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Washington — The Department of Transportation is accepting comment on a proposed rule that would allow the use of electronic forms and signatures for drug and alcohol testing.
Published Oct. 15, the proposal would “provide additional flexibility and reduced costs for the industry while maintaining the integrity and confidentiality requirements of the drug and alcohol testing regulations,” DOT says.
For now, “employers and their service agents must use, sign and store paper documents exclusively, unless the employer is utilizing a laboratory’s electronic Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form (electronic CCF) system that has been approved by the Department of Health and Human Services.”
The proposal would allow for, but not require, e-forms and e-signatures for testing. “Many employers and their service agents have already instituted the use of electronic signatures, forms and records storage for the non-DOT regulated testing that they conduct,” DOT says.
In August 2022, the department issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeking comment on 14 specific questions, including those requesting feedback on the practical and economic impacts of authorizing a fully or partially electronic system.
Comments on the proposed rule are due Dec. 16.
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Original article published by Safety+Health an NSC publication