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Where To Find?.....
49 CFR Part 655, Prevention of Alcohol Misuse and Prohibited Drug Use
in Transit Operations
August 9, 2001
Federal Register Vol. 66
Pages 41996 - 42036
December 31, 2003
Federal Register Vol. 68
Pages 75455-75466
Primary Topic: One Page MIS Form
Notice of Interpretation:
April 22, 2002
Federal Register Vol. 67,
Pages 19615-19616
Primary Topic: FTA/USCG regulation applicability to ferry boats.
The information presented on this
page should be used to update Chapter 5 of the revised Implementation
Guidelines.
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2005 FTA Substance Abuse Seminars Announced
FTA announced the dates and locations for its 2005
seminar series. These one-day seminars are designed to provide essential
facts and information to facilitate employers’ compliance with DOT’s 49
CFR Part 40 and FTA’s 49 CFR Part 655.
The primary focus of the seminars is to present a
high-level overview of the regulations. However, this year’s seminars
will include an emphasis on the operational side of a transit agency’s
functions. The seminars will include a number of scenarios for
participants to discuss as well as breakout groups to address common
topics. Prescription and over-the-counter drug use, and the U.S. DOT
Drug and Alcohol Testing Data Collection Form will be reviewed along
with a number of other pertinent issues.
To learn more about the seminars and register online,
go to:
http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/training/SubstanceAbuse or call
Felicity Dickenson at (617) 494-3915 or email:
felicity.dickenson@volpe.dot.gov.
| Date |
City and State
|
| February 1, 2005 |
Washington, DC |
| February 8, 2005 |
Port St. Lucie, FL |
| February 10, 2005 |
North Little Rock, AR |
| March 10, 2005 |
Austin, TX |
| April 19, 2005 |
Akron, OH |
| April 21, 2005 |
Raleigh, NC |
| May 11, 2005 |
Steamboat Springs, CO |
Continuing Ed/Refresher Training Due for Some
All Medical Review Officers (MROs) are required to
complete twelve professional development hours of training relevant to
MRO functions every three years. MROs that completed the initial formal
training course and passed the corresponding exam more than three years
ago are now due to have completed the continuing education requirements.
Likewise, Breath Alcohol Technicians (BATs) that underwent their
qualifications training more than five year ago, are now due for their
refresher training.
As overseers of your service agents, you should
periodically check the dates of your service agent’s qualifications
training, continuing education efforts and refresher training dates to
ensure that these requirements are being met.
Awaiting DHHS’ Alternative Testing Final Rule
On April 13, 2004 the Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that
proposed revisions to the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace
Drug Testing Programs including scientific and technical guidelines for
alternative testing methods including hair, sweat, and oral fluid
specimens among other things. For an overview of the NPRM
see Issue 27 of the Updates.
Even though the Guidelines do not apply to DOT regulated entities
directly, the Guidelines have historically served as the basis for DOT
testing and thus, should be of interest to DOT-covered entities.
The DHHS received a number of comments on the NPRM and
is working to incorporate comments, concerns, and suggestions as
appropriate. Publication of the final rule is expected prior to the end
of the year. |