The reason the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires post-accident drug testing of drivers and others in safety-sensitive functions* is to promote safety on the roads. This helps prevent accidents that endanger drivers and passengers.

It is the responsibility for all holders of commercial drivers’ licenses (CDLs) to remain sober and safe in their operation of a commercial vehicle – at all times. In most cases, drivers are subject to mandatory random testing for drug use as an ongoing condition of their employment, and alcohol testing when a trained supervisor deems it necessary due to observed behaviors.

But in the case of an actual accident it is mandatory for any and all drivers involved to submit to drug and alcohol tests, with some conditions:

Fatality involved in the accident, citation issued– If police identify fault in any driver, all drivers holding a CDL need to be tested.
Bodily injury involved, citation issued– Even if there is no fault determined at the scene, drug and alcohol tests need to be conducted on holders of CDLs.
Bodily injury involved, no citation issued– If no citation is issued to any drivers, no tests are required.
At least one vehicle disabled in the accident, citation issued– If one or more motor vehicles in the accident is believed to be at fault, all drivers holding a CDL are required to have a drug and alcohol test.
At least one vehicle disabled in the accident, no citation issued– If there is no fault suspected at the scene such that police issue no citations, no tests need be conducted.
Post-accident testing is very time sensitive.

According to the Legal Information Institute/Cornell Law School publication on post-accident testing, alcohol and drug tests need to be performed “as soon as practicable following an occurrence.” It goes on to state the responsibility is on employers to do the test (almost always through third party testing firms).

Note that citations might not be issued in the immediate aftermath. Employers are responsible for testing if a citation is issued within eight hours of the incident. However, if a citation is issued later, up to 32 hours post-accident, a drug test still needs to be performed.

The law also states that “a driver who is subject to post-accident testing shall remain readily available” for such testing. If not, they can be deemed as having refused to submit to the test. It is the responsibility of the employer to inform the driver in the immediate aftermath of the accident of his or her responsibilities: They re required to stay close and in contact should the need for a test arise in the 32-hour time period.

* Safety sensitive functions include more than times while driving a commercial vehicle on the public roadways. It also includes when the commercial drivers license holder is at a shipping depot, terminal, other property (private and public) when loading or unloading a vehicle, or when waiting for a dispatch.

Since 1991, with the passage of the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act, the drivers of all commercial vehicles – who by definition hold a commercial drivers’ license (CDL) – are required to be tested for drug and alcohol consumption under the following circumstances:

Pre-employment (pre-employment drug testing for controlled substances only, not alcohol)
Reasonable suspicion (when behavior suggests there may be active use)
Post-accident (if a citation was issued, if there was a fatality or bodily injury, and if a vehicle was disabled such that it had to be towed away from the scene of the accident)
Randomly (random drug testing on an ongoing basis among all holders of the CDL, including in sole-proprietor drivers)
Return-to-duty (after failing a test)
And follow-up (various circumstances)
And to be clear, this means anyone and everyone holding a CDL who does or could operate a commercial vehicle as a part of his or her job responsibilities. That includes employees of the largest long-haul freight companies, independent drivers and even volunteers, such as drivers of vans affiliated with houses of worship.

Reasons for drug and alcohol testing

With specific regard to pre-employment, the rationale should be clear: no driver should be a user of controlled substances and also responsible for operating a heavy vehicle on America’s roads and highways. Rather than address a substance abuse issue after a driver begins employment it’s better that this be done in advance. Drivers who cannot refrain from drug use in the hiring process should not be given this responsibility.

Why is alcohol use not tested in advance of employment? Alcohol can be detected in one’s urine for about 80 hours and in a hair follicle for up to three months. But alcohol consumption is legal off the job such that a pre-employment test – particularly the more aggressive (and expensive) application of a hair follicle procedure – would yield very little useful information. The various drugs tested for – marijuana metabolites/THC, cocaine metabolites, amphetamines, including methamphetamine and MDMA, opiates (including codeine, heroin and morphine) and pencyclidine (PCP) – can be detected between one and 30 days later in urine.

Inform employees and candidates that substance testing is required

The responsibility for testing is on the employer and individuals who are self-employed in contract work. Employers need to make sure driver applicants are fully informed of the commitment and requirement to have a workplace free of controlled substances and alcohol consumption the job. This responsibility to inform typically is done while advertising for the position and as an attachment to a driver application form. Implicit in submitting an application a driver is saying he or she will adhere to the policy and submit to testing under all required circumstances.

Cancer is many times discussed as if it’s one thing, however while unrestrained growth is the common denominator, cancer can expand in a variety of different ways, due to a variety of different factors. It can be categorized into hundreds of various diseases based on the cells in which it occurs. And when each patient’s genetic background is taken into consideration, no two cases are alike.

