.S. Department of Transportation requirements for drug testing also create a safer and more productive work environment through testing programs. Non-DOT drug testing offers more flexibility while providing the same or better benefits than standardized DOT tests.
Employers, employees, and applicants should understand how non-DOT drug tests differ from DOT testing and how they improve performance and safety in work environments ranging from government to manufacturing to retail.
What Is a Non-DOT Drug Test?
The easiest way to grasp non-DOT drug testing is to understand what DOT testing entails and who it affects. Workers in transportation (truck drivers, bus drivers, train conductors, pilots, etc.) and pipeline industries are required by federal law to pass a standard 5-panel drug test using a urine sample.
Companies that are not required to meet DOT drug testing standards can perform similar, more extensive, or less extensive drug testing. For instance, DOT screening covers cannabis and alcohol, while non-DOT companies may choose not to test for those substances.
They also can choose to conduct testing through urine, saliva, or hair samples, which offer other benefits. Hair samples are more effective at unearthing long-term drug usage and are less likely to be fooled by someone abstaining from drugs for a short period before a test. Saliva samples offer similar findings to urine, but they are less susceptible to employees substituting a fake sample since saliva is collected by the tester.
Companies that adopt drug testing must establish a policy that treats all employees equally and meets any state regulations.
When Do Employers Use Non-DOT Drug Testing?
Most people might think of company drug testing as a pre-screening option for potential hires, but an effective drug-testing policy must also address ongoing testing to maintain a safe workplace.
Non-DOT drug testing includes features such as annual or random testing, post-accident and follow-up testing, and testing under reasonable suspicion.
If a company requires an annual physical, drug testing is often a component. Random testing may be set up such that a company tests a certain percentage of the workforce each year through a blind draw. Post-accident testing is a common procedure to determine if impairment was a contributing factor. Follow-up testing may come after an accident as a condition to return to work or in the wake of a positive test as a condition of continued employment.
How Is a Non-DOT Drug Test Performed?
DOT drug testing requires a 5-panel urine test conducted by a SAMHSA-certified lab. Companies establish their policies about how non-DOT drug testing is completed. Though testing can be conducted by a SAMHSA-certified lab, other labs also can be used.
Companies also choose whether to limit themselves to urine testing or keep their options open to use saliva or hair testing, based on circumstances. For example, if a company routinely conducts annual tests around an employee’s work anniversary, employees might try to fool the test by abstaining for a few days prior to the test. In such cases, a hair sample provides a more comprehensive analysis of an employee’s potential drug use.
Employees are often sent to the test provider to provide samples, but some companies offer mobile services to conduct programs such as random or annual tests.
ARCpoint Labs of Omaha provides trained staff to help companies set up drug testing policies and conduct tests in our facilities, on-site, or through our mobile services.
What Is a Non-DOT Breath Alcohol Test?
Non-DOT breath alcohol tests determine current impairment and are offered primarily as post-accident or reasonable suspicion options. Pre-employment testing does not offer breath alcohol testing because it cannot detect previous or long-term use.
Get Reliable Non-DOT Drug Testing in Omaha
ARCpoint Labs of Omaha offers comprehensive support for companies or agencies throughout the Omaha area as they establish and implement non-DOT drug testing policies. We also treat employees and applicants with respect and understanding as they undergo what may be unfamiliar territory. Contact our professional and caring staff for a broad range of assistance with your non-DOT drug testing program. Individuals can also choose their test(s) and schedule an appointment online.
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