AlcoPro Blog: Drug & Alcohol Testing Products and Training Services

DOT Identifies Specimen Collection Errors

2011-10-28T10:59:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

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

2010-01-28T07:06:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-29T10:49:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-19T10:55:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

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

Direct Observation Rule Coming Soon...

2009-07-24T05:52:00.000-07:00

The United States Court of Appeals has upheld the DOT rule requiring all Return-to-Duty and Follow-up collections be performed using the new Direct Observation rules. This ruling ends the legal challenge to the rule. The DOT must now issue a Final Rule in the Federal Register to implement the new rule. Until that time, the use of Direct Observation procedure for Return-to-Duty and Follow-up collections continues to be at the employer's option.

Cleveland/Akron, OH area training announcement

2009-07-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

Take advantage of special disount offers on pricing for DOT BAT and Specimen Collector training for upcoming classes in Richfield, Ohio.

Class Dates:
July 21, 2009: BAT Training, RBT IV System
July 22, 2009: DOT Specimen Collector Training
July 23, 2009: BAT Training, Alcomonitor CC

Call 865-640-9541 for special discount pricing on remaining class seats!

BAT and Collector Training in Atlanta, GA

2009-05-05T06:35:00.000-07:00

AlcoPro will conduct BAT and Collector training in Atlanta, GA in June 2009. We train on the RBT IV June 23, and on the Alcomonitor CC on June 25. Urine specimen collector training is scheduled for June 24. Please call 800 227-9890 to register or for more information.

BAT and Collector Training in Grand Rapids, MI

2009-04-20T06:45:00.000-07:00

Seats are still available for BAT and Collector training in Grand Rapids, Michigan May 5, 6, and 7, 2009. We train on the RBT IV on May 5 and the Alcomonitor CC on May 7. Collector training is scheduled for May 6. Please call 800 227-9890 for additional information or to register.

BAT and Collector Training in Maumee, Ohio

2009-03-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

A few seats are still available for our BAT training classes in Maumee, Ohio March 24 (Alco-Sensor IV / RBT IV) and March 26 (Alcomonitor CC), and our Urine Specimen Collector class March 25, 2009. Call 800 227-9890 for last-minute registration.

BAT Training in Florida

2009-02-10T08:11:00.000-08:00

Seats are still available for BAT training in Lake City, FL on February 24 and 26, and for Collector training Feb. 25. Call 800 227-9890 for more details and to register.

Order On-line More Conveniently with Account Set-up

2009-01-13T07:59:00.000-08:00

AlcoPro's on-line store now offers the option to set up an account. The account feature allows customers who order frequently to save their information on our secure website so they will not have to re-enter it every time they order.

The account feature is optional. Our on-line store does not require customers to set up an account to place an order.

BAT and Collector Training in Florida

2009-01-06T09:22:00.000-08:00

AlcoPro is offering BAT and Collector training in Lake City, Florida.

February 24, 2009: BAT Training, Alco-Sensor IV / RBT IV
February 25, 2009: Collector Training
February 26, 2009: BAT Training Alcomonitor CC

Call 800 227-9890 to request more details or to register.

AlcoPro can go to your location to provide on-site BAT and Collector training just for your organization. Call 800 227-9890 to request a quotation.

Court Orders Delay of Direct Observation for All Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up Testing

2008-11-26T05:50:00.000-08:00

On October 31, 2008 a U.S. Court of Appeals issued an order to delay the implementation of the DOT rule requiring that all Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up testing be performed using Direct Observation procedures. In response that court order the DOT issued a revision to the Part 40 regulations make the rule read as it previously did, giving employers the option - but not a requirement - to use Direct Observation procedures for Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up tests.

This court order does not make any change in the new procedures for performing Direct Observation collections that were implemented on August 25, 2008. All Direct Observation collections should be performed following the new procedures.

