Top Truck Lobby Group Calls on HHS to Set Standards for Hair Testing

Top truck lobby group, American Trucking Associations (ATA), has called on Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and the federal government to quickly release guidelines and standards for the use of hair samples in mandatory drug testing of truck drivers.

ATA spearheaded efforts to allow carriers to use hair testing as an alternate test method to traditional urinalysis in the most recent highway bill, but to date HHS has yet to issue the standards.

“Many trucking companies are using urinalysis to meet federal requirements, while also paying the additional cost to conduct hair testing,” said ATA Chris Spear in his letter to HHS.

ATA, and many of its member carriers, believe based on experience that hair testing is more effective at preventing habitual drug users from obtaining jobs as truck drivers, thus improving highway safety.

“Making sure America’s truck drivers are safe and drug-free is among ATA’s highest priorities,” Spear said. “This commitment is why ATA led the charge for mandatory drug testing of commercial drivers, for the creation of a clearinghouse for drug and alcohol testing results and the use of hair testing.”

Category: General Update, Management