Control of Alcohol and Drug Use: Coverage of Maintenance of Way (MOW) Employees and Retrospective Regulatory Review-Based Amendments, 37893-37948 [2016-13058]

Agencies

• Federal Railroad Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 112 (Friday, June 10, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37893-37948]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13058]



[[Page 37893]]

Vol. 81

Friday,

No. 112

June 10, 2016

Part IV





Department of Transportation





-----------------------------------------------------------------------





Federal Railroad Administration





-----------------------------------------------------------------------





49 CFR Part 219





 Control of Alcohol and Drug Use: Coverage of Maintenance of Way (MOW) 
Employees and Retrospective Regulatory Review-Based Amendments; Final 
Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 112 / Friday, June 10, 2016 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 37894]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

49 CFR Part 219

[Docket No. FRA-2009-0039, Notice No. 3]
RIN 2130-AC10


Control of Alcohol and Drug Use: Coverage of Maintenance of Way 
(MOW) Employees and Retrospective Regulatory Review-Based Amendments

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In response to Congress' mandate in the Rail Safety 
Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA), FRA is expanding the scope of its drug 
and alcohol regulation to cover MOW employees. This rule also codifies 
guidance from FRA compliance manuals, responds to National 
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations, and adopts 
substantive amendments based upon FRA's regulatory review of 30 years 
of implementation of this part.
    The final rule contains two significant differences from FRA's July 
28, 2014 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). First, it adopts part 
214's definition of ``roadway worker'' to define ``MOW employee'' under 
this part. Second, because FRA has withdrawn its proposed peer support 
requirements, subpart K contains a revised version of the troubled 
employee identification requirements previously in subpart E.

DATES: This rule is effective June 12, 2017. Petitions for 
reconsideration must be received on or before August 9, 2016. Petitions 
for reconsideration will be posted in the docket for this proceeding. 
Comments on any submitted petition for reconsideration must be received 
on or before September 13, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Petitions for Reconsideration related to Docket No. FRA-
2009-0039 may be submitted by any of the following methods: Web site: 
The Federal eRulemaking Portal, https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments.
    Fax: 202-493-2251.
    Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. DOT, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590.
    Hand Delivery: Room W12-140 on the Ground level of the West 
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket number or Regulatory Identification Number (RIN) for this 
rulemaking. Please see the Privacy Act heading in the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section of this document for Privacy Act information 
related to any submitted comments or materials.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to www.regulations.gov or to Room W12-140 on the 
Ground level of the West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    A complete version of part 219 as amended in this final rule is 
available for review in the public docket of this rulemaking (docket 
no. FRA-2009-0039). Interested persons can review this document to 
learn how this rule affects part 219 as a whole.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gerald Powers, Drug and Alcohol 
Program Manager, Office of Safety Enforcement, Federal Railroad 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 25, Washington, 
DC 20590 (telephone 202-493-6313), Patricia V. Sun, Trial Attorney, 
Office of Chief Counsel, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 10, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone 202-
493-6060), patricia.sun@dot.gov; or Elizabeth A. Gross, Trial Attorney, 
Office of Chief Counsel, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 10, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone 202-
493-1342), elizabeth.gross@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents for Supplementary Information

I. Executive Summary
II. Rulemaking Proceedings
III. Effective Date
IV. Maintenance-of-Way Employees and Contactors
    A. Definitions
    B. MOW Employees and the Small Railroad Exception
    C. MOW Contractors and the Small Railroad Exception
    D. Railroad and Contractor Responsibility for Compliance
    E. Pre-employment Drug Testing of MOW Employees
    F. Initial MOW Employee Random Testing Rates
    G. MOW Employee Minimum Random Testing Pool Size
V. Restructuring of Part 219
    A. Division of Reasonable Suspicion and Reasonable Cause Testing 
into Subparts D and E
    B. Transfer of Revised and Retitled Troubled Employee 
Requirements to Subpart K
VI. Section-by-Section Analysis
VII. Regulatory Impact and Notices
    A. Executive Orders 12866 and13563 and DOT Policies and 
Procedures
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 13272; Final 
Regulatory Flexibility Assessment
    C. Paperwork Reduction Act
    D. Federalism Implications
    E. Environmental Impact
    F. Executive Order 12898 (Environmental Justice)
    G. Executive Order 13175 (Tribal Consultation)
    H. International Trade Impact Assessment
    I. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
    J. Energy Impact
    K. Privacy Act Information

I. Executive Summary

    In the first major updating of its drug and alcohol regulation (49 
CFR part 219) since its inception in 1985, FRA is expanding the scope 
of part 219 to cover Maintenance-of-Way (MOW) employees. Historically, 
FRA has conducted only post-mortem post-accident toxicological (PAT) 
testing of MOW employees, since an MOW employee, unlike a covered 
service employee, has been subject to part 219 testing only when he or 
she has died as the result of a reportable railroad accident or 
incident. Even in this comparatively small sample of post-mortem 
results, however, FRA found a disproportionately high level of positive 
test results among deceased MOW employees compared to the PAT testing 
and random testing results of covered employees who are already wholly 
subject to part 219.
    Congress, in the Rail Safety Act of 2008 (RSIA), recognized the 
substance abuse problem among MOW employees by directing FRA to make 
them fully subject to the policies and protections of part 219. Partly 
in response to comments received, FRA is adopting the definition of 
roadway worker in part 214 of this chapter to define who is an MOW 
employee for purposes of part 219. FRA will introduce MOW employees to 
random drug and alcohol testing at the same initial minimum random 
testing rates it initially applied to covered employees. FRA is also 
adding a new definition, ``regulated employee,'' to encompass both 
covered and MOW employees.
    In this rule, FRA is making MOW employees subject to all part 219 
testing, namely, random testing, PAT testing, reasonable suspicion 
testing, reasonable cause testing, pre-employment testing, return-to-
duty testing, and follow-up testing. Because many MOW employees work 
for multiple contractors or contract for short-term jobs, FRA is 
addressing not only the roles and responsibilities of railroads with 
respect to those employees who directly

[[Page 37895]]

perform MOW activities for them, but also the roles and 
responsibilities of contractors and subcontractors who provide MOW 
services to railroads on a contract basis. As has been its practice, 
FRA is holding railroads, contractors, and subcontractors equally 
responsible for ensuring that their employees who perform MOW 
activities are in compliance with the requirements of this rule. FRA is 
also continuing its practice of counting only a railroad's total number 
of covered employees to determine whether that railroad qualifies for 
certain exceptions as a small entity.
    In addition, FRA has used this lookback at part 219 to conduct a 
complete retrospective regulatory review of the rule. As a result, FRA 
has largely restructured and rewritten large sections of this rule and 
incorporated longstanding compliance guidance, to make part 219's 
requirements easier to read, find, and implement.
    Finally, in response to widespread opposition from commenters, FRA 
is not adopting its proposal to require peer support programs. FRA is 
instead transferring part 219's requirements for troubled employee 
programs to a new subpart in a revised, expanded, and clarified format.

Costs and Benefits of Final Rule

    The final rule will impose costs that are outweighed by the 
quantified safety benefits. For the 20-year period analyzed, the 
estimated costs that will be imposed on industry total approximately 
$24.3 million (undiscounted), with discounted costs totaling $14.2 
million (Present Value (PV), 7 percent) and $18.9 million (PV, 3 
percent). The estimated quantified benefits for this 20-year period 
total approximately $115.8 million (undiscounted), with discounted 
benefits totaling $57.4 million (PV, 7 percent) and $83.6 million (PV, 
3 percent).
    The costs will primarily be derived from implementation of the 
statutory mandate to expand the scope of part 219 to cover MOW 
employees. The benefits will primarily accrue from the expected injury, 
fatality, and property damage avoidance resulting from the expansion of 
part 219 to cover MOW employees, as well as the PAT testing threshold 
increase. The table below summarizes the quantified costs and benefits 
expected to accrue over a 20-year period from adoption of the final 
rule and identifies the statutory costs and benefits (those required by 
the RSIA mandate to expand part 219 to MOW employees) and the 
discretionary costs and benefits (those that are due to the non-RSIA 
requirements).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Statutory       Discretionary         Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Costs (20 year)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAT Testing--Adding MOW...................................          $ 52,000  ................          $ 52,000
PAT Testing--Impact Def + Xing............................  ................          $241,974           241,974
Reasonable Suspicion Testing..............................           842,398  ................           842,398
Pre-Employment Testing--Adding MOW........................           673,897  ................           673,897
Pre-Employment Testing--Sm, RR............................  ................            29,904            29,904
Random Testing............................................        20,863,074  ................        20,863,074
Annual Reporting..........................................           160,911  ................           160,911
Recordkeeping Requirement.................................         1,397,840  ................         1,397,840
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
    Costs Subtotal........................................        23,990,120           271,878        24,261,998
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Benefits (20 year)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accident Reduction........................................       115,369,281  ................       115,369,281
PAT Testing Threshold Reduction...........................  ................           388,295           388,295
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
    Benefits Subtotal.....................................       115,369,281           388,295       115,757,576
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
        Net Benefit.......................................        91,379,161           116,417        91,495,578
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Rulemaking Proceedings

    On July 28, 2014, in response to a Congressional mandate (see sec. 
412 of the RSIA (Pub. L. 110-432, October 16, 2008)) and NTSB 
recommendation R-08-07, FRA published an NPRM (79 FR 48380) which 
proposed to expand the scope of part 219 to cover MOW employees. See 79 
FR 43830. FRA also proposed to modify its post-accident toxicology 
(PAT) testing criteria and to replace its subpart E programs addressing 
troubled employees with a peer support program in new subpart K. The 
NPRM also proposed to adopt longstanding program guidance, and to 
clarify and restructure part 219 to make its requirements easier to 
understand and implement.
    On September 15, 2014, in a jointly filed petition, the American 
Public Transportation Association (APTA), American Short Line and 
Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), Association of American 
Railroads (AAR), and National Railroad Construction and Maintenance 
Association, Inc. (NRCMA), requested a 60 day extension of the NPRM's 
comment period, which had been scheduled to close on September 26, 
2014. FRA agreed to this request, and published a notice allowing 
commenters until November 25, 2014, to submit comments. (September 25, 
2014, 79 FR 57495).
    FRA received 16 comments during this extended comment period, 
including an AAR/ASLRRA (hereinafter referred to as the 
``Associations'') joint submission, as well as comments from APTA, the 
NRCMA, the NTSB, SMART (the American Train Dispatchers Association, 
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Brotherhood of 
Maintenance of Way Employees Division, International Brotherhood of 
Electrical Workers; and Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation), 
Twin Cities & Western Railroad Company (TC&W), Drug Abuse Program 
Administrators Administration Worldwide (SAPAA), Pacific Southwest 
Railway Museum (PSRM), SAPlist.com, and Southeastern Pennsylvania 
Transportation Authority (SEPTA). Six individuals also submitted 
comments. (Although SMART had requested a public hearing in its 
November 28, 2014 comment, the deadline for filing such a request was 
30 days after the

[[Page 37896]]

publication of the NPRM, or August 27, 2014).
    In this final rule, FRA will not address comments that raised 
issues outside the scope of, or not specific to, the proposals in the 
NPRM, or comments submitted after the extended comment period had 
closed. In addition, the NPRM proposed to make this part more user-
friendly, by reorganizing sections, re-designating paragraphs, updating 
terms, and amending language for consistency. Because FRA received no 
comment on these minor edits, FRA is not repeating the NPRM's 
discussion of them.

III. Effective Date

    FRA received only one comment concerning the rule's effective date. 
The Associations requested that the final rule become effective two 
years after its publication, to allow for the implementation of new 
testing policies and procedures, and for the creation of random testing 
pools for MOW employees. FRA notes, however, that many MOW employees 
are already subject to drug and alcohol testing under Federal 
authority, company authority, or both. For example, any MOW employee 
whose duties require the holding of a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) 
is subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) 
testing requirements. MOW employees may also be subject to testing 
under company authority, often in a ``look-alike'' (a company testing 
program that mirrors FRA standards and procedures) program. This 
familiarity with drug and alcohol programs will facilitate the 
implementation of part 219 requirements for MOW employees.
    Moreover, railroads have thirty years of experience implementing 
part 219 requirements for their covered service employees; while 
employers who are newly subject to part 219, such as contractors who 
provide MOW service to railroads, have service agents (e.g., random 
testing consortia and third party administrators) readily available to 
facilitate adoption and compliance with this part. Given the experience 
and resources railroads and contractors have to draw on, FRA believes a 
one year implementation window is reasonable for the requirements in 
this rule.

IV. Maintenance-of-Way Employees and Contractors

A. Definitions

    As proposed, FRA is expanding the scope of part 219 to cover 
employees and contractors who perform MOW activities. This rule also 
adopts FRA's proposal to define the term ``employee'' to include 
employees, volunteers, and probationary employees of railroads and 
contractors (including subcontractors) to railroads, and to adopt the 
term ``regulated service'' to encompass both covered service and MOW 
activities. Performance of regulated service makes an individual a 
``regulated employee'' subject to part 219, regardless of whether the 
individual is employed by a railroad or a contractor to a railroad.
    In the NPRM, FRA requested comment on who should be subject to the 
expanded scope of this part. As alternatives, FRA asked whether part 
219's definition of MOW employee should: (1) Be identical to the 
roadway worker definition in part 214, Roadway Workplace Safety; (2) 
include all employees subject to disqualification under 49 CFR 209.303, 
as recommended by the NTSB; or (3) incorporate a modified version of 
part 214's definition of roadway worker which would include certain 
roadway worker functions but not others, as proposed in the NPRM. Of 
those who commented on FRA's proposed definition of MOW activities, 
SEPTA stated that the definition of MOW activities in part 219 should 
be consistent with the definition of roadway worker duties in part 214. 
While the Associations supported FRA's proposed exclusions from MOW 
activities, they agreed with SEPTA's view that part 219's definition of 
MOW activities and Sec.  214.7's definition of roadway worker duties 
should be consistent. SMART, however, commented that FRA's proposed MOW 
activities definition was both too inclusive and too exclusive, while 
the NRCMA unqualifiedly supported the proposed definition.
    In its comments, the NTSB continued to advocate for adoption of 
Recommendation R-08-07, which recommended that FRA expand the scope of 
part 219 to include all employees subject to Sec.  209.303. No other 
commenter supported so wide an expansion. As noted in the NPRM, Sec.  
209.303 encompasses many employees besides those who perform covered 
service and MOW activities, no matter how such activities are defined. 
As examples, Sec.  209.303 includes employees who conduct tests and 
training, and mechanics who maintain locomotives, and freight and 
passenger cars, among others.
    In Skinner v. Railway Labor Executives' Assn., 489 U.S. 602 (1989), 
the Supreme Court held that an alcohol or drug test conducted under FRA 
authority is a Fourth Amendment search, and in its determination of who 
should be subject to part 219 testing, FRA must carefully balance 
public safety interests against individual privacy rights. FRA has done 
so, and can find no overriding safety interest that would justify 
making every employee covered by Sec.  209.303 subject to part 219 
testing. In its comment to the NPRM, the NTSB cited no accidents or 
data to support adoption of R-08-07. To date, FRA has no data 
suggesting that the functions of testers, trainers, and mechanics are 
of such a safety-sensitive nature that employees who perform these 
functions should be subject to drug and alcohol testing. FRA therefore 
finds no compelling reason to expand the scope of part 219 to equal 
that of Sec.  209.303.
    Upon consideration of the other comments, however, FRA has 
reevaluated its proposed definition of MOW employee. Almost all 
commenters pointed out that an employee who performs activities on or 
near a railroad's roadbed or track is by definition one who performs 
work that could pose risks to the safety of both the employee and the 
public. As demonstrated by the high positive rate among MOW employee 
fatalities (detailed in the NPRM), the misuse of drugs or alcohol by 
these employees can have disastrous consequences. Congress determined 
when it enacted the RSIA, that an employee who performs MOW activities 
performs work that is sufficiently safety-sensitive to trigger FRA's 
drug and alcohol requirements. Adoption of the NPRM's proposed 
definition of MOW employee would have required railroads to maintain 
fine distinctions among MOW activities, since the performance of 
certain activities would make an employee subject to both parts 214 and 
219, while the performance of others would make an employee subject 
only to part 214 or to part 219.
    FRA's proposed MOW definition could have potentially required a 
railroad or contractor to establish three different categories of 
coverage, with the attendant administrative burdens necessary to sort 
and maintain such categories. In contrast, because the term ``roadway 
worker'' has been long established by part 214, the railroad industry 
is already familiar with its meaning and application. FRA is therefore 
adopting, for its definition of MOW employee, Sec.  214.7's definition 
of roadway worker, which includes ``any employee of a railroad or a 
contractor to a railroad, whose duties include inspection, 
construction, maintenance or repair of roadway track; bridges, roadway, 
signal and communications systems, electric traction systems, roadway 
facilities or roadway maintenance machinery on or near track

[[Page 37897]]

or with the potential of fouling a track, and flagmen and watchmen/
lookouts as defined in this section.'' By doing so, FRA is adopting the 
recommendation of the majority of commenters, who asserted that an 
individual subject to roadway worker protection under part 214 should 
also be a MOW employee subject to drug and alcohol testing under part 
219.

B. MOW Employees and the Small Railroad Exception

    Since the inception of its alcohol and drug program in 1985, FRA 
has counted the number of covered employees a railroad has (including 
covered service contractors and volunteers) as one factor in 
determining the railroad's risk of alcohol and drug-related accidents. 
See 50 FR 31529, Aug. 2, 1985. Historically, a small railroad, defined 
by FRA as one that has 15 or fewer covered employees and no joint 
operations with other railroads, has proven less likely to have a drug 
and alcohol-related accident than a larger railroad. Therefore, FRA has 
always required a larger railroad (defined as one that has 16 or more 
covered employees or is engaged in joint operations) to implement all 
of part 219, while Sec.  219.3 previously excepted a small railroad 
from the requirements of subpart D (reasonable suspicion and reasonable 
cause testing), subpart E (previously identification of troubled 
employees), subpart F (pre-employment testing), and subpart G (random 
alcohol and drug testing); these exceptions lessened part 219's 
regulatory burden on small railroads.
    As proposed, FRA is continuing its longstanding approach of 
counting only a railroad's covered employees for purposes of 
determining whether the railroad qualifies for the small railroad 
exception (the railroad also cannot participate in any joint 
operations) because FRA believes this is the best measure of the risks 
posed by the railroad's operations. FRA received no objections to this 
proposal.

C. MOW Contractors and the Small Railroad Exception

    With respect to a contractor who performs MOW activities for a 
railroad, FRA is amending Sec.  219.3 to apply part 219 to an MOW 
contractor to the same extent as it applies to the railroad for which 
the MOW contractor performs regulated service. As proposed, a 
contractor's level of part 219 compliance will be determined by the 
size of the railroad for which it is performing regulated service, 
regardless of the size of the contractor itself. New language in the 
small railroad exception states that a contractor who performs MOW 
activities exclusively for small railroads that are excepted from full 
compliance with part 219 will also be excepted from full compliance. 
For example, an MOW contractor with five employees who perform 
regulated service for a large railroad must implement a full part 219 
program if the railroad for which it performs regulated service must do 
so, while an MOW contractor with 20 employees does not have to 
implement a full part 219 program if it performs regulated service for 
a small railroad that is excepted from full compliance with part 219.
    FRA recognizes that an MOW contractor may perform regulated service 
for multiple railroads, some of which may not be required to comply 
fully with part 219. To simplify application, FRA is adding new 
language to the small railroad exception requiring an MOW contractor 
who performs regulated service for multiple railroads to implement a 
full part 219 program if the contractor performs regulated service for 
at least one large railroad fully subject to part 219. If an MOW 
contractor performs regulated service for at least one large railroad, 
it must incorporate all of its regulated employees into a full part 219 
program, even if only some of these employees perform regulated service 
for large railroads, regardless of whether or not a particular employee 
is currently performing regulated service for a large or a small 
railroad. This approach allows an MOW contractor to flexibly allocate 
its employees between small and large railroads. To ensure that it does 
not encourage the hiring of MOW contractors in lieu of MOW employees, 
FRA is excluding both contractor employees who perform MOW activities 
and railroad employees who perform MOW activities, for purposes of the 
employee count to determine whether a railroad qualifies as a small 
railroad. Labor supported FRA's decision.

