Post-Accident Drug Testing for FRA Employees

The Federal Railroad Administration’s mission is rail safety. Consequently, it requires drugs and alcohol testing for safety-sensitive employees. Their regulations require locomotive engineers, train dispatchers, trainmen, operators, conductors, utility employees, and locomotive hostlers/helpers to undergo drug testing numerous times during their career, including in the event of an accident. If you tested positive for drugs and/or alcohol during post-accident drug testing, you need a SAP (Substance Abuse Professional) to help you get back to work. Read on to learn more.

When a FRA Employee Needs Post-Accident Drug Testing

Unfortunately, accidents occur. The FRA must determine if anyone involved was under the influence of alcohol or prohibited drugs at the time of the incident. Therefore, criteria was developed outlining when a FRA employee undergoes post-accident drug testing. Drug testing should occur as soon as possible, but no longer than 32 hours after the accident.

All FRA employees will be removed from safety-sensitive functions if the post-accident test results are positive for drugs and/or alcohol. If you find yourself in this situation, your next step is to meet with a Substance Abuse Professional who will evaluate you. The SAP develops a return-to-duty plan and determines what treatment and/or education is best. Once you have complied with the return-to-duty process, the SAP will evaluate you once more. If the SAP concludes that you took the necessary steps, you will be approved for a return-to-duty test.

Partner With SAP Referral Services Today

SAP Referral Services makes the process of finding a SAP and getting back to work easier. Our FastTrack Enrollment includes booking your initial face-to-face substance abuse evaluation session with a DOT-qualified SAP. This service also covers two SAP reports, treatment or education recommendations, and return-to-duty test recommendations.

Click here to learn more about FastTrack Enrollment. Join the more than 25,000 employees who have already used our services.

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.