Seasons Greetings!
It’s time for year-end work!
We’re busy checking and re-checking all the statistics that are required for federally mandated drug screens. As most of you know, there can be substantial fines for missing those compliance numbers. If you have not yet completed the 4th quarter drug and alcohol screens, please get them in as soon as possible. We are also working on 2022 contract renewals. The contract is ready for you and we look forward to working with you in the coming year. Download the 2022 contract form here.
The past two years have been so unusual and difficult for many. I know that all of us have had to work through new processes and procedures to keep our businesses running as smoothly as possible. I don’t know what 2022 will bring, but I want you to know that the TSS team remains committed to your safety and wellbeing. Our COVID CLEAN training is still available on our website. This training gives your staff a great overview on the disinfection process. Not just the how and why, but how to also handle the chemicals and proper PPE when doing so.
We hope to return to IN-PERSON CPR classes soon if the COVID numbers continue to decline. The new normal for those classes will be smaller groups, sanitizing requirements upon entry and potentially masking. Each instructor will set the parameters for their class depending on the situation in the area of the country we are training in. We will also consider on-site training, at your location, for your teams. You may continue to utilize the ONLINE training portal for new and renewing CPR/FA cards even once we are back in person. There are many expired cards out there and now is a great time to get training in. Consider purchasing a TSS gift certificate for CPR/FA classes!
I want to express my sincerest appreciation and gratitude for your relationship with TSS in 2021. Whether you get this newsletter as a client, vendor, partner, family or a friend, in some way you have touched this company and left a mark. Business doesn’t happen without people like you, and we are so very delighted that we have you sharing in our journey. Thank you so much. I wish you the best this holiday season, however you celebrate it. Please take good care of yourself and those around you.
Renee Schofield
|
Employers and the Vaccine Mandate |
As employers, we are responsible for the health and wellbeing of our employees at work and the people our business serves. Over the last two years, this basic responsibility has taken on entirely new dimensions. We quickly had to learn COVID precautions and protocols and take an increasingly active role in workplace health issues.
Now, things have gotten even more complicated and many employers are uncertain about whether they will be required to have their workforce vaccinated in the new year.
Here is the most updated information we have about President Biden’s Vaccine Mandate for businesses with more than 100 employees:
In September, President Biden announced a multi-part plan to mitigate COVID-19 by taking action in the workplace. The first part of that process was to instruct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to develop an Emergency Temporary Standard for workplaces with 100+ employees. On November 4, OSHA unveiled the Emergency Temporary Standard. The plan requires covered employers to have two paths for their employees: 1) Full vaccination or 2) Weekly testing (not required to be paid for by the employee), with full compliance by January 4, 2022.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay on the ETS in November and the case is awaiting a hearing with the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
So, what should employers do while the lawyers and courts figure it out?
|
As you prepare for the new year, you can get a jump on one thing with TSS by sending us your 2022 Enrollment Form! Renewing contracts early helps us and you to keep random pools running smoothly.
Many of our longtime clients are familiar with the process:
- Your current contract expires on December 31, 2020.
-
Enrollment for 2022 is available now. (Simply download the form, fill it out and return it via fax, email or mail.)
- Send us your updated employee roster at the same time.
- To be eligible for discounted enrollment, your company's account must be paid in full and you must be compliant with 2021 drug screening requirements.
-
DISCOUNT - If your contract is returned WITH PAYMENT by December 31, 2021, your renewal cost is $200.
- ALL contracts renewed after December 31, 2021, will be charged at the standard rate of $250.
- TSS will issue certificates once payments are current.
- If you are happy with TSS's services, please consider referring us to your partners and suppliers!
So much has changed in our 22 years of service in this industry. Two years ago, we told you that saliva screening was going to happen in the DOT world. Well, here we are…. Still waiting. The CCF’s have changed, additional drugs have been added to the DOT panel due to the opioid crisis and, then, the pandemic added its own testing complications that everyone continues to recover from. In short, there are still some unknowns for 2022, when it comes to drug and alcohol testing.