D. Railroad and Contractor Responsibility for Compliance

    FRA is adopting its proposal to hold both a railroad and its 
contractor(s) responsible for ensuring that any contractor employees 
who perform regulated service for the railroad are in compliance with 
part 219. In their comments, the Associations objected that the RSIA 
mandated that part 219 cover contractors who perform regulated service, 
but did not make railroads responsible for ensuring that compliance, 
and that a contractor who performs regulated service for more than one 
railroad would be required to comply with the drug and alcohol training 
requirements of multiple railroads. The TC&W commented that FRA should 
audit the drug and alcohol compliance of contractors who perform 
regulated service.
    FRA notes that making a railroad responsible for its contractor's 
compliance, and making a contractor who performs regulated service 
responsible for its own compliance, are not new requirements, because 
existing Sec.  219.9 makes every person--including a railroad, an 
independent contractor and an employee of an independent contractor--
who violates or causes a violation of a part 219 requirement subject to 
a civil penalty. To avoid confusion, FRA is discussing a contractor's 
options to ensure part 219 compliance for its regulated employees 
below, while the corresponding railroad options to ensure that its 
contractor employees who perform regulated service are in compliance 
will be discussed below in the section-by-section analysis of Sec.  
219.609.
    A contractor who must establish a random testing program for its 
regulated service employees may do so through any of the following 
methods. As discussed in the NPRM, a contractor may choose to:
     Establish its own part 219 program and provide the 
railroad with documentation of its compliance with part 219. If a 
contractor chooses this option, FRA will not audit the contractor but 
will instead require the railroad to maintain the contractor's 
documentation for FRA audit purposes. If the contractor's documentation 
or program contains a deficiency or violation that the railroad could 
not have reasonably detected, FRA may use its enforcement discretion to 
take action solely against the contractor. As discussed earlier in the 
preamble, the extent of a regulated service contractor's 
responsibilities will be determined by the size of the railroad(s) with 
which it contracts.
     Contract with a consortium to administer its part 219 
program. The consortium may either place the contractor's regulated 
employees in a stand-alone random testing pool or in a random testing 
pool with the regulated employees of other regulated service 
contractors. The contractor must then submit documentation of its 
membership in the consortium and its compliance with part 219 to the 
contracting railroad. As with the option described above, if the 
contractor's documentation or program contains a deficiency or 
violation that the railroad could not have reasonably detected, FRA may 
use its enforcement discretion to take action only against the 
contractor. Upon request, FRA will

[[Page 37898]]

assist a railroad in reviewing the part 219 documentation of its 
regulated service contractors.
     Ensure that any employees who perform regulated service 
for a railroad are incorporated into the railroad's part 219 program.
    To facilitate part 219 implementation for railroads and 
contractors, FRA has developed two sets of model drug and alcohol plans 
(including testing plans); a set for an entity subject to all of part 
219 and another for an entity that qualifies for the small railroad 
exception. Both sets are currently available at FRA's Web site: https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0345.
    FRA had proposed an alternative two-pronged approach, which would 
require a contractor to provide a railroad with: (1) Written 
certification that all of its regulated employees are in compliance 
with part 219, and (2) a summary of its part 219 data at least every 
six months. The NRCMA commented that it was unnecessary to require 
certification of compliance with part 219, noting that railroad 
contracts routinely require a contractor to certify compliance with all 
relevant Federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The NCRMA also 
objected to providing summary data, commenting that this was both 
unnecessary and an undue administrative burden. FRA agrees, and has 
decided not to adopt these proposed requirements.
    A railroad has the additional option of accepting a contractor's 
plan for random testing, regardless of whether that plan is managed by 
the contractor or by a consortium/third party administrator (C/TPA). If 
a railroad adopts this approach, the contractor must:
     Certify in writing to the railroad that all of its 
regulated employees are subject to part 219 (including, as applicable, 
random testing under subpart G, pre-employment drug testing under 
subpart F, and a previous employer background check as required by 
Sec.  40.25); and
     Report, in an FRA model format, summary part 219 testing 
data to the railroad at least every six months.
    The railroad should review this summary data since it remains 
responsible for monitoring the contractor's compliance.

E. Pre-Employment Drug Testing of MOW Employees

    As proposed, FRA is exempting all current MOW employees from 
subpart F pre-employment drug testing (with certain limitations, pre-
employment alcohol testing is authorized but not required). Only MOW 
employees hired after the effective date of this rule must have a 
negative DOT pre-employment drug test result before performing 
regulated service for the first time. As with its initial minimum 
random testing rates, FRA used a similar approach to exempt current 
covered employees from pre-employment drug testing in 1986. Although 
these employees do not have to be pre-employment drug tested, current 
MOW employees are subject to FRA's initial minimum random drug testing 
rate of 50%.
    FRA realizes that a large percentage of MOW employees may already 
have a negative pre-employment drug test result under the alcohol and 
drug testing regulations of another DOT agency; usually these MOW 
employees are required by their employers to hold a Commercial Driver's 
License (CDL), and are therefore subject to the regulations of both FRA 
and FMCSA. To hold a CDL, an individual must have a negative FMCSA pre-
employment drug test. See Sec.  382.301. To ease the compliance burden 
on both employees and employers, an employing railroad may use a 
negative pre-employment drug test conducted under the rules and 
regulations of another DOT agency to satisfy FRA's pre-employment drug 
test requirements for employees initially transferring into regulated 
service after the effective date of this rule. This amendment adopts 
previous FRA guidance on pre-employment drug testing.

F. Initial MOW Employee Random Testing Rates

    This rule makes MOW employees subject to FRA random testing, with 
the exception of those who perform regulated service solely for a small 
railroad. For covered employees, FRA has annually set minimum random 
drug and alcohol testing rates determined by the overall railroad 
random testing violation rates for covered employees. FRA determines 
this overall rate from program data that railroads submit to its 
Management Information System (MIS). See 49 CFR 219.602 and 219.608. 
When FRA first established minimum random testing rates for covered 
employees, it set the initial minimums for drugs and alcohol at the top 
end of their respective ranges, at 50 percent for drugs and 25 percent 
for alcohol. At that time, FRA had no rail industry random testing data 
because the MIS had been newly established. FRA later lowered both 
minimum annual random testing rates to the bottom of their ranges after 
MIS data showed consistently low overall random testing violation rates 
for covered employees. These minimum rates, which have been unchanged 
since 2000, are 25 percent for drugs and 10 percent for alcohol in 
2016.
    Similarly, because MOW employees are being introduced to random 
testing, FRA has no overall railroad random testing violation rate data 
for these employees. To develop this data, FRA is setting the initial 
minimum random testing rates for MOW employees at 50 percent for drugs 
and 25 percent for alcohol, as it initially did for covered employees. 
A railroad must therefore create and maintain a separate random testing 
pool for its MOW employees, both to allow these employees to be tested 
at their own minimum random testing rates and, from those railroads 
required to file an MIS report, to establish a separate database. As it 
did with covered employees, FRA could lower these minimum random 
testing rates in the future if the data for MOW employees show 
consistently low overall random testing violation rates.

G. MOW Employee Minimum Random Testing Pool Size

    As proposed, to maintain the deterrent effect of random testing for 
very small railroads and contractors, FRA is requiring each individual 
random testing pool established under subpart G to select and randomly 
test at least one entry per quarter, even if fewer tests are needed to 
meet FRA's minimum random testing rates. Conversely, the requirement to 
conduct at least four tests throughout the year does not excuse a 
railroad (or contractor to a railroad, or a C/TPA) from complying with 
FRA's minimum random testing rates. For example, a railroad that 
maintains a pool of 16 MOW employees must conduct at least eight, not 
four, random drug tests in a year to comply with a minimum random drug 
testing rate of 50%.

V. Restructuring of Part 219

A. Division of Reasonable Suspicion and Reasonable Cause Testing Into 
Subparts D and E

    Previously, the requirements for both reasonable suspicion and 
reasonable cause testing were found in subpart D. Because of their 
similar names and their location in the same subpart, railroads and 
employees often confused the two types of testing, even though 
reasonable suspicion and reasonable cause testing have very different 
requirements. To clarify the substantive differences between the two, 
the requirements for reasonable suspicion testing will remain in 
subpart D, while the requirements for reasonable cause testing have 
been moved to subpart E, which formerly addressed voluntary referral 
and co-

[[Page 37899]]

worker report policies (``Identification of Troubled Employees,'' now 
found in subpart K). This differentiation is important since small 
railroads are required to conduct reasonable suspicion testing, but not 
reasonable cause testing. FRA received no objections to its proposal to 
divide reasonable suspicion and reasonable cause testing into two 
distinct subparts.

B. Transfer of Revised and Retitled Troubled Employee Requirements to 
Subpart K

    To accommodate the placement of reasonable cause testing into 
subpart E, FRA has transferred a revised and retitled version of the 
``Identification of Troubled Employees'' requirements previously in 
subpart E to new subpart K. (As noted above, this is in lieu of FRA's 
proposal to require peer support programs in subpart K, which, for the 
reasons discussed below, FRA is not adopting).

 VI. Section-by-Section Analysis

    As discussed earlier, throughout most of part 219 FRA is 
substituting ``regulated employee'' and ``regulated service'' where the 
terms ``covered employee'' and ``covered service'' formerly appeared. 
``Regulated employee'' and ``regulated service'' are terms-of-art 
encompassing all individuals and duties subject to part 219, including 
both covered service and MOW activities. The terms ``covered employee'' 
and ``covered service,'' however, are retained where necessary, such as 
in Sec.  219.12, which addresses issues of overlap between part 219 and 
the HOS laws that apply only to covered employees.

Authority Citation

    The authority citation for part 219 adds a reference to Section 412 
of the RSIA, which mandated the expansion of part 219 to cover all 
employees of railroads and contractors or subcontractors to railroads 
who perform MOW activities.

Subpart A--General

Section 219.1--Purpose and Scope

    This section now includes a reference to the new definition of 
``employee'' in Sec.  219.5, which includes any individual (including a 
volunteer or a probationary employee) who performs regulated activities 
for a railroad or a contractor to a railroad.

Section 219.3--Application

    The small railroad exception in Sec.  219.3(b)(2) has provided, in 
part, that a railroad with 15 or fewer covered employees that does not 
engage in joint operations with another railroad is not subject to the 
requirements for reasonable suspicion or reasonable cause testing (both 
previously found in subpart D), identification of troubled employees 
(previously subpart E), pre-employment drug testing (subpart F), or 
random testing (subpart G).
    FRA is modifying the small railroad exception so that small 
railroads are no longer excepted from the reasonable suspicion testing 
requirements of subpart D. Subpart D requires a railroad to conduct 
Federal reasonable suspicion testing whenever one or more trained 
supervisors reasonably suspects that an employee has violated an FRA 
prohibition against the use of alcohol or drugs. See Sec.  219.300(a). 
FRA's decision not to authorize small railroads to conduct FRA-
authority reasonable cause testing (moved to subpart E of this rule) 
remains unchanged, however.
    FRA is also amending the small railroad exception so that small 
railroads are no longer excepted from subpart F. As is already required 
for larger railroads, a small railroad must conduct a pre-employment 
drug test and obtain a negative result before allowing an individual to 
perform regulated service for the first time. See Sec.  219.501(a). As 
with larger railroads, this requirement applies only to those regulated 
employees hired by a small railroad after the effective date of this 
final rule, because all regulated employees hired before the effective 
date of this rule are exempted from pre-employment drug testing.
    FRA received no comments on the clarifications in this section, 
which are adopted without further comment.

Section 219.5--Definitions

    As proposed, FRA is amending this section by adding, clarifying, 
and deleting definitions. Additional or clarified definitions include:
Administrator
    FRA is defining ``Administrator'' to include the Administrator of 
the FRA or the Administrator's delegate.
Associate Administrator
    FRA is clarifying that ``Associate Administrator'' means both the 
FRA's Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety and the Associate 
Administrator's delegate.
Contractor
    As proposed, FRA's new definition of ``contractor'' includes both a 
contractor and a subcontractor performing functions for a railroad.
DOT-Regulated Employee
    A ``DOT-regulated employee'' means a person who is subject to drug 
or alcohol testing, or both, under any DOT agency regulation, including 
an individual currently performing DOT safety-sensitive functions and 
an applicant for employment subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing.
DOT Safety-Sensitive Duty or DOT Safety-Sensitive Function
    The performance of a ``DOT safety-sensitive duty'' or ``DOT safety-
sensitive function'' makes a person subject to the drug testing and/or 
alcohol testing requirements of a DOT agency. The performance of 
regulated service is a DOT safety-sensitive duty or function under this 
part.
Drug and Alcohol Counselor or DAC
    FRA is adopting this part's definition for ``Drug and Alcohol 
Counselor'' or ``DAC'' from Sec.  242.7 of its conductor certification 
rule.
Employee
    An ``employee'' is any person, including a volunteer, and a 
probationary employee, who performs activities for a railroad or a 
contractor to a railroad.
Evacuation
    Under Sec.  219.201(a)(1)(ii)(A), one of the criteria for a ``major 
train accident'' requiring PAT testing is an evacuation. To qualify as 
an evacuation, an event must involve the relocation of at least one 
person who is not a railroad employee to a safe area to avoid exposure 
to a hazardous material release. This relocation would normally be 
ordered by local authorities and could be either mandatory or 
voluntary. This definition does not include the closure of public 
roadways for hazardous material spill containment purposes, unless that 
closure was accompanied by an evacuation order.
Flagman or Flagger
    FRA is adopting its proposal to define a ``flagman'' (also known as 
a ``flagger'') and ``watchman/lookout'' in Sec.  219.5 as those terms 
are currently defined in Sec.  214.7.
Highway-Rail Grade Crossing
    FRA is adopting the definition of ``highway-rail grade crossing'' 
found in Sec.  225.5 of its accident and incident reporting regulation, 
which includes all crossing locations within industry and rail yards, 
ports, and dock areas.

[[Page 37900]]

Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident/Incident
    This definition is essentially identical to the description of 
highway-rail grade crossing impacts found in the definition for 
``accident/incident'' in FRA's accident and incident reporting 
regulation. See 49 CFR 225.5.
Joint Operations
    The phrase ``rail operations'' in this definition encompasses 
dispatching and other types of operations. As examples, even if 
Railroad A has fewer than sixteen covered employees, Railroad A is 
engaged in joint operations with Railroad B if it either dispatches 
trains for Railroad B and/or enters Railroad B's yard to perform 
switching operations. Railroad A is also engaged in joint operations 
with Railroad B if they operate over the same track at different times 
of the day.
    Railroad A is not, however, engaged in joint operations with 
Railroad B, if they operate over the same track but are physically 
separated (e.g., through a split rail derail or the removal of a 
section of rail), since this separation prevents Railroad A's 
operations from overlapping with those of Railroad B. FRA is also 
excluding from joint operations certain minimal operations on the same 
track for the purposes of interchange, so long as these operations: (1) 
Do not exceed 20 mph; (2) are conducted under restricted speed; (3) 
proceed no more than three miles; (4) and, if extending into another 
railroad's yard(s), operate into another railroad's yard(s) solely to 
set out or pick up cars on a designated interchange track. FRA is 
excluding these minimal operations from its new ``joint operations'' 
definition because of their comparatively lesser safety risk.
On-Track or Fouling Equipment
    This new definition includes any railroad equipment positioned on 
or over the rails or fouling a track.
Other Impact Accident
    An ``other impact accident'' includes any accident/incident 
involving contact between on-track or fouling equipment that is not 
otherwise classified as another type of collision (e.g., a head-on 
collision, rear-end collision, side collision, raking collision, or 
derailment collision). This new definition also includes an impact in 
which a single car or cut of cars is damaged during operations 
involving switching, train makeup, setting out, etc.
Person
    As amended, this definition adopts the existing language in Sec.  
219.9 and adds an independent contractor who provides goods or services 
to a railroad to the scope of whom or what is considered a ``person'' 
under this part (e.g., a service agent such as a collection site or 
laboratory) See 49 CFR part 40, subpart Q--Roles and Responsibilities 
of Service Agents. Service agents are already required to comply with 
both part 219 and part 40, so this amendment is a clarification that 
makes no substantive changes.
Plant Railroad
    For clarification, FRA has added language defining when an entity's 
operations do not qualify for plant railroad status.
Raking Collision
    As newly defined, a ``raking collision'' occurs when there is a 
collision between parts, with the lading of a train on an adjacent 
track, or with a structure such as a bridge. A collision that occurs at 
a turnout is not a raking collision.
Regulated Employee and Regulated Service
    A regulated employee is any employee subject to this part: a 
covered employee, an MOW employee, and an employee of a railroad or a 
contractor to a railroad who performs covered service or MOW 
activities. Correspondingly, regulated service is any duty which makes 
an employee subject to this part.
Side Collision
    A side collision occurs when one consist strikes the side of 
another consist at a turnout, including a collision at a switch or at a 
railroad crossing at grade.
Tourist, Scenic, Historic, or Excursion Operation That Is Not Part of 
the General Railroad System of Transportation
    To be considered not part of the general railroad system of 
transportation, a tourist, scenic, historic, or excursion operation 
must be conducted only on track used exclusively for that purpose 
(i.e., there are no freight, intercity passenger, or commuter passenger 
railroad operations on the track).
Watchman/Lookout
    This definition is identical to that in Sec.  214.7, subpart C of 
part 214, roadway worker protection.
    Revised definitions include:
Covered Employee
    As revised, a ``person'' includes an employee, volunteer, and 
probationary employee. FRA has also updated the reference to the hours 
of service laws (49 U.S.C. ch. 211). Neither change is substantive.
Covered Service
    FRA is adding examples of covered service and a reference to 
appendix A to 49 CFR part 228, Requirements of the Hours of Service 
Act: Statement of Agency Policy and Interpretation. No substantive 
changes are intended.
FRA Representative
    As proposed, the definition of ``FRA representative'' is amended to 
include the oversight contractor for FRA's Drug and Alcohol Program and 
the staff of FRA's Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety.
Impact Accident
    In its initial implementation of this part, FRA excepted derailment 
and raking collisions from its definition of ``impact accident'' 
because it formerly believed these types of collisions were not caused 
by human factors. (See 50 FR 31539 and 31542, Aug. 2, 1985 and 54 FR 
39647, Sep. 27, 1989). FRA is removing these exceptions after learning 
that human factors such as fatigue and impairment can and do contribute 
to both derailment and raking collisions.
    As additional clarification, FRA is excluding the impact of rail 
equipment with ``naturally-occurring obstructions such as fallen trees, 
rock or snow slides, livestock, etc.'' from its definition of an impact 
accident. FRA is also incorporating guidance stating that an impact 
with a derail does not qualify as an ``impact with a deliberately-
placed obstruction, such as a bumping post,'' since bumping posts are 
usually permanently placed at the end of a line, while derails can 
easily be moved from place to place.
Medical Facility
    As amended, a ``medical facility'' is an independent (i.e., not 
maintained by the railroad) site which is able to collect blood and 
urine specimens for PAT testing and, if necessary, treat an employee 
who has been injured in a PAT testing event.
Railroad Property Damage or Damage to Railroad Property
    As proposed, the amended definition of ``railroad property damage 
or damage to railroad property'' means damage to railroad property, 
including damage to on-track equipment, signals, track, track 
structure, or roadbed; and labor costs, including hourly wages, 
transportation costs, and hotel expenses; but excluding damage to 
lading and the cost of

[[Page 37901]]

clearing a wreck; except that the cost of contractor services, of 
renting and operating machinery, and of any additional damage caused 
while clearing the wreck is included when calculating railroad property 
damage to determine whether PAT testing is required under FRA's 
regulations. These clarifications are meant to enable easier compliance 
with this part, and no substantive changes are intended.
Train Accident
    As amended, the definition of ``train accident'' refers to rail 
equipment accidents under Sec.  225.19(c) which include, but are not 
limited to, collisions, derailments, and other events involving the 
operation of on-track or fouling equipment.
Train Incident
    As amended, a ``train incident'' is defined as an event involving 
the operation of on-track or fouling equipment that results in a 
casualty, but does not result in damage to railroad property exceeding 
the applicable reporting threshold.
Deleted Definitions
    As proposed, FRA is deleting the definitions of ``General Railroad 
System of Transportation,'' and ``Train,'' since these terms have been 
superseded by newly added definitions and amendments in this rule. FRA 
received no comments on these deletions.

