Maintaining a drug-free work environment is always a good idea for any business. However, for some, this isn’t just sound advice; it’s a legal requirement. Any business that is in professional transportation, for example, must answer to the Department of Transportation, usually to one of the agencies within it. Air companies fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration, for example. At the same time, railway-related businesses answer to the Federal Railway Administration.
This means that there are specific regulations these businesses must comply with if they want to continue legally operating. The drug testing regulations of these agencies are part of that compliance. However, ensuring you stay compliant means your relevant staff should get DOT supervisor training.
A Team Effort
While the main point of policy creation and enforcement should lie with your designated employer representative or DER, this is not something one person can do alone. The DER does not work with the different workers, teams, divisions, or departments of a business daily. Supervisors, however, do. So it is up to this management staff to assist the DER by being aware of their responsibilities for maintaining a drug-free workplace and acting on them.
For a supervisor to be effective at coordinating with a DER, this requires both awareness and the training to use that awareness effectively. DOT supervisor training is about becoming familiar with the DOT regulations. Still, it is also about explaining those regulations to employees and ensuring they follow them.
Acting When Required
However, another critical role that DOT supervisor training provides is how to stay alert for vital signs indicating possible substance abuse. While heroin, for example, may be the most high profile, drug glamorized in crime film and television, other substances like marijuana and even alcohol can have negative impacts on the workplace.
DOT supervisor training gives management the tools to watch for signs, and act on those suspicions. Without knowing what to watch for, drug use could occur in the workplace, and any accidents related to impaired judgment or reflexes could be ruled as merely “unfortunate” rather than a result of negligence on the job. But with proper training, supervisors can see the early warning signs, coordinate with a DER, and get the drug testing required to confirm suspicions, and, if approved, act on them.
If you want to ensure you stay compliant with the DOT regulations for your business, make sure you have a DER, and make sure your management gets appropriate DOT supervisor training.
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