Implementation Guidelines - Federal Transit Administration - U.S. ...

The DOT requires the new version of
the CCF to be used for all DOT
covered tests collected after July 31,
2001. Use of a non-federal form or
an old version of the form for a DOT
collection by mistake is not a fatal
flaw that will result in a cancelled
test if the prescribed corrective
actions (§40.205(b)) are taken.
• Tamperproof Sealing System – Preprinted
seals/labels are provided as
part of the CCF. Once applied to the
specimen bottles, the seal ensures
that the specimen bottle has not been
opened or tampered with. The label
also identifies the bottle with a
unique identifying number identical
to that appearing on the CCF.
• Writing Instruments – An indelible
pen or other instrument suitable for
making permanent markings on
labels and seals and for legibly
completing the urine custody and
control form should be provided.
Recommendation
Written Instructions/Checklist
Written instructions should be provided for
collection site personnel. The instructions
should describe in detail the procedures for
collecting and transporting specimens, and
completing the custody and control form.
These instructions should be available at all
times for reference and may be provided in a
checklist format to allow the technician to
indicate when each step in the collection
process has been accomplished.
Written instructions setting forth the
employee responsibilities for the drug test
are provided on the back of the CCF.
Examples of employee and collection site
personnel written instructions are provided
in the Sample Documentation section of this
chapter.
Collection Process. Specimen
collection is the most critical aspect of the
drug testing program. There is a greater
opportunity for human error or
compromising an employee’s privacy and
dignity in the collection process than
anywhere else in the drug testing process.
However, the strict maintenance of the
specimen chain of custody and personnel
training can minimize the problems and
number of test cancellations resulting from
flawed specimen collections. Employee
confidence in, and acceptance of, the testing
process is enhanced when the collection is
conducted with efficiency and
professionalism. You should, therefore,
ensure that the collection site personnel
rigorously follow DOT guidelines for
specimen collection.
An overview of the key steps and criteria
for the collection process follows. Trained
collectors who perform DOT collections
must precisely follow these steps. For
specific requirements, refer to §40.61,
§40.63, §40.65, §40.71 and §40.73.
1. The arrival time of the employee
should be noted and compared to the
employer-designated arrival time to
determine if the employee arrived
within the specified time allowed. If
the employee arrived late, the
collector must immediately notify
the DER. The time noted should be
the time the employee arrives at the
collection site, not the time the
collection begins as there may be
delays at the collection site that are
out of the control of the employee.
2. Following the employee’s arrival at
the collection site, the collector must
begin the collection process without
undue delay. If there is a waiting
line for services, employees awaiting
a test should be moved to the front of
the line, only to be displaced by
Chapter 7. Drug Testing Procedures 7-7 August 2002