DOT for Buffalo, Robbinsdale, Roseville, St. Cloud, Arlington, Gaylord, Winthrop, Hutchinson, Bloomington and Glencoe, MN | TCS Health

Our DOT consortium is cost effective and complies with all requirements of DOT 49 CFR Part 40 which mandates that all safety sensitive employees be enrolled in a random drug and alcohol testing program. TCS has been providing DOT drug & alcohol testing programs since 2003. We service clients in all 50 states and have consortiums for every DOT agency to ensure we are able to provide the convenience, accuracy, and service that our clients have come to expect from us. TCS is committed to keeping our customers in compliance with current Federal regulations. We are committed to making sure that you have the documentation required for each DOT agency and will provide any additional information that auditors for the Department of Transportation agencies may request.

We have the tools to make sure that all aspects of your DOT drug & alcohol testing program are covered including modal specific drug & alcohol policies, modal specific supervisor reasonable suspicion training, employee substance abuse training, and any drug and alcohol testing that you require. TCS can assist employers with all of the required components of a compliant DOT drug and alcohol testing program.

Designated Employer Representative (DER)
Written policy
Regulations on file
Pre-employment testing
Random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing
Employee education
Supervisor training
Previous employer checks
Removal of employees from safety-sensitive positions when positive or refusal to test
Substance Abuse Professional
And more

Random drug testing programs are required for employers regulated by the US DOT. If you are an owner-operator, you are required to be enrolled in a consortium random drug testing program.

Contact us today for immediate compliance with DOT and find out why TCS has earned the respect of the DOT auditors across the nation

320.455.9300

TCS is a national and respected leader of DOT drug and alcohol testing programs for the following industries:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Random Testing

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) – CDL Licensed Drivers -Safety-Sensitive Functions are defined in 49 CFR Part 382.107

All employers regulated by 49 CFR Part 382.305 are required to implement a random drug and alcohol testing program. All safety sensitive employees such as CDL drivers must be randomly tested throughout the year and an employer who employs only himself/herself as a driver who is not leased to a motor carrier, shall implement a random testing program of two or more covered employees in the random testing selection pool as a member of a consortium/random testing pool. We specialize in DOT random drug and alcohol testing programs for single owner operators and small, medium and large trucking companies with multiple drivers.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Random Testing

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – Safety-Sensitive Functions as defined by 14 CFR Part 120.105

All FAA regulated employers covered by 14 CFR Part 120, Subpart E, section 120.109 (b) and 14 CFR Part 120, Subpart F, section 120.217 (c) must implement a random drug and alcohol testing program that requires all safety sensitive employees to be subject to testing throughout the calendar year.

Each employee, including any assistant, helper, or individual in a training status, who performs a safety-sensitive function listed in this section directly or by contract (including by subcontract at any tier) for an employer as defined in this subpart must be subject to drug testing under a drug testing program implemented in accordance with this subpart. This includes full-time, part-time, temporary, and intermittent employees regardless of the degree of supervision. The safety-sensitive functions are:

Flight crewmember duties
Flight attendant duties
Flight instruction duties
Aircraft dispatcher duties
Aircraft maintenance and preventive maintenance duties
Ground security coordinator duties
Aviation screening duties
Air traffic control duties
Operations control specialist duties

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Random Testing

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) – Covered Service and Maintenance of Way Covered Employees as Defined in 49 CFR Part 219.5

Each Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulated employer covered by 49 CFR Part 219.601 and 219.607 must to the greatest extent possible ensure that its FRA random testing program is designed and implemented so that each employee performing regulated service on its behalf should reasonably anticipate that he or she may be called for a random test without advance warning at any time while on duty and subject to performing regulated service.

Furthermore, each railroad as required by 219.603 through 219.609, must submit for FRA approval a random testing plan meeting the requirements of this subpart prior to conducting random testing.

