OccupationalHealthGlossary
A comprehensive reference for the terms, acronyms, and regulations you need to know.
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Ten-Panel Drug Test
An expanded drug test screening for ten substance categories, commonly used in non-DOT corporate drug-free workplace programs.
The federal regulation establishing drug and alcohol testing requirements for commercial motor vehicle drivers.
Federal regulation governing procedures for DOT workplace drug and alcohol testing programs across all DOT agencies.
Five-Panel Drug Test
The standard drug test panel screening for five substance categories: marijuana (THC), cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine (PCP), and amphetamines.
A
Americans with Disabilities Act
Federal law prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities, including rules governing medical examinations and inquiries in employment.
Aviation Medical Examiner
A physician designated by the FAA to perform aviation medical examinations for pilot and aircrew certification.
A hearing test that measures the softest sounds a person can hear at various frequencies, used in OSHA hearing conservation programs.
B
An initial comprehensive health evaluation performed before an employee begins exposure-based or safety-sensitive duties, establishing benchmark health data.
Breath Alcohol Test
An alcohol screening using an evidential breath testing device (EBT) to measure blood alcohol concentration from a breath sample.
Breath Alcohol Technician
A person trained and qualified under 49 CFR Part 40 to operate an Evidential Breath Testing device for DOT alcohol testing.
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
OSHA standard requiring employers to protect workers with occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials from bloodborne diseases.
A health screening that measures physical characteristics and biomarkers like blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol, and blood glucose.
C
Consortium / Third-Party Administrator
An organization that manages DOT-regulated drug and alcohol testing programs on behalf of employers, particularly small carriers and owner-operators.
Custody and Control Form
The official Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form used to document the chain of custody for DOT drug test specimens.
Commercial Driver's License
A special driver's license required to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) including large trucks, buses, and vehicles carrying hazardous materials.
FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse
An FMCSA online database that tracks drug and alcohol program violations for commercial motor vehicle drivers.
An employer search of the FMCSA Clearinghouse database to check a CDL driver for drug/alcohol violations, available as full or limited queries.
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A motor vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or property that meets FMCSA size, weight, or cargo thresholds.
Chain of Custody
A documented process that tracks the handling of a drug test specimen from collection through final reporting to ensure its integrity.
Certified Occupational Health Nurse
A professional credential from ABOHN recognizing registered nurses with specialized knowledge and experience in occupational health nursing.
A workspace large enough to enter but not designed for continuous occupancy, with limited entry or exit, that may contain hazardous atmospheres or conditions.
A second, highly specific laboratory test (GC-MS or LC-MS/MS) performed after a positive initial immunoassay screen to confirm presence of a specific substance.
Compliance, Safety, Accountability Score
FMCSA's safety measurement system that quantifies motor carrier and driver safety performance using inspection, crash, and investigation data.
D
Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred Rate
A safety metric measuring the number of injuries/illnesses resulting in days away from work, restricted duty, or job transfer per 100 full-time employees.
Designated Employer Representative
An employer-designated individual authorized to receive drug and alcohol test results and make removal/return-to-duty decisions.
A drug test specimen with creatinine and specific gravity values below normal range, indicating excessive fluid intake before the test.
Department of Transportation
Federal department overseeing all transportation modes in the United States, including regulations for commercial driver health and drug/alcohol testing.
A federally regulated urine drug test following strict 49 CFR Part 40 procedures, required for safety-sensitive employees in DOT-regulated industries.
A medical examination required by the Department of Transportation for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators to ensure physical fitness for safe driving.
A person trained and qualified under 49 CFR Part 40 to collect urine specimens for DOT-mandated workplace drug testing.
Driver Qualification File
A mandatory file maintained by motor carriers containing documents proving a commercial driver meets all federal qualification standards.
A predefined group of substances tested for in a single drug screening, ranging from the standard 5-panel to expanded panels with 12 or more substances.
Concentration thresholds set by SAMHSA that determine whether a drug test specimen is reported as positive or negative.
A federal law requiring organizations receiving federal contracts or grants to maintain a drug-free workplace through written policies and employee awareness programs.
E
Evidential Breath Testing Device
An approved device used in DOT alcohol testing that measures breath alcohol concentration from a deep-lung air sample.
Electronic Logging Device
A device mounted in a commercial motor vehicle that automatically records driving time and Hours of Service data.
A written workplace policy defining prohibited substance use, testing procedures, consequences for violations, and employee assistance resources.
Experience Modification Rate
An insurance industry metric comparing a company's workers' compensation claims experience to the average for businesses of similar size and industry.
F
Federal Aviation Administration
Agency that regulates civil aviation, including medical certification requirements for pilots and flight crew.
Functional Capacity Evaluation
A standardized assessment of an individual's ability to perform work-related physical tasks such as lifting, carrying, and standing.
Fitness-for-Duty Evaluation
A medical or psychological evaluation to determine whether an employee can safely perform the essential functions of their job.
The state of being physically, mentally, and substance-free to safely perform essential job functions without risk to self or others.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Agency within the US Department of Transportation that regulates the trucking and bus industries.
Unannounced drug and/or alcohol testing prescribed by a SAP after an employee completes the return-to-duty process, lasting up to 60 months.
H
A drug screening method that analyzes a small sample of hair to detect drug use over approximately 90 days.
Hazard Communication Standard
OSHA standard requiring employers to inform and train employees about chemical hazards in the workplace through labels, SDS, and training.
Hazardous Materials
Substances that pose a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment during handling, storage, or transportation.
Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response
OSHA standard establishing safety requirements for workers involved in hazardous waste operations, cleanup, and emergency response.
An OSHA-mandated workplace program to prevent noise-induced hearing loss in employees exposed to hazardous noise levels.
A 3-dose vaccination series required by OSHA for employees with reasonably anticipated occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
Federal law establishing privacy and security standards for protected health information (PHI), affecting how occupational health data is handled and shared.
Hours of Service
FMCSA regulations limiting driving and on-duty time for commercial motor vehicle operators to prevent fatigue-related accidents.
M
Medical Examiner's Certificate
The official card (Form MCSA-5876) issued after a successful DOT physical, proving a driver is medically qualified to operate a CMV.
An OSHA-mandated program of periodic medical examinations and testing for workers exposed to specific workplace hazards like chemicals, noise, or radiation.
Medical Review Officer
A licensed physician responsible for receiving and interpreting laboratory drug test results in a workplace drug testing program.
N
A filtering facepiece respirator certified by NIOSH to filter at least 95% of airborne particles when properly fitted.
An unplanned event that did not result in injury or illness but had the potential to do so, often indicating a gap in safety controls.
A drug test result indicating no controlled substance was detected at or above the established cutoff level.
National Institute on Drug Abuse
NIH institute that supports research on drug use and addiction, informing workplace drug testing science and policy.
Employer-directed drug testing not subject to federal DOT regulations, allowing more flexibility in panel selection and procedures.
National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
An FMCSA database of healthcare professionals certified to perform DOT physical examinations for commercial motor vehicle drivers.
O
A drug test collection procedure where a same-gender observer directly watches the donor provide the specimen, required in specific DOT circumstances.
A physician board-certified in occupational medicine who specializes in workplace injury prevention, toxicology, and regulatory medical examinations.
Occupational Health Nurse
A registered nurse specializing in workplace health, safety, and injury prevention, who coordinates occupational health services for employers.
A drug test using a saliva sample, offering a shorter detection window but convenient observed collection.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Federal agency under the Department of Labor that sets and enforces workplace safety and health standards.
An employer record of work-related injuries and illnesses required by OSHA for establishments with 10 or more employees.
A formal notice of violation issued by OSHA after an inspection finds safety or health standards have been violated.
A work-related injury or illness that meets OSHA criteria for recording on the OSHA 300 Log.
P
Permissible Exposure Limit
The maximum workplace airborne concentration of a substance to which workers may be exposed over an 8-hour work day, as established by OSHA.
Rapid Drug Test / Point-of-Care Test
An on-site drug screening device that provides preliminary results within minutes, requiring laboratory confirmation for any non-negative result.
A drug test result indicating the confirmed presence of a controlled substance at or above the established cutoff concentration.
Drug and alcohol testing required after a DOT-recordable accident involving a commercial motor vehicle, with strict timing requirements.
Personal Protective Equipment
Equipment worn to minimize exposure to workplace hazards that can cause injuries and illnesses.
Health screenings and tests conducted before an individual officially begins employment, including drug tests, physicals, and background checks.
A comprehensive medical examination focused on early detection and prevention of health conditions, rather than evaluation of a specific complaint.
R
An unannounced, unpredictable drug testing program where employees are selected for testing through a scientifically valid random selection process.
Drug or alcohol testing conducted when a trained supervisor observes specific, articulable signs of drug use or alcohol misuse in an employee.
A test to verify that a specific make, model, and size of respirator provides an adequate seal on an employee's face.
A DOT drug and/or alcohol test required before an employee who violated drug/alcohol rules can resume safety-sensitive duties.
Return-to-Work Clearance
Medical authorization allowing an employee to resume job duties after an injury, illness, or extended absence.
S
Any duty designated by DOT regulations where impairment could endanger the employee, co-workers, or the public, requiring drug and alcohol testing compliance.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Agency within HHS that leads public health efforts to reduce substance abuse and promotes mental health in the United States.
Substance Abuse Professional
A qualified professional who evaluates employees who have violated DOT drug and alcohol regulations and recommends treatment.
Safety Data Sheet
A standardized document providing information about chemical hazards, safe handling, storage, emergency procedures, and disposal.
A situation where the donor is unable to provide a sufficient urine specimen (shy bladder) or breath sample (shy lung) during a drug or alcohol test.
A pulmonary function test that measures the volume and speed of air a person can inhale and exhale, used in occupational health medical surveillance.
Division of a urine sample into two bottles (primary "A" and split "B") to allow the donor to request independent re-testing of a positive result.
State-level laws governing when and how employers can conduct workplace drug testing, which vary significantly in scope and requirements across the United States.
Standard Threshold Shift
A change of 10 dB or more in average hearing thresholds at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in either ear, triggering employer action under OSHA.
Specimen Validity Testing
Laboratory testing that checks a drug test specimen for evidence of tampering, substitution, or dilution.
T
A blood test that measures the concentration of antibodies to determine if a person has immunity to a specific disease.
Total Recordable Incident Rate
A safety metric calculating the number of OSHA-recordable injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time employees per year.
A screening test for tuberculosis infection using either a skin test (TST/Mantoux) or blood test (IGRA), commonly required for healthcare and education workers.
W
Workers' Compensation
A state-mandated insurance system providing wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment.
A formal request for benefits under state workers' compensation laws after an employee suffers a work-related injury or occupational illness.
Vaccination programs provided by employers to protect workers from communicable diseases encountered in the workplace.
An employer-sponsored initiative promoting employee health through screenings, education, incentives, and resources.
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