Section 219.11--General Conditions for Chemical Tests

    In its comments, the NCRMA asked FRA to impose conditions on urine 
specimen collections conducted under this part (e.g., that FRA require 
a railroad to transport an employee to a company owned or contracted 
facility, or that drinking water not be used during the urine specimen 
collection process). With the exception of its PAT testing program, 
which is discussed below, FRA is prohibited from doing so, because the 
Department's Procedures for Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs 
(49 CFR part 40 or part 40) control the procedures and facilities used 
in FRA (non-PAT) and other DOT agency testing. FRA is authorized to 
enforce railroad compliance with part 40 requirements, but may not 
impose new requirements of its own. Therefore, for example, FRA cannot 
specify that only non-drinking water sources be used during random 
testing, because part 40 already regulates collection site conditions.
    Because it predates part 40, FRA PAT testing is exempt from part 
40's requirements. FRA therefore has the authority to set its own PAT 
testing protocols, which are found in appendix C to this part. PAT 
testing blood and urine specimens must be collected at an independent 
medical facility, such as a hospital or physician's office. By 
definition an independent medical facility cannot be railroad owned or 
controlled, and it meets the NCRMA's requests for privacy, heat, and 
sanitation during specimen collection.
    New paragraph (a)(2) clarifies that a regulated employee who is 
required to participate in Federal testing under part 219 must be on 
duty and subject to performing regulated service at the time of a 
breath alcohol test or urine specimen collection. This requirement does 
not apply to pre-employment drug testing of applicants for regulated 
service positions.
Paragraph (b)
    Paragraph (b)(1) clarifies that regulated employees must 
participate in Federal testing as required by part 219 and as 
implemented by a representative of the railroad or an employing 
contractor.
    As proposed, in paragraph (b)(2), FRA is replacing the phrase ``has 
sustained a personal injury'' with ``is suffering a substantiated 
medical emergency,'' to allow treatment for medical emergencies that do 
not involve a personal injury (e.g., a stroke) to take priority over 
required FRA testing. A medical emergency must be an acute medical 
condition requiring immediate medical care, and a railroad may require 
an employee to submit proof that that he or she had experienced one by 
providing, within a reasonable time period after, verifiable 
documentation of the emergency from a credible outside professional.
Paragraph (g)
    In addition to the PAT testing requirements of subpart C and the 
signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol influence, intoxication, and 
misuse, paragraph (g) now requires a supervisor to be trained on the 
signs and symptoms of certain prescription drugs that can have acute 
behavioral and apparent physiological effects. To facilitate this 
training, FRA is developing a module for both supervisors and employees 
that will cover the required material and be made available on its Web 
site. In lieu of the previous minimum of three hours of training, FRA 
is requiring a supervisor to be able to demonstrate an understanding of 
the course material, usually through a written or oral examination at 
the end of the course.
PAT and Reasonable Suspicion Testing
    Paragraph (a) adopts FRA's long-established guidance that a 
railroad may exceed employee HOS limitations if all three of the 
following conditions are met: (1) The excess service was necessary and 
solely caused by the railroad's completion of PAT or reasonable 
suspicion testing; (2) the railroad used due diligence to minimize the 
excess service; and (3) the railroad collected the PAT or reasonable 
suspicion specimens within the time limits of Sec.  219.203(d) (for PAT 
testing) or Sec.  219.305 (for reasonable suspicion testing). The 
railroad must still submit an excess service report, however.
Reasonable Cause Testing
    Reasonable cause testing, like PAT and reasonable suspicion 
testing, is triggered by the occurrence of a specified but 
unpredictable event (in this case, a train accident, train incident, or 
rule violation, the cause or severity of which may be linked to a 
safety issue involving alcohol or drug use by a regulated employee). 
For this reason, FRA will not pursue an HOS violation if any excess 
service was caused solely by a railroad's decision to conduct 
reasonable cause testing, provided the railroad used reasonable due 
diligence to complete the test and did so within the time limitations 
of Sec.  219.407 (i.e., within eight hours of the observation, event or 
supervisory notification that was the basis for the test). However, 
because reasonable cause testing, unlike both PAT and reasonable 
suspicion testing, is authorized, but not required by part 219, 
paragraph (b) correspondingly authorizes, but does not require, a 
railroad to exceed HOS limitations to complete reasonable cause 
testing. As with mandatory PAT and reasonable suspicion testing, a 
railroad must file an excess service report if it decides to exceed HOS 
limitations to conduct optional reasonable cause testing.
Random Testing
    As proposed, paragraph (c) adopts FRA's longstanding guidance that 
completion of a random test does not excuse compliance with a regulated 
employee's HOS limits, unless the circumstances of the employee's test 
require the employee to provide a directly observed urine specimen. A 
directly observed urine collection must be performed whenever an 
employee's previous test results or current behavior indicate the 
possibility of specimen tampering (see Sec.  40.67). As with PAT, 
reasonable suspicion, and reasonable cause tests, the occurrence of 
such

[[Page 37902]]

circumstances is unpredictable. FRA will therefore not pursue an HOS 
violation provided the railroad conducts the random test with due 
diligence and files an excess service report.
Paragraph (d)
    As proposed, paragraph (d) clarifies that because follow-up tests, 
like random tests, are scheduled by the railroad, follow-up testing 
must be completed within a covered employee's HOS limits. A railroad 
may place an employee on duty solely for the purpose of a follow-up 
drug test any time the employee is subject to being called for duty; a 
railroad may place an employee on duty for a follow-up alcohol test 
only if the employee's return-to-duty agreement requires total 
abstention from alcohol use, since legitimate alcohol use is allowed so 
long as it is in compliance with the prohibitions of Sec.  219.101. A 
railroad that chooses to place an employee on duty solely for the 
purpose of follow-up testing must document why it did so and provide 
the documentation to FRA upon request.
Paragraph (c)
    As proposed, a railroad can make this part's required educational 
materials available to its regulated employees by posting them 
continuously in an easily visible location at a designated reporting 
place, provided the railroad also supplies a copy to each labor 
organization representing a class or craft of regulated employees (if 
applicable). Alternatively, a railroad can make these materials 
available by posting them on a Web site accessible to all regulated 
employees; any distribution method that can ensure the accessibility of 
these materials to all regulated employees is acceptable.
    For MOW employees only, however, FRA is initially requiring 
distribution of individual hard copies of educational materials, since 
these employees are being introduced to the requirements of part 219. 
This individual distribution requirement applies for three years after 
the effective date of this final rule, although it does not apply to an 
applicant for a regulated service position who refuses a pre-employment 
test or has a pre-employment test result indicating a part 219 
violation.

Section 219.25--Previous Employer Drug and Alcohol Checks

    This new section reminds railroads and contractors that they must 
comply with Sec.  40.25, which requires an employer to conduct a search 
(for non-negative test results, e.g., positives, substitutions, and 
adulterations) of a new hire's past two years of drug and alcohol test 
records before that individual can perform any DOT safety-sensitive 
functions. This requirement applies only to the railroad or 
contractor's direct employees (e.g., a railroad has no responsibility 
to conduct a background check on a contractor's direct employees, since 
that responsibility belongs to the contractor). A railroad must also 
comply with the prior drug and alcohol conduct requirements of Sec.  
240.119(c) for certified locomotive engineers and Sec.  242.115(e) for 
certified conductors.

Subpart B--Prohibitions

Section 219.101--Alcohol and Drug Use Prohibited

Paragraph (a)(1)
    In the NPRM, FRA had asked for comment on whether it should remove 
part 219.101's prohibitions against the on-duty possession of alcohol 
and controlled substances. FRA modeled these prohibitions after those 
in Rule G, a longstanding railroad operating rule which originally 
prohibited the on-duty use and possession of alcohol, and was later 
amended to include controlled substances as well. See 49 FR 24266, June 
12, 1984.
    Many commonly prescribed drugs, such as muscle relaxants and pain 
relievers, are controlled substances. As strictly read, Sec.  219.101 
prohibits the on-duty possession of not only illicit drugs but many 
prescription drugs with legitimate medical uses (with the exception of 
any controlled substance prescribed in accordance with Sec.  219.103). 
Similarly, because Sec.  219.101 prohibits the on-duty possession of 
alcohol, if strictly read, this section also bans the on-duty 
possession of any over-the-counter cough and cold remedy that contains 
alcohol. In the NPRM, FRA asked for comment on whether it should remove 
Sec.  219.101's prohibitions against on-duty possession of controlled 
substances and alcohol because they could be construed to prohibit the 
possession of legal drugs and remedies on railroad property. FRA noted 
that no other DOT agency prohibits the on-duty possession of both 
controlled substances and alcohol, and that a railroad remains free to 
impose discipline for such possession under its own authority.
    Labor commented that FRA should clarify its policy on prescription 
use, as did the NTSB. The NTSB opposed FRA's proposal to remove 
219.101's prohibitions against the on-duty possession of controlled 
substances and alcohol, without explanation.
    As proposed, FRA is therefore retaining but clarifying this 
prohibition, which, as amended, prohibits the use or possession of 
controlled substances and alcohol by a regulated employee while ``on 
duty and subject to performing regulated service for a railroad.'' This 
prohibition applies not only when a regulated employee is actually 
performing regulated service, but also when the employee is subject to 
performing regulated service.
Paragraph (a)(4)
    Paragraph (a)(4) prohibits an employee whose Federal test indicates 
an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or greater, but less than 0.04, from 
performing covered service until the start of his or her next regularly 
scheduled duty period, but not less than eight hours from the 
administration of the test. However, since an alcohol concentration of 
0.02 or greater but less than 0.04 is not a violation of Sec.  219.101, 
an alcohol test result in this range may not be used for locomotive 
engineer or conductor certification purposes under part 240 or part 
242.
    As proposed, FRA is adding new paragraph (a)(4)(ii) to clarify that 
a railroad is not prohibited from taking further action under its own 
authority against an employee whose Federal test result indicates an 
alcohol concentration 0.02 or greater but less than 0.04, since a 
result in this range indicates the presence of alcohol in the 
employee's system. Although Labor opposed allowing a railroad to impose 
discipline under its own authority in this circumstance, this is not a 
substantive change, since FRA guidance has long allowed this narrow 
exception.
Paragraph (a)(5)
    Paragraph (a)(5) states that a Federal test result with an alcohol 
concentration below 0.02 is a negative result that a railroad may not 
use as evidence of alcohol misuse, either as evidence in a company 
proceeding or as a basis for subsequent testing under company 
authority. A railroad may conduct additional company testing only if it 
has an independent basis for doing so.
    As proposed, FRA is amending this paragraph to adopt its previously 
stated policy that a railroad has an independent basis for a subsequent 
company authority alcohol test only when an employee continues to 
exhibit signs and symptoms of alcohol use after having had a negative 
FRA reasonable suspicion alcohol test result. If a railroad has an 
independent basis to conduct a subsequent alcohol test under company 
authority, the company test result stands independent of the prior FRA 
test result.

[[Page 37903]]

Section 219.103--Use of Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drugs

    In the NPRM, FRA asked railroads to submit comments on their 30 
years of administering this section, which has been unchanged since the 
inception of part 219 in 1985. The NTSB, the sole responder, commented 
that this section did not adequately address the safety concerns raised 
by the use of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, 
particularly diphenhydramine and other sedating antihistamines that 
could impair performance. In its comment, the NTSB reiterated R-13-01, 
in which it recommended that FRA address employees' underlying medical 
conditions by developing medical certification regulations, a 
recommendation that is beyond the scope of this rule.
    In response to the NTSB's other concerns, however, FRA is 
developing a training module which will cover the more commonly used 
prescription and OTC drugs that could have adverse effects, including 
diphenhydramine. This module, which will be downloadable for free on 
FRA's Web site, will also contain general information on the best 
practices to follow when using prescription and OTC drugs. FRA will 
inform its regulated entities when this module is available for 
distribution.

Section 219.104--Responsive Action

    FRA is amending this section to clarify that: (1) With the 
exception of the right to a hearing, an applicant for regulated service 
who has refused to take a pre-employment test is entitled to all of the 
protections of this part; (2) the notice a railroad must provide to a 
regulated employee before removing him or her from regulated service 
must be in writing; and (3) a regulated employee is entitled to request 
a hearing under this section following an alleged violation of Sec.  
219.101 or Sec.  219.102.
Paragraph (a)
    Paragraph (a)(2) emphasizes that none of the requirements in this 
section apply to tests conducted under company authority. FRA is also 
removing the word ``mandatory'' because it is inaccurate, since neither 
reasonable cause nor pre-employment alcohol testing are mandated by 
part 219. If, however, a railroad does decide to conduct a reasonable 
cause or pre-employment alcohol test under FRA authority, a regulated 
employee or applicant for regulated service who refuses the test is 
subject to the consequences for refusals found in this section.
Paragraph (b)
    Previously, paragraph (b) required a railroad, before 
``withdrawing'' an employee from covered service, to provide notice to 
the employee of the reason for his or her withdrawal. This notice must 
be in writing, although a railroad may first notify an employee 
verbally, if the railroad provides written notice to the employee as 
soon as practicable. In its written removal notice, the railroad must 
include a statement prohibiting the employee from performing any DOT 
safety-sensitive functions until he or she has successfully completed 
the evaluation, referral, and treatment processes required for return-
to-duty under part 40. FRA believes receipt of this information will 
discourage an employee from job hopping in an effort to avoid 
compliance with part 40's return-to-duty requirements. A railroad may 
use this notice to comply with Sec.  40.287's requirement to provide 
each employee who violates a DOT drug and alcohol regulation with a 
listing of SAPs who are both readily available to the employee and 
acceptable to the railroad, by providing the contact information (name, 
address, telephone number, and, if applicable, email address) for each 
SAP on its list. (Of course, a railroad may also provide this 
information separately.)
Paragraph (c)
    Previously, paragraph (c)(1) allowed an employee to request a 
hearing if the employee denied ``that the test result is valid evidence 
of alcohol or drug use prohibited by this subpart.'' FRA has removed 
this phrase because the removal from duty and hearing procedures in 
this section also apply to violations of Sec.  219.101 or Sec.  219.102 
that have not been detected through testing (e.g., a refusal or a 
violation of the prohibition against possessing alcohol). An employee 
may demand a hearing for any violation of Sec.  219.101 or Sec.  
219.102, regardless of whether the alleged violation was based on a 
test result.
    Similarly, FRA is amending paragraph (c)(4) to clarify that its 
statement that part 219 does not limit any procedural rights or 
remedies available (e.g., at common law or through an applicable 
bargaining agreement) to an employee, applies to all violations of part 
219, not just those based on test results.
Paragraph (d)
    As stated above, FRA PAT testing pre-dates part 40 and has always 
been excepted from DOT's testing procedures. Because the primary 
purpose of FRA PAT testing is accident investigation, FRA has always 
tested a wider variety of specimens (i.e., blood, post-mortem tissue 
specimens) for a wider variety of substances (e.g., barbiturates and 
benzodiazepines) than part 40 testing does. A regulated employee can 
therefore have a PAT test with a positive result that would not be 
detectable or duplicable under DOT procedures (e.g., a positive PAT 
blood test result for benzodiazepines). With respect to responsive 
action, however, PAT testing follows part 40 requirements, by requiring 
a negative return-to-duty test and a minimum of six negative follow-up 
tests for the substance of the original positive in the first 12 months 
after returning to regulated service (certified locomotive engineers 
and conductors have different follow-up testing minimums, see 
Sec. Sec.  240.119(d)(2) and 242.115(f)(2)).
    To ensure that any regulated employee who has had a positive PAT 
test result is in compliance with FRA's return-to-duty and follow-up 
requirements, in addition to Part 40 tests, FRA is allowing company 
tests to fulfill these requirements where necessary. If and only if, 
the substance of the employee's original PAT positive is not a drug 
listed in Sec.  40.5's definition of ``Drug,'' a railroad may conduct 
return-to-duty and follow-up tests for that substance under its own 
authority, provided the railroad's procedures mirror those of part 40 
and the substance is on the company test's panel. FRA is allowing 
company testing in this limited circumstance because of the important 
role return-to-duty and follow-up tests play in maintaining an 
employee's abstinence from substance abuse in the first year following 
the employee's return to performing regulated service.
Paragraph (e)
    FRA is adding new paragraph (e) to clarify when Sec.  219.104's 
requirements do not apply.
    The language formerly in paragraph (a)(3)(i), which stated that the 
requirements of this section do not apply to actions based on alcohol 
or drug testing that is not conducted under part 219, can now be found 
in paragraph (e)(1).
    Paragraph (e)(2) clarifies that this section's requirements do not 
apply to Federal alcohol tests with a result less than 0.04. As 
mentioned above in FRA's discussion of Sec.  219.101(a)(4), a Federal 
test result that is .02 or greater but less than .04 proves that an 
employee has recently used alcohol, but not that the employee is 
impaired. Because an employee who has a test result in this range is 
not in violation of Sec.  219.101,

[[Page 37904]]

the only consequence allowed under this part is the removal of the 
employee from regulated service for a minimum of eight hours. All other 
actions following an alcohol test result below .04, including the 
administration of return-to-duty or follow-up tests, must therefore be 
conducted under a railroad's own authority.
    Paragraph (e)(3) clarifies that although parts 240 and 242 require 
a substance abuse evaluation for a locomotive engineer or conductor who 
has had an off-duty conviction for, or a completed state action to, 
cancel, revoke, suspend, or deny a motor vehicle-driver's license for 
operating while under the influence of or impaired by alcohol or a 
controlled substance, an off-duty conviction or completed state action 
is not a violation of Sec.  219.101 or Sec.  219.102.
    Paragraph (e)(4) clarifies that this section does not apply to an 
applicant who declines to participate in pre-employment testing before 
the test begins.
    Similarly, paragraph (e)(5) clarifies that the hearing procedures 
in paragraph (c) of this section do not apply to an applicant who tests 
positive or refuses a DOT pre-employment test.
    In contrast, paragraph (e)(6) clarifies that an applicant who has 
tested positive or refused a DOT pre-employment test must complete the 
return-to-duty requirements in paragraph (d) before performing DOT 
safety-sensitive functions subject to the drug and alcohol regulation 
of any DOT agency. Section 40.25(j) prohibits an employee who has 
tested positive or refused a test from performing any DOT safety-
sensitive functions until and unless the employee documents successful 
completion of part 40's return-to-duty process.

