Glossary of Terms & Definitions
Alcohol: The intoxicating agent in beverage alcohol, ethyl alcohol, or other low molecular weight alcohols including methyl or isopropyl alcohol.
Alcohol Use:The consumption of any beverage, mixture, or preparation, including any medication or mouthwash containing alcohol.
Breath Alcohol Technicians (BAT): A trained individual who instructs and assists in the alcohol testing process and who operates and interprets results from an evidential breath testing device (EBT).
Chain of Custody: An official document used to properly label, identify and secure the urine specimen throughout the collection, transport and testing process.(Also through storage if tested positive.)
Collection Site: Location where urine specimen collections are performed in compliance with federal regulations that a “waterless” private area is maintained solely for this purpose.
Commercial Motor Vehicle: A vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the vehicle:
- Has a gross combination weight of 26,001 or more pounds inclusive of a towed unit with a gross rating of more than 10,000 pounds.
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds.
- Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver.
- Is of any size when used in the transport of hazardous materials requiring placards.
Confirmation Tests: For alcohol testing, this means a second test following a screening test of 0.02 or greater that provides quantitative data of alcohol concentration. For controlled substances, this means a sophisticated analytical procedure (called GCMS) to corroborate and verify the presence of a particular drug or metabolite.
DOT: United States Department of Transportation, the branch of the federal government that oversees and regulates all the different modes of transportation through its various sub-agencies. Includes air, surface, rail, maritime and pipeline related work.
Driver: Any person who operates a commercial motor vehicle which: transports 16 or more persons, weighs 26,001 pounds or more, and is placarded for hazardous materials transport.
Drug Test: A laboratory procedure that is used to detect the presence of a drug or its metabolite (breakdown product). Results are confirmed by a second, different method, before reporting of a positive result.
Employee: An individual determined by a DOT. regulation to be subject to drug and alcohol testing due to the safety-sensitive nature of the work (operating, manufacturing, etc.)
Employer: Any person or organization which owns or leases a commercial motor vehicle, aircraft, train or ship used to transport persons or products. The term also refers to organizations that engage in the manufacture, remanufacture and/or installation of critical parts deemed to be “safety sensitive.”
Evidential Breath Testing Device (EBT): A scientific device approved by the DOT. for the evidential testing of breath. EBT operators must be trained and certified. EBT devices must be re-calibrated and inspected at certain regular intervals.
FAA: Federal Aviation Administration, a sub-agency of the Department of Transportation that controls all air commerce and transport functions.
FHA: Federal Highway Administration, a sub-agency of the Department of Transportation that controls all “over the road” commerce and transport functions.
FRA: Federal Railway Administration, a sub-agency of the Department of Transportation that controls all rail commerce and transport functions.
GCMS: Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry. A highly sophisticated analytical method a lab uses to detect the presence of a drug or its metabolite. This serves as a back-up confirmation test before reporting a “positive” result.
Insubordination An act whereby an individual refuses to submit to the authority and mandates of DOT. regulations.
Laboratory: A testing facility certified by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) where drug testing is performed under extremely rigid standards.
MRO: Medical Review Officer. A licensed physician knowledgeable in substance abuse disorders, and who officially interprets drug test results and guarantees fairness.
Negative: The result given to a drug or alcohol test when the specimen does not contain a detectable amount of the substance or metabolite for which is being tested.
NHTSA: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; The agency that approves the various methods and devices used for alcohol testing.
Performing: Any period or phase of operation in which a driver is actually performing, ready to perform or immediately able to perform any safety-sensitive function.
Pool: The entire group of participants from which the random selection will take place.
Positive: A drug test result that is screened and confirmed by a secondary test to be positive and then verified by a Medical Review Officer as an illegitimate use of a drug.
Post Accident: Testing mandated when a DOT. reportable accident involves a fatality, citation issuance or the need to tow a vehicle from the scene. It can also refer to FAA reportable accidents involving “substantial damage” to the aircraft in which or on which critical parts were assembled, manufactured or installed.
Pre-Employment: Testing mandated before an applicant can assume safety sensitive job functions or responsibilities.
RSPA: Research and Special Programs Administration; the agency that oversees pipeline related work.
Random: An unbiased method having no predictable pattern or outcome.
Random Selection Process: This means that drug or alcohol tests are unannounced and those selected for tests are determined by unbiased methods including random number generator systems.
Refusal To Submit: Failure to provide adequate breath or urine for testing without a valid medical explanation, or engaging in conduct that clearly obstructs or thwarts the testing process.
Rehabilitation: To restore to good standing or reputation by means of education, counseling or therapy.
Safety-Sensitive Functions: As determined by the DOT. or its sub-agencies, the operation, maintenance, preparation, loading and unloading, and repair of commercial motor vehicles, ships, aircraft and trains. They also include the manufacture, re-manufacture or installation and inspection of critical parts and components.
Screen: The first phase of drug testing that yields a negative result or presumptive positive result that leads to confirmation testing by GCMS methods.
Screening Test: (also called “Initial Test”) In alcohol testing, it means the analytical procedure to determine whether or not a prohibited concentration of alcohol is in the person’s system. In drug testing, it refers to an immunoassay screen to eliminate “negative” urine specimens from further consideration.
Substance Abuse Professional A licensed physician, licensed psychologist, licensed social worker, Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP), or certified addictions counselor with knowledge of and clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol and controlled substances disorders.
Verification: The process by which a Medical Review Officer (MRO) reviews and interprets drug test results.