Substance Abuse: 04. How Do I Know if Someone is Impaired?

The transportation industry impacts nearly everyone, because the drivers are on the roads, rails, waterways, and airways day and night. Because of this fact, the government has mandated that all industry employers maintain drug and alcohol-free workplaces. The 1991 Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act requires that supervisors receive training regarding the signs and symptoms of drug use. It might sound simple enough, if someone appears to be under the influence you should test, but drugs impact individuals differently. It's up to you, as a supervisor, to recognize the signs of drug use and to get your employees tested, hopefully before an accident occurs.