TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

FTA Drug and Alcohol Regulation Updates
Issue 30, page 3

• A policy checklist that was updated in June of 2005. The checklist can be downloaded from FTA’s website. The checklist lists all of the elements that must be included in a compliant drug and alcohol testing policy. Go to http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov.
• A credit card sized post-accident decision reference guide that can hang from an ID lanyard or tucked into a wallet. The easy-to-use reference defines the FTA post-accident thresholds, describes who to test, and outlines the time limitations for post-accident testing. A sample guide can be obtained by e-mailing: fta.damis@volpe.dot.gov.
• The leader’s guide for the Reasonable Suspicion Referral for Drug and Alcohol Testing was updated and reprinted. The video has not been updated. The guide can be obtained by calling the FTA Office of Safety and Security Clearinghouse at (617) 494-2108.
• The Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy Compliance (ODAPC) announced the release of a new publication entitled What Employees Need to Know About DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing. This guide presents the basics every safety-sensitive employee should know about the DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations. This seventeen page guide can be downloaded at www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/documents.html.

     In addition to these tools, the ODAPC has begun a subscription service to provide news and updates by e-mail. Subscribers receive news, updates and information related to DOT’s Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Procedures. To subscribe to this service, go to www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/email_list.html and fill out the required information. In addition to the subscription service, information can be obtained from the ODAPC website at www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/news.

Substance Abuse Seminars to be Scheduled

     Given the success of the Substance Abuse Seminars that FTA has conducted over the past five years, FTA has decided to offer additional sessions this year. The one day seminars are designed to provide essential information and insight to facilitate employers’ compliance with FTA’s drug and alcohol testing regulations. The seminars update participants on regulatory changes, interpretations, agency best practices, and guidance on how to address prescription and over-the-counter medication use in a safety-sensitive work environment. The sessions have proven beneficial to transit agency drug and alcohol program managers, human resource managers, safety mangers, safety-sensitive contractors and service agents proving services to the transit industry.
     To host a seminar, you must provide an accessible meeting location with a capacity of 100 people or more, provide audio-visual equipment, assist in publicizing the training session, and assist with registration. The dates and locations of the seminars will be announced as soon as host sites are confirmed. To register for a session or to volunteer to be a host site, contact Felicity Shanahan at (617) 494-6336.

     The Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) has published its list of course offerings for the next fiscal year. TSI provides a two and one-half day substance abuse management course as part of its core curriculum. The course assists participants with conducting an evaluation and self-assessment of their respective agency’s substance abuse program and compliance with FTA regulations. The last class in 2005 is scheduled for Cleburne, TX on November 15-17. In 2006 classes are scheduled for Miami, FL on February 7-9; San Antonio, TX on February 28-March 2; Los Angeles, CA on April 18-20; and, Houston, TX on April 26-28. For more information and to register for a class, call (405) 954-3682.
 

The information presented on this page should be used to update Chapter 1 of the revised Implementation Guidelines.