AlcoPro's New Website Coming Soon!

AlcoPro will launch our newly revised website in early May 2012.  Our new site will have even more information for customers, including a searchable knowledgebase.  We will also introduce several new features, such as a Window of Detection Tool and a  Drink Wheel tool.  And we will enhance the on-line order process to make it even more convenient.  Come back in May to check it out!

DOT Identifies Specimen Collection Errors

In a discussion with DATIA staff earlier this week Department of Transportation (DOT) officials noted a large number of errors in DOT specimen collections.

Custody and Control Forms (CCFs) received are illegible.

Best Practice: Collectors should review all copies of the CCF prior to distributing them to ensure that they are legible. If the writing is light then collectors should make a darker copy to be sent via fax.

MROs and Employers are reporting that they are not receiving their respective copies of the CCFs despite multiple requests.

Best Practice: Collection site managers should make clear assignments about which collection site personnel are responsible for sending copies of the CCF to employers and MROs. Per DOT regulations, collectors must send the CCFs within 24 hours or the next business day and must keep their copies of CCFs for at least 30 days. A best practice is to review the fax transmittal form to ensure successful delivery of the fax, and to maintain the fax transmittal form with the CCF.

Collectors are not marking step 1D in the CCF to indicate
the transportation mode (FAA, FRA, FTA, FMCSA, etc.) for the collection.

Best Practice: Collection sites should post notices within the collection area reminding collectors to mark this information on the new CCF.

Donors are initialing the specimen bottle labels while the labels are on the CCF, contrary to DOT regulations that require the donor to initial the labels after they are attached to the specimen bottle.

Best Practice: Managers should ensure that collection personnel follow correct procedures and provide additional training if appropriate. Failure by collection site personnel to follow correct procedures may warrant disciplinary action as covered by company personnel policies.

 

 

Collectors are not adequately informing donors that leaving the collection site prior to the completion of the collection process (with the exception of pre-employment tests) is considered a refusal to test.

Best Practice: Train collectors to include in the instructions they give every donor that leaving the test site prior to completion of the collection is considered a refusal to test. Train collectors to give the same instructions with every collection. Provide a script for collectors to follow that has all the necessary instructions to donors.

Introducing AlcoPro's New Training Website

To better serve our training customers AlcoPro has launched a new website devoted 100% to our training services. See the new site at www.alcoprotraining.com.

Updated Collector DVD and Training Materials

We recently revised our Collector Instructor training materials to reflect the new regulations regarding Direct Observation procedures. The updated Collector Training DVD, updated chapters in the Collector Instructor manual, and the updated Collector Instructor PowerPoint presentation are available for $49.99 to Collector Instructors we have trained in the past five years. See our offer at http://www.alcopro.com/DOTUpdatedTraining.html, or call 800 227-9890 for more information.

On-Site BAT and Collector Training

Many customers are surprised to learn that most of the BAT and Collector training we provide is on-site at our customers' location. We are always happy to accommodate our customers' requests to train on the weekends as well. AlcoPro's on-site training can offer cost and time efficiencies. Contact our Training Director, Lisa Van Zutphen, to request a customized quotation for on-site BAT and Collector training services.

Drug-Free Work Week Oct. 19 - 24, 2009

October 19 - 24, 2009 is Drug-Free Work Week promoted by the U.S. Dept. of Labor. Drug-Free Work Week is a public awareness campaign to encourage workplace safety and to encourage companies to create drug-free workplaces. Use the link below to access the Dept. of Labor's on-line toolbox to download articles, posters, fact sheets, etc. to promote Drug-Free Work Week in your organization.

http://www.dol.gov/asp/programs/drugs/workingpartners/dfww-toolbox.htm

Direct Observation Rule Effective Aug. 31, 2009

DOT announced that the requirement to perform all return-to-duty and follow-up drug testing under the new Direct Observation rules will be effective August 31, 2009. This provision had been stayed by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; but that stay was lifted on July 1, 2009, following the Court’s unanimous decision to uphold the Department’s position in this matter.

The final rule may be viewed at
http://www.federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2009-18156_PI.pdf