Drug testing is one of the most important ways to maintain a safe environment in the work field. Hair and urine testing involves analyzing biological specimens to detect drugs or their metabolites. DOT urine test and hair drug testing are one of the easiest and convenient ways to predict if any employee is not prone to any substance use that may hinder the feasibility of safety-sensitive work or a normal day’s life.
Both hair and urine drug testing have their advantages and limitations, and the choice between the two methods often depends on factors such as the desired detection window, and the practical considerations of sample collection and analysis.
A breath alcohol test is a non-invasive and quick way to determine the level of alcohol in someone's bloodstream. A breath alcohol test detects the quantity of alcohol in your blood by detecting the traces of alcohol in exhaled air. A breathalyzer utilizes that measurement to estimate the amount of alcohol in the person's blood, which is known as BAC or blood alcohol content.
During the test, the person being tested exhales into a mouthpiece connected to a breathalyzer device. Inside the breathalyzer, there are two chambers filled with liquid. One of the chambers contains potassium dichromate and other chemicals, which are initially red-orange in color. As the exhaled breath passes through the device, alcohol in the breath reacts with this solution, causing the liquid’s color to change to green. A photocell (a light-sensitive sensor) then compares the color difference, resulting in an electrical current. This current is transformed into a numerical value representing the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).
Additional considerations include:
If the initial test reveals an alcohol level of 0.04 or above, an evidential alcohol screening device is employed to reconfirm the result. These reconfirmation test results are considered final. However, if an employee driver fails to provide sufficient breath capacity after several attempts, the test will be halted. In such cases, the employee driver will undergo a medical assessment within five days to find out if there’s a valid medical explanation for their insufficiency to provide a breath sample.
FMCSA requires employers to conduct drug and alcohol test for the employees performing safety-sensitive work. The following are some conditions stated by FMCSA for alcohol test:
While going through alcohol tests, the most frequently asked question is how long does alcohol stay in your system?
The detection window of alcohol varies between 6-72 hours, a breathalyzer test can detect alcohol for 12-24 hours after its consumption.
There is a misconception that sleeping and drinking water increases the rate of alcohol absorption in the body, which is not true. Whereas, certain factors like the quantity of alcohol consumed, metabolism, gender, and weight of a person can affect the process of alcohol inside the body.
While the FMCSA does not specifically list “roadside testing” among its reasons for testing, a positive breath alcohol test while operating a CMV is still considered a DOT violation.
Local authorities may also suspect you of DUI (Drug Under the Influence) if you're exceeding the speed limit, causing an accident, or veering off the road. If you're pulled over by the police, they can use a Breathalyzer to check your blood alcohol content right there at the scene of the accident.
