Frequently Asked Questions When should I call to check on results of a test? Negative results are usually processed by the next morning or afternoon of the collection date. If you haven’t received results at that time, check to make sure the donor went into the collection site and if so, please call Safety First as soon as possible. What does the MRO do if he can’t reach the donor on a positive, adulterated, or substituted test? After 48 hours of attempts to reach the donor, the MRO will contact the company to let them know he needs to speak to the donor. No information about the results is given until the MRO process is complete. May the MRO report an “interim” or preliminary” test result to the employer while awaiting receipt of the MRO copy and/or the laboratory result? No. The MRO must not report test results until and unless he or she has received all required information from the collection site and laboratory. This means the MRO must have Copy 2 or a legible copy of Copy 2 (or any legible copy of a CCF page signed by the employee) and must have the drug test result (sent in the appropriate manner for negatives and non-negatives) from the laboratory. A MRO sending “in-progress” negative or non-negative results will be considered to be in violation of federal law. Is an employer considered to be in compliance with Part 40 if evidential breath testing devices (EBTs) are not available within 30 minutes of an alcohol screening test location? An employer is not considered to be in compliance if an EBT is not available for use within 30 minutes to confirm the screening test. However, there may exist unusual circumstances (e.g., post-accident testing) in which an EBT is not available within the appropriate time frame. In such a case, the employer would not be considered out of compliance with the regulation if documentation exists showing a “good faith” effort to get an EBT. It is important to note that most operating administrations give employers up to 8 hours to administer the appropriate alcohol test following a qualifying accident. What are the minimum annual percentage rates for random testing? View Current Random Testing Rates What is the definition of a Designated Employer Representative (DER)? An employee authorized by the employer to take immediate action(s) to remove employees from safety-sensitive duties, or cause employees to be removed from these covered duties, and to make required decisions in the testing and evaluation processes. The DER also receives test results and other communications for the employer. Service agents cannot act as DERs. Do you have a question for Safety First? Click here to send us your inquiry: Email Safety First