Smart Test

Random Testing Requirements for 2017 December is the last opportunity to meet the random testing requirements for 2017. Even if the results are received after December 31, 2017, the testing date will still count as calendar year 2017 if the test occurs by end-of-day on December 31. Achieving the required 25% minimum random testing rate may mean a blitz of testing the last week of the year, which is often overwhelmed with missed tests, vacationing employees, and just getting lost in the shuffle. If you are concerned that you have not met the random requirements, contact your TPA or consortium manager and determine the number of tests required to stay compliant.  Don’t let violations develop from a few missed tests in December. Smart Test 240 Commercial Street Boston, MA 02109

Opioid Testing Changes in 2018 What will occur: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has approved the addition of four metabolites to the USDOT five‐panel drug test. Why this is changing: The federal government is requiring increased scrutiny for the prescriptions of many compounds in the opioid category. This is a federal change, and is not a state or departmental change. What will change: Hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone metabolites will be included in the opiate category (revised to “opioid” in several federal regulations). The federal five‐panel test will remain a five‐panel test. No additional panels are being added. What this means: If you have a valid prescription, your drug test will still be negative, even if the metabolites are detected in your urine sample. However, if these metabolites are detected and you do NOT have a valid prescription, the drug test result will be certified as a positive. What y...

Veterans and Recovery Our society is beginning to understand the effects of many of the consequences of battle and how it can impact communities. Mental health is rightfully losing its stigma, and we are beginning to talk about it more openly, providing a better road to our veterans entering the work force and reintegrating in communities and families. Recovery from substance use or abuse is often overlooked or misunderstood by society, and assisting veterans with any needed recovery effort should be a priority for federal agencies. Recovery and treatment should not fall victim to long waits and bureaucratic hurdling, but should instead be available openly to our veterans, free from judgment, and with the support of the community. This Veterans Day, make a donation to a recovery group in your area, or contact  Veterans Recovery Resources  for more information. Smart Test  gives our sincere thanks to those who have served the country.

Post-Accident Testing Smartphone App Alerts TPA’s and Clients to Accidents Smart Test is happy too announce the acquisition and release of the  free FMCSA Accident  app . FMCSA Accident  is a straightforward, user-friendly,  professional-grade  smartphone app that ensures compliant decisions are made after accidents.  FMCSA Accident  is a  free  app. FMCSA Accident  allows you to easily determine if an accident is covered by FMCSA and directs you to either administer federal post-accident drug and alcohol testing or NON-DOT testing. ·  Y ou will be alerted to your client’s/employees testing requirements instantly, by email, text, or both. A description of the accident will tell you what type of test is required, allowing you to monitor the process, advise the client for compliance, alert the collection site, and invoice accordingly. ·  E nsure that all of your client’s/employees require their drivers to list...

Breath-alcohol testing determines the ratio of blood-alcohol in the body (expressed through the breath sample). The reading produced by the device describes the levels most of us are familiar with; “0.02” or “.08”, many of which are written into state, workplace, and local laws. The levels in the USDOT regulations use the same scale. What is wrong about the assumptions comes from the idea that one serving of alcohol will produce a result of .02, and that other extrapolations can be made from the reading on the device. Using simple division to determine the number of drinks someone consumed is a speculative waste of time. Employers should only be concerned with the confirmed result on a NHTSA-approved testing device, and not attempt to forensically determine the consumption profile of an employee. If an employee produces a breath specimen of .04, some may assume that it was the result of two drinks. However, that result could be because the employee just consumed fi...