DOT Supervisor Training: Understanding Standards and Practices

Are you regulated by the federal motor carrier safety administration? Do you function as a part of the US transport sector? If the answer to these questions is yes, you will be required to carry out DOT supervisor training in your company. It can be a supervisor or any manager or perhaps any other position holder who has the capability to exercise reasonable suspicion at your workplace to determine whether any of your employees, associates, or safety-sensitive position holders have used any controlled substances/drugs or alcohol or not. They should be able to carry out a special test that helps them determine whether anybody in your company is at risk or not in case any of your employees come to work after having consumed alcohol or used any drugs that are not prescribed to him/her by his/her healthcare provider or physician.

DOT supervisor training is a part of your US DOT compliance that you have to fulfill without any exceptions to the rule. There is a 60-minute training on identifying the signs of alcohol use and a 60-minute training on identifying the symptoms of drug use and abuse. There are numerous ways to get your supervisors trained in this course which include video training, PowerPoint slides, in-person training, and online courses. Each method of training has its benefits.

Of course, the final decision is going to be yours as to what method of DOT supervisor training suits your needs the best. You should get in touch with your compliance educators to understand how critical these requirements are. In the meantime, let’s explain to you a few standards and best practices that you should uphold when carrying out DOT supervisor training at your company premises:

The Importance Of Record Keeping

You need to understand the importance of Recordkeeping for your DOT compliance needs. A very critical part of these DOT regulations is recordkeeping which means that you need to keep on updating your training records more frequently if you want to stay compliant. Training records should be maintained by every organization that is governed by the federal motor carrier safety administration and the US department of transportation and is required to carry out DOT supervisor training regularly. This enables them to complete their training courses on time and obtain their certification without any delay.

Understand Recurring Training

Recurring training? Most supervisors and employers do not understand that recurring training is a part of this requirement. The department of transportation recommends supervisors repeat their training course every 2 years. Supervisors that are covered by the FAA are required to repeat their training at least every 12 to 18 months.

Reasonable Suspicion – A Concept

As a supervisor, you will have to understand the concept of reasonable suspicion. This is what forms the cause for a drug and alcohol test in the first place. If the supervisor has observed certain behaviors, both mental and physical that could reasonably be categorized as “odd” or out of the ordinary as a result of alcohol use or drug use, the supervisor is obligated to report the same to the employer. If the supervisor comes in possession of the actual knowledge that any employee has used alcohol in the workplace or consumed drugs or other prohibited substances at work, he would report the same to the higher authority in the organization immediately. It is then the prerogative of the employer to take necessary actions.

Ensuring Workplace Safety

Enabling your supervisors with this training is a prerequisite to staying DOT compliant throughout the year. However, the biggest reason and a more important rationale for this training is workplace safety maintenance. Maintaining a safe and secure work environment for your employees should be your top priority. It is also crucial for the safety of the general public and everyone who uses the highway system just like you do. If you look at the latest statistics, there are reports of road accidents, crashes, and workplace injuries resulting from the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol during work timings by the members of the transport industry. This includes drivers and all safety-sensitive position holders. Therefore, ensuring workplace safety eventually helps maintain DOT compliance which proves to be beneficial for the company in the long run.

Communicating Your Drug And Alcohol Policy

This is another best practice that you have to follow. The department of transportation can change its rules and regulations at any point of time. You are required to keep your supervisors constantly updated about these developments. It is very essential that your supervisors understand the latest US DOT regulations and are able to incorporate changes into your drug and alcohol policy at work. The same needs to be communicated to your employees whether they are regulated by the department of transportation or not. This is for the benefit of everyone working in your organization.

Supervisor Responsibilities That Should Become Your Standards And Practices In 2023

As an employer, it is upon you to enforce these responsibilities and make sure that they become a regular part of your supervisor’s conduct. Let’s begin:

Updating The Organizational Policy

The supervisor should make sure that he reviews the drug-free workplace policy of the organization regularly. It is his/her responsibility to make a copy of the same available for every safety-sensitive position holder. They should also be aware of the various penalties and prohibitions that any violations of the policy would invite.

Being Prepared To Explain The Same

Supervisors and managers in charge of your work floor employees are also required to explain every nuance of the policy to your employees. Every change, amendment, alteration, and inclusion or exclusion should be at their fingertips.

Exercising More Attention To Detail

This is a habit that your supervisors or managers in charge of behavioral assessments will have to cultivate in them. Being more attentive to the signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol use at the workplace is going to keep your productivity in check. It also reduces instances of mishaps and accidents at the workplace.

To Wrap It Up For You

Carrying out DOT supervisor training with the help of your compliance educators is very critical for your company. If you want to remain functional and keep on doing your business smoothly, it is better to understand how to begin doing it. For this, you will need the guidance and support of your C/TPA. Call them right now!