In the case of EBT calibration, the indepen- dent source is the dry gas cylinder of a known alcohol concentration. In the above compari- son, the alcohol concentration of the dry gas cylinder and official United States time are both traceable back to the standards of the Na- tional Institute of Standards and Technology. Understanding that calibration is a
process of reseting the testing instrument, makes it easy to see why performing a calibration immediately following a posi- tive confirmation test makes it impossible to verify that the instrument was reading correctly when the test was taken. A calibration check verifies that the EBT
is reading correctly but does not reset it. “Cal checking” an EBT is similar to verify- ing that your watch’s time is accurate by comparing its time to an accurate source. In keeping with our earlier analogy, a watch may driſt out of time just as an EBT may driſt out of calibration due to factors not immediately apparent to the user. It is a best practice to perform a calibra-
tion check aſter a positive confirmation test, to demonstrate that the EBT is reading accurately. If the calibration check passes, this confirms the instrument is measuring accurately and the positive test is accept- able, according to DOT regulations. Te next time you hear a BAT indiscrim-
inately use the word “calibration” to refer to “calibration verifications” (cal checks), it may be time for some refresher training.
2 Not Adhering to Breath Alcohol
Technician Training Requirements According to 49 CFR Part 40, specific train- ing requirements must be met to become a Breath Alcohol Technician. Te DOT has specified a Model BAT Course, which must be followed to help ensure students receive the necessary training. It may seem counter intuitive that the DOT places the burden on the trainee and not the trainer, to ensure that the BAT training they receive meets or
10 datia focus
exceeds the DOT requirements. Best prac- tice is to ensure that your BAT training is conducted by the instrument manufacturer or a trainer who can trace their training back to the manufacturer of the EBT about which they are training. Te BAT instructor must also be qualified on the specific device(s) that the BAT intends to use. BAT documen- tation of equipment proficiency is specific to the manufacturer and model of the device(s) being used. Ensure that your BAT instructor is qualified and that their documentation is current for the specific device(s) for which training is required.
3 Lapses in Breath Alcohol Technician
Refresher Training A BAT must receive refresher Breath Alcohol Technician training no less than once every five years. Tere are no exceptions to this rule. Te DOT will likely consider invalid any evidential breath tests performed by BATs who are overdue for refresher training. Refresher training covers the same
course content as first time BAT train- ing but can normally be completed more quickly as the student is already familiar with the material. Once again, it is the re- sponsibility of the BAT to ensure that they maintain documentation to support their compliance with the five-year refresher training requirement. BAT trainers and in- strument manufacturers are not required to keep copies of BAT and instrument training, however it is an industry best practice for them to do so. Further refresher training must pertain
to the instrument model the BAT will be using. If your company acquires new breath testing equipment of a different model in the five-year period (even if the manufacturer is the same as the one already in use), your BAT proficiency training must be undertaken on the new model before it can be used for DOT mandated breath tests.
4 Timing of a
Confirmation Test
Confirmation testing must be performed in the window between 15-30 minutes aſter a positive screening test. Tere are no excep- tions, and a confirmatory test performed sooner than the 15-minute waiting period or aſter the 30 minutes will be cancelled. If the confirmation test is not completed within 30 minutes, a new screening test and Alcohol Testing Form (ATF) must begin. Most commonly, errors are made by failing to wait the full 15 minutes. One way to help avoid the problem of
improperly timed confirmation tests is to use only ONE instrument for time mea- surement. Your watch and the EBT count- ing down the 15-minute wait period are not necessarily in sync and it’s easy to see how this can inadvertently lead to conducting confirmation tests too early. For example, the screening test time on the EBT might read 11:15 while the confirmation test time reads 11:29 because a watch that read 11:30 prompted the EBT that it was time. A testing device with a countdown
timer or a continuously displayed real time clock will help prevent this error. A best practice is to check the time of the screening test on the instrument and verify that at least 15 minutes have passed on the EBT clock before taking the confirmation test.
5 Failing to Change the Mouthpiece
Residual condensation, saliva or other con- taminants in a used mouthpiece can easily affect the confirmation test results. Using the same mouthpiece for both the screen- ing test and the confirmation test will cause the confirmation test to be cancelled. We recommend EBT users get into the habit of removing and discarding a spent mouth- piece immediately aſter every test. If this error occurs, the confirmatory test must be cancelled and noted on the ATF, and a new confirmatory test undertaken.
fall 2013
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