For now, review the enclosed information and return the contract page and your current employee roster to TSS, along with your payment. If you have a past due balance, please remit that at the same time.
As always, the TSS team cannot say THANK YOU enough for your business. The work we get to do with you matters to us. We are grateful for your renewed business.
|
Think Before you Get Behind the Wheel |
People who use alcohol or drugs and drive put everyone on the roads at risk.
While data is limited, on accidents caused by drug impairment, in 2018, 12.6 million people reported driving under the influence of marijuana or other drugs.
During the pandemic, police departments around the country have reported an increase in DUIs and substance-associated traffic accidents.
|
Coach's Corner: Skip the Resolutions |
Are you preparing to make your 2022 New Year’s Resolution? Don’t. Every year, millions of people declare they are making a resolution to exercise more, lose weight, get organized, learn a new skill or hobby, live life to the fullest, save more money / spend less money, quit smoking, spend more time with family and friends, travel more, read more, etc.
And, every year, just about the time the chocolate rolls out for Valentine's Day, we’ve broken our pledge.
What would it feel like to you, if instead of New Year’s resolutions, you sat down with a coach and mapped out some goals, with realistic timelines and targets, and you met once or twice a month to navigate the process?
What would it feel like to have someone to really focus on YOU and what YOU want to achieve?
|
Updated DOT Guidance for SAPs and Service Agents |
COVID made getting assessments from SAPs following a substance abuse infraction difficult, at best. The DOT’s requirement of an in-person, face-to-face evaluation of an employee who violated drug testing regulations was challenging for those needing the evaluation and for those providing the service.
In April 2020, DOT issued guidance allowing for remote services, the most recent update continues to permit remote services when needed with appropriate documentation. In many areas, the assessment has returned to in-person status. There are, however, still some SAPs who are working remotely and meet with individuals via video conferencing.
The document also updates guidance that provides service agents, such as collectors, MRO’s, Breath Alcohol Technicians, etc. some flexibility in the timeline for completing recertification.
|
No matter what you are celebrating this time of year, toys and gifts for the little ones in your life are probably part of it. So, it’s hardly surprising that December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month.
One of the best parts of the holidays is watching your children’s faces as they open their presents. Those joyful moments, however, can end up with a trip to the emergency room if a toy is not age-appropriate, manufactured with dangerous materials or simply badly made.
|
|
TSS TRAINING
Webinar, online, blended
|
If you don't see a course you need on our website, our team of safety specialists are more than happy to customize a training, or series of trainings, for you. Just let us know how we can help.
|
All Webinars are
10 a.m. AKT
1 p.m. CST
You, the DER
Tuesday, January 11
Cost: FREE
Do you receive the drug & alcohol screening results for your company? Do you maintain the records of screening results?This webinar is designed to educate the Designated Employee Representative (DER) on what their responsibilities are regarding the drug screening program within their company. We'll cover drug screening, random selection, document retention and more.
Signs & Symptoms for Supervisors
Tuesday, January 18
Cost: $129
Forty percent of workplace fatalities involve employee substance abuse. Do YOU know the signs & symptoms?
It is essential for employers to understand the prevalence, trends and costs related to substance use among employees and how to respond. This training meets the requirements for DOT mandated training on drugs and alcohol and is appropriate for all supervisors, DERs and employees who need training.
|
View our featured online courses on TSS's revamped website homepage. Make sure to keep checking back for new content!
|
Blended Learning First Aid & CPR
|
COST: $85
2-Year Certification
During COVID-19 , TSS will not be offering standard CPR & First Aid courses. Instead, consider taking our Blended Learning course.
- Take the classroom portion of the course online.
- Then, schedule a hands-on evaluation at your convenience.
Same skills. Same certification. In the safest way.
|
Schedule Your Drug
Screen at
(877) 225-1431
or
|
|
