Changes for Federal Workplace Testing

(Fall 2015) New guidelines proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would modify federal drug testing requirements. The Oral Fluid Mandatory Guidelines would permit oral fluid testing of federal employees and override the current practice of solely using urine specimens. The HHS also introduced Urine Mandatory Guidelines which would, among other revisions, change the threshold for identifying adulterated samples flagged by low pH levels. The proposal also outlines testing procedures for hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone and oxymorphone, all Schedule II prescription medications not included in the Mandatory Guidelines at this time.

Once finalized by HHS, the Department of Transportation (DOT) must also incorporate these additions into its rules.

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