Section 219.105--Railroad's Duty To Prevent Violations

Paragraph (a)
    Paragraph (a) of this section provides that a railroad may not with 
``actual knowledge'' permit an employee to remain or go on duty in 
covered service in violation of either Sec.  219.101 or Sec.  219.102. 
FRA is clarifying that a railroad's ``actual knowledge'' of such a 
violation is limited to the knowledge of a railroad manager or 
supervisor in the employee's chain of command. A manager or supervisor 
is considered to have actual knowledge of a violation when he or she: 
(1) Personally observes an employee violating part 219 by either using 
or possessing alcohol, or by using drugs (observing potential signs and 
symptoms of alcohol/drug use does not by itself constitute actual 
knowledge); (2) learns from a Sec.  40.25 background check of a 
previous employer's drug and alcohol records that an employee had a 
Sec.  219.101 or Sec.  219.102 violation and did not complete
    Sec.  219.104's return-to-duty requirements; or (3) receives an 
employee's admission of prohibited alcohol possession or misuse or drug 
abuse.
Paragraph (b)
    FRA is not amending paragraph (b) of this section. Instead, as 
guidance FRA is reprinting the 1989 preamble discussion which, in 
proposing this section, explained its purpose as:

to describe the limitations on railroad liability with respect to 
the prevention of the violations of the Subpart B prohibitions. . . 
. In summary, the provisions require the railroad to exercise a high 
degree of care to prevent violations, but do not impose liability 
where, despite such efforts, an individual employee uses alcohol or 
drugs in a manner that is prohibited (and the railroad is not aware 
of the conduct).

54 FR 39649, Sep. 27, 1989. While this paragraph places an affirmative 
duty on a railroad to use due diligence to prevent violations of Sec.  
219.101 or Sec.  219.102, a railroad that can show it has done so has 
only limited liability under this part for violations of its 
prohibitions by individual employees. Since what constitutes due 
diligence under this provision varies on a case-by-case basis, a 
railroad that is uncertain about its applicability in a given situation 
should contact FRA for guidance.
Paragraph (c)
    New paragraph (c) prohibits the design and implementation of any 
railroad drug and/or alcohol education, prevention, identification, 
intervention, or rehabilitation program or policy that circumvents or 
otherwise undermines the requirements of part 219. A railroad must make 
all documents, data, or other records related to such programs or 
policies available to FRA upon request.
Paragraph (d)
Rule G Observations
    In its guidance, FRA required a railroad's supervisors to make and 
record each quarter a total number of ``Rule G'' observations 
equivalent, at a minimum, to the railroad's total number of covered 
employees. Each Rule G observation should be made sufficiently close to 
an employee to enable the supervisor to determine whether the employee 
was displaying signs and symptoms of impairment requiring a reasonable 
suspicion test.
    In the NPRM, FRA requested comment on whether Sec.  219.105 should 
adopt this guidance by requiring a specific number of Rule G 
observations; FRA was particularly interested in the safety benefits 
versus the costs and paperwork burdens of such a requirement. In 
response, the Associations commented that FRA's requirement for each 
supervisor to be trained in signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol 
abuse already ensured that railroad supervisors were automatically 
aware of what to look for when observing an employee's demeanor and 
behavior. Therefore, according to the Associations, requiring a 
specific number of what were essentially constant supervisory 
observations to be systematically recorded would be a paperwork 
exercise that added nothing to safety.
    Because reasonable suspicion and reasonable cause testing share the 
same check box on DOT's drug and alcohol chain of custody forms, FRA's 
MIS data does not distinguish between tests conducted under mandatory 
reasonable suspicion authority and tests conducted under discretionary 
reasonable cause. While there is no direct correlation showing that 
Rule G observations increase or result in reasonable suspicion tests, 
FRA believes that each year's consistently low total of reasonable 
suspicion tests indicates the continuing need to focus supervisory 
attention on the use and importance of reasonable suspicion testing as 
deterrence. To make Rule G observations both more meaningful and less 
burdensome, new paragraph (d) adopts FRA's previous guidance 
requirements but: (1) Decreases the minimum annual number of 
observations supervisors must make and record from four to two times a 
railroad's total number of covered employees, and (2) requires each 
observation to be sufficiently up close and personal to determine if a 
covered employee is displaying signs and symptoms indicative of a 
violation of the prohibitions in this part. The latter requirement is 
intended to ensure that supervisory observations are of individuals 
rather than collective sweeps of multiple employees.

Section 219.107--Consequences of Refusal

    This section requires an employee who has refused to provide breath 
or body fluid specimens when required by part 219 to be disqualified 
from performing covered service for nine months. As suggested by 
SAPlist.com, FRA is deleting the word ``unlawful'' from the title of 
this section, since it

[[Page 37905]]

implies that there are ``lawful'' refusals. This is not a substantive 
change.
Paragraph (b)
    Paragraph (b) requires a railroad, before withdrawing an employee 
from regulated service, to provide notice to the employee of the reason 
for the withdrawal and the procedures in Sec.  219.104(c) under which 
the employee may request a hearing. As proposed, FRA is clarifying that 
this notice must be in writing, although a railroad may initially 
provide an employee with verbal notice if the railroad provides written 
notice to the employee as soon as practicable.
Paragraph (c)
    This section prohibits a railroad with notice that an employee has 
been withdrawn from regulated service from authorizing or permitting 
the employee to perform any regulated service on its behalf. The 
railroad may, however, authorize or permit the employee to perform non-
regulated service.

Subpart C--Post-Accident Toxicological Testing

Section 219.201--Events for Which Testing Is Required

Paragraph (a)
    This section defines the types of accidents or incidents for which 
PAT testing is required and states that a railroad must make a good 
faith determination as to whether an event meets the criteria for PAT 
testing. Specifically, existing paragraph (a) requires a railroad to 
conduct PAT testing after the following qualifying events: (1) Major 
train accidents; (2) impact accidents; (3) fatal train incidents; and 
(4) passenger train accidents. As proposed, FRA is amending the 
definitions of these qualifying events and adding a new qualifying 
event that requires PAT testing, ``Human-Factor Highway-rail Grade 
Crossing Accident/Incident.''
 Major Train Accidents
    As proposed, FRA is clarifying that the fatality criteria for a 
major train accident is met by the death of ``any person,'' including 
an individual who is not an employee of the railroad.
    Also as proposed, FRA is increasing the property damage threshold 
for major train accidents from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 to account for 
inflation since January 1, 1995, when FRA last raised the damages 
threshold for major train accidents from $500,000 to $1,000,000. As 
noted by the AAR in its comment supporting this amendment, reducing the 
number of events qualifying as major train accidents correspondingly 
reduces the number of employees subject to PAT testing, which reduces 
such railroad costs as lost opportunities and wages.
 Impact Accidents
    See discussion in Sec.  219.5 above.
Human-Factor Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident/Incident
    In Sec.  219.201(b), FRA prohibits PAT testing after a highway-rail 
grade crossing accident. FRA carved out this PAT testing exception 
after concluding that there was no justification for testing members of 
the train crew since they could not have played any role in the cause 
or severity of the highway-rail grade crossing accident. By the time a 
train crew spots a vehicle or other obstruction on the track, the 
weight and momentum of the train prevent the crew from stopping in time 
to avoid a collision.
    FRA continues to believe that the members of a train crew should be 
excepted from PAT testing after the occurrence of a highway-rail grade 
crossing accident. As proposed, however, FRA is narrowing this blanket 
exception by adding a new qualifying event, ``Human-factor highway-rail 
grade crossing accident/incident'' in paragraph (a)(5), to allow the 
PAT testing of a signal maintainer, flagman, or other employee only if 
a railroad's preliminary investigation indicates that the employee may 
have played a role in the cause or severity of the accident. This 
amendment responds to NTSB Recommendation R-01-17, in which the NTSB 
had recommended that FRA narrow its exception for highway-rail grade 
crossing accidents to require PAT testing of any railroad signal, 
maintenance, or other employee whose actions at or near a grade 
crossing may have contributed to the cause or severity of a highway-
rail grade crossing accident.
    New paragraph (a)(5)(i) contains the criteria for a ``human-factor 
highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident.'' This paragraph 
requires PAT testing after a highway-rail grade crossing accident/
incident whenever there is reason to believe that a regulated employee 
has interfered with the normal functioning of a grade crossing signal 
system, in testing or otherwise, without first providing for the safety 
of highway traffic that depends on the normal functioning of such a 
system. Because this language is adapted from the prohibition against 
such interference in FRA's grade crossing regulation (see 49 CFR 
234.209), a grade crossing accident/incident involving a Sec.  234.209 
violation qualifies as a human-factor highway-rail grade crossing 
accident/incident for purposes of PAT testing.
    Under paragraphs (a)(5)(ii) and (iii), PAT testing after a highway-
rail grade crossing accident/incident is also required if the event 
involved violations of the flagging duties found in FRA's grade 
crossing regulation'. See 49 CFR 234.105(c), 234.106, and 
234.107(c)(1)(i). The sections referenced in these paragraphs permit 
trains to operate through malfunctioning grade crossings if an 
appropriately equipped flagger, law enforcement officer, or crewmember 
provides warning for each direction of highway traffic. For example, 
when a false activation occurs, Sec.  234.107(c)(1)(i) requires 
flagging by an appropriately equipped flagger if one is available. 
Under paragraphs (a)(5)(ii) and (iii), an employee who fails to comply 
with this flagging requirement is subject to PAT testing if a highway-
rail grade crossing accident/incident then occurs. Under paragraph 
(a)(5)(iv), FRA is further narrowing its PAT testing exception for 
highway-rail grade crossing accident/incidents by requiring PAT testing 
if a fatality of a regulated employee is involved. As with fatal train 
incidents, a deceased regulated employee is subject to post-mortem PAT 
testing regardless of whether the employee was at fault. For example, a 
regulated employee who died while operating an on-rail truck that 
collided with a motor vehicle at a highway-rail grade crossing is 
subject to post-mortem PAT testing regardless of who was at fault for 
the collision.
    Similarly, paragraph (a)(5)(v) requires PAT testing after a 
highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident if a violation of an FRA 
regulation or railroad operating rule by a regulated employee may have 
played a role in the cause or severity of the accident/incident. While 
paragraphs (a)(5)(i)-(iv) of this section specify the circumstances 
under which PAT testing is required for highway-rail grade crossing 
accidents/incidents involving human-factor errors, paragraph (a)(5)(v) 
serves as a catch-all provision that requires PAT testing for highway-
rail grade crossing accidents/incidents that involve human-factor 
errors other than those specified in paragraphs (a)(5)(i)-(iv).
Paragraph (b)
    As discussed above, FRA is narrowing this grade crossing exception 
to allow PAT testing for human-factor highway-rail grade crossing 
accident/incidents, and is amending the language in this paragraph 
accordingly.
    SEPTA had asked FRA to clarify whether the contributing action of a

[[Page 37906]]

motor vehicle operator within a grade crossing could trigger the PAT 
testing of a MOW employee. Any employee involved in a highway-rail 
grade crossing accident is excepted from PAT testing unless a 
railroad's preliminary investigation indicates that the employee's 
actions may have contributed to the occurrence or severity of the 
accident; this general exception applies to all regulated employees and 
is not affected by the addition of MOW employees to this part.

Section 219.203--Responsibilities of Railroads and Employees

Paragraph (a)(1)
    Paragraph (a)(1) requires a regulated employee whose actions may 
have played a role in the cause or severity of a PAT testing qualifying 
event (e.g., an operator, dispatcher, or signal maintainer) to provide 
blood and urine samples for PAT testing, regardless of whether the 
employee was present or on-duty at the time or location of the 
qualifying event, as required by FRA's amended PAT testing recall 
provisions in paragraph (e) of this section.
Paragraph (a)(2)
    Paragraph (a)(2) specifies that the remains of an on-duty employee 
who has been fatally injured in a qualifying PAT testing event must 
undergo post-mortem PAT testing if the employee dies within 12 hours of 
the event. This requirement applies regardless of whether the employee 
was performing regulated service, was at fault, or was a direct 
employee, volunteer, or contractor to a railroad. Part 219 already 
requires such fatality testing. See Sec. Sec.  219.11(f) and 
219.203(a)(4)(ii).
Paragraph (a)(3)
    Paragraph (a)(3) specifies which regulated employees must be tested 
for major train accidents. In paragraph (a)(3)(i), FRA requires all 
crew members of on-track equipment involved in a major train accident 
to be PAT tested, regardless of fault--a requirement that already 
applies to all train crew members involved in a major train accident. 
See Sec.  219.203(a)(3). In addition, paragraph (a)(3)(ii) requires a 
regulated employee who is not an assigned crew member of an involved 
train or other on-track equipment to be PAT tested, if it can be 
immediately determined that the regulated employee may have played a 
role in the cause or severity of the major train accident.
Paragraph (a)(4)
    In paragraph (a)(4), which applies specifically to fatal train 
incidents, FRA proposed that an individual must die within 12 hours of 
the incident to qualify for post-mortem PAT testing. The NTSB suggested 
that FRA instead define a PAT testing fatality as one that occurred 
within 30 days of the incident, to match its own definition and that of 
FMCSA's. FRA's proposed 12-hour time limit applies to the post-mortem 
testing of a fatality, however, not to the reporting of its occurrence, 
as the NTSB and FMCSA time limits do. The result of a post-mortem PAT 
test conducted up to 30 days later would fail to indicate an 
individual's condition at the time of an incident, and would have no 
probative value because any alcohol and most controlled substances 
present in the individual when the accident occurred would have 
metabolized long before the test was conducted. FRA is therefore 
adopting its proposal that post-mortem PAT testing is required only if 
an individual dies within 12 hours of an incident.
Paragraph (a)(5)
    Paragraph (a)(5) specifies which regulated employees must be PAT 
tested following human-factor highway-rail grade crossing accidents/
incidents. Under Sec.  219.201(a)(5)(i), only a regulated employee who 
interfered with the normal functioning of a grade crossing signal 
system and whose actions may have contributed to the cause or severity 
of the event must be PAT tested. Paragraphs (a)(5)(ii) and (iii) 
clarify the testing requirements for human-factor highway-rail grade 
crossing accidents/incidents under Sec.  219.201(a)(5)(ii) and (iii). 
If a grade crossing activation failure occurs, these paragraphs require 
PAT testing of a regulated employee responsible for flagging (either 
flagging highway traffic or acting as an appropriately equipped flagger 
as defined in Sec.  234.5), if the employee either fails to flag or to 
ensure that the required flagging occurs, or if the employee 
contributes to the cause or severity of the accident/incident.
    Paragraph (a)(5)(iv) states that only the remains of a fatally-
injured regulated employee(s) involved in a human-factor highway-rail 
grade crossing accident/incident under Sec.  219.201(a)(5)(iv) must be 
post-mortem PAT tested.
    Paragraph (a)(5)(v) states that only a regulated employee who has 
violated an FRA regulation or railroad operating rule and whose actions 
may have contributed to the cause or severity of the event must be PAT 
tested in the event of a human-factor highway-rail grade crossing 
accident/incident.
Paragraph (a)(6)
    Paragraph 219.203(a)(3) requires a railroad to exclude from PAT 
testing an employee involved in an impact accident or passenger train 
accident with injury, or a surviving employee involved in a fatal train 
incident, if the railroad can immediately determine that the employee 
had no role in the cause or severity of the event. If a railroad 
determines that an event qualifies for PAT testing, the railroad must 
consider the same immediately available information to determine 
whether an employee should be subject to or excluded from PAT testing.
    Correspondingly, paragraph (a)(6) requires a railroad to make a PAT 
testing determination when an employee survives a human-factor highway-
rail grade crossing accident/incident. There is no determination to be 
made, however, when a regulated employee has been involved in a major 
train accident or an employee has been fatally injured in a qualifying 
event while on-duty; in these circumstances the employee must be post-
mortem PAT tested, as specified in paragraphs (a)(6)(i) and (ii).
Paragraph (b)--Railroad Responsibility
    Paragraph (b)(1) requires a railroad to take all practicable steps 
to ensure that each regulated employee subject to PAT testing provides 
the required specimens. This includes a regulated employee who may not 
have been present or on-duty at the time of the PAT testing event, but 
who may have played a role in its cause or severity, since paragraph 
(e) of this section amends FRA's recall provisions to allow employee 
recall in such circumstances.
    Paragraph (b)(3) adopts longstanding FRA guidance that FRA PAT 
testing takes precedence over any toxicological testing conducted by 
state or local law enforcement officials. See Interpretive Guidance 
Manual at 20.
Paragraph (c)--Alcohol Testing
    Paragraph (c) allows a railroad to require a regulated employee who 
is subject to PAT testing to undergo additional PAT breath alcohol 
testing if the employee is still on, and has never left, railroad 
property.
Paragraph (d)--Timely Specimen Collection
    New paragraph (d)(1) requires a railroad: (1) To make ``every 
reasonable effort to assure that specimens are provided as soon as 
possible after the accident or incident,'' and, (2) if the railroad was 
unable to collect specimens within four hours of the qualifying event, 
to prepare and maintain a record

