§ 2-193. Alcohol testing.

Subpart L—Alcohol screening tests.

§ 40.241. What are the first steps in any alcohol screening test?

As the BAT or STT you will take the following steps to begin all alcohol screening tests, regardless of the type of testing device you are using:

a)

When a specific time for an employee's test has been scheduled, or the collection site is at the employee's worksite, and the employee does not appear at the collection site at the scheduled time, contact the DER to determine the appropriate interval within which the DER has determined the employee is authorized to arrive. If the employee's arrival is delayed beyond that time, you must notify the DER that the employee has not reported for testing. In a situation where a C/TPA has notified an owner/operator or other individual employee to report for testing and the employee does not appear, the C/TPA must notify the employee that he or she has refused to test.

b)

Ensure that, when the employee enters the alcohol testing site, you begin alcohol testing process without undue delay. For example, you must not wait because the employee says he or she is not ready or because an authorized employer or employee representative is delayed in arriving.

1.

If the employee is also going to take a DOT drug test, you must, to the greatest extent practicable, ensure that the alcohol test is completed before the urine collection process begins.

2.

If the employee needs medical attention (e.g., an injured employee in an emergency medical facility who is required to have a post-accident test), do not delay this treatment to conduct a test.

c)

Require the employee to provide positive identification. You must see a photo ID issued by the employer (other than in the case of an owner-operator or other self-employer individual) or a Federal, State, or local government (e.g., a driver's license). You may not accept faxes or photocopies of identification. Positive identification by an employer representative (not a co-worker or another employee being tested) is also acceptable. If the employee cannot produce positive identification, you must contact DER to verify the identity of the employee.

d)

If the employee asks, provide your identification to the employee. Your identification must include your name and your employer's name but is not required to include your picture, address, or telephone number.

e)

Explain the testing procedure to the employee, including showing the employee the instructions on the back of the ATF.

f)

Complete Step 1 of the ATF.

g)

Direct the employee to complete Step 2 on the ATF and sign the certification. If the employee refuses to sign this certification, you must document this refusal on the "Remarks" line of the ATF and immediately notify the DER. This is a refusal to test.

Subpart L—Alcohol screening tests.

§ 40.25. What is the procedure for an alcohol screening test using a saliva ASD or a breath tube ASD?

a)

As the STT or BAT, you must take the following steps when using the saliva ASD:

1.

Check the expiration date on the device or package containing the device and show it to the employee. You may not use the device after the expiration date.

2.

Open the individually wrapped or sealed package containing the device in the presence of the employee.

3.

Offer the employee the opportunity to use the device. If the employee uses it, you must instruct the employee to insert it into his or her mouth and use it in a manner described by the device's manufacturer.

4.

If the employee chooses not to use the device, or in all cases which a new test is necessary because the device did not activate (see paragraph (a)(7) of this section), you must insert the device into the employee's mouth and gather saliva in the manner described by the device's manufacturer. You must wear single-use examination or similar gloves while doing so and change them following each test.

5.

When the device is removed from the employee's mouth, you must follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding necessary next steps in ensuring that the device has activated.

6.

(i)

If you were unable to successfully follow the procedures of paragraphs (a)(3) through (a)(5) of this section (e.g., the device breaks, you drop the device on the floor), you must discard the device and conduct a new test using a new device.

(ii)

The new device you use must be one that has been under your control or that of the employee before the test.

(iii)

You must note on the "Remarks" line of the ATF the reason for the new test. (Note: You may continue using the same ATF with which you began the test.)

(iv)

You must offer the employee the choice of using the device or having you use it unless the employee, in the opinion of the STT or BAT, was responsible (e.g., the employee dropped the device) for the new test needing to be conducted.

(v)

If you are unable to successfully follow the procedures of paragraphs (a)(3) through (a)(5) of this section on the new test, you must end the collection and put an explanation on the "Remarks" line of the ATF.

(vi)

You must then direct the employee to take a new test immediately, using an EBT for the screening test.

7.

If you are unable to successfully follow the procedures of paragraphs (a)(3)—(a)(5) of this section, but the device does not activate, you must discard the device and conduct a new test, in the same manner as provided in paragraph (a)(6) of this section. In this case, you must place the device into the employee's mouth to collect saliva for the new test.

8.

