What is a Designated Employer Representative?

In order for an occupational testing program to be successful, there’s a key role that must be fulfilled. This position is referred to as a designated employer representative, or DER. This person is vital because they attend to all the elements that go into your drug and alcohol testing program.

What is a designated employer representative, and why are they needed? This role has the potential to carry many different responsibilities, depending on the individual’s clearance level. In this article, we will share more about the duties that could fall under a DER and why they are so important to your organization.

Designated Employer Representative Meaning & Responsibilities

A DER overlooks the key elements of occupational safety in the workplace, managing the drug and alcohol testing program and execution of their team members. This role must be a company employee, and can be taken on by the employer themself or can be designated to another employee who would be a good fit for the role. Depending on the organization, it can also be beneficial to have more than one DER.

These individuals’ responsibilities can include booking, billing, training, and/or enforcing negative and non-negative test result procedures. Here’s a breakdown of the role:

• Administration
• Liaison
• Compliance Officer
• Educator/Trainer

Not every DER will hold each of the above responsibilities. Depending on the organizational structure and the individual’s clearance level, they may cover one or several of them.

The Importance of DERs

A DER is an integral part of maintaining a safe work environment. Most are trained to recognize the suspected use of drugs or alcohol and have the expertise to react to unsafe incidents. This helps ensure that all employees, especially those in safety-sensitive positions, are fit for duty.?

On top of that, the DER plays the crucial role of ensuring that the drug testing program runs smoothly and that the organization is compliant with all relevant regulations. As an employer representative, they are viewed as a reliable resource the rest of the employees can depend on and ensure the confidentiality of drug and alcohol testing information.

Because this is such an important role for the well-being of your employees and organization, it’s essential to ensure your DER is properly equipped to handle their duties.

• The individual must undergo proper DER training so they fully understand:

• The DER must be fair and unbiased, as they are responsible for managing random testing.
• As a primary contact for service agents and employees, the DER should be a skilled communicator and coordinator. This will make sure all components of the program function smoothly together.
• Occupational testing is a sensitive industry. DERs must value confidentiality and understand the importance of maintaining secure records.
• Training to recognize the use of drugs or alcohol is a key asset for this position. With that comes the authority to assess employees in safety-sensitive positions and remove them from duty when needed.?

Having a designated employer representative helps protect everyone involved in the organization by contributing to a safe and healthy work environment. By managing the drug and alcohol testing program, the DER plays a crucial role in maintaining compliance and integrity throughout the process.?

Looking to get more information on the positions that go into an effective health and safety program? Reach out to us for help with your drug testing program or if you have any questions about appointing a designated employer representative.