[[Page 37907]]

stating why the test was not promptly administered (the railroad is 
still required to collect the specimens as soon thereafter as possible, 
however, under Sec.  219.203(b)(1)).
    Previously, Sec.  219.209(c) required a railroad to notify FRA's 
Drug and Alcohol Program Manager immediately by phone whenever a 
specimen collection took longer than four hours, and to prepare a 
written explanation for any delay in specimen collection beyond four 
hours; submission of that report, however, was required only upon 
request by FRA. As amended in Sec.  219.203(d)(1), FRA is reiterating 
most of the requirements formerly in Sec.  219.209(c), but is now 
requiring a railroad to submit its written report within 30 days after 
expiration of the month during which the qualifying event occurred.
Paragraph (e)--Employee Recall
    As proposed, FRA eliminated its previous requirement that a 
qualifying PAT event had to have occurred during the employee's duty 
tour.
    FRA has simplified its employee recall provisions by requiring a 
regulated employee to be immediately recalled and placed on duty for 
PAT testing if only two conditions are met: (1) The railroad could not 
retain the employee in duty status because the employee went off duty 
under normal carrier procedures before the railroad instructed the 
employee to remain on duty pending its testing determination; and (2) 
the railroad's preliminary investigation indicates a clear probability 
that the employee played a role in the cause or severity of the 
accident/incident. An employee who has been transported to receive 
medical care is considered to be on-duty for purposes of PAT testing. A 
railroad may also PAT test an employee who has failed to remain 
available for PAT testing as required.
    Paragraph (e)(3) requires an employee to be recalled regardless of 
whether the qualifying event occurred while the employee was on duty, 
although a railroad is prohibited from recalling an employee if more 
than 24 hours has passed since the event. An employee who has been 
recalled for PAT testing must be placed on duty before he or she is PAT 
tested.
    Paragraph (e)(4) specifies that both urine and blood specimens must 
be collected from an employee who has been recalled for PAT testing. An 
employee who left railroad property before being recalled can be PAT 
tested for drugs only, since the employee could have legitimately used 
alcohol after leaving. For this reason, a recalled employee can be PAT 
tested for alcohol only if the employee never left the railroad's 
property and the railroad completely prohibits the use of alcohol on 
its property.
    Paragraph (e)(5) requires a railroad to document its attempts to 
contact an employee who has to be recalled for PAT testing. If a 
railroad cannot contact and obtain a specimen from an employee subject 
to mandatory recall within 24 hours of a qualifying event, the railroad 
must notify and submit a narrative report to FRA as required by 
paragraph (d)(1). In its report, the railroad must show that it made a 
good faith effort to contact the employee, recall the employee, place 
the employee on duty, and obtain specimens from the employee.
Paragraph (f)--Place of Specimen Collection
    Paragraph (f) states that an independent medical facility is 
required only for the mandatory collection of PAT urine and blood 
specimens since a breath alcohol PAT test (which is authorized, but not 
required) is not an invasive procedure. Section 219.203(c) authorizes a 
railroad to conduct FRA breath alcohol testing following a qualifying 
event, provided this testing does not interfere with the timely 
collection of urine and blood specimens (as specified in the PAT 
testing specimen collection procedures in appendix C to this part.
    Although FRA still considers it a best practice for a railroad to 
pre-designate medical facilities for PAT testing, FRA has removed this 
requirement, which is impracticable for several reasons. First, because 
the prompt treatment of injured employees must take precedence over any 
railroad pre-designation, an emergency responder may take an injured 
employee to a closer but non-designated medical facility. Second, even 
if a railroad has pre-designated a medical facility, the facility's 
responding employees may not be aware of or honor this designation.
    Paragraph (f)(1) states that a phlebotomist (a certified technician 
trained and qualified to draw blood in accordance with state 
requirements) is a ``qualified medical professional'' who may draw 
blood specimens for PAT testing. (A qualified medical professional does 
not need to meet the requirements of part 40, since part 40 does not 
apply to FRA PAT testing.) A qualified railroad or hospital contracted 
collector may also collect or assist in the collection of specimens, 
provided the medical facility has no objections.
    Paragraph (f)(2) clarifies that employees who are subject to 
performing regulated service are deemed to have consented to PAT 
testing under Sec.  219.11(a), just as employees who perform covered 
service already are. For PAT testing only, FRA allows urine to be 
collected from an injured regulated employee who has already been 
catheterized for medical purposes, regardless of whether the employee 
is conscious. PAT testing is not subject to part 40's prohibition 
against collecting urine from an unconscious person.
Paragraph (g)--Obtaining Cooperation of Facility
    In the NPRM, FRA had proposed replacing 1-800-424-8801 with 1-800-
424-8802 as the contact number for the National Response Center (NRC). 
A railroad must contact the NRC when a treating medical facility 
refuses to collect blood specimens because an employee is unable to 
provide consent. A commenter suggested that FRA instead replace both 1-
800-424-8801 and 1-800-424-8802 with 1-800-424-0201, a toll-free phone 
number specific to FRA. As the commenter noted, listing 1-800-424-0201 
as the contact number for the NRC would make this part consistent with 
Sec. Sec.  229.17, 230.22 and 234.7 of this chapter (respectively, 
Locomotive Safety Standards, Steam Locomotive Inspection and 
Maintenance Standards, and Grade Crossing Safety). FRA agrees, and is 
listing 1-800-424-0201 as its sole NRC contact number, in this 
paragraph, and in Sec. Sec.  219.207(b) and 219.209(a)(1) of this part.

Section 219.205--Specimen Collection and Handling

Paragraph (c)
    A railroad may no longer order a PAT testing kit directly from the 
designated FRA PAT testing laboratory (the laboratory specified in 
appendix B to part 219); the railroad must instead contact FRA's Drug 
and Alcohol Program Manager to request an order form to obtain a PAT 
testing kit from the laboratory. FRA will continue to follow its 
standard practice of making fatality PAT testing kits available only to 
Class I, Class II, and commuter railroads. If a small railroad has a 
PAT testing event involving a fatality to an on-duty employee, the 
small railroad should contact the National Railroad Response Center. 
FRA will then provide a fatality kit to a medical examiner or assist 
the small railroad in obtaining one from a larger railroad.
    As proposed, FRA is removing paragraph (c)(3), which states that a 
limited number of shipping kits are

[[Page 37908]]

available at FRA's field offices, since FRA field offices no longer 
have these kits.
Paragraph (d)
    For greater flexibility, FRA has amended this paragraph to allow a 
railroad to use other shipment methods besides air freight, provided 
the 24-hour delivery requirement is met. FRA is also allowing a 
railroad to hold specimens in a secure refrigerator for a maximum of 72 
hours if a specimen's delivery cannot be ensured within 24 hours due to 
a suspension in delivery services.
Paragraph (e)
    To ensure greater specimen security, FRA is prohibiting a railroad 
or medical facility from opening a specimen kit or a transport box 
after it has been sealed, even if it is later discovered that an error 
had been made either with the specimens or the chain of custody form. 
If such an error is discovered, the railroad or medical facility must 
make a contemporaneous written record of it and send that record to the 
laboratory, preferably with the transport box.

Section 219.207--Fatality

    As discussed above, FRA is replacing 1-800-424-8801 and 1-800-424-
8802, the phone numbers for the NRC previously listed in paragraph (b), 
with 1-800-424-0201. A railroad supervisor who is having difficulty 
obtaining post-mortem specimens from the local authority or custodian 
should call 1-800-424-0201 to notify the NRC duty officer.
    In paragraph (d), FRA is clarifying that the information in 
``Appendix C to this part [which] specifies body fluid and tissue 
specimens for toxicological analysis in the case of a fatality,'' is 
also available in the ``instructions included inside the shipping 
kits.''

Section 219.209--Reports of Tests and Refusals

Paragraph (a)(1)
    As discussed above, FRA is replacing 1-800-424-8802, the phone 
number previously listed in this paragraph for the NRC, with 1-800-424-
0201. A railroad should call the latter number to notify the NRC of the 
occurrence of a qualifying post-accident event. The railroad must also 
notify the FRA Drug and Alcohol Manager; the contact number for doing 
so, 202-493-6313, is unchanged.
    Previously, paragraph (a)(2)(v) of this section required a railroad 
reporting PAT tests and refusals to include the number, names, and 
occupations of the involved employees. To protect employee privacy 
interests and reduce railroads, reporting burdens, FRA is requiring 
railroads to report only the number of employees tested.
    Paragraph (b) required a railroad to provide a ``concise narrative 
report'' to FRA if, as a result of the non-cooperation of an employee 
or any other reason, the railroad was unable to obtain PAT testing 
specimens from an employee subject to PAT testing. As amended, a 
railroad must also notify FRA's Drug and Alcohol Program Manager 
immediately by phone of the failure. If a railroad representative is 
unable to speak directly to the FRA Drug and Alcohol Program Manager, 
the representative must leave a detailed voicemail explaining the 
circumstances and reasons for the railroad's failure to obtain PAT 
specimens. The purpose of this telephonic report is to assist both 
railroads and FRA in determining whether a refusal has occurred.
    Paragraph (c) previously required a railroad to maintain records 
explaining why PAT testing was not performed within four hours of a 
qualifying event. FRA is deleting this requirement from Sec.  219.209 
because it is already addressed in Sec.  219.203(d)(1), as discussed 
above in the section-by-section analysis for that section.

Section 219.211--Analysis and Follow-Up

    Since part 40 does not apply to FRA PAT testing, FRA is amending 
paragraph (b) of this section to adopt part 40's prohibition on 
standing down (temporarily removing from service) an employee based 
solely upon a laboratory's confirmation of a non-negative test result, 
before the railroad's Medical Review Officer (MRO) has completed the 
result's verification. See Sec.  40.21(a). As in part 40, a railroad 
may remove an employee from regulated service only after an MRO has 
verified that the employee has had a confirmed positive test, an 
adulterated test, or a substituted test.
    As amended, paragraph (c) now provides the address of the FRA 
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety.
    For consistency throughout this part, in paragraph (e), FRA is 
substituting ``Drug and Alcohol Program Manager'' for ``Alcohol/Drug 
Program Manager.'' Also, to enable employees to respond to their test 
results more easily, FRA is allowing responses to be sent by email.
    Paragraph (g)(3) previously provided that FRA's PAT testing program 
does not authorize railroads to hold an employee out of service pending 
the receipt of the test results, ``nor does it restrict a railroad from 
taking such action in an appropriate case.'' As clarification, FRA is 
adding that a railroad must have additional information regarding an 
employee's actions or inaction, independent of the employee's 
involvement in a qualifying event, to justify holding the employee out 
of service under company authority. As with paragraph (b)'s prohibition 
against standing down an employee based solely on a confirmed 
laboratory test result, reports, an employee's involvement in a PAT 
testing event is not in itself a basis for a railroad's holding the 
employee out of regulated service.

Section 219.213--Refusals; Consequences

    Paragraph (b) now requires a railroad to provide written notice to 
an employee who is being withdrawn from service under this part for 
refusing to provide a specimen for PAT testing. As with Sec.  219.107, 
FRA is adopting SAPlist.com's suggestion to delete the term 
``unlawful'' from this section's heading, since it implies that there 
are ``lawful'' refusals. This is not a substantive change.

Subpart D--Reasonable Suspicion Testing

    As proposed, reasonable suspicion testing remains in subpart D 
while reasonable cause testing is now in subpart E; this division 
underscores the importance of the differences between these types of 
tests, despite their similarity in names. (To accommodate this 
restructuring, the Identification of Troubled Employees requirements 
previously in subpart E have been moved to new subpart K.)

Section 219.301--Mandatory Reasonable Suspicion Testing

    Paragraph (a) clarifies that a reasonable suspicion alcohol test is 
not required to confirm an on-duty employee's possession of alcohol.
    Paragraph (c) requires all reasonable suspicion tests to comply 
with Sec.  219.303 (which is generally consistent with the requirements 
previously found in Sec.  219.300(b) and is discussed in more detail 
below).
    Paragraph (d) requires a regulated employee to undergo reasonable 
suspicion testing if the employee's condition has stabilized within 
eight hours.

Section 219.303--Reasonable Suspicion Observations

    This section contains the requirements for reasonable suspicion 
observations that were formerly in Sec.  219.300(b).

[[Page 37909]]

Paragraph (b)
    In paragraph (b), FRA clarifies that although two supervisors are 
required to make the required observations for reasonable suspicion 
drug testing, only one of these supervisors must be on-site and trained 
in accordance with Sec.  219.11(g). This amendment incorporates long-
standing FRA guidance, since two on-site trained supervisors are rarely 
available.
    Before a reasonable suspicion drug test can take place, a trained 
on-site supervisor must describe the signs and symptoms that the on-
site supervisor has observed of an employee's appearance and behavior 
to an off-site supervisor, who must confirm that these observations 
provide a reasonable basis to suspect the employee of drug abuse. 
Because of privacy concerns, this communication between supervisors may 
be made by telephone, but not by radio or email.
Paragraph (c)
    New paragraph (c) prohibits a railroad from holding a regulated 
employee out of service from the time of the employee's reasonable 
suspicion test to the time of the railroad's receipt of the employee's 
verified test result (a practice known as ``stand down''). A railroad 
may, however, use its own authority to hold an employee out of service 
during this period if the railroad has an independent basis for doing 
so (e.g., the employee is continuing to exhibit signs and symptoms of 
alcohol use).
Paragraph (d)
    Paragraph (d) requires an on-site supervisor to document as soon as 
practicable the observed signs and symptoms that were the basis for the 
supervisor's decision to reasonable suspicion test a regulated 
employee. FRA is not adopting Labor's suggested alternate language, 
which essentially restates FRA's own without adding any clarification.

Section 219.305--Prompt Specimen Collection; Time Limits

Paragraph (a)
    Paragraph (a) reiterates language formerly in Sec.  219.302(a), 
which states consistent with the need to protect life and property, 
reasonable suspicion testing must be promptly conducted following the 
observations upon which the reasonable suspicion determination was 
based.
Paragraph (b)
    Paragraph (b) requires a railroad to prepare and maintain a record 
explaining the reasons for the delay whenever the railroad does not 
collect reasonable suspicion breath and/or urine specimens within two 
hours of the determination to test. If, however, a railroad has failed 
to collect reasonable suspicion testing specimens within eight hours of 
its determination to test, the railroad must discontinue its collection 
attempts and record why the test could not be conducted. The eight-hour 
deadline is met when the railroad has delivered the employee to a 
collection site where a collector is present and asked the collector to 
begin specimen collection.
    Paragraph (b) also requires a railroad to submit its reasonable 
suspicion testing records upon request of the FRA Drug and Alcohol 
Program Manager.
Paragraph (c)

Subpart E--Reasonable Cause Testing

    As discussed above, FRA is dividing reasonable suspicion and 
reasonable cause testing into separate subparts to emphasize that 
despite the similarity in names, the authority and criteria for 
mandatory reasonable suspicion testing is very different from that for 
discretionary reasonable cause testing. Formerly, reasonable suspicion 
and reasonable cause testing were both located in subpart D; reasonable 
suspicion testing remains in subpart D while reasonable cause testing 
is moved to subpart E. In addition, subpart E contains new rule 
violations tailored to the activities of MOW employees. FRA has re-
designated the provisions of former subpart E as new subpart K.

Section 219.401--Authorization for Reasonable Cause Testing

    Previously, a railroad had three options whenever the conditions 
for reasonable cause testing were met; the railroad could choose to: 
(1) Conduct a reasonable cause test under FRA authority, (2) conduct a 
reasonable cause test under its own (company) authority, or (3) not 
conduct a reasonable cause test. The railroad could switch among these 
choices without advance notice. For example, a railroad could conduct 
one employee's reasonable cause test under FRA authority, and another's 
under company authority, without any explanation. In many instances, an 
employee who had received a reasonable cause test was unsure as to what 
authority the test had been conducted under, while the lack of a 
consistency requirement led to frequent complaints about disparate 
treatment among employees.
    FRA is now requiring a railroad to choose between using FRA 
authority or company authority for reasonable cause testing. A railroad 
that chooses to use FRA authority must announce its choice to its 
employees and must use that FRA authority exclusively, by (1) providing 
notice of its selection of FRA authority in its educational materials; 
(2) specifying that FRA testing is authorized only after ``train 
accidents'' and ``train incidents,'' as defined in Sec.  219.5; and (3) 
adding new rule violations or other errors to Sec.  219.403 as bases to 
test. Once a railroad has announced that it will be using FRA authority 
exclusively for reasonable cause testing, the railroad is prohibited 
from conducting reasonable cause tests under its own authority after an 
event listed in Sec.  219.403. The railroad may always, however, use 
its own authority to test for events that are outside of the FRA 
criteria for reasonable cause testing listed in this subpart.

Section 219.403--Requirements for Reasonable Cause Testing

    This section authorizes FRA reasonable cause testing after ``train 
accidents'' and ``train incidents'' as defined in Sec.  219.5, but not 
after all part 225 reportable ``accidents/incidents.'' As amended, 
railroads are authorized to conduct FRA reasonable cause testing for 
additional rule violations or other errors that reflect the expansion 
of part 219 to MOW workers, relate to signal systems and highway-rail 
grade crossing warning systems, and reflect recent amendments to 49 CFR 
part 218, Railroad Operating Practices.
Paragraph (a)
    Section 219.301(b)(2) previously authorized reasonable cause 
testing following ``an accident or incident reportable under part 225'' 
when ``a supervisory employee of the railroad has a reasonable belief, 
based on specific, articulable facts, that the employee's acts or 
omissions contributed to the occurrence or severity of the accident or 
incident.'' In this rule, FRA is clarifying that the terms ``accident/
incident'' and ``accident or incident reportable under part 225'' in 
Sec.  219.301(b)(2) do not authorize FRA reasonable cause testing after 
all part 225 reportable accidents/incidents.
    As defined in Sec.  225.5, the term ``accident/incident'' includes 
employee injuries and illnesses that conform with OSHA's recordkeeping/
reporting requirements, but do not otherwise fall within FRA's railroad 
safety jurisdiction. See Accident Reporting Guide at 1-2 (``FRA's 
accident/incident reporting regulations that concern railroad 
occupational casualties should be maintained, to the extent 
practicable,

[[Page 37910]]

in general conformity with OSHA's recordkeeping and reporting 
regulations'').
    In its audits, FRA has found numerous instances where this 
confusion in terms has resulted in a railroad deciding to conduct an 
FRA reasonable cause test after every reportable injury, even if that 
injury was unconnected with the movement of on-track equipment (e.g., a 
slip, trip, or fall that was not related to the movement of on-track 
equipment where the railroad had no basis to believe that the 
employee's act or omission contributed to the injury (which is also a 
violation of existing Sec.  219.301(b)(2)).
    Furthermore, the Sec.  225.5 definition of ``accident/incident'' 
includes occupational illnesses, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, carbon 
monoxide poisoning, noise-induced hearing loss, and dust diseases of 
the lungs, as well as circumstances such as a suicide attempt made by 
an on-duty employee, that do not authorize FRA reasonable cause 
testing. See Accident Reporting Guide at 33, and at Appendix E-2 
through E-5.
    To correct this confusion, FRA is specifying in Sec.  219.403(a) 
that reasonable cause testing is authorized following ``train 
accidents'' and ``train incidents,'' as defined by Sec.  219.5, when a 
responsible railroad supervisor has a reasonable belief, based on 
specific, articulable facts, that the individual employee's acts or 
omissions contributed to the occurrence or severity of the train 
accident or train incident. By using the terms ``train accident'' and 
``train incident,'' FRA is attempting to limit the circumstances under 
which FRA reasonable cause testing is authorized to a subset of part 
225 reportable accident/incidents. (A railroad may, of course, perform 
a reasonable cause test under its own authority for an accident/
incident that does not qualify as a train accident or train incident.)
    For consistency with the remainder of this subpart, FRA is also 
substituting the term ``responsible railroad supervisor'' for 
``supervisory employee.''
Paragraph (b)
    Paragraph (b) contains a list of rule violations and other errors 
that are grounds for FRA reasonable cause testing whenever a regulated 
employee is directly involved. The rule violations and other errors 
previously in Sec.  219.301(b)(3) can now be found in paragraphs 
(b)(1)-(4), (b)(6)-(8), and (b)(10) of this section, without any 
substantive amendments. Paragraphs (b)(5), (b)(9), (b)(11)-(12), and 
(b)(13)-(18) contain additional rule violations and other errors that 
are new grounds for FRA reasonable cause testing, as discussed below.
 Additional Rule Violations or Other Errors Related to Railroad 
Operating Practices
    In paragraphs (b)(5) and (9), FRA is adding two new categories to 
the rule violations or other errors that are grounds for reasonable 
cause testing. These additional categories reflect recent amendments to 
49 CFR part 218--Railroad Operating Practices.
    In 2008, FRA amended part 218 to require railroads to adopt and 
comply with operating rules regarding shoving and pushing movements and 
the operation of switches. Many of these operating rule requirements 
for switches already provided bases for FRA reasonable cause testing, 
such as ``[a]lignment of a switch in violation of a railroad rule, 
failure to align a switch as required for movement, operation of a 
switch under a train, or unauthorized running through a switch'' and 
``[e]ntering a crossover before both switches are lined for movement or 
restoring either switch to normal position before the crossover 
movement is completed.'' Sec.  219.301(b)(3)(iv) and (vii). 
Nevertheless, in paragraph (b)(5), FRA is authorizing reasonable cause 
testing if a regulated employee fails to restore and secure a main 
track switch when required.
    Although Sec.  218.99 requires a railroad to adopt specific 
operating rules governing shoving and pushing movements, FRA is 
authorizing reasonable cause testing only for Sec.  218.99 violations 
that can pose significant safety concerns, as discussed below. For 
instance, a railroad is authorized to conduct FRA reasonable cause 
testing on a regulated employee who fails to provide point protection 
in accordance with Sec.  218.99(b)(3), but is not authorized to do so 
if a regulated employee fails to conduct a job briefing.
 Additional Rule Violations or Other Errors Related to MOW 
Employees
    Paragraphs (b)(13)-(17) authorize FRA reasonable cause testing for 
additional rules violations and errors related to the performance of 
MOW activities: Paragraph (b)(13) authorizes testing for the failure of 
a machine operator that results in a collision between a roadway 
maintenance machine and/or other on-track equipment or a regulated 
employee; paragraph (b)(14) authorizes testing for the failure of a 
roadway worker-in-charge to notify all affected employees when 
releasing working limits; paragraph (b)(15) authorizes testing for the 
failure of a flagman or watchman/lookout to notify employees of an 
approaching train or other on-track equipment; paragraph (b)(16) 
authorizes testing for the failure to ascertain on-track safety before 
fouling a track; and paragraph (b)(17) authorizes testing for the 
improper use of individual train detection (ITD) in a manual 
interlocking or control point.
 Additional Rule Violations or Other Errors Related to Covered 
Service
    As proposed, FRA is authorizing reasonable cause testing for three 
additional rule violations or other errors primarily addressing the 
actions of covered employees.
    First, paragraph (b)(11) authorizes a railroad to conduct FRA 
reasonable cause testing if a regulated employee has interfered with 
the normal functioning of any grade crossing signal system or any 
signal or train control device without first taking measures to provide 
for the safety of highway traffic or train operations which depend on 
the normal functioning of such a device (e.g., by temporarily 
installing a jumper cable and failing to remove it after finishing 
repairs or testing). This includes the types of unlawful interference 
described in Sec.  234.209 (grade crossing systems) and Sec.  236.4 
(signals).
    Second, paragraph (b)(12) authorizes a railroad to conduct FRA 
reasonable cause testing if a regulated employee has failed to perform 
required stop-and-flag duties after a malfunction of a grade crossing 
signal system.
    Third, paragraph (b)(18) authorizes a railroad to conduct FRA 
reasonable cause testing on a regulated employee whose failure to apply 
three point protection (by fully applying the locomotive and train 
brakes, centering the reverser, and placing the generator field switch 
in the off position) results in a reportable injury to a regulated 
employee.
    A contracting company that performs regulated service for a 
railroad is authorized, but not required, to conduct FRA reasonable 
cause tests on its regulated employees. Conversely, a railroad is 
authorized to conduct FRA reasonable cause testing on its contractors 
when they are performing regulated service on the railroad's behalf.
Section 219.405--Documentation Requirements
    Although reasonable cause testing remains discretionary, a railroad 
must create and maintain written documentation of the basis for a 
reasonable cause test if that test is conducted under FRA authority.

