Who should be a part of your DOT random testing program?
Employees are placed in the program based on their job function (known as a safety-sensitive function) not their occupational title. Only Department of Transportation (DOT) safety-sensitive employees may be a part of a DOT random pool or pools. DOT testing programs must be kept separate and distinct from non-DOT testing programs.
How often should selections and tests take place?
Random selection(s) and testing should be performed at least quarterly. Best practice suggests spreading tests reasonably throughout the quarter in a non-predictable pattern.
Controlled substance testing should be conducted anytime employees are on duty or while performing safety-sensitive duties. Random alcohol testing should be collected just before, during, or just after the employee performs a safety-sensitive job, as described in your industry specific regulations.
Each workday or weekend, you can enhance the non-predictability of your program by conducting tests at the start, middle, or end of shifts. The worse thing that could happen is for employees to lock down a test pattern. For example, the last Friday of every month the second shift gets tested.
