The service department is often a dealership’s most profitable area, and one of its most hazardous. Technicians work beneath vehicles raised on lifts, handle heavy components, use pneumatic and electrical tools, and work around fluids and chemicals. Precision and focus are essential.
Hazards in the service bay
- Vehicle lifts: Improperly positioned or secured vehicles can fall.
- Heavy parts: Transmissions, wheels, and engines require careful handling.
- Power tools: Impact wrenches and cutting tools demand steady hands.
- Hot components and chemicals: Burns and exposures are real risks.
- Moving vehicles: Vehicles are driven in and out of bays all day.
- EV service: High-voltage battery systems require strict safety procedures.
An impaired technician puts themselves and coworkers at risk.
Quality of work matters too
Impairment doesn’t only affect safety in the shop. It can affect the quality of repairs. A missed torque spec, a loose brake component, or an incorrect installation can put a customer in danger on the road and expose your dealership to comebacks, warranty issues, and liability.
A testing program for technicians
- Pre-employment testing for all technicians, apprentices, and lube techs
- Reasonable suspicion testing when supervisors observe signs of impairment
- Post-accident testing after shop injuries or vehicle damage, consistent with OSHA guidance
- Random testing to maintain standards over time
- Expanded panels to consider prescription drug misuse, which can affect alertness
Supporting your technicians
Good technicians are hard to find. A drug-free workplace policy that includes access to assistance resources shows you care about your people, not just about catching problems.
Fast screening for a competitive hiring market
When you find a qualified technician, you don’t want to lose them to a competitor while waiting on paperwork. Elite Services Workplace Screening’s barcode ordering sends your candidate straight to a nearby clinic, and rapid kits are available when you need preliminary results quickly.
Ready to protect your workplace? Elite Services Workplace Screening provides nationwide drug testing, DOT compliance, background searches, MVRs, and E-Verify. Call 888-738-9297 or contact us online to get started.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws and regulations change; consult qualified counsel about your specific situation.