To save more lives of people from cancer, so, it will be important to mention this complexity. Through basic study into cancer biology or immunology, one can enhance their understanding of how cancer builds up and the way it interacts with the immune system. In this way, it could be able to discover new, more effective ways to cure cancer. Various Anti-Cancer Drugs are available for cancer treatment.

WHEN DOES CANCER Happen?

Cancer begins when cells obtain the ability to develop uncontrollably and ultimately invade and harm the body’s normal tissues. Cancer development occurs in multiple stages, from precancerous changes to malignant tumors. Though, not all cancers form tumors, and each cancer can develop at different rates. Many a times cancer cells spread from their original site to various places in the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system—a process known as metastasis.

WHERE DOES CANCER Happen?

Cancer’s Point of Origin

Cancer can affect several different parts of the body, from the skin, blood vessels, bone, and muscle, to the kidneys, lungs, and many other organs. Cancer can also have an effect on the immune system, which plays a major role during both the development as well as the progression of cancer.

Genetic Causes of Cancers

Genes are segments of DNA situated on chromosomes, and may mutate after certain time to become cancerous. These mutations can result from a variety of causes, comprising of diet and lifestyle choices as well as exposure to several environmental factors. In all, only 5 to 10 percent of all cancers are genetically inherited, however these are the cancers that tend to happen earlier in life.

A kind of such inheritable genetic disorder that is connected with increased cancer risk is Lynch syndrome that prevents cells’ ability to repair their DNA when damage happen. This can result to cancers of the colon and uterus at an early age. Another such kind of genetic factor is the BRCA family of genes, various forms of which have been connected to breast and ovarian cancer.

Presently, scientists and clinicians are using as well as developing new tests to look for biomarkers, that can assist to determine risks and appropriate treatment options depending on an individual patient’s genetic profile.

Behavioral Causes of Cancer

There are several behavioral factors that can result to genetic mutations and, as a result, lead to the growth of cancer.

Tobacco

Diet (red, processed meats)

Tanning (excessive exposure to ultraviolet light)

Alcohol

Unsafe sex (leading to viral infection)

Inflammatory conditions, like ulcerative colitis or obesity

An instance of a behavioral risk factor is smoking, that can result to lung cancer, or excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, that can cause skin cancer.

Even though there are number of elements at play in the development of cancer, the treatments at our disposal are constantly improving and adapting as new research provides insight into various risk factors.

Cold therapy is a potent remedy for healing all kinds of orthopedic trauma including shoulder injuries. For healing shoulder injuries, it is best to administer cold therapy via ice machines for shoulders.

Cold Therapy for Healing Shoulder Injuries

Cold therapy is a natural remedy. It involves the use of freezing temperatures to reduce swelling and pain resulting from orthopedic injuries.

The cold temperature temporarily hinders nerve communication on the site of application, which then reduces blood flow the area as well. Without sufficient blood supply, the inflammation begins to reduce. When inflammation lessens, it also results in reduced pain.

Cold therapy is often a part of the recovery program of patients post their shoulder surgeries. The shoulder joint consists of several tendons that can become painful due to overuse over the years or any other trauma. A rotator cuff repair is a common surgery to treat a painful group of tendons in the shoulder joint. Shoulder replacement surgery is a major procedure requiring an intense recovery program often lasting for months. However, patients cannot commence their rehabilitation exercises until the pain lessens post their surgeries.

Cold therapy helps them with speedy recovery by reducing pain and helping them begin their physical exercises sooner than expected. Cold therapy helps patients to regain the range of motions in their joint-post their shoulder replacement surgery.

People can experience pain in their shoulder joints due to the nature of their professional work such as wall painting, excessive use of computers, or machine work. Cold therapy can help heal the sore shoulder muscles and lessen the pain in the joint.

With speedy recovery, patients can also reduce their requirement for pain medicines. Pain-relievers can be addictive in the long run and can be harmful to your health.

Administering Cold Therapy on the Shoulder Joint

To fully benefit from cold therapy, patients need to administer it properly. The best way to deliver cold therapy is via special devices known as cold therapy units or ice therapy machines.

You can use an ice machine for shoulder from a reputed brand such as IsoComforter to enjoy its full benefits. IsoComforter makes its cold therapy units using the patented Iso tube technology for the most efficient delivery of cold temperatures over injured muscles. The healing pads in IsoComforter machines are designed with ridges for safe and optimal delivery of cold therapy.

IsoComforter ice machine for shoulder comes with a special healing pad to use specifically on the joint. It delivers cold therapy on the shoulder joint from all sides rather than just one. You can wrap the healing pad around the shoulder after filling the tank with ice and water. As you switch on the machine, the cold water will begin to flow from the tank to the healing pad.

You will need to use cold therapy consistently until healing on the shoulder joint is complete. Your doctor may recommend 2-3 sessions of cold therapy; each lasting for 15-20 minutes at a time or another regimen depending on your unique healing needs.