DOT Affirms Nov. 1, 2008 Date for Direct Observation of All Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up Testing

2008-10-23T07:19:00.000-07:00

On October 22, 2008 DOT issued a Federal Register notice affirming the November 1, 2008 implementation date for conducting all Return-to-Duty and Follow-up testing using Direct Observation procedures.

DOT had delayed implementation of this rule in order to allow for public comments. The Federal Register notice published on Oct. 22, 2008 summarizes the public comments regarding the proposed rule and the Department's responses. Although some commentors opposed the proposed rule requiring all Return-to-Duty and Follow-up testing be conducted using Direct Observation procedures, DOT remains convinced of the benefits of implementing the rule.

Read the Federal Register notice to see the Department's responses to the public comments on this rule.

DOT Delays Direct Observation Rule

2008-08-27T11:53:00.000-07:00

The Offfice of Drug and Alcohol Policy Compliance has postponed implementation of the rule change that will require all Return-to-Duty and all Follow-Up collections be performed using Direct Observation procedures. The new implementation date for this rule change is November 1, 2008.

This is the only provision of the new rule changes that is delayed beyond the previously announced August 25, 2008 implementation date. The new Direct Observation procedure that requires employees to raise their clothing to allow collectors to check for prosthetic devices is still effective as of August 25, 2008.

The reason for delaying implementation of the rule regarding Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up tests is to allow for public comments on this rule change.

New Procedures for Direct Observation Collections

2008-07-15T13:56:00.000-07:00

DOT has published a new rule revision for conducting a Directly Observed urine collection. The new rule is effective August 25, 2008.

1. Collectors must observe for prosthetic devices that may be used to interfere with the collection process by instructing the donor to raise their shirt above the waist, lower their pants and underpants, and turn around. The donor may then return their clothing to its normal positon.

2. All Return-to-Duty and Follow-up collections will be conducted as Directly Observed collections.

3. There are additional rule changes impacting MROs and laboratories regarding dilute and adulterated specimens.

The entire rule is available at this link, http://www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/testingpubs/FR_20080625_FINALR_SVT.pdf.

GAO report reveals frightening results at drug collection sites

2008-05-16T06:59:00.000-07:00

The Government Accountability Office went undercover to audit collection sites. To conduct the investigation, GAO created two fictitious trucking companies with investigators posing as drivers. 22 of the 24 sites that were unknowingly audited, failed. The results of the undercover investigation are frightening! Is your site next?

Clearly, many of the errors uncovered at collection sites by GAO officers could have been prevented with proper training of collection site staff. It is no longer "good enough" to have one collector train another, and have them train the next person, and so on. Thorough, professional, high-quality training from AlcoPro will help ensure that your collection site personnel are trained to follow proper DOT collection protocol and reduce your liability by minimizing the chance for errors in the collection process.

I am amazed that at 9 out of 10 classes I conduct for Professional Collector training that experienced, long-time collectors are unwittingly making critical errors in the collection process. These errors put your site at risk for liability! Professional Collector training is available at our site or yours. Why take the risk? Check out our Professional Collector training classes today!
http://www.alcopro.com/collector_training.asp

Preview:

What GAO Found

"DOT’s drug testing program is vulnerable to manipulation by drug users, especially given the wide availability of products designed to defeat drug tests. While all urine collection sites followed DOT protocols by asking GAO undercover investigators to provide identification, investigators successfully used bogus driver’s licenses to gain access to all 24 sites—demonstrating that a drug user could send someone to take a drug test in their place using fake identification. In addition, 22 of the 24 selected urine collection sites did not adequately follow the remaining protocols GAO tested. For example, 75 percent of the urine collection sites GAO tested failed to restrict access to items that could be used to adulterate or dilute the specimen, meaning that running water, soap, or air freshener was available in the bathroom during the test."

