Training Required For Certification

(1) A drug-free workplace program must notify all employees that it is a condition of employment for an employee to refrain from reporting to work or working with the presence of drugs or alcohol in the employee’s body; (2) Prior to testing, the employer shall give a written policy statement to employees and job applicants which contains a copy of the covered employer’s drug and alcohol policy which complies with T.C.A. Section 50-9-101 et seq. and is based upon the model language provided on the bureau’s website. Covered employers shall provide at least one (1) hour of training to all employees at least one time. All employees must be trained within sixty (60) calendar days of an employer’s implementation of a Tennessee Drug-Free Workplace Program or within sixty (60) calendar days of the employee’s date of hire. (a) This training shall include information on the following topics: 1. The covered employer’s Drug-Free Workplace Program policies; 2. The covered employer’s testing procedures; 3. The consequences for violating the covered employer’s policies; 4. The specific drugs for which testing will be performed; and 5. Any employee assistance program (EAP) and/or substance abuse treatment options available for their employees. (b) The training may also include information on the following topics: 1. The disease of addiction; 2. Defining use versus abuse; 3. The recovering employee in the workplace; 4. Why people abuse substances; 5. Avoiding relapse in the workplace; 6. The role of the family in addressing substance abuse and addiction; 7. The role of co-workers in addressing substance abuse and addiction; 8. The role of co-workers in maintaining a drug-free workplace; 9. The effects and dangers of commonly abused substances in the workplace; 10. 12-step programs; 11. Stress and the workplace; 12. Safety and the workplace; 13. Warning signs; DRUG FREE WORKPLACE PROGRAMS CHAPTER 0800-02-12 14. The most commonly abused drugs in the workplace (e.g., marijuana, cocaine/crack, inhalants, alcohol, opiates, hallucinogens, prescription drugs, etc.); 15. The physical and psychological effects related to the abuse of the above drugs, and others; 16. The health and medical risks of substance abuse; and 17. Avoiding substance abuse through wellness, exercise, diet, etc. (3) In addition to the employee training listed above, covered employers shall provide all supervisory personnel with an additional two (2) hours of supervisory training at least one time. Supervisory training shall include: (a) Recognizing the signs of substance abuse in the workplace; (b) Documenting and reporting to the proper employer representative signs of employee substance abuse; (c) Referral of an employee to Human Resources (HR) for counseling and possible treatment options; (d) Being able to understand and explain the employer’s Drug-Free Workplace Program policies; and (e) Being able to understand and explain the Tennessee Drug-Free Workplace Program rules. (4) The Supervisory Training Program may include additional topics as listed in Section (2)(b) above. (5) The employee training and supervisory training component of the drug-free workplace program is meant to be flexible so that employers may be creative in conducting these trainings. Employers may utilize any available resource. (6) Covered employers shall keep appropriate records including a copy of the signed consent form in order to document the completion of the employee and supervisory training requirements for each current employee and supervisor.