The plan must address all safety sensitive regulated employees, as defined in 219.5. Regulated employees defined as:

A person who performs covered service (subject to hours-of-service laws) functions at a rate sufficient to be placed into the railroad's random testing program. Categories Include:

locomotive engineers,
trainmen, conductors,
switchmen, locomotive hostlers/helpers,
utility employees,
signalmen,
operators, and
train dispatchers

In addition, a person who performs a maintenance-of-way/roadway worker function (as defined in 49 CFR Part 214) who are employees or contractors of a railroad, have a potential to foul the track, and perform a regulated function such as inspection, construction, maintenance or repair of railroad track, bridges, roadway, signal and communication systems, electric traction systems, roadway facilities or roadway maintenance machinery on or near track, as well, flagman and watchmen/lookouts.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Random Testing

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) – Mass Transit Safety Covered Employees as defined by 49 CFR Part 655.4

Employers who are covered under 655.21 Drug testing regulations for the Federal Transit Administration must implement a random drug and alcohol testing program that ensures the selection of employees for random drug and alcohol testing is made by a scientifically valid method, such as a random number table or a computer-based random number generator that is matched with employees' Social Security numbers, payroll identification numbers, or other comparable identifying numbers. Under the selection process used, each covered employee shall have an equal chance of being tested each time selections are made. FTA regulated employers must also ensure that the number of employees randomly selected and tested during each calendar year to equal an annual rate not less than the minimum annual percentage rates for random drug and alcohol testing determined by the FTA Program Administrator.

If the employer conducts random drug and alcohol testing through a consortium, the number of employees to be tested may be calculated for each individual employer or may be based on the total number of covered employees covered by the consortium who are subject to random drug and alcohol testing at the same minimum annual percentage rate under this part.

Random testing must be unannounced and unpredictable, and that the dates for administering random tests are spread reasonably throughout the calendar year and random testing must be conducted at all times of day when safety-sensitive functions are performed.

When a covered employee is notified of selection for random drug or random alcohol test, they must proceed to the test site immediately.

The FTA Defines safety sensitive covered employees as:

A person who performs a revenue vehicle operation.
revenue vehicle and equipment maintenance.
revenue vehicle control or dispatch (optional);
Commercial Driver's License non-revenue vehicle operation; or
armed security duties

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Random Testing

Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) – Operations, Maintenance, or Emergency-response functions performed on a pipeline or on an LNG facility - Safety-Sensitive Functions as defined in 49 CFR Part 199.3

Employers regulated his part requires operators of pipeline facilities subject to part 192, 193, or 195 of this chapter to test covered employees for the presence of prohibited drugs and alcohol. Each operator/covered employer must maintain and follow a written anti-drug plan that conforms to the requirements of this part and the DOT Procedures. which outlines specific requirements as required by 199.101 Anti-drug plan and 199.202 Alcohol misuse plan.

Random testing must be conducted by a scientifically validated method ensuring that all covered/safety sensitive employees have an equal chance of being selected for testing.

PHMSA defines covered service as:

A person who performs on a pipeline or liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility an operation,
maintenance, or
emergency-response function

United Stated Coast Guard (USCG) Random Testing

United States Coast Guard (USCG) – Operations of Commercial Vessels Coverd Employees as Defined in 46 CFR Part 16.105

All Marine employers covered by 46 CFR Parts 4, 5 and 16.230 are required to establish a random testing program for drugs for any crewmember designated as safety sensitive.

Crewmembers designated as safety sensitive include individuals who:

Are required by law or regulation to hold a license issued by the Coast Guard in order to perform their duties on the vessel.
Perform duties and functions directly related to the safe operation of the vessel.
Perform the duties and functions of patrolmen or watchmen required by this chapter; or,
Are specifically assigned the duties of warning, mustering, assembling, assisting, or controlling the movement of passengers during emergencies

We specialize in DOT random drug and alcohol testing programs for Merchant Mariners and small, medium and large Marine Employers.

Some of the many benefits of using TCS are:

Access to 50,000 + collection sites nationwide
Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) maintenance and tracking - Driving records available in ALL 50 states
Excellent customer service
Occupational health specialists are available to guide you
The ability to get all your compliance needs from one provider
SAMHSA certified laboratories, certified urine collectors and certified breath alcohol technicians
Cutting edge Web-based technology used for program management, recordkeeping, random selections and reporting of test results
Ongoing consultation and administrative support
Assistance with SAP (Substance Abuse Programs) programs
On-Site services available (we come to you)
Certified, full-time, MRO reporting of results - via fax, e-mail and or your chosen method
In the event of an audit of the company's drug and alcohol testing program, TCS shall provide assistance with all necessary audit requests. A copy of any letter from regulatory officials regarding the company's drug and alcohol testing program should be forwarded to TCS immediately upon receipt.
DOT Clearinghouse consultation, maintenance and tracking
TCS specializes in the development and implementation of a DOT Drug & Alcohol Policy

TCS strictly adheres to DOT compliance standards in all of our testing and services. Unlike other medical facilities that simply offer drug testing, we are qualified to offer DOT-compliant testing with all the required components. Our staff go through extensive training and continuing education on a regular basis.

