MIS Reporting

FTA Drug and Alcohol Regulation Updates
Issue 13, page 7

Annual MIS Reporting

   The Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, under contract to FTA, is responsible for collecting and analyzing annual MIS reports from all employers subject to FTA’s drug and alcohol testing regulations. Michael Redington, the Volpe Center project manager, indicates that grantees and state DOTs who submitted reports last year will be mailed a package of information and forms by the end of 1998. Rural systems will receive their reporting packages directly from their state DOT.
   The package will include report guidance, a paper version of the forms, and a compact disc version of the forms with associated reporting software. The employer has the option of which version to use. The forms and report guidance can also be downloaded from the Volpe Center website. The address is http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/damis. The MIS data collection forms or their diskette equivalent must be submitted to the FTA Drug and Alcohol MIS Program Office by March 15, 2000.
   The Volpe Center has made significant improvements to the MIS reporting software and directions for producing the reports electronically. Specifically, the electronic version has incorporated range checks and validation procedures that will bring questionable responses to the attention of the reporter for verification. In addition, the ability of the reporter to edit entries has been greatly improved and state DOTs will now be able to make multiple entries in a streamlined fashion. FTA encourages employers to submit electronically if possible to facilitate report submission, validation, and analysis. Electronic submissions can also be processed more quickly and can minimize data entry and manipulation errors.
   If you do not receive a 1999 DAMIS reporting package by January 15, 2000, please contact the Volpe Center at (617) 494-6336 to request a copy.

Seminars Planned

   Four regional seminars are planned on FTA’s drug and alcohol rules for the Year 2000. These seminars will provide an overview of the regulations including all updates, relevant FTA interpretations, audit process, and NPRMs as appropriate.
   The seminars will be designed to accommodate 300 attendees or more and will be presented in a lecture hall format. The dates and locations of the seminars are yet to be determined, but will be published in the newsletter as soon as they become known. Enrollment will be open to all and the seminars will be provided free of charge.
   The content of the seminars will be similar to the 3-day Substance Abuse Management courses presented by the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) . However, the TSI course is offered in an intimate workshop format with less than 45 attendees that generates a high level of interaction and includes hands-on use of a program self-assessment checklist.
   The TSI courses are provided on a cost-recovery basis with enrollment controlled by the host. At the time of publication, five dates remained open for TSI courses in 2000.
   For more information regarding hosting a TSI course, contact Mr. Steve Dallman at (405) 954-7224.

Part 655 Awaited

   The Federal Transit Administration is in the process of revising and combining the drug testing regulation (49 CFR Part 653) and the alcohol testing regulation (49 CFR Part 654) into one new regulation (49 CFR Part 655). The new regulation promises to eliminate inconsistencies between the two existing regulations and clarify points of confusion. In addition, the new combined rule will incorporate the content of the FTA letters of interpretation and will address other issues of concern.
   Part 655 will first be published as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Spring of 2000. All stakeholders, including large and small transit systems, contractors, service vendors, consortia, state DOTs and trade associations are encouraged to comment. The industry now has several years of experience upon which to base its opinions and comments. Consequently, it is important that all viewpoints be reflected. Comments should address specific issues and provide documentation to support the points being made. All comments will be taken into consideration.
   This will be your chance to make your concerns be known and to champion your cause. All comments will be viewed with respect and addressed on their merit. FTA is committed to making this rulemaking process a success.

Q: If an individual cannot provide sufficient urine for a drug test and therefore has three hours to make another successful attempt, when does the three hours start? Does the employee get another three hours if a second attempt also results in insufficient volume?

A: The three hour window begins at the time the first specimen is provided to the collector and the insufficient volume is determined. Insufficient volume on a second attempt does not result in an additional three hour period. If the first attempt was submitted to the collector at 6:00 am, the donor has until 9:00 am to submit a specimen with the required 45 ml no matter how many attempts are made during the time period. Each specimen that results in insufficient volume must be discarded and a new attempt made. Specimens cannot be combined.

The information presented on this page should be used to update Chapters 2 and 9 of the Implementation Guidelines.