[[Page 37911]]

Accordingly, the railroad supervisor who made the determination that 
reasonable cause exists must promptly document the observations or 
facts (e.g., the amount of property damage, the rule that was violated, 
the role of the employee) that were the basis for this determination, 
although the documentation does not have to be completed before the FRA 
reasonable cause testing has been conducted.
Section 219.407--Prompt Specimen Collection; Time Limitations
    This section clarifies that the eight-hour time period for 
conducting a reasonable cause test runs from the time a railroad 
supervisor is notified of the occurrence of the train accident, train 
incident, or rule violation that is the basis for the test.

Section 219.409--Limitations on Authority

Paragraph (a)
    This paragraph contains an amended version of language that was 
previously in Sec.  219.301(e), As amended, this paragraph states that: 
(1) If an event qualifies for mandatory PAT testing, a railroad is 
prohibited from conducting FRA reasonable cause tests in lieu of, or in 
addition to, the required PAT tests. Second, FRA is removing the word 
``compulsory,'' which misleadingly implies that FRA reasonable cause 
testing is required, when it is optional but authorized in certain 
situations. Third, FRA is removing the second sentence of Sec.  
219.301(e), which, in part, stated that ``breath test authority is 
authorized in any case where breath test results can be obtained in a 
timely manner at the scene of an accident and conduct of such tests 
does not materially impede the collection of specimens under Subpart C 
of this part.'' FRA believes this sentence is confusing because FRA is 
proposing, in Sec.  219.203(c), to allow only PAT breath alcohol 
testing, although such testing should be recorded on DOT's alcohol 
custody and control form.
Paragraph (b)
    For reasons similar to those discussed in Sec.  219.211(b), 
paragraph (b) of this section prohibits a railroad from holding a 
regulated employee out of service pending the results of an FRA 
reasonable cause test. A railroad may, however, hold an employee out of 
service under its own authority.
Paragraph (c)
    Paragraph (c) requires a supervisor to make a separate reasonable 
cause determination for each individual in a train crew, rather than a 
collective decision to test the crew as a whole.

Subpart F--Pre-Employment Tests

Section 219.501--Pre-Employment Drug Testing

Paragraph (a)
    A regulated railroad employee must have a negative Federal pre-
employment drug test result for each railroad for which the employee 
performs regulated service. This requirement does not apply to 
contractor employees who perform regulated service for the railroad.
Paragraph (b)
    As proposed, FRA is moving language previously in this paragraph to 
paragraph (e), where it will be discussed below.
    Paragraph (b) now addresses the pre-employment drug testing 
requirements for contractor employees. In contrast to the pre-
employment drug testing requirements for regulated employees discussed 
in paragraph (a) above, FRA is not requiring a contractor employee who 
performs regulated service for multiple railroads to have a negative 
Federal pre-employment drug test result for each railroad. Instead, 
each railroad only has to verify and document that the contractor 
employee has a negative Federal pre-employment drug test result on file 
with the contractor who is his or her direct employer. However, a 
contractor employee is required to have a new Federal pre-employment 
drug test if he or she switches direct employers by working for a 
different contractor who provides regulated service to railroads.
Paragraph (c)
    A railroad is not required to conduct an FRA pre-employment drug 
test on an applicant or first-time transfer to regulated service if the 
railroad has already conducted a pre-employment drug test with a 
negative test result on the applicant or first-time transfer under the 
authority of another DOT agency. In most cases, this agency will be 
FMCSA, because railroads often require signal maintainers and MOW 
employees to hold a CDL as a condition of their employment, and a 
negative FMCSA pre-employment drug test result is one of the 
prerequisites to obtaining a CDL. See 49 CFR 382.301. This amendment 
increases a railroad's hiring flexibility by allowing the railroad to 
transfer a CDL holder to first-time regulated service without having to 
conduct an FRA pre-employment drug test or having to wait for a 
negative test result (a railroad could, however, choose to perform a 
new pre-employment drug test under its own authority). Since many MOW 
employees already hold CDLs because their jobs require the operation of 
railroad commercial motor vehicles, this limited exception will 
substantially lessen the number of pre-employment drug tests railroads 
will have to perform after the effective date of this final rule.
    This exception applies, however, only when an applicant or first-
time transfer's negative DOT pre-employment drug test result is the 
result of a test conducted by the railroad itself. In other words, a 
CDL holder who performs regulated service for multiple railroads must 
have a separate negative pre-employment drug test result for each 
railroad. For example, a CDL holder who already has a negative DOT pre-
employment drug test for Railroad A must still have a negative FRA pre-
employment drug test result for Railroad B before he or she can begin 
performing regulated service for Railroad B.
Paragraph (d)
    As proposed, new paragraph (d) specifies that an applicant must 
withdraw his or her application before the drug testing process begins 
if the applicant wants to decline a pre-employment drug test and have 
no record kept of that declination.
Paragraph (e)
    In new paragraph (e), FRA exempts from pre-employment drug testing: 
(1) An employee who began performing MOW activities for a railroad 
before the effective date of this final rule; and (2) an employee who 
began performing regulated service for a small railroad (as defined in 
Sec.  219.3(c)) before the effective date of this final rule. Both 
exemptions apply only so long as the employee continues to work for the 
same railroad that he or she was working for before the effective date 
of the final rule.

Section 219.502--Pre-Employment Alcohol Testing

    This section addresses optional pre-employment alcohol testing.
Paragraph (a)(5)
    Paragraph (a)(5) prohibits a railroad from permitting a regulated 
employee with an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater from 
performing regulated service until the employee has completed the 
return-to-duty process in Sec.  219.104(d).
Paragraph (b)
    Paragraph (b) of this section (addressing pre-employment alcohol

[[Page 37912]]

testing) previously contained language identical to Sec.  219.501(b) 
(addressing pre-employment drug testing), which provides that, as used 
in subpart H, the term covered employee includes an applicant for pre-
employment testing only. It also provided that no record may be 
maintained if an applicant declines to be tested and withdraws his or 
her application for employment. As discussed above in Sec.  219.501(b), 
FRA has amended the language in Sec.  219.502(b) to clarify that an 
individual must decline to participate in a pre-employment alcohol test 
by withdrawing his or her application before the testing process 
begins. As defined by DOT in Sec.  40.243(a), the testing process 
begins when an individually wrapped or sealed mouthpiece is selected by 
the collector or the employee.

Section 219.503--Notification; Records

    The first and second sentences of this section require railroads to 
provide medical review of pre-employment drug tests and to ``notify'' 
an applicant of the ``results of the drug and alcohol test'' as 
provided for by subpart H. FRA is amending both of these sentences to 
clarify that subpart H adopts the requirements found in part 40. FRA is 
also amending the second sentence to clarify that a railroad must 
provide written notice to an applicant who has had any type of non-
negative FRA test result (i.e., not just a positive, but also an 
adulteration, substitution, or refusal). A railroad is not required, 
however, to provide written notification to an applicant who has had a 
negative FRA pre-employment alcohol or drug test result.
    FRA is also amending the third sentence of this section to clarify 
that a railroad must maintain a record of each application it denies 
because of the applicant's non-negative FRA pre-employment test. A 
railroad must maintain a record for each individual who has had a non-
negative test result on a FRA pre-employment test, even if the railroad 
denied the individual's application for employment, because an 
individual who has had such a result must comply with the return-to-
service and follow-up testing requirements of part 40 before he or she 
can begin performing DOT safety-sensitive functions for any employer 
regulated by a DOT agency. A railroad does not have to maintain a 
record, however, if an applicant withdraws his or her application to 
perform regulated service before the testing process begins.

Section 219.505--Non-Negative Tests and Refusals

    Previously, this section prohibited an individual who ``refuses'' a 
pre-employment test from performing covered service based upon the 
application and examination with respect to which such refusal was 
made. As proposed, FRA has amended this section to specifically 
prohibit an individual who has refused or who had a non-negative (i.e., 
a positive, adulterated, or substituted test result) pre-employment 
test result from performing DOT safety-sensitive functions for any DOT-
regulated employer until the individual has completed the Federal 
return-to-duty process in Sec.  219.104(d). As amended, this section 
conforms with Sec.  40.25(e), which prohibits an employer who has 
information that an individual has violated a DOT agency drug or 
alcohol regulation from using that individual to perform DOT safety-
sensitive functions until the employer receives information that the 
individual has complied with the return-to-duty requirements of part 40 
or any DOT agency.

Subpart G--Random Alcohol and Drug Testing Programs

    To achieve deterrence, a random testing program must ensure that 
each covered employee (including volunteers and probationary employees 
of a railroad or a contractor to a railroad), believes that he or she 
is subject to random testing without advance notice each time the 
employee is on duty and subject to performing covered service.
    FRA received no objections to its proposal to subject an employee 
who performs MOW activities to the same random testing requirements as 
one who performs covered service. Accordingly, each railroad must 
submit for FRA approval a random testing plan that ensures each 
regulated employee believes he or she is subject to random testing 
without advance warning each time the employee is on-duty and subject 
to performing regulated service.
    As proposed, FRA is revising and expanding subpart G,-to clarify 
and consolidate requirements and to-incorporate longstanding published 
FRA guidance. FRA received no comment on the majority of these changes, 
which are adopted as proposed without additional discussion.

Subpart H--Drug and Alcohol Testing Procedures

    FRA received no comments on its minor editorial changes to this 
section, which are adopted as proposed.

Subpart I--Annual Report

Section 219.800--Annual Reports

    FRA received no comments on its minor editorial changes to this 
section, which are adopted as proposed.

Subpart J--Recordkeeping Requirements

Section 219.901--Retention of Alcohol and Drug Testing Records

    FRA received no comments on its proposals to ease recordkeeping 
burdens by consolidating requirements, removing others, and allowing 
still others to be maintained electronically. Accordingly, FRA is 
adopting these proposals without further discussion, except for 
proposed paragraph (c)(4)(iv), which contained an incorrect reference 
to prescription drug training records under Sec.  219.103 and FRA has 
not adopted.

Subpart K--Referral Programs

    For a variety of reasons, commenters found FRA's proposal to 
replace its self-referral, co-worker report, and alternative policy 
requirements with peer support program requirements, to be both 
confusing and ill-advised. NCRMA and SMART (from this point forward 
collectively referred to as ``Labor,'' unless a comment was submitted 
by only one labor organization), in particular, raised objections and 
called for clarifications. As Labor noted, the concept of a voluntary 
peer referral program arose from ``Operation Redblock,'' a private rail 
industry initiative to address alcohol abuse. Labor expressed deep 
misgivings, both that FRA's proposed peer support programs could harm 
these existing railroad programs, and that FRA's proposal to audit each 
program would invade individual privacy and undermine employee trust in 
the program. Labor also criticized FRA's proposal to allow an EAP 
counselor to function as an alternative to a trained drug and alcohol 
counselor, because an EAP counselor rarely has specific expertise in 
abuse and addiction issues. (Typically, an EAP program addresses a 
broad range of issues, such as marital or financial problems.) 
Similarly, Labor objected to using peer counselors, noting that a peer 
is usually a volunteer who provides empathy and advice based on his or 
her own drug and alcohol problems, without a counseling or medical 
degree.
    The Associations suggested that FRA use the term ``peer 
prevention'' instead of ``peer support'' to emphasize that these 
programs should be proactive in nature. The Associations also warned

[[Page 37913]]

that FRA should audit and release aggregate program data only, because 
an employee could be discouraged from self-referring if the employee 
knew that his or her individual data would be subject to FRA 
examination. Like Labor, the Associations noted that a peer support 
group is usually composed of selected peers and volunteers rather than 
medical professionals; the Associations therefore supported allowing an 
employee who self-refers to have the option of receiving counseling and 
treatment from a Drug Abuse Counselor (DAC). Overall, the Associations 
found FRA's proposed subpart K flawed and redundant of the voluntary 
referral provisions already in Sec.  219.403.
    After consideration, FRA agrees that its proposal to mandate the 
establishment of peer support programs was unnecessary, since privately 
run railroad programs and FRA's own subpart E policies have both proven 
effective in identifying and helping employees with drug and alcohol 
abuse issues. FRA also agrees that its proposed peer support programs 
could interfere with, or possibly even be detrimental to, existing 
railroad self-referral programs. Therefore, instead of requiring the 
adoption of peer prevention programs, FRA is revising and moving its 
voluntary referral, co-worker report, and alternative policy 
requirements from subpart E (which has been revised to address 
reasonable cause testing) to new subpart K.
    With the exception of its proposal for non-peer referral programs, 
which FRA is authorizing but not requiring under this rule, FRA is not 
adopting its proposal to require peer support programs. To correspond 
with this decision, FRA is retitling this subpart ``Referral Programs'' 
instead of the proposed ``Peer Support Programs.'' As explained in the 
NPRM, FRA believes subpart E's previous title ``Identification of 
Troubled Employees,'' to be outdated since the primary purpose of that 
subpart had always been to evaluate and treat, not merely identify, 
employees who have substance abuse issues. FRA is also, as proposed, 
substituting the more commonly used term ``program'' for ``policy.''
    In addition, FRA is adopting the Associations' recommendation to 
simplify this rule by requiring all the evaluation, counseling, 
treatment, and recommendation required by this part to be performed by 
a DAC. As defined in 49 CFR 242.7, a DAC meets all the credentialing 
and qualifying requirements of a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). 
Title 49 CFR 40.3 defines an SAP A SAP as an individual who evaluates 
an employee who has violated a DOT drug and alcohol regulation and 
makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up 
testing, and aftercare. By definition, therefore, a SAP cannot perform 
a role in a voluntary referral program. In contrast, a DAC can treat 
and evaluate an employee enrolled in a voluntary referral program, 
since the DAC's involvement is not triggered by an employee's drug or 
alcohol violation. With this caveat, a DAC serves the same function in 
part this part as a SAP does in part 40.
    As mentioned above, FRA is adding an option for a ``non-peer 
referral'' program, which authorizes, but does not require, a railroad 
to accept referrals from family members, supervisors, labor 
representatives, and other individuals who are not co-workers but who 
have knowledge of an employee's drug abuse problems. FRA received no 
objections to its proposal of this additional referral program. To 
accommodate this third program, FRA is retitling its required ``co-
worker report'' program as a ``co-worker referral'' program so that 
henceforth these three programs--voluntary, co-worker, and non-peer--
will collectively be referred to as ``referral programs.''
    With the addition of the option for a non-peer program, FRA is 
reprinting requirements formerly found in subpart E, in a format that 
breaks these requirements down to make them easier to understand and 
implement. Both partially excepted small railroads and contractors are 
excluded from subpart K. Class III railroads that do not qualify for 
the small railroad exception must comply, however.

Section 219.1001--Requirements for Referral Programs

Paragraph (b)
    This paragraph generally outlines the purposes of mandatory 
voluntary referral and co-worker referral programs. The descriptions of 
these programs are reworded from those previously in subpart E, and no 
substantive changes are intended.
Paragraph (c)
    This paragraph generally outlines the purposes of optional non-peer 
referral and alternative programs. The description of an alternate 
program is reworded from the one previously in subpart E, and no 
substantive change is intended.
Paragraph (c)(1)
    Although FRA is not otherwise adopting its proposal to require 
``peer support groups,'' FRA is authorizing a railroad to establish a 
``non-peer referral'' program if it chooses to do so. A ``non-peer'' is 
an individual who is not considered to be an employee's co-worker, such 
as a trained supervisor, representative of an employee's collective 
bargaining organization, or family member.
Paragraphs (d)(1), (2), and (5)
    These paragraphs restate general conditions for referral programs 
previously found in subpart E. No substantive changes are intended.
Paragraphs (d)(3)-(4)
    These paragraphs prohibit referral programs from interfering with 
the return-to-duty requirements in subpart B and the reasonable 
suspicion testing requirements in subpart D.