You must read the result displayed on the device no sooner than the device's manufacturer instructs. In all cases the result displayed must be read within fifteen (15) minutes of the test. You must then show the device and it's reading to the employee and enter the result on the ATF.

9.

You must never re-use devices, swabs, gloves or other materials used in saliva testing.

10.

You must note the fact that you used a saliva ASD in Step 3 of the ATF.

(b)

As the STT or BAT, you must take the following steps when using the breath tube ASD:

1.

Check the expiration date on the device or on the package containing the device and show it to the employee. You must not use the device after its expiration date.

2.

Remove a device from the package and break the tube's ampule in the presence of the employee.

3.

Secure an inflation bag onto the appropriate end of the device, as directed by the manufacturer on the device's instructions.

4.

Offer the employee the opportunity to use the device. If the employee chooses to use (e.g., hold) the device, instruct the employee to blow forcefully and steadily into the blowing end of device until the inflation bag fills with air (approximately twelve (12) seconds).

5.

If the employee chooses not to hold the device, you must hold it and provide the use instructions in paragraph (b)(4) of this section.

6.

When the employee completes the breath process, take the device from the employee (or if you were holding it, remove it from the employee's mouth); remove the inflation bag; and either hold the device or place it on a clean flat surface while waiting for the reading to appear.

7.

(i)

If you were unable to successfully follow the procedures of paragraphs (b)(4) through (b)(6) of this section (e.g., the device breaks apart, the employee did not fill the inflation bag), you must discard the device and conduct a new test using a new one.

(ii)

The new device you use must be one that has been under your control or that of the employer before the test.

(iii)

You must note on the "Remarks" line of the ATF the reason for the new test. (Note: You may continue using the same ATF with which you began the test.)

(iv)

You must offer the employee the choice of holding the device or having you hold it unless the employee, in your opinion, was responsible (e.g., the employee failed to fill the inflation bag) for the new test needing to be conducted.

(v)

If you are unable to successfully follow the procedures of paragraphs (b)(4) through (b)(6) of this section on the new test, you must end collection and put an explanation on the "Remarks" line of the ATF.

(vi)

You must then direct the employee to take a new test immediately, using another type of ASD (e.g., saliva device) or an EBT.

8.

If you were able to successfully follow the procedures of paragraphs (b)(4) through (b)(6) of this section, you must compare the color of the crystals in the device with the colored crystals on the manufacturer-produced control tube no sooner than the manufacturer instructs. In all cases color comparisons must take place within fifteen (15) minutes of the test.

9.

You must follow the manufacturer's instructions for determining the result of the test. You must then show both the device and the control tube side-by-side to the employee and record the result on the ATF.

10.

You must never re-use devices or gloves used in breath tube testing. The inflation bag must be voided of air following removal from a device. One (1) inflation bag can be used for up to ten (10) breath tube tests.

11.

You must note the fact that you used a breath tube device in Step 3 of the ATF. {67 FR 61522, Oct. 1, 2002}

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Appendix A
City of Cartersville, Georgia
Natural Gas System
Alcohol-Testing Procedure

A.

Alcohol Program Manager (APM): The alcohol program manager for the system is: (As determined by the city manager).

Otis Chupp

Covered Positions: Personnel occupying the following positions in the system are subject to alcohol testing. (As determined by the city manager)

Title	Title
All gas department employees	All servicemen of City Hall

 

B.

Alcohol testing: The following is authorized to perform alcohol tests for the system: (As determined by the city manager):

Name	DDW, Inc.
Address	911 North Tennessee Street
	Cartersville, Georgia 30120
Contact Person	Virginia S. Flud
Telephone	[phone]
Fax	[phone]
Name	Occupational Medicine Center
Address	958 Joe Frank Harris Parkway
	Professional Building, Suite 100
	Cartersville, GA 30120
Telephone	[phone]
Fax	[phone]
Contact Person	Ellen Lussier, RN, BSN
Name	Cartersville Police Department
Address	178 West Main Street
	Cartersville, GA 30120
Telephone	[phone]
Fax	[phone]

 

C.

Substance abuse professional (SAP): The following party is authorized as the Substance Abuse Professional for the system: (As determined by the city manager.)

