No one likes change but, you gotta do it when it involves your railroad safety procedures. In 2017, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is changing the post-accident drug and alcohol testing requirements. It's the railroad employers responsibility to put these in place. We summarized the changes to help you prepare. 

There are specific reasons when to drug screen pipeline employees. Every employer subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) drug testing regulations should know these by heart. 

We took a close look at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) data. We were able to reveal the top 10 acute motor carrier violations nationwide in 2016. This list will give you some insight to learn from the mistakes of other motor carriers. This will help you take corrective action before they're discovered during an audit. 

The most important report for the Department of Transportation's (DOT) drug and alcohol program is the DOT MIS data collection form. The DOT uses this form to inspect your drug and alcohol testing history. Whether you're required to submit this form or not, you can use it to learn about your DOT drug testing program. We'll show you what to look for and how to audit your DOT drug testing program anytime.  

On December 23rd, 2016, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a notice about commercial driver staffing agencies. Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), a driver staffing agency may qualify as an employer.

We're proud to announce that the Screensoft web system is now integrated with the Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) eCCF.

There are obvious reasons for drug testing in the workplace such as improving safety. For other reasons, you may have to take a closer look. Case studies have shown that drug testing in the workplace can improve employee health and increase productivity. Investing in drug testing is an expense but, there is a large return for your human resources department. 

Most businesses put workplace drug testing in place because of a recent incident on the job. There may have been rumors of employees using drugs or suspicious behavior. There may have been paraphernalia found on company property. Regardless of the reason, you need to answer these questions before you start drug testing employees. This will reduce your company's exposure to risk and liability. Your boss will thank you for doing the research. 

Commercial owner-operators have some loopholes when it comes to drug testing. They need to be disciplined and have self-control. If they're self-employed, how do they meet the Department of Transportation's drug testing requirements?  

If you haven't heard, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) made a big announcement. They're establishing a national drug and alcohol clearinghouse for commercial truck and bus drivers. This will be known as the CDL Clearinghouse. So, what does this mean for employers regulated under the FMCSA?