Section 219.1003--Referral Program Conditions

    With the exception of the paragraphs discussed below, the required 
allowances, conditions, and procedures in this section were previously 
contained in subpart E.
Paragraph (g)
    As proposed, FRA is removing its previous minimum of 45 days leave 
of absence to allow the DAC to determine the period of time an employee 
needs.
Paragraph (h)(3)
    Formerly, only co-worker referrals allowed railroads to condition 
an employee's return to regulated service upon successful completion of 
a return-to-service medical evaluation. As proposed, a railroad may 
impose this condition on self-referrals and non-peer referrals as well.
Paragraph (h)(4)
    As proposed, a railroad must return an employee to regulated 
service within five working days of a DAC's recommendation that the 
employee is fit to return.
Paragraph (i)
    As proposed, this paragraph prohibits a person or entity from 
changing a DAC's evaluation of an employee or recommendation for 
assistance. Only the DAC who made the initial evaluation may modify 
that evaluation and any follow-up recommendations based upon new or 
additional information.
Paragraph (j)
    As proposed, the confidentiality conditions in this paragraph, 
which had previously applied only to candidates

[[Page 37914]]

for locomotive certification and locomotive engineers, have been 
expanded to cover candidates for conductor certification and 
conductors. Similarly, these requirements no longer apply only to 
voluntary referrals; co-worker and non-peer referrals are also covered.
Paragraph (k)
    As proposed, a regulated employee who enters a co-worker or non-
peer referral for a verified violation of Sec.  219.101 or Sec.  
219.102 must contact a DAC within a reasonable period of time, as 
specified by the railroad's programs. If a regulated employee does not 
contact a DAC within this time period, the railroad may investigate the 
employee's cooperation and compliance with the referral program.
Paragraph (l)
    As proposed, paragraph (l) requires a DAC to complete a regulated 
employee's evaluation within 10 working days of the employee's entering 
a referral program and contacting the DAC. If more than one evaluation 
is required, the DAC must complete these evaluations within 20 working 
days. These time frames, which had previously applied only to co-worker 
referrals, now apply to voluntary and non-peer referrals as well.
Paragraph (m)
    As proposed, a referral program may not require follow-up 
treatment, care, or testing that exceeds 24 months beyond the regulated 
employee's removal from service, unless the regulated employee had 
committed a substantiated part 219 violation.

Section 219.1005--Optional Provisions

    This section describes provisions that a railroad is authorized, 
but not required to, include in its referral program. The inclusion of 
any of these provisions may be conditioned on the agreement of an 
affected labor organization.
    Paragraph (a) permits a referral program to waive confidentiality 
if a regulated employee refuses to cooperate in a course of education, 
counseling, or treatment recommended by a DAC or if the railroad 
determines later, after investigation, that a regulated employee was 
involved in an alcohol or drug-related disciplinary offense growing out 
of subsequent conduct. This text was previously found in subpart E for 
voluntary referrals.
    Paragraph (a) specifies that nothing in subpart K prevents a 
railroad or labor organization from adopting, publishing, and 
implementing referral program policies that offer more favorable 
conditions to regulated employees with substance abuse problems, 
consistent with the railroad's responsibility to prevent violations of 
Sec. Sec.  219.101 and 219.102. This language was previously found in 
subpart E.
    Paragraph (b) requires an alternate program to have the concurrence 
of the recognized representatives of the regulated employees as shown 
by a collective bargaining agreement or other document describing the 
class or craft of employees to which the alternate program applies. 
This agreement must expressly reference subpart K and the intention of 
the railroad and the employee representatives that the alternate 
program applies in lieu of the programs required by subpart K. This 
language is similar to that previously found in subpart E.
    Paragraph (c) requires a railroad to submit a copy of the agreement 
or other document described in paragraph (b), along with a copy of the 
alternate program described in paragraph (a), to the FRA Drug and 
Alcohol Program Manager for approval. FRA will review the program to 
see if it meets the general standards and intent of Sec.  219.1003. If 
an alternate policy is amended or revoked, the railroad must notify FRA 
at least 30 days before the amendment or revocation's effective date. 
This last requirement was previously in subpart E.
    Paragraph (d) specifies that Sec.  219.1007 does not excuse a 
railroad from the requirement to adopt, publish, and implement Sec.  
219.1003 programs for any group of regulated employees not covered by 
an approved alternate program. A virtually identical provision was 
previously located in subpart E.
    Paragraph (e) references Sec.  219.105(c), which specifies that FRA 
has the authority to audit any railroad alcohol and/or drug use 
education, prevention, identification, and rehabilitation program 
(including, but not limited to, alternate referral programs), to ensure 
that the program is not designed or implemented to circumvent or 
otherwise undermine Federal requirements.

Appendix A

    Appendix A to this part contains a schedule of civil penalties for 
use in enforcing this part's requirements. FRA has revised the penalty 
schedule to correspond to the restructuring of and addition of new 
sections to this part. Because such penalty schedules are statements of 
agency policy, notice and comment are not required before their 
issuance. See 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(A). Nonetheless, FRA has revised the 
penalty schedule consistent with the previous, public schedule.

VII. Regulatory Impact and Notices

A. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 and DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures

    This final rule has been evaluated in accordance with existing 
policies and procedures and determined to be non-significant, under 
both Executive Orders 12866, and 13563, and DOT policies and 
procedures. See 44 FR 11034, Feb. 26, 1979. FRA has prepared and placed 
in the docket (No. FRA-2009-0039) a regulatory impact analysis (RIA) 
addressing the economic impact of this final rule. Document inspection 
and copying facilities are available at the DOT Central Docket 
Management Facility located in Room W12-140 on the Ground level of the 
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Docket 
material is also available for inspection electronically through the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. As part of 
the RIA, FRA has assessed quantitative measurements of the cost and 
benefit streams expected to result from implementation of this final 
rule. Overall, the final rule will result in safety benefits and 
potential business benefits for the railroad industry. It will also, 
however, generate an additional burden on railroads and railroad 
contractors, mainly due to the expenses associated with increased drug 
and alcohol testing and program administration, particularly regarding 
MOW employees.
    The costs will primarily be derived from implementation of the 
statutory mandate to expand the scope of part 219 to cover MOW 
employees. The benefits will primarily accrue from the expected injury, 
fatality, and property damage avoidance resulting from the expansion of 
part 219 to cover MOW employees, as well as the PAT testing threshold 
increase.
    Table 1 summarizes the quantified costs and benefits expected to 
accrue from implementation of the final rule over a 20-year period. It 
presents costs associated with the various types of drug and alcohol 
testing in the final rule and details the statutory costs (those 
required by the RSIA mandate to expand part 219 to MOW employees), 
discretionary costs (those that are due to the non-RSIA requirements), 
and the total of the two types of costs. Table 1 also presents the 
quantified benefits expected to accrue over a 20-year period and 
details the statutory benefits (those that result from implementation 
of the

[[Page 37915]]

RSIA mandate to expand part 219 to MOW employees) and the discretionary 
benefits (those that are due to the non-RSIA requirements). The 
benefits include not only injury, fatality, and property damage 
avoidance (accident reduction benefits), but also the savings, or 
benefit, that will accrue from fewer PAT tests being conducted due to 
FRA's increasing the property damage threshold for major train 
accidents.
    For the 20-year period analyzed, the estimated quantified cost that 
will be imposed on industry totals approximately $24.3 million 
(undiscounted), with discounted costs totaling $14.2 million (Present 
Value (PV), 7 percent) and $18.9 million (PV, 3 percent). The estimated 
quantified benefits for this 20-year period total approximately $115.8 
million (undiscounted), with discounted benefits totally $57.4 million 
(PV, 7 percent) and $83.6 million (PV, 3 percent).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Statutory       Discretionary         Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Costs (20 year)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PAT Testing--Adding MOW...................................           $52,000  ................           $52,000
PAT Testing--Impact Def + Xing............................  ................          $241,974           241,974
Reasonable Suspicion Testing..............................           842,398  ................           842,398
Pre-Employment Testing--Adding MOW........................           673,897  ................           673,897
Pre-Employment Testing--Sm, RR............................  ................            29,904            29,904
Random Testing............................................        20,863,074  ................        20,863,074
Annual Reporting..........................................           160,911  ................           160,911
Recordkeeping Requirement.................................         1,397,840  ................         1,397,840
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
    Costs Subtotal........................................        23,990,120           271,878        24,261,998
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Benefits (20 year)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accident Reduction........................................       115,369,281  ................       115,369,281
PAT Testing Threshold Reduction...........................  ................           388,295           388,295
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
    Benefits Subtotal.....................................       115,369,281           388,295       115,757,576
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
        Net Benefits......................................        91,379,161           116,417        91,495,578
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Overall, the RIA demonstrates that the costs, both statutory and 
discretionary, associated with implementing the final rule are expected 
to be outweighed by the benefits resulting from reduced injuries, 
fatalities, and property damage attributable to drug and alcohol misuse 
by regulated employees. FRA has also found that the costs will be 
outweighed by injury and fatality mitigation alone, and benefits will 
further accrue due to reduced property damage. Specifically, the 
statutory requirements incur a discounted 20-year cost of $14.1 million 
(PV, 7 percent) and $18.6 million (PV, 3 percent). The discretionary 
portion of the costs to incur over the next 20-years is $143,665 (PV, 7 
percent) and $202,023 (PV, 3 percent), with discounted 20-year benefits 
of $205,574 (PV, 7 percent) and $288,776 (PV, 3 percent).

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 13272; Initial 
Regulatory Flexibility Assessment

    FRA developed the final rule in accordance with Executive Order 
13272 (``Proper Consideration of Small Entities in Agency Rulemaking'') 
and DOT's procedures and policies to promote compliance with the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) to ensure potential 
impacts of rules on small entities are properly considered. 
Furthermore, FRA invited all interested parties to submit data and 
information regarding the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 
(IRFA) and did receive two comments about it during the public comment 
period.
    The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires an agency to review 
regulations to assess their impact on small entities. An agency must 
conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis unless it determines and 
certifies that a rule is not expected to have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    The final rule will apply to all employees of railroad carriers, 
contractors, or subcontractors to railroad carriers who perform 
maintenance-of-way activities. Based on information available, FRA 
estimates that less than 14 percent of the total railroad costs 
associated with implementing the final rule will be borne by small 
entities. This percentage is based directly upon the percentage of 
affected employees estimated to be working for small entities. Small 
entities were exempt from certain requirements of the prior rule, 
continue to be exempt from certain requirements of this final rule, and 
otherwise bear proportional burden for the requirements based upon the 
number of regulated employees each entity employs. Small entities will 
not incur greater costs per employee than the larger entities.
    FRA generally uses conservative assumptions in its costing of 
rules; based on those assumptions, FRA estimates that the cost for the 
final rule will be approximately $24 million for the next 20 years for 
the railroad industry. There are 695 railroads that are considered 
small for purposes of this analysis, and together they comprise 
approximately 93 percent of the railroads impacted directly by this 
final regulation. The 14 percent of the burden will be spread amongst 
the 695 entities, based proportionally upon the number of employees 
each has. Thus, although a substantial number of small entities in this 
sector will likely be impacted, the economic impact on them will likely 
be insignificant. This RFA is not intended to be a stand-alone 
document. To get a better understanding of the total costs for the 
railroad industry (which form the basis for the estimates in this RFA), 
or more cost detail on any specific requirement, please see the RIA 
that FRA has placed in the docket for this rulemaking.
1. Description of Regulated Entities
    The ``universe'' of the entities considered in an RFA generally 
includes only those small entities that can reasonably expect to be 
directly regulated by this final action. The types of small entities 
potentially affected by this final rule are: (1) Small railroads;

[[Page 37916]]

(2) small contractors that engage in MOW operations; and (3) small 
contractors that provide HOS services (such as dispatching, signal, and 
train and engine services).
    ``Small entity'' is defined in 5 U.S.C. 601(3) as having the same 
meaning as ``small business concern'' under Section 3 of the Small 
Business Act. This includes any small business concern that is 
independently owned and operated, and is not dominant in its field of 
operation. Section 601(4) likewise includes within the definition of 
``small entities'' not-for-profit enterprises that are independently 
owned and operated, and are not dominant in their field of operation. 
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) stipulates in its size 
standards that the largest a railroad business firm that is ``for 
profit'' may be and still be classified as a ``small entity'' is 1,500 
employees for ``Line Haul Operating Railroads'' and 500 employees for 
``Switching and Terminal Establishments.'' Additionally, 5 U.S.C. 
601(5) defines as ``small entities'' governments of cities, counties, 
towns, townships, villages, school districts, or special districts with 
populations less than 50,000.
    Federal agencies may adopt their own size standards for small 
entities in consultation with SBA and in conjunction with public 
comment. Pursuant to that authority, FRA has published a final 
statement of agency policy that formally establishes ``small entities'' 
or ``small businesses'' as being railroads, contractors, and hazardous 
materials shippers that meet the revenue requirements of a Class III 
railroad as set forth in 49 CFR 1201.1-1, which is $20 million or less 
in inflation-adjusted annual revenues, and commuter railroads or small 
governmental jurisdictions that serve populations of 50,000 or less. 
(See 68 FR 24891; May 9, 2003, codified at appendix C to 49 CFR part 
209.) The $20 million limit is based on the STB's revenue threshold for 
a Class III railroad. Railroad revenue is adjusted for inflation by 
applying a revenue deflator formula in accordance with 49 CFR 1201.1-1. 
FRA is using this definition for this rulemaking.
    An estimated 1,095 entities will be affected by the rule. FRA 
estimates that there are approximately 400 MOW contractor companies and 
695 small railroads on the general system. FRA estimates that 86 
percent of employees that will be regulated under this rule work for 
these 74 railroads and contractors. Most railroads must comply with all 
provisions of part 219. However, as previously indicated, FRA has a 
``small railroad'' definition associated with part 219 that limits 
compliance requirements for railroads with 15 HOS employees or less and 
no joint operations to reduce burden on the smallest of railroads.
    There are approximately 695 small railroads (as defined by revenue 
size). Class II and Class III railroads do not report to the STB, and 
although the number of Class II railroads is known, the precise number 
of Class III railroads is difficult to ascertain due to conflicting 
definitions, conglomerates, and even seasonal operations. Potentially, 
all small railroads could be impacted by this final regulation. Part 
219 has a small railroad exception for all railroads with 15 or fewer 
covered employees, except when these railroads have joint operations 
with another railroad, therefore increasing risk. Thus a railroad with 
such characteristics shall be called a ``partially excepted small 
railroad'' in this analysis, and is a subsection of the ``small 
entities'' as defined by the STB and FRA, addressed above. Currently, 
there are 288 partially excepted small railroads and, as FRA is not 
amending to the substantive criteria of classification, there should be 
no change in the number of partially excepted small railroads 
associated with the final rule.
    All commuter railroad operations in the United States are part of 
larger governmental entities whose jurisdictions exceed 50,000 in 
population.
    As mentioned, all railroads must comply with all or limited 
subparts of part 219. For partially excepted small railroads, per FRA's 
definition, the significant burden involves the costs of adding MOW 
employees to the existing testing programs, and adding reasonable 
suspicion and pre-employment drug testing (which they have not needed 
to comply with).
    A significant portion of the MOW industry consists of contractors. 
FRA has determined that risk lies as heavily with contractors as with 
railroad employees, so contractors and subcontractors will be subject 
to the same provisions of part 219 as the railroads for which they do 
contract work. Whether contractors must comply with all or part of the 
provisions of part 219 will depend on the size of the largest railroad 
(assumed to have the largest risk) for which the contractor works.
    FRA discussed with industry representatives how to ascertain the 
number of contractors that will be involved with this rulemaking. FRA 
is aware that some railroads hire contractors to conduct some or all of 
the MOW worker functions on their railroads. Generally, the costs for 
the burdens associated with this rulemaking will get passed on from the 
contractor to the pertinent railroad. FRA has determined that there are 
approximately 400 MOW-related contractor companies who will be covered 
by the final rule. Of those, 370 are considered to be a ``small 
entity.'' FRA has sought estimates of the number of contractors that 
may be fully compliant and how many may be partially excepted, 
depending on the size of the largest railroad for which they work.
    FRA expects that some HOS small contractors will be impacted based 
upon the compliance requirements for part 219 small railroads to now 
include reasonable suspicion testing and pre-employment drug testing. 
This burden is estimated to be minimal, as reasonable suspicion tests 
occur extremely infrequently on small railroads (average less than one 
time per year for all small railroads), and pre-employment drug tests, 
the least costly of all tests, will only be required for new employees.
    No other small businesses (non-railroad related) are expected to be 
negatively impacted significantly by this rulemaking. Conversely, this 
final regulation will bring business to consortiums, collectors, 
testing labs, and other companies involved in the drug and alcohol 
program business.
    Expanding the program to cover MOW employees will only have a small 
effect in terms of testing burden for railroads, based upon the cost of 
pre-employment drug testing for new employees and the testing of MOW 
employees. FRA estimates that 90 percent of small railroads already 
conduct pre-employment drug testing under their own company authority. 
Many of these contractors have employees with commercial drivers' 
licenses (CDLs), and therefore fall under the drug and alcohol program 
requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 
(FMCSA). Therefore, an estimated 40 percent of MOW contracted employees 
already participate in a DOT drug and alcohol testing program. 
Furthermore, FRA estimates that as many as 50-75 percent of all MOW 
contractor companies have some form of a drug and alcohol testing 
program, and that around 25 percent of these companies currently 
complete random testing (the most burdensome type of testing).
    Consortia are companies that provide testing, random selection, 
collection, policy development, and training services to help employers 
stay compliant. Consortia alleviate much of the administrative burden 
of a testing

[[Page 37917]]

program and negotiate volume discounts on behalf of their clients. It 
is likely that all part 219 small railroads already have a compliant 
testing program for employees that have been covered under the 
regulation. It should also be noted that approximately 125 of the small 
railroads that will be impacted are subsidiaries of large short line 
holding companies with resources comparable to larger railroads. 
Additionally, many small railroads are members of ASLRRA, which was 
consulted throughout the development of this regulation. ASLRRA has 
helped create a consortium for its members in the past, and FRA will 
work to ensure that small entities, as well as large, have the ability 
to adhere to the regulation as easily as possible. The consortium 
market will be affected in a positive manner due to new business from 
this rulemaking; this is a secondary benefit not discussed in this RFA.
Significant Economic Impact Criteria
    Previously, FRA sampled small railroads and found that revenue 
averaged approximately $4.7 million (not discounted) in 2006. One 
percent of that average annual revenue per small railroad is $47,000. 
FRA realizes that some railroads will have lower revenue than $4.7 
million. However, FRA estimates that small railroads will not have any 
additional expenses over the next ten years to comply with the new 
requirements in this final regulation. Based on this, FRA concludes 
that the expected burden of this final rule will not have a significant 
impact on the competitive position of small entities, or on the small 
entity segment of the railroad industry as a whole.
Substantial Number Criteria
    This final rule will likely burden all small railroads that are not 
exempt from its scope or application (see 49 CFR 219.3). Thus, as noted 
above this final rule will impact a substantial number of small 
railroads.
2. Certification
    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), FRA 
certifies that this final rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. FRA invited all 
interested parties to submit data and information regarding the 
potential economic impact that will result from adoption of the 
proposals in the NPRM. FRA did receive comments concerning the initial 
regulatory flexibility analysis in the public comment process. The 
final rule addresses these concerns by continuing FRA's longstanding 
approach of counting only a railroad's covered employees for purposes 
of determining whether the railroad qualifies for the small railroad 
exception (the railroad also cannot participate in any joint 
operations) because FRA believes this is the best measure of the risks 
posed by the railroad's operations. FRA received no objections to this 
proposal and adopted in its final rule.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    FRA is submitting the information collection requirements in this 
final rule for review and approval to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq. The sections that contain the new and current information 
collection requirements and the estimated time to fulfill each 
requirement are as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total annual       Average time per    Total annual
           CFR Section             Respondent universe       responses             response        burden hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
219.4--Petition for Recognition    2 Railroads........  2 petitions........  40 hours...........              80
 of a Foreign Railroad's
 Workplace Testing Program.
219.7--Waivers...................  722 railroads + 400  4 waivers..........  2 hours............               8
                                    MOW contractors.
219.9--Joint Operating Agreement   722 railroads + 400  525 agreements.....  30 minutes.........             263
 between Railroads Assigning        MOW contractors.
 Responsibility for Compliance
 with this Part Amongst
 Themselves (Revised Requirement).
    --Request to railroad for      722 railroads + 400  2 requests/          1 hour.............               2
     documents by employee          MOW contractors.     documents.
     engaged in joint operation
     and subject to adverse
     action after being required
     to participate in breath/
     body fluid testing under
     subpart C, D, or E of part
     219 (Revised Requirement).
    --Document by railroad/        722 railroads + 400  10 documents.......  2 hours............              20
     contractor delineating         MOW contractors.
     responsibility for
     Compliance with this part
     (Revised Requirement).
219.11--Employee consent to        722 railroads + 400  30 consent forms...  2 minutes..........               1
 participate in body fluid          MOW contractors.
 testing under subpart C.
    --Notification to employees    142,000 employees..  9,508 notices......  5 seconds..........              13
     for testing (New
     Requirement).
    --RR Alcohol & Drug Program    722 railroads + 400  722 modified         1 hour.............             722
     that provides training to      MOW contractors.     Programs.
     supervisors and information
     on criteria for post-
     accident toxicological
     testing contained in part
     219, subpart C, and appendix
     C (Revised Requirement).
    --Alcohol and Drug Programs -- 5 railroads........  5 programs.........  3 hours............              15
     New RRs.
    --Training of Supervisory      722 railroads + 400  2,462 trained        3 hours............           7,386
     Employees in signs/symptoms    MOW contractors.     supervisors.
     of alcohol/drug influence.
219.12--RR Documentation on need   722 railroads + 400  5 documents........  30 minutes.........               3
 to place employee on duty for      MOW contractors.
 follow-up tests (New
 Requirement).
219.23--Educational materials      722 railroads + 400  1,098 revised        1 hour.............           1,098
 concerning the effects of          MOW contractors.     educational
 alcohol/drug misuse on                                  documents.
 individual employees.
    --Copies of educational        142,000 employees..  142,000 copies of    2 minutes..........           4,733
     materials to employees.                             documents.