DOT Audits and Compliance

TCS can assist employers regulated by any of the DOT agencies with compliant drug and alcohol testing programs. It's important that you deal with an experienced and professional C/TPA for your drug testing needs. Ask your current vendor if they can help you in the event of an audit or program review. Do you have the following?

Alcohol and drug testing policies, and instructions for implementing your program
Employee and supervisor training records
Random testing records
Records of drug testing custody and control forms for all DOT tests
MRO records
Alcohol testing forms for all DOT tests
Employee return-to-duty records
Driver Qualification files
Driver Investigation files
Accident records
Inspection, repair and maintenance records
Hours of service records
Hazardous materials records
Financial responsitibility
Insurance

Noncompliance can result in fines and the potential for an out-of-service order, putting your company out of business. Different rules apply for different DOT agencies

NON-DOT

If your company needs to be a part of a random testing program but does not qualify under the Department of Transportation, we offer Non-DOT random drug and alcohol testing programs. TCS can provide the required drug and alcohol policy to meet compliance for your specific state regulations.

Q & A

Can TCS assist with ALL DOT agency regulations?

Yes - TCS staff are proficient in ALL regulatory requirements and are here to assist you at whatever level of assistance you need or require.

What are the specific regulations directing employers' to implement a DOT drug and alcohol testing program?

FMCSA - 49 CFR Part 382
FRA - 49 CFR Part 219
FAA - 14 CFR Part 120
FTA - 49 CFR Part 655
PHMSA - 49 CFR Part 199
USCG - 46 CFR Parts 4, 5 and 16

Drug and alcohol testing procedures are 49 CFR part 40

Types of Test for Drugs?

FMCSA - Pre-employment, Random, Reasonable Suspicion, Post-Accident, Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up
FRA - Pre-employment, Random , Reasonalbe Suspicion, Reasonable Cause, Post-Accident, Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up
FAA - Pre-employment, Random, Reasonalbe Cause, Post-Accident, Retunr-to-Duty and Follow-up
FTA - Pre-employment, Random , Reasonable Suspicion, Post-Accident, Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up
PHMSA - Pre-employment, Random, Reasonable Cause, post-Accident, Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up
USCG - Pre-employment, periodic, Random, Reasonalbe Cause, Post-Accident (SMI), Retunr-to-Duty and Follow-up

Types of Test for Alcohol?

FMCSA - Pre-employment (optional), Random, Reasonable Suspicion, Post-Accident, Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up
FRA - Pre-employment (optional), Random, Reasonable Suspicion, Reasonalbe Cause, Post-Accident, Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up
FAA - Pre-employment (optional), Random, Reasonable Suspicion, Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up
FTA - Pre-employment (optional), Random, Reasonalbe Suspicion, Post-Accident, Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up
PHMSA - Post-Accident, Reasonalbe Suspicion, Return-to-Duty and Follow-Up
USCG - 49 CFR Part 40 alcohol testing requirements do not apply to the Maritime Industry. 46 CFR part 4.06 requires post-SMI chemical testing for alcohol use. 33 CFR Part 95.035 allows for a martine employer or a law enforcement officer to direct an individual to undergo a chemical test for intoxicants when reasonable cause exists or a marine casualty has occurred.

Why would I need Driver Qualification Files for drivers who do NOT hold a CDL?

Driver Qualification (DQ) Files are related to the class of vehicle and not the type of license the driver holds. This can vary by State such as in MN DQ files must be maintained for anyone who operates a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) involved in interate commerce with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more, or is designed to trnasport more than 8 people for hire or more than 15 people not for hire, or that transports hazardous materials in a quantity that requires placards.

TCS can assist you with your state specific requirements.

DOT SERVICES

offered in Buffalo, Robbinsdale, Roseville, St. Cloud, Arlington, Gaylord, Winthrop, Hutchinson, Bloomington and Glencoe, MN

DOT services offered in Buffalo, Robbinsdale, Roseville, St. Cloud, Arlington, Gaylord, Winthrop, Hutchinson, Bloomington and Glencoe, MN

Q & A

What are the specific regulations directing employers' to implement a DOT drug and alcohol testing program?

Types of Test for Drugs?

Types of Test for Alcohol?

Why would I need Driver Qualification Files for drivers who do NOT hold a CDL?