Conclusion:

"Our work shows that a drug user could easily pass a DOT drug test and continue to work in his or her safety-sensitive commercial transportation job—driving children to school or transporting hazardous materials, for example. To fully address the vulnerabilities we identified, improvements will need to be made in both the design of the entire process and the ability of collection site employees to adhere to current protocols. In ongoing work, expected to be complete in May 2008, GAO is examining options to deal with these and related drug testing issues."

To view the entire report, click here: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08225t.pdf

ODAPC Releases New Employer Handbook

2008-05-16T06:43:00.000-07:00

The Department of Transportation's Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance (ODAPC) has announced "the availability of a new on-line document designed to help employer's implement the DOT's drug and alcohol testing regulations." The handbook, "What Employers Need to Know About DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing," gives employers tips on best practices as well as key insights on implementing and running a "quality DOT program."

Topics covered in this manual include:
Employee and Supervisor Education and Training
Drug and Alcohol Testing Requirements
Record Keeping and Data Collection Requirements
Program Compliance and Inspections / Audits
Company DOT Testing Policy Requirements
Collection Site Security and Integrity
Record KeepingEmployee Education
and much more.

Please click here to download a copy of this handbook, or visit http://www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/testingpubs/what_employers_need_to_know.pdf

AlcoPro's drug and alcohol testing products and services can help you comply with the regulations. Please visit our website: http://www.alcopro.com/

Did you know...

2008-03-31T09:44:00.000-07:00

The FAA has recently audited drug & alcohol testing sites and has issued fines because the BAT and/or Collector did not show the subject the instructions on the back of the form (CCF and ATF)?
Specimen collectors performing DOT urine collections must require an employee to remove unnecessary outer clothing and hats prior to collecting the specimen, however, the employee may not be asked to remove religious headgear?

DOT’s 10 Steps to Collection Site Security and Integrity Poster

2008-03-31T09:42:00.000-07:00

Click the link below for the Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance, U.S. Department of Transportation poster for your drug collection site!

http://www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/testingpubs/DOTs_10_Steps_to_Collection_Site_Security_and_Integrity.pdf

Training & Consulting Services-General

2008-03-25T09:04:00.000-07:00

AlcoPro offers training services and materials to support all drug and alcohol test devices we offer. Our training services include Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT) certification training and Urine Specimen Collector training required by Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. We also offer training for customers whose drug and alcohol testing programs are not regulated by the DOT.
For more information, please click on the link below:
http://www.alcopro.com/training-general.asp

Regional & On-site Training

2008-03-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

AlcoPro offers regularly scheduled BAT and Collector classes in Knoxville, TN, in Maumee, Ohio (Toledo area), and in Auburn Hills, Michigan (Detroit area).
And...
We frequently travel to our customers’ locations to provide our BAT and Collector training onsite. Our onsite training provides an economical training solution for many of our customers. Call 800 227-9890, or email lisa@alcopro.com to request a quotation for our onsite training services.

Please click below for more information:
http://www.alcopro.com/onsite_training.asp

Collector Training

2008-03-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Professional Collector training prepares Collectors to conduct urine specimen collections in accordance with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Alcohol Testing Procedures Rule: 49 CFR Part 40. Please click below for more information on AlcoPro's professional collector training.
http://www.alcopro.com/collector_training.asp

Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT) Training

2008-03-25T08:59:00.000-07:00

AlcoPro offers Factory Authorized BAT training on all Intoximeter instruments: Alco-Sensor IV, Alco-Sensor IV with Memory, Alco-Sensor IV @Work software, Alcomonitor CC, and Intox EC/IR. Please click below for more detailed information on BAT certification training.
http://www.alcopro.com/bat_training.asp

Upcoming BAT & Collector Training Schedule - 2008

2008-03-25T08:58:00.001-07:00

Please click here for our complete 2008 training schedule:
http://www.alcopro.com/training.asp

Welcome to AlcoPro's Training & Products Blog!

2008-03-25T08:55:00.000-07:00

Please visit Alcopro's website for a complete listing of drug and alcohol testing products and training services. www.alcopro.com