FAA drug testing program, ensuring safety for travelers and employees

Posted by aimewolf on November 25th, 2015

The Federation of Aviation Administration or FAA requires all safety sensitive aviation employees to comply with drug and alcohol testing laws and regulations. The FAA drug testing program along with the Department of Transportation or DOT drug testing program aims to ensure the safety of people traveling specifically by air. This testing is mandatory according to Transportation Employees Testing Act of 1991 and also by pertinent DOT and FAA regulations. Now, there are a number of service providers who can help an organization to achieve a drug free work environment for which they require training from the Drug Abatement Division. They oversee compliance issues and ensure that the regulations don’t just remain in papers but are implemented as well.

FAA drug testing program: Its objective

It is a two-fold objective that guides the laws – public safety and keeping the transportation system safe. For this purpose, the Drug Abatement Division guides, supervises and trains all the stakeholders in the aviation industry, including employees, contractors, service agents, etc. Regular on site inspections are also conducted by them to check if the regulations are being implemented and followed. So, how do you ensure that your organization is a drug free workplace and doesn’t land up on the wrong side of the law? Why not allow a service provider who is adept and conversant with the requirements of FAA drug testing program take up the responsibility of making your workplace a compliant one?

How a service provider can help you

Alongside you also have to look at the DOT drug testing program which guides all the employers in transportation sector. Your company’s drug and alcohol testing policy should be in alignment with the one designed by DOT. Hence, it requires to be updated on a regular basis according to the changes put forth by DOT. Apart from that your organization will also be given official recommendations of how to implement and oversee the policies. They will provide information about misuse of drug and alcohol, ensure compliance and design testing procedures, rehabilitation programs, conduct background checks before employment as well as conduct employee and supervisor training programs for management of DOT drug testing program.

There are different stages in the FAA drug testing program. Tests can be done before employment, randomly or if there are suspicions of drug and alcohol abuse. It is also done after an accident has occurred or as a follow up to resumption of employment. In such a case urine and hair samples are collected and sent to SAMSHA/NIDA certified and DOT-compliant laboratories for testing. The DOT drug testing program has included several incentives for employers that maintain drug free workplace programs certified by DOT. According to this your organization can even enjoy the benefits of Worker’s Compensation discounts.

The FAA drug testing program is guided by the DOT drug testing program and aims to not just ensure safe transportation for the public but also a cleaner and drug free workplace. Complying with the regulations will make employees more responsible and give employers the benefits of compliance as well.

The laws and regulations of FAA drug testing program including DOT drug testing program are required for safer transportation and drug free workplace.