Reasonable Suspicion Training for Alcohol and Substance Abuse (US)

This course provides information about drug and alcohol policies in the workplace. It is specifically designed to cover requirements for drivers as specified by the DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It educates learners about the process of identifying potential drug and alcohol users, including spotting the indicators of substance abuse, conducting testing, and following up once results are available. This training is intended for people who manage or supervise commercial drivers.

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Learning Objectives

Identify your company’s responsibilities regarding substance abuse prevention.
Recognize the behaviors that violate Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, drug and alcohol policies.
Recall the steps for identifying employees who may be abusing a substance.

Know what to do and what not to do during the process of identifying employees who may be abusing a substance.
Identify the indicators of substance abuse.
Know how safety and performance standards are enforced.

Course Outline

1. Introduction
1. Welcome
2. Introduction
3. Learning Objectives
2. Employer Responsibilities
1. Substance Abuse Prevention Regulations
2. What Are Safety-Sensitive Positions?
3. DOT FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Policy Summary
4. Your Company’s Responsibilities
5. Knowledge Check: Company Responsibilities
3. Violations
1. What Is a Drug and Alcohol Policy Violation?
2. Additional Drug and Alcohol Rule Violations
3. Prescription Medications
4. Driver Prohibitions
5. Prescription Medication Exceptions
6. OTC Medications
7. Learning Activity: Drug and Alcohol Policy Violations
4. Step 1: Initial Suspicion
1. Identifying Employees Who May Be Using Drugs or Alcohol
2. Learning Activity: Identifying Drug or Alcohol Users
3. Step 1: Have an Initial Suspicion
4. Workplace Indicators and Substance Abuse
5. Performance Problems Don’t Always Equal Substance Abuse
6. Focus on Performance
7. Presence of Substances
8. Physical Indicators
9. Emotional Indicators
10. Action Indicators
11. Absenteeism
12. Safety-Related Incidents
13. Work Patterns
14. Relationships
15. Knowledge Check: Initial Suspicion
5. Step 2: Conduct an Employee Interview
1. Identifying Employees Who May Be Using Drugs or Alcohol
2. Step 2: Conduct an Employee Interview
6. Step 3: Determine Reasonable Suspicion
1. Identifying Employees Who May Be Using Drugs or Alcohol
2. What Is Reasonable Suspicion?
3. Step 3: Reasonable Suspicion of Drug and Alcohol Use
4. Knowledge Check: Reasonable Suspicion

7. Step 4: Conduct Testing
1. Identifying Employees Who May Be Using Drugs or Alcohol
2. Reasonable Suspicion and Drug and Alcohol Testing
3. Step 4: Conduct Testing
4. Substance Testing
5. Alcohol Testing – Process
6. Alcohol Testing – Results
7. Drug Testing – Process
8. Potential Problems with Drug Testing
9. Alcohol and Drug Testing – Incomplete Specimens
10. Accidents and Drug and Alcohol Testing
11. Knowledge Check: Conduct Testing - Scenario 1
12. Knowledge Check: Conduct Testing - Scenario 2
13. Knowledge Check: Conduct Testing - Scenario 3
14. Knowledge Check: Conduct Testing - Scenario 4
15. Knowledge Check: Conduct Testing - Scenario 5
16. Knowledge Check: Conduct Testing - Scenario 6
17. Drug and Alcohol Testing
18. Knowledge Check: Conduct Testing
8. Step 5: Help the Employee Home
1. Identifying Employees Who May Be Using Drugs or Alcohol
2. Step 5: Help the Employee Home
3. Knowledge Check: Help the Employee Home
9. Step 6: Follow Up and Document
1. Identifying Employees Who May Be Using Drugs or Alcohol
2. Step 6: Follow Up and Document
3. Additional Testing
4. Consequences
5. Knowledge Check: Follow Up and Document
10. Drivers Returning to Work
1. FMCSA Clearinghouse
2. Clearinghouse Use
3. Checking the Clearinghouse
11. Conclusion
1. Roadblocks to an Effective Drug and Alcohol Policy
2. Your Responsibilities
3. Summary