FRA Mandated Employees, Know the Post-Accident Drug Testing Requirements
In an effort to lessen the number of railroad accidents, FRA mandated employees are required to complete pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty and follow-up drug and/or alcohol tests. When an employee is involved in an accident on the job they may have to undergo post-accident drug and/or alcohol testing as well. If a DOT mandated employee fails a drug and/or alcohol test they must be removed from their safety-sensitive duties and enroll in a SAP program.
Every DOT mandated employee that performs safety-sensitive duties should know the testing requirements in order to return to work.
What are the FRA Mandated Post-accident Drug Testing Requirements?
If there is an accident that occurs on the job that meets the following guidelines for post-accident testing, the FRA mandated employer must perform drug and/or alcohol tests.
- Major train accident
- Impact accident
- Fatal train incident
- Passenger train accident
- Human-factor highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident
Once it is determined that the accident meets the criteria for a post-accident drug test, you are required to report to a collection site. Testing for drugs and alcohol requires a urine sample and sometimes blood testing and a saliva swap or Breathalyzer.
FRA mandated Employee – Did you Fail a Post-Accident Drug Test?
If you failed an FRA post-accident drug test, you are required to stop work immediately and seek a professional evaluation. This professional evaluation must be from a qualified Substance Abuse Professional or SAP. A SAP is the only person who can evaluate you and recommend you return to your safety-sensitive work.
The SAP will conduct an initial evaluation and recommend you for appropriate treatment and/or education. Once you comply with the SAPs recommendations you will be scheduled for a follow-up evaluation. Once your SAP reviews your compliance to your treatment and/or education they will give authorization for a return-to-duty alcohol/drug test to be performed by your current employer or prospective employer.
Consider The FastTrack Enrollment Program, Contact SRS today!
We understand that DOT mandated employees want to get back to work fast after a failed FRA mandated post-accident drug test. Your SAP plays a huge role in your return to duty. Luckily SRS offers a FastTrack Enrollment program, which identifies a SAP in your geographic region and schedules your appointment. Click to enroll in the FastTrack Enrollment Program today!
Source: 49 CFR 219.203 (a) 1-5
SAP Referral Services (SRS) is the leading facilitator for mandated substance abuse evaluations. SRS maintains an extensive network of qualified providers in more than 3,000 locations nationwide for testing violations that originate from any of the DOT’s modes including FMCSA, FAA, FRA, FTA, USCG and PHMSA, or a company’s internal drug and alcohol testing policy.