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An introduction to FMCSA and random drug test

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Norton Medical Industries
An introduction to FMCSA and random drug test

The world is a dangerous place in itself. At least by following the guidelines put forth by FMCSA guidelines, people can at least keep the roads safer. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or FMCSA promotes random drug testing in California, especially for those agencies that hire employees for transportation services.


FMCSA drug testing program is a highly efficient venture guided towards enhancing road safety. Let us understand the various aspects related to FMCSA and random drug testing in California.


What is FMCSA?

FMCSA stands for Federal motor carrier safety administration. Created in the year 2000, it works under the US department of transportation, a.k.a DOT. Its primary concern is to find a way to make roads safer for everyone. They do it by researching, developing, testing, and enforcing safety standards, especially for commercial motor vehicles and drivers.


FMCSA has devised compliance, safety, and accountability criteria. On the basis of set guidelines under this criteria, they evaluate a commercial motor carrier. There are various other programs that FMCSA puts forth to make the roadways safer. Let us discuss FMCSA's main programs briefly to understand them better:-


The Compliance, safety, accountability (CSA) Program:- Mostly focused on trucking companies. Under this program, they use safety data and measurement systems to determine if there is a risk factor involved with a certain trucking fleet. They provide certain guidelines that need to be followed across motor carrier industries to ensure roadways safety.


Hours of service (HOS):- Another important main program implemented by FMCSA is the hours of the service program. HOS is a federal regulation to limit the operational hours of truck drivers. Under this program, maximum working hours are allowed for various commercial motor vehicle drivers. This program also mentions how much rest a truck driver must take between shifts to avoid overwork.


The HOS are intended to reduce the road accidents which occur due to the fatigue of the drivers. FMCSA has reported that 13% of road accidents caused by large commercial vehicles can be connected back to drivers' fatigue. Therefore, under this program, it is advised that drivers who operate heavy commercial vehicles must take plenty of rest and prevent overwork.


Random drug testing and its need in the workplace

Random drug testing is one of the best ways to enhance workplace safety. It is a process in which the tests are conducted without any prior notice and through random selection, making it impossible to predict. Random drug testing allows a company to detect drug use among employees, which can prevent several inconveniences.


Employees that are involved in drug use are more likely to be a part of workplace accidents and are also more likely to injure themselves. They not only put themselves at risk but others around them as well. A company with a random drug testing policy is more likely to be safe from various financial and legal troubles. An organization can significantly reduce cost and liability when implementing random drug testing.


Random drug testing in California can be conducted using several methods, including urine and blood sampling, hair and breath analysis, etc. An ideal way to enhance the workplace and public safety, one of the major benefits of randomly conducting tests is that no individual goes unchecked. It further adds to reducing workplace accidents.


How does FMCSA random drug testing help enhance road safety?

The FMCSA drug test is a great way to ensure that all transportation workers are free from drugs. Thanks to the advancement of technology, FMCSA random drug testing not only can detect if the employee has been in contact with drugs recently but also covers the prior history of drug abuse. FMCSA drug test eliminates the risk of putting a person with drug problems behind the steering wheels of various commercial automobiles resulting in safer roadways.


Conclusion


As random tests are conducted unannounced and unexpected, the employees generally come to know about the test when the test starts, eliminating the chance for any individual to skip it. An employee of the organization or a third-party administration like Norton medical industries looks after the selection process before the tests are conducted. The unpredictability of random drug testing is a boon to enhancing workplace safety. Similarly, FMCSA random drug tests strengthen road safety.

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