Name	Dr. C. Thomas Bevill, III
Address	12 Medical Drive NE
	Cartersville, Georgia 30120
Telephone	[phone]
Fax	[phone]
Name	Dr. Timothy F. Ryan
Address	958 Joe Frank Harris Parkway
	Professional Building Suite 100
	Cartersville, GA 30120
Telephone	[phone]
Fax	[phone]

 

 

Appendix B
City of Cartersville, Georgia
Natural Gas System
Notice of Alcohol Testing for Cause or Reasonable Suspicion

I, the undersigned, do hereby give my consent to the City of Cartersville Natural Gas System, together with any clinic, doctor, hospital or entity designated by City of Cartersville Natural Gas System, to perform appropriate tests on me for alcohol.

I give my consent to release to the City of Cartersville Natural Gas System, or its designated agents, the results of any medical tests or medical procedures to determine the presence and/or level of alcohol.

I further agree, in "For-Cause: or "Reasonable-Suspicion" testing, to submit to a physical assessment by the Substance Abuse Professional assigned, if warranted.

I realize that my refusal to sign this form constitutes a violation of the stated policy of the City of Cartersville Natural Gas System, and for that refusal I will not be considered for and knowingly waive any possibility of employment with the System. A copy of this consent form shall be as valid as the original.

___________ Employee	___________ Witness
___________ Social Security Number	___________ Screening Test Number
___________ Date

 

 

Appendix C
Reasonable Suspicion of Alcohol Misuse Interview Form

City of Cartersville
Natural Gas System _____

Employee Name _____

Date _____

Witness to Incident _____

Supervisor Making Report _____

Date Supervisor Received Training _____

Other Supervisors Consulted _____

Other Persons or Resources
Consulted _____

Signs and Symptoms

Physical Signs:

—Loss of coordination

—Shaking or tremors

—Slurred speech

—Extreme weight loss

—Loss of appetite

—Pinpoint or constricted pupils

—Bloodshot eyes

—Blurred vision

—Coma or loss of consciousness

—Other (specify)___________

Behavioral Signs:

—Irritable

—Aggressive or violent actions

—Verbally abusive

—Unusually sensitive to advice or recommendations

—Difficulty sleeping

—Loss of concentration

—Disoriented as to physical location or identity

—Excessively "high" or elated without reason

—Emotional response is either inappropriate or lacking

—Hallucinations (sees or hears objects or people who are not there)

—Extreme changes in social patterns without reason (sudden shift in group of friends)

—Withdrawal or depression without reason

—Talks about or admits alcohol use

—Other (specify)___________

Work Performance:

—Absent without reason

—Excessive use of sick leave

—Sudden drop in quality of work

—Not following instructions from supervisor

—Refuses work assignments

—Increased number of accidents (worker compensation or vehicle)

—Increased number of errors

—Increased fights (verbal or physical) with co-workers

—Use of alcohol observed by supervisor

Other (specify)_______

Narrative

Describe in your own words the occurrence that led to a decision that alcohol testing might be appropriate. A recap of incidents which preceded this one and which might have a bearing may be included. However, in order to perform a reasonable-suspicion test, the final incident must be a job related and current, that is, within the last few hours. Include the names, dates, places, and specific words or phrases, if possible. The clearer and more detailed the report, the better (Use additional sheets, if necessary).

_____

_____

_____

_____

City of Cartersville, Georgia
Natural Gas System
Notice of Alcohol Testing for
Cause or Reasonable Suspicion

I, the undersigned, do hereby give my consent to City of Cartersville Natural Gas System, together with any clinic, doctor, hospital or entity designated by City of Cartersville Natural Gas System, to perform appropriate tests on me for alcohol.

I give my consent to release to City of Cartersville Natural Gas System, or its designated agents, the results of any medical tests or medical procedures to determine the presence and/or level of alcohol.

I further agree, in "For-Cause" or "Reasonable-Suspicion" testing, to submit to a physical assessment by the Substance Abuse Professional assigned, if warranted.

I realize that my refusal to sign this form constitutes a violation of the stated policy of the City of Cartersville Natural Gas System, and for that refusal I will not be considered for and knowingly waive any possibility of employment with the System. A copy of this consent form shall be as valid as the original.

___________ Employee	___________ Witness
___________ Social Security Number	___________ Screening Test Number
___________ Date

 

(Ord. No. 92-05, § 1, 11-17-05)

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