The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has announced that the minimum random drug testing rate for covered employees will be reduced to 25 percent in 2023. This change will be effective from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. No other DOT modality has reported rate changes as of December 27.
DISA Customers
DISA customers with a PHMSA program and testing set to the 2022 minimum random rate will automatically have their programs updated to 25 percent before random selections are generated for the first quarter. Any customer with a PHMSA random selection rate that exceeds the DOT-mandated minimum must contact DISA to modify their rates. Please update your roster before the end of the year to ensure the accuracy of your random selection.
Why PHMSA is Making a Change
Per PHMSA regulations, the Administrator is lowering the PHMSA minimum annual random drug testing rate for all covered employees to 25 percent in 2023. This change directly results from PHMSA random drug test positivity rates staying below 1.0 percent in the consecutive calendar years of 2020 and 2021.
If there is an increase in positive tests to above 1.0 percent across a full calendar year, regulations will require the PHMSA to raise the random testing rate back to 50 percent. This effort is in line with PHMSA's efforts to ensure the safety of hazardous materials transportation and pipeline infrastructure by maintaining a drug-free workplace. Operators must comply with these requirements to maintain a safe and efficient transportation system. By ensuring that covered employees are drug-free, operators can help prevent accidents and incidents related to drug use in the workplace.
You can read the full order here:
Federal Document: Pipeline Safety Random Drug Testing Rate Management Information
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About DISA Global Solutions
Founded in 1986, DISA is the industry-leading provider of employee screening and compliance services. Headquartered in Houston, with more than 35 offices throughout the U.S. and Canada, DISA’s comprehensive scope of services includes drug and alcohol testing, background check, occupational health, and transportation compliance. DISA assists employers in making informed staffing decisions while building a culture of safety in their workplace.