Workers in safety sensitive positions are always required to follow certain regulations by the department of transportation (DOT). Safety-sensitive positions here are referred to positions where your position actively impacts the safety of other people. Common examples of these category of position include; firefighters, commercial vehicle drivers, and those handling heavy machineries or hazardous materials.
Any commercial driver employed in a safety-sensitive position is required to submit to a DOT physical. For those operating at non-DOT regulated industries, a non-DOT physical may come up; but it depends on the employer.
There are various differences between DOT physical and non-DOT physical. But before we explore them, let’s have a quick view at what DOT physical and non-DOT physical entails.
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WHAT IS A DOT PHYSICAL?
A DOT (department of transportation) physical is a physical exam needed for people who operate commercial vehicles. The major aim of a DOT physical is to ensure that drivers operating commercial motor vehicles are fit both physically, mentally, and emotionally. This examination can be carried out by health care professionals that are certified by the FMCSA.
WHAT IS A NON-DOT PHYSICAL EXAM?
A non-DOT physical examinations are sets of tests which determines the work performance capabilities and also assesses the worker’s readiness to go back to work. Most employers carry out this test for their employees to check if they are active and 100% ready to carry out their duties. These exams may come in different forms and names; like work fitness assessment, pre-employment physicals, and even fitness for duty examination.
Now, let’s explore the differences between the physicals.
A QUICK LOOK AT A DOT PHYSICAL
The primary purpose of a DOT physical is to note the ability of a person to handle, or continue operating a commercial motor vehicle and do all the functions of his job. The basic tests included in a DOT physical are:
- Vision test: 70” peripheral vision and 20/40 acuity aided or unaided by correction is required.
- Hearing test: drivers are required to successfully scale through a forced whisper test with no aid.
- Urinalysis: proper examination for underlying medical issues like diabetes.
- Thorough physical examination of the ears, eyes, mouth, and lungs, examination for the presence of cataracts, abnormal breathing rate, glaucoma, perforated eardrums, and various abnormalities.
- Neurological functioning thorough examination of your reflexes as well as coordination to note neurological condition that could negatively impact your ability to safety handle a commercial vehicle.
- Checking for the person’s ability to walk properly, climb, balance, crawl, and also kneel.
- Examination for disqualifying heart issues like angina, coronary insufficiency, heart attack amongst others.
A QUICK LOOK AT NON-DOT PHYSICAL
Unlike the DOT physical, a non-DOT physical seeks to determine the fitness of a personnel for employment; as well as the fitness to carry out a job or return to work after going on a medical leave in a non-DOT regulated industry.
Non-DOT physical may consist of the following;
- Thorough examination of medical history as well as current medications
- Weight and height Check.
- Vision test.
- Urinalysis and drug test.
- Stability, handling, and flexibility test.
- Cardiovascular assessment.
- Strength, motion, and functional test.
Unlike a DOT physical that’s carried by a certified FMCSA (federal motor carrier safety regulations), non-DOT industries can design how they want their physical tests to be like. This however depends on the nature of work and the objectives of the company view.
DOT PHYSICAL IN MICHIGAN
Getting accurate test results is highly essential when determining the fitness levels for driving. It is recommended that the employers go for a reputable testing facility in Michigan. Are you an employer operating in a DOT-regulated industry? Why not go for Anywhere DOT Exams for our experience and accuracy we provide? Our friendly and hardworking professional healthcare providers will surely assist you in preparing for your DOT physical for a better experience.
