Chemical and Petrochemical Industry
In the chemical and petrochemical industries, a small mistake can lead to huge consequences—especially when it comes to employee safety. With workers handling hazardous materials and equipment, employers can't afford to overlook the risks of substance abuse or a questionable background.
The chemical and petrochemical industries don't have the luxury of "oops" moments. Hiring the wrong person can be quite a costly mistake. Health Street provides the screening tools you need to help ensure your workforce is reliable and ready to tackle the demands of the job. Our services help you avoid costly mistakes and keep your workplace safe, all while giving you peace of mind that your hires are up to the task.
Screen with precision in high-stakes environments. Call (888) 378-2499 or register online to begin employee drug testing, workplace health testing, and background checks.
Drug Testing Regulations and Stats
PHMSA Compliance Notes for Drug Testing
Chemical and petrochemical employers regulated by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) are required to comply with federal drug testing requirements regarding safety-sensitive employees. Failing to use professional drug testing services to ensure regulatory compliance can result in steep violations that can prompt hefty fines and company penalties.
Reliable chemical industry drug testing services can also be leveraged by employers as a method of legal protection. Whether there is reasonable suspicion of workplace drug use or post-accident drug testing concerns, Health Street has you covered with fast, accurate, and reliable testing services designed to help employers meet and maintain all legal chemical industry compliance needs.
Safety Statistics: Incidents and Fatalities
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The FMCSA-HIGHWAY mode represents the highest number of incidents. Between 2015 and 2024, there were 199,811 incidents, making up the vast majority of the total.
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Highway incidents also resulted in more fatalities than any other category, with a total of 64 fatalities from 2015 to 2024.
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Most incidents in 2024 occurred during unloading, followed closely by incidents in transit.
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Incidents that occurred in transit cost the most in damages in 2024 at $71.3 million. Incidents during unloading cost $2.1 million during the same year.
Drug Testing Services
Other labs just sell tests. We deliver trust, speed, and real human support for the Chemical and Petrochemical industry. No hidden steps, no confusing options. Just straightforward, professional drug testing that does what it says it will.
Why Background Checks Matter for Chemical Industry
With hazardous materials and high-value assets in play, background checks are a critical safety measure in chemical and petrochemical work. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) PHMSA reported over $76 million in damages involving hazardous materials.
Effective background screening can help prevent incidents by flagging:
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Criminal records, especially those involving theft or workplace violence
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Motor vehicle violations for roles requiring transportation of hazardous goods
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False certifications or educational claims
Background Check Services
We run background checks 100% online. Fast, reliable, and built for the Chemical and Petrochemical industry. No scheduling, no delays. Just results.
Preventing Injuries Through Targeted Occ Health Services
Working with hazardous materials requires proper equipment and a workforce that's medically fit and protected. In 2024 alone, PHMSA recorded 27,334 hazmat-related incidents across various transportation phases.
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7 workers hospitalized due to hazmat incidents
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94 non-hospitalized injuries reported
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1 fatality occurred during in-transit operations
The majority of workplace safety incidents happened during unloading (12,652 incidents) and in transit (8,500 incidents). These numbers show the need for ongoing occupational health monitoring, including:
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Pre-placement physicals
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Respirator fit testing
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Medical surveillance for exposure risks
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Post-incident health evaluations
Occupational Health Services
We keep occupational health moving. Quick access, clear communication, and compliance-ready services for the Chemical and Petrochemical industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is drug testing essential in the chemical and petrochemical industries?
Drug testing is crucial in the chemical and petrochemical industries to ensure employee safety and compliance with regulations. Workers in these industries handle hazardous materials and operate heavy machinery, so substance abuse can significantly impair their ability to work safely. Regular drug testing helps prevent accidents, injuries, and legal complications.
What types of drug testing services does Health Street offer for the chemical and petrochemical industries?
Health Street offers pre-employment drug testing, random drug testing, reasonable suspicion testing, post-accident testing, and more. To see a comprehensive list of all drug testing services that we offer, take a look at our GLASS portal.
How does PHMSA impact drug testing in the chemical industry?
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) enforces strict drug testing regulatory requirements for safety-sensitive employees in industries like chemical and petrochemical. Non-compliance with these regulations can result in significant fines, penalties, and safety violations. Health Street's drug testing services help ensure that employers stay compliant with PHMSA's requirements.
What are the risks of not conducting proper drug testing in the chemical and petrochemical industries?
Failing to conduct drug testing in the chemical and petrochemical industries can lead to unsafe working conditions, accidents, and injuries. Additionally, non-compliance with PHMSA regulations can result in costly fines and penalties, damage to your company's reputation, and potential legal consequences.
What are the consequences of not complying with PHMSA drug testing regulations?
Non-compliance with PHMSA drug testing regulations can lead to significant legal and financial consequences, including fines, penalties, and potential suspension of operations. It also increases the risk of workplace accidents and injuries, which can have devastating consequences in the chemical and petrochemical industries.
What chemical background checks are available for the chemical and petrochemical industries?
Health Street provides a variety of background check services designed to meet the needs of the chemical and petrochemical industries. These include criminal background checks, motor vehicle record checks, and verification of safety certifications. These screenings help ensure your hires are trustworthy and qualified for the high-risk environment.
How does Health Street support PHMSA compliance?
Health Street's drug testing services are aligned with PHMSA's regulations for safety-sensitive position screening. Our testing procedures are fast, accurate, and reliable, ensuring your company stays compliant with federal regulations and minimizes the risk of legal or safety issues.
The Benefits of Registering with Health Street
Here at Health Street, it is our goal to help chemical and petrochemical employers avoid any negligent hiring concerns and ensure they gain trustworthy, competent hires each time. Our industry-specific screening services are backed by more than 10 years of industry experience alongside constant monitoring of any changing screening laws to ensure full compliance each step of the way.
With testing accuracy and speed being a top concern for our clients, Health Street only uses the best state-of-the-art technology and knowledgeable screening professionals to conduct each of our background screening services. Health Street has access to numerous databases, including federal and state criminal databases, do-not-fly lists, sex offender registries, and motor vehicle record databases, which guarantees a well-rounded assessment of each applicant.
Contact Health Street to learn more about our variety of pre-employment background screening services or use our online registration portal to purchase a screening today!
Citations
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2024, July 31). Considerations for safety and security-sensitive industries. https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/employer-resources/safety-security-sensitive
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U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. (2025). Hazmat Intelligence Portal. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 10, 2025, from https://portal.phmsa.dot.gov/analytics/saw.dll?Portalpages
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U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. (2025). Yearly incident summary reports. U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 10, 2025, from https://portal.phmsa.dot.gov/analytics/saw.dll?Portalpages&PortalPath=%2Fshared%2FPublic%20Website%20Pages%2F_portal%2FYearly%20Incident%20Summary%20Reports