Safety Sensitive Employees

If you’ve found this section, you have probably just experienced a DOT violation. Let me recommend a few things that will help make the next part of your life go smoothly.

Let’s start here: There are a lot of options available to you for SAP services. I’d recommend you do a google search and explore those options. Be careful, though. I recently worked with a driver that contacted a SAP that promised to get him back on the road in a week, without hearing about the violation, for a $1,700.00 fee. Also be cautious about national SAP programs. I’ll be glad to tell you more about that over the phone.

Also, you should know what my priorities are. First, my job is to keep the public safe. Second, my job is to accurately assess what kind of issue you have going on in your life. Third, my job is to create a program that will eliminate your issue and return you to work in a way that does not put the general public at risk.

Here’s a checklist for you to work from in this process:

1. Once you are notified of your violation, make sure you are registered for the clearinghouse. You can do that here.

2. Select a SAP in the clearinghouse. You can learn how here.

3. Write down your violation date, why you violated, who your Designated Employee Representative (DER) is, the DER’s email and phone number, and the name, address and phone number of your employer. You’ll need this information for your intake paperwork.

4. Your SAP will reach out to you once you have selected them in the clearinghouse to schedule an initial evaluation.

5. Complete your registration on this page.

6. Remember this as you prepare for your initial evaluation: Your absolute quickest route to Return to Duty rests in your ability to be completely transparent and honest about yourself. During your assessment you’ll find I am warm and accepting, but I have also been doing this for a long time. I’ll be getting the detailed lab report. Science is amazing! And due to split sample testing, it’s never wrong. Being open about your past goes a long way!

7. After our initial evaluation I’ll recommend a program specifically designed to meet my obligations as a SAP. I’ll send you and your DER a copy of that report. I’ll be available for any questions that might arise on exactly what is required of you.

8. After you complete the program, reach out to me and we will schedule a Follow up Evaluation. During that interview, we’ll talk about new insights gained and evaluate your compliance.

9. Following successful completion, I’ll mark you as Return to Duty eligible in the clearinghouse. Your DER will then schedule you for a RTD test. Once you pass that, you’re back on the road!

10. I’ll provide your DER with a follow up random testing schedule that will follow you for 6 months to 5 years.

11. If you change jobs once you get back on the road, you’ll want to give your new DER my contact information. I’ll update them on your evaluations and testing schedule.