INDIANAPOLIS -- Employers regulated by the Department of Transportation will be required to test for four regularly abused opioids beginning next year.
The Department of Transportation expanded their own employee drug testing program to include four semi-synthetic opioids, oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone and hydromorphone. The four are better known as OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet and Dilaudid.
The following DOT employees are included in the expanded testing:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Federal Railroad Administration
- Federal Transit Administration
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- U.S. Coast Guard
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“The opioid crisis is a threat to public safety when it involves safety-sensitive employees involved in the operation of any kind of vehicle or transport,” said Secretary Elaine L. Chao. “The ability to test for a broader range of opioids will advance transportation safety significantly and provide another deterrence to opioid abuse, which will better protect the public and ultimately save lives.”
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The new testing guidelines will expand to DOT-regulated employers beginning January 1, 2018.
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