Safety is paramount for the DOT’s operations, which is why the department has stringent rules and regulations regarding substance abuse. When a DOT regulated employee fails or violates a drug or alcohol test, they must immediately be removed from their safety-sensitive duties and go through the steps of what is called the return-to-duty process (RTD). But what is RTD, you may ask? It is a structured and thorough procedure designed to ensure that employees can safely return to their safety-sensitive responsibilities.
Here are the ins and outs of the DOT employee return-to-duty process!
The Steps of The Return to Duty Process
The return-to-duty process consists of six steps to help ensure the well-being of the DOT employees and ensure that safety standards are being met when they return to duty.
1. Immediate Removal from Safety-Sensitive Duties: If you produce a positive test or refuse to take a test, you will automatically be removed from any safety-sensitive functions at your place of work. This is the ultimate first step to ensure public safety. This measure helps prevent any potential risks to public safety that could arise from impaired performance.
2. Substance Abuse Professional Evaluation: After being removed from safety-sensitive duties, the employee must receive an evaluation from a qualified DOT substance abuse professional, also known as a SAP. In the evaluation, they will assess the severity of the potential substance abuse problem and the overall nature of the possible problem. Following the evaluation, SAPs give recommendations to the employee for treatment options, education, follow-up testing, and ongoing care.
3. Complete the SAP Program: Once the employee completes the SAP evaluation, they must complete the recommendations provided by the SAP. Rehabilitation programs, counseling, and education courses are common recommendations. These steps are critical to addressing and mitigating the underlying issues related to substance abuse.
4. Follow-up Evaluation: After completing the SAP-provided program, the employee must undergo a follow-up evaluation. This evaluation is to ensure they complied with the recommendations and are ready to return to work. The follow-up evaluation confirms that the employee has made sufficient progress to resume their duties safely.
5. Return Testing: Before returning to safety-sensitive duties, the employee must also complete another drug and alcohol test. To be able to return to their duties, this test must be negative to confirm that they are no longer under the influence of prohibited substances. This step serves as a final check to ensure the employee’s fitness for duty.
6. Follow-Up Testing: To continue to ensure public safety, the employee will be subject to unannounced follow-up testing. The testing is frequent and can last up to five years. This ongoing testing helps maintain a drug-free workplace and ensures long-term compliance with DOT regulations.
The Role of SAP Referral Programs
A SAP referral program like American Substance Abuse Professionals (ASAP) plays a critical role in the RTD process. These programs offer access services that facilitate each step of the process, ensuring both compliance with DOT regulations and support for the employee’s well-being.
ASAP has a nationwide network of qualified DOT SAPs. ASAP performs ongoing credential reviews to ensure their network has up-to-date credentials before performing your RTD evaluation. From evaluations and recommendations to support, mentoring, and record-keeping, SAP referral programs ensure you can successfully navigate the RTD process.
The return-to-duty process is an essential protocol that helps maintain safety in DOT-regulated industries. By following these steps and leveraging the support of SAP referral programs, employees can address substance abuse issues and return to their critical roles with confidence and compliance.