Here's how we know public works drivers aren't under the influence on the job
Marijuana is legal in New Jersey, but drivers of public works vehicles are not allowed to use it.
A random drug testing program by the Middlesex County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund (MCMJIF) is making sure the drivers aren't under the influence while they're plowing roads on frigid, snowy nights.
MCMJIF members - including the New Brunswick Parking Authority, New Brunswick, South River, Carteret, Millstone in Somerset County and other communities in Monmouth and Union counties - have taken a zero-tolerance approach to drug and alcohol use.
“Our job is to minimize risk as much as possible as a joint insurance fund,” MCMJIF Chairman Harry Delgado said. “Not only does it ensure a healthy, productive workforce, it greatly minimizes insurance costs for taxpayers in the municipalities we serve. That is why we are focused on commercial driver safety, as accidents can be a leading cause of insurance expense.”
Municipal workers who have a commercial driver’s license have many responsibilities, from navigating large dump trucks to snow plows to passenger buses in all kinds of weather and traffic.
To make sure the municipal workers are fulfilling their obligation to be responsible, the MCMJIF has a long-standing relationship with Dynamic Testing Service of Toms River which provides federally-mandated random drug and alcohol screening of employees with commercial drivers’ licenses.
The service provides 24/7 response to emergencies, such as post-accident and reasonable suspicion testing.
The stakes are because government drivers face stiffer penalties due to the potential risks to public safety.
The joint insurance fund has access to a medical review officer (MRO), a licensed physician to review employees’ positive tests. The MRO contacts employees with positive drug test results to check for medical history or if they use legally prescribed medication.
Employees who test positive, or otherwise violate drug and alcohol policy, are subject to discipline, which could include reassignment to desk jobs, suspension or firing.
A positive drug or alcohol test also requires the employee to be seen by a substance abuse counselor and be subject to follow-up testing.
Sherrie Boyle, who has collected drug and alcohol data for 15 years on behalf of the joint insurance fund, said the department of transportation requires ongoing random testing of municipal drivers.
By having a third-party perform the test, the municipalities are not involved in selecting which employees are tested.
The joint insurance fund, not its members, pays the cost for the screening. Random testing must be done at least quarterly for alcohol and drugs, including cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, phencyclidine (PCP) and marijuana.
More: How much tax revenue could Somerville make from its first marijuana dispensary?
Boyle noted municipal drivers are not permitted to use cannabis, despite the fact it is legal in New Jersey. That is because commercial drivers’ licenses are regulated by the federal government, which still considers cannabis to be an illegal substance.
Employees testing positive also have their names placed into a database, Boyle said, so potential employers are informed of any violations.
“Through this process in place, we are taking the necessary precautions to ensure municipal drivers are operating vehicles safely,” Delgado said. “Also, when needed, we can identify employees with substance abuse problems and begin to get them the help they need.”
Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com
Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Here's how we know public works drivers aren't under the influence
