Abbreviations and Terms You Should Know

Abbreviations and Terms You Should Know Abbreviations ASD BAT CDL CMV DER DOT EBT HHS MRO NHTSA Alcohol Screening Device Breath Alcohol Technician Commercial Driver s License Commercial Motor Vehicle Designated Employer Representative U.S. Department of Transportation Evidential Breath Testing Device U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Medical Review Officer National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 1

SAP STT Substance Abuse Professional Screening Test Technician Definitions Actual Knowledge Knowledge by an employer that a driver has used alcohol or controlled substances based on the employer s direct observation of the driver, information provided by the driver s previous employer(s), a traffic citation for driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, or a driver s admission of alcohol or controlled substance use under the provisions of Sec. 382.121. Adulterated Specimen A specimen that has been altered, as evidenced by test results showing either a substance that is not a normal constituent for that type of specimen or showing an abnormal concentration of an endogenous substance. Alcohol Intoxicating agent in beverage alcohol, ethyl alcohol, or other low molecular weight alcohols including methyl and isopropyl alcohol. Alcohol Concentration (or Content) Alcohol in a volume of breath (shown as grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath) as indicated by an evidential breath test. Alcohol Confirmation Test A second test, following a screening test with a result of 0.02 or greater, that provides quantitative data of alcohol concentration. An evidential breath testing device must be used. Alcohol Screening Device (ASD) A breath or saliva device, other than an evidential breath testing device (EBT), that is approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and placed on a conforming products list (CPL) for such devices. 2

Alcohol Use The drinking or swallowing of any beverage, liquid mixture, or preparation, including medications containing alcohol. Breath Alcohol Technician (BAT) An individual who instructs and assists drivers in the alcohol testing process and operates an evidential breath testing device (EBT). Chain of Custody The procedure used to document the handling of the urine specimen from the time the driver gives the specimen to the collector until the specimen is destroyed. The procedure uses the Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form (CCF). Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) A motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the vehicle: has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds (including a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds); or has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds; or is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or is of any size and is used in the transportation of a placardable amount of hazardous materials. Confirmatory Drug Test A second analytical procedure performed on a different aliquot of the original specimen to identify and quantify the presence of a specific drug or drug metabolite. Confirmatory Validity Test A second test performed on a different fractional part of the original urine specimen to further support a validity test result. 3

Confirmed Drug Test A confirmation test result received by a medical review officer (MRO) from a laboratory. Controlled Substances In the regulation, the terms drugs and controlled substances are interchangeable and have the same meaning. Unless otherwise provided, these terms refer to: Marijuana; Cocaine; Opiates; Phencyclidine (PCP); and Amphetamines. Designated Employer Representative (DER) An employee identified by the employer who is: Able to receive communications and test results from service agents; Authorized to take immediate actions to remove drivers from safety-sensitive duties; and Able to make required decisions in the testing and evaluation processes. The individual must be an employee of the company. Service agents cannot serve as DERs. Driver Any person who operates a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), including: Full time, regularly employed drivers; Casual, intermittent or occasional drivers; and Leased drivers and independent owner-operator contractors. Evidential Breath Testing Device (EBT) A device used for alcohol breath testing that has been approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4

Initial Specimen Validity Test The first test used to determine if a urine specimen is adulterated, diluted, substituted, or invalid. Invalid Drug Test The result reported by a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) certified laboratory in accordance with the criteria established by HHS Mandatory Guidelines when a positive, negative, adulterated, or substituted result cannot be established for a specific drug or specimen validity test. Medical Review Officer (MRO) A licensed physician (medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy) responsible for receiving and reviewing laboratory results generated by an employer s drug testing program. The MRO must have knowledge about and clinical experience in substance abuse disorders and appropriate medical training to interpret and evaluate an individual s result together with his or her medical history and other relevant biomedical information. Negative Result The result reported by an HHS-certified laboratory to an MRO when a specimen contains no drug or the concentration of the drug is less than the cutoff concentration for the drug or drug class and the specimen is a valid specimen. Positive Result The result reported by an HHS-certified laboratory when a specimen contains a drug or drug metabolite equal to or greater than the cutoff concentrations. Reconfirmed The result reported for a split specimen when the second laboratory is able to corroborate the original result reported for the primary specimen. 5

Rejected for Testing The result reported by an HHS-certified laboratory when no tests are performed for a specimen because of a fatal flaw or a correctable flaw that is not corrected. Safety-sensitive Function(s) A driver is considered to be performing a safety-sensitive function when he or she begins to work or is required to be in readiness to work until the time he or she is relieved from work and all responsibilities for performing work. Safety-sensitive functions include six specific items found in Section 382.107 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). (See Page 8 of this Handbook.) Screening Test (Initial Test) In testing for alcohol: a procedure to determine if a driver has a prohibited concentration of alcohol in his or her breath or saliva specimen. In testing for controlled substances: a test to eliminate negative urine specimens from further consideration and to identify the presumptively positive specimens that require confirmation or further testing. Screening Test Technician (STT) A person who instructs and assists drivers in the alcohol testing process and operates an alcohol screening device (ASD). Split Specimen Collection A collection in which the urine collected is divided into two separate specimen bottles, the primary specimen (Bottle A) and the split specimen (Bottle B). Stand-down The practice of temporarily removing a driver from the performance of safety-sensitive functions based only on a report from a laboratory to the medical review officer (MRO) of a confirmed positive test for a drug or drug metabolite, an adulterated 6

test, or a substituted test, before the MRO has completed verification of the test results. Substance Abuse Refers to patterns of drug and/or alcohol use that result in health consequences or impairment in social, psychological, and occupational functioning. Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) A licensed physician (medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy), or licensed or certified psychologist, social worker, employee assistance professional, marriage and family therapist, or certified drug and alcohol counselor who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol regulation. The SAP makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare. Substituted Specimen A urine specimen with creatinine and specific gravity values that are so diminished or so divergent that they are not consistent with normal human urine. 7