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prepared by Marla Sherrill, BarnesCare medical records supervisor, 314.747.6054 | Q. | What is random testing? | | A. | Random testing is the scientific method of selecting an individual(s) for substance abuse and alcohol testing based on matching the individual's identification number (such as social security number or payroll number) to a random number generator or table. | | | | Q. | What does random mean? | | A. | Random means each person chosen for drug or alcohol testing has the same equal chance of being tested as any other person in the eligible pool listing each time a selection is made. | | | | Q. | Why perform random tests? | | A. | Employers who meet the requirements of CFR 49 Part 382 and any other non-DOT employer that seeks to promote a drug-free work environment. Because random tests are unannounced and typically spread throughout the calendar year, they help to establish and maintain a safe, drug- and alcohol-free work environment. | | | | Q. | May DOT and non-DOT employees be in the same random pool? | | A. | No. DOT-covered personnel must be in a separate pool from non-DOT personnel. It is considered a violation of the federal guidelines to misrepresent the reason for the testing process, and it would impede the integrity of the random selection process. | | | | Q. | What type of employers are required to perform random testing? | | A. | Every employer and all persons who operate a commercial motor vehicle in commerce in any state as specified in Section 382.103 of the Federal Register. Exceptions are noted in Section 390.3(f) and Section 382.103(d). | | | | Q. | Is alcohol testing required each time an individual is chosen for a DOT random drug test? | | A. | No. The minimum annual percentage rates for drug and alcohol testing are:
Drugs -- 50 percent of the average number of driver positions, except as provided by Section 382.305 (c)-(e) and (f)-(h)Alcohol -- 10 percent of the average number of driver positions, except as provided by Section 382.305(c)-(e) and (f)-(h)
Once the parameters are specified in the computer software, the system automatically will determine which employee(s) must submit to drug or alcohol testing. | | | | Q. | What is a Consortium/Third-Party Administrator (C/TPA)? | | A. | A Consortium/Third-Party Administrator is a service agent that provides or coordinates one or more drug or alcohol testing services to DOT-regulated employers. It consists of a group of employers joined together as a single entity to administer the DOT drug and alcohol programs of its members. | | | | Q. | Who may join the Consortium/Third-Party Administrator? | | A. | Any employer (including the independent owner-operator) that meets the requirements covered under CFR 49 Part 382 may join a C/TPA. |
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