[[Page 37918]]

 
219.104--Removal of employee from  722 railroads + 400  500 notices + 500    30 seconds + 2                   21
 regulated service (Rev.            MOW contractors.     letters.             minutes.
 Requirement) Verbal Notice +
 Follow-up Written Letter.
    --Request for Hearing by       722 railroads + 400  50 requests + 50     2 minutes +........             202
     Employee who Denies Test       MOW contractors.     hearings.           4 hours............
     Result or other Information
     is Valid Evidence of part
     219 Violation.
    --Applicants Declining Pre-    722 railroads + 400  60 notices/          2 minutes..........               2
     Employment Testing and         MOW contractors.     communications.
     Withdrawing Employment
     Application- Communications
     (Revised Requirement).
219.105--Revised Requirements RR   722 railroads + 400  2 documents........  5 minutes..........             .17
 Duty to prevent violation--        MOW contractors.
 Documents provided to FRA after
 agency request regarding RR's
 Alcohol and/or Drug Use
 Education/Prevention/Etc.
    --RR Supervisor Rule G         722 railroads/400    280,000 Rule G       2 seconds + 2                   310
     observations and records of    MOW contractors.     observations +       seconds.
     regulated employees.                                280,000 records.
219.201(c)--Report by RR           722 railroads + 400  2 reports..........  30 minutes.........               1
 concerning decision by person      MOW contractors.
 other than RR representative
 about whether an accident/
 incident qualifies for testing.
219.203/207--Major train
 accidents--Post Accident
 Toxicological Testing Forms
    --Completion of FRA F 6180.73  142,000 employees..  240 forms..........  10 minutes.........              40
    --Determination by RR          722 railroads + 400  80 decisions/        15 minutes.........              20
     representative to test non-    MOW contractors.     determinations.
     crew member regulated
     employees based on specific
     information (New
     Requirement).
    --Determination by RR          722 railroads + 400  50 decisions/        5 minutes..........               4
     representative to exclude      MOW contractors.     determinations.
     surviving crewmember from
     testing (New Requirement).
    --Verbal notification and      722 railroads +      80 notifications +   2 minutes + 30                   43
     subsequent written report of   400MOW contractors.  80 reports.          minutes.
     failure to collect urine/
     blood specimens within four
     hours (New Requirement).
    --RR determination after       722 railroads + 400  25 decisions/        10 minutes.........               4
     accident to make crew          MOW contractors.     determinations.
     available for toxicological
     testing (New Requirement).
    --RR call for train relief     722 railroads + 400  25 calls...........  5 minutes..........               2
     crew (New Requirement).        MOW contractors.
    --Recall of employees for      722 railroads + 400  4 calls + 4 reports  2 minutes + 30                    2
     testing and Narrative Report   MOW contractors.                          minutes.
     Completion (New Requirement).
    --RR Reference to part 219     722 railroads + 400  80 references......  15 minutes.........              20
     requirements and FRA's post-   MOW contractors.
     accident toxicological kit
     in seeking to obtain
     facility cooperation (New
     Requirement).
    --RR Notification to National  722 railroads + 400  2 phone calls......  10 minutes.........             .33
     Response Center of injured     MOW contractors.
     employee unconscious or
     otherwise unable to give
     testing consent.
219.205--Specimen Handling/        722 railroads + 400  240 forms..........  15 minutes.........              60
 Collection--Completion of Form     MOW contractors.
 FRA F 6180.74 by train crew
 members after accident.
    --RR representative request    722 railroads + 400  80 ph. requests....  2 minutes..........               3
     to medical facility            MOW contractors.
     representative to complete
     remaining information on FRA
     F 6180.74.
    --RR representative            722 railroads + 400  80 forms...........  10 minutes.........              13
     completion of Form FRA F       MOW contractors.
     6180.73.
    --Request to FRA Alcohol and   722 railroads + 400  5 requests.........  2 minutes..........             .17
     Drug Program Manager for       MOW contractors.
     order form for Standard
     Shipping Kits (new
     requirement).
    --Request to National          722 railroads + 400  1 request..........  2 minutes..........          .03333
     Response Center (NRC) for      MOW contractors.
     Post-Mortem Shipping Kit
     (New Requirement).
    --RR Request to Medical        722 railroads + 400  40 ph. requests....  2 minutes..........               1
     Facility to Transfer Sealed    MOW contractors.
     Toxicology Kit.
    --Documentation of chain of    722 railroads + 400  40 documents.......  2 minutes..........               1
     custody of sealed toxicology   MOW contractors.
     kit from medical facility to
     lab delivery.
    --RR/Medical Facility Record   722 RRs + 400        20 written records.  2 minutes..........               1
     of Kit Error (New              contr..
     Requirement).

[[Page 37919]]

 
219.209(a)--Notification to NRC    722 railroads + 400  40 phone reports...  2 minutes..........               1
 and FRA of Accident/Incident       MOW contractors.
 where Samples were Obtained.
219.209(c)--Record of Part 219     722 railroads + 400  40 records.........  30 minutes.........              20
 Test not Administered within 4     MOW contractors.
 Hours Following Accident/
 Incident.
219.211(b)--Results of post-       722 railroads + 400  10 reports.........  15 minutes.........               3
 accident toxicological testing     MOW contractors.
 to RR MRO and RR Employee.
    (c)--MRO Report to FRA of      722 railroads + 400  10 reports.........  15 minutes.........               3
     positive test for alcohol/     MOW contractors.
     drugs of surviving employee.
219.303--Reasonable Suspicion
 Observations (Drug Test)
    --Communication between On-    722 railroads + 400  50 phone             2 minutes..........               2
     Site and Off-Site              MOW contractors.     communications.
     Supervisors regarding
     Reasonable Suspicion
     Observation.
    --RR Written Documentation of  722 railroads + 400  30 documents.......  5 minutes..........               3
     Observed Signs/Symptoms for    MOW contractors.
     Reasonable Suspicion
     Determination.
219.305--RR Written Record         722 railroads + 400  30 records.........  2 minutes..........               1
 Stating Reasons Test was Not       MOW contractors.
 Promptly Administered (New
 Requirement).
219.401--Notification to Employee  722 railroads + 400  50 notifications...  15 minutes.........              13
 regarding Reasonable Cause         MOW contractors.
 Testing (New Requirement).
219.405--RR Documentation          722 railroads + 400  50 documents.......  15 minutes.........              13
 Describing Basis of Reasonable     MOW contractors.
 Cause Testing (New Requirements).
    --RR Documentation of Rule/    722 railroads + 400  20 documents.......  15 minutes.........               5
     Part 225 Violation for Each    MOW contractors.
     Reasonable Cause Test (New
     Requirement).
219.407--Prompt specimen           722 railroads + 400  15 records.........  15 minutes.........               4
 collection time limitation         MOW contractors.
 exceeded--Record (Revised
 Requirement).
219.501--RR Documentation of       722 railroads + 400  1,200 tests + 1,200  15 minutes + 5                  400
 Negative Pre-Employment Drug       MOW contractors.     documents.           minutes.
 Tests (New Requirement).
219.605--Submission of random      5 railroads........  5 plans............  1 hour.............               5
 testing plan (Revised
 Requirement): Existing RRs.
    --New Railroads submission of  722 railroads + 400  20 amendments......  1 hour.............              20
     random testing plans           MOW contractors.
     (Revised Requirement).
    --Amendments to Currently-     722 railroads + 400  21 resubmitted       15 minutes.........               5
     Approved FRA Random Testing    MOW contractors.     plans.
     Plan (Revised Requirement).
    --Resubmitted random testing   722 railroads + 400  50 amendments......  10 minutes.........               8
     plans after notice of FRA      MOW contractors.
     disapproval (New
     Requirement).
    --Non-Substantive Amendment    722 railroads + 400  20 random testing    15 minutes.........               5
     to an Approved Plan (New       MOW contractors.     plans.
     Requirement).
    --New/Combined/Amended Random  722 railroads + 400  200 plans..........  1 hour.............             200
     Testing Plans Incorporating    MOW contractors.
     New Categories of Regulated
     Employees (New Requirement).
219.607--RR Requests to            722 railroads + 400  50 requests........  15 minutes.........              13
 Contractor or Service Agent to     MOW contractors.
 Submit Part 219 Compliant Random
 Testing Plan on Its Behalf (New
 Requirement).
    --Contractor Random Testing    722 MOW contractors  50 plans...........  1 hour.............              50
     Plan (New Requirement).
219.609--Inclusion of Regulated    722 railroads + 400  15 plans...........  10 minutes.........               3
 Service Contractor Employees/      MOW contractors.
 Volunteers in RR Random Testing
 Plan (New Requirement).
    --Addenda to RR Random         722 railroads + 400  15 addenda.........  10 minutes.........               3
     Testing Plan Describing        MOW contractors.
     Method Used to Test
     Contractor/Volunteer
     Employees in Non-Random
     Testing Plan (New
     Requirement).
219.611--Random Alcohol and Drug   722 railroads + 400  25,000               30 seconds + 30                 417
 Test Pools: Good Faith             MOW contractors.     determinations +     seconds.
 Determinations and Evaluations                          25,000 evaluations.
 of Employee Likelihood of
 Performing Regulated Service
 (New Requirement).
    --Random Testing Pool Updates  722 railroads + 400  13,176 pool updates  5 minutes..........           1,098
     (New Requirement).             MOW contractors.
    --Documents on RR Multiple     722 railroads + 400  96 documents.......  5 minutes..........               8
     Random Testing Pools (New      MOW contractors.
     Requirement).

[[Page 37920]]

 
219.613--RR Identification of      722 railroads + 400  2,196 IDs..........  2 minutes..........              73
 Total Number of Eligible           MOW contractors.
 Employees for Random Testing
 (New Requirement).
    --RR Records/Explanation of    722 railroads + 400  10 records/          2 minutes..........             .33
     Discarded Selection Draws      MOW contractors.     explanations.
     (New Requirement).
    --Electronic or Hard Copy of   722 railroads + 400  13,176 snapshots/    2 minutes..........           1,098
     RR Snapshot of Each Random     MOW contractors.     records.
     Testing Pool (New
     Requirement).
219.615--Incomplete Random         722 railroads + 400  2,000 documents....  .5 minute..........              17
 Testing Collections--              MOW contractors.
 Documentation (New Requirement).
219.617--Employee Exclusion from   722 railroads + 400  5 documents........  1 hour.............               5
 Random alcohol/drug testing        MOW contractors.
 after providing verifiable
 evidence from credible outside
 professional (Revised
 Requirement).
219.619--Report by MRO of          722 railroads + 400  88 reports.........  5 minutes..........               7
 Verified Positive Test or by       MOW contractors.
 Breath Alcohol Technician of
 Breath Alcohol Specimen of 0.04
 or Greater (New Requirement).
219.623--Random Testing Records    722 railroads + 400  40,000 records.....  1 minute...........             667
 (New Requirement).                 MOW contractors.
219.901--RR Alcohol and Drug       722 railroads + 400  16,960 records.....  5 minutes..........           1,413
 Misuse Prevention Records for      MOW contractors.
 MOW Employees Kept by FRA--Two
 Year Maintenance (Revised
 Requirement).
219.1001--RR Change of Service     722 railroads + 400  40 programs........  3 hours............             120
 Provider or Policy for Referral    MOW contractors.
 Program.
    --New Railroads Adoption of    5 railroads........  5 programs.........  3 hours............              15
     Referral Program.
    --Co-worker Report that        722 railroads + 400  602 reports........  5 minutes..........              50
     Employee is Unsafe to work     MOW contractors.
     with/in Violation of Part
     219 or Railroad's Drug/
     Alcohol Rules.
219.1003--RR Designation of DAC    722 railroads + 400  40 designations/ RR  20 minutes.........              13
 and expectations when self-        MOW contractors.     expectations.
 referral is allowed.
    --RR Employee Self-Referral..  722 railroads + 400  602 self-referrals.  10 seconds.........               2
                                    MOW contractors.
    --Referral for treatment/      722 railroads + 400  602 treatment        30 minutes.........             301
     evaluation of regulated        MOW contractors.     referrals/
     employee by co-worker as                            evaluations.
     unsafe to work with or in
     violation of part 219 or RR
     alcohol/drug rules.
    --After non-per referral,      722 railroads + 400  3 removal            4 hours............              12
     removal of employee from       MOW contractors.     confirmations.
     service and confirmation by
     RR representative that
     employee is unsafe to work
     with or in violation of part
     219 or RR drug/alcohol rule
     (New Requirement).
    --Regulated employee waiver    722 railroads + 400  3 waivers + 3 DAC    3 hours + 20                     10
     of investigation on RR rule    MOW contractors.     contacts.            minutes.
     charge and contact of DAC
     within reasonable time
     period (New Requirement).
    --Employee evaluation by       722 railroads + 400  602 evaluations....  2 hours............           1,204
     qualified DAC after self-      MOW contractors.
     referral, co-worker
     referral, or non-peer
     referral.
    --DAC recommendation of leave  722 railroads + 400  602 mentions/        1 hour.............             602
     of absence for regulated       MOW contractors.     recommendation.
     employee.
    --DAC Notification to RR that  722 railroads + 400  602 notices........  10 minutes.........             100
     employee is fit to return to   MOW contractors.
     regulated service.
    --DAC modification of initial  722 railroads + 400  60 modified          10 minutes.........              10
     evaluation of regulated        MOW contractors.     evaluations.
     employee.
219.1005--Referral Programs with   722 railroads + 400  10 referral          20 hours...........             200
 Labor Organization Approvals       MOW contractors.     programs.
 that Include Optional Provisions
 (New Requirement).
219.1007--Filing of Documents/     722 railroads + 400  10 documents.......  1 hour.............              10
 Records with FRA of Labor          MOW contractors.
 Concurrences for Alternate
 Referral Programs (New
 Requirement).
    --Notice to FRA of Amendment   722 railroads + 400  1 notice/amended     1 hour.............               1
     or Revocation of FRA           MOW contractors.     peer referral
     Approved Referral Program                           program.
     (New Requirement).
Appendix C--Completion of Form     722 railroads + 400  10 completed forms.  20 minutes.........               3
 FRA F 6180.75 after rail           MOW contractors.
 accident/incident resulting in
 fatality.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 37921]]

    All estimates include the time for reviewing instructions; 
searching existing data sources; gathering or maintaining the needed 
data; and reviewing the information. For information or a copy of the 
paperwork package submitted to OMB, contact Mr. Robert Brogan, FRA 
Office of Railroad Safety, Information Collection Clearance Officer, at 
202-493-6292, or Ms. Kim Toone, FRA Office of Information Technology, 
Information Clearance Officer, at 202-493-6132.
    Organizations and individuals desiring to submit comments on the 
collection of information requirements should send them directly to the 
Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Washington, DC 20503, Attention: FRA Desk Officer. Comments 
may also be sent via email to the Office of Management and Budget at 
the following address: oira_submissions@omb.eop.gov.
    OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection of 
information requirements contained in this final rule between 30 and 60 
days after publication of this document in the Federal Register. 
Therefore, a comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect 
if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.
    FRA cannot impose a penalty on persons for violating information 
collection requirements which do not display a current OMB control 
number, if required. FRA intends to obtain current OMB control numbers 
for any new information collection requirements resulting from this 
rulemaking action before the effective date of the final rule. The OMB 
control number, when assigned, will be announced by separate notice in 
the Federal Register.

D. Federalism Implications

    Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, Aug. 4, 1999), 
requires FRA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful 
and timely input by State and local officials in the development of 
regulatory policies that have federalism implications.'' ``Policies 
that have federalism implications'' are defined in the Executive Order 
to include regulations that have ``substantial direct effects on the 
States, on the relationship between the national government and the 
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government.'' Under Executive Order 13132, the agency 
may not issue a regulation with federalism implications that imposes 
substantial direct compliance costs and that is not required by 
statute, unless the Federal government provides the funds necessary to 
pay the direct compliance costs incurred by State and local 
governments, or the agency consults with State and local government 
officials early in the process of developing the regulation. Where a 
regulation has federalism implications and preempts State law, the 
agency seeks to consult with State and local officials in the process 
of developing the regulation.
    This final rule has been analyzed in accordance with the principles 
and criteria contained in Executive Order 13132. FRA has determined 
that the rule will not have substantial direct effects on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government. In addition, FRA has determined that this rule 
will not impose substantial direct compliance costs on State and local 
governments. Therefore, the consultation and funding requirements of 
Executive Order 13132 do not apply.
    This rule complies with a statutory mandate and will not have a 
substantial effect on the States, on the relationship between the 
Federal government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. In addition, 
this rule will not have any federalism implications that impose 
substantial direct compliance costs on State and local governments.
    However, FRA notes that this part could have preemptive effect by 
the operation of law under a provision of the former Federal Railroad 
Safety Act of 1970, repealed and codified at 49 U.S.C. 20106 (Sec. 
20106). Sec. 20106 provides that States may not adopt or continue in 
effect any law, regulation, or order related to railroad safety or 
security that covers the subject matter of a regulation prescribed or 
order issued by the Secretary of Transportation (with respect to 
railroad safety matters) or the Secretary of Homeland Security (with 
respect to railroad security matters), except when the State law, 
regulation, or order qualifies under the ``essentially local safety or 
security hazard'' exception to Sec. 20106.
    In sum, FRA has analyzed this rule in accordance with the 
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 13132. As 
explained above, FRA has determined that this rule has no federalism 
implications, other than the possible preemption of State laws under 49 
U.S.C. 20106 and 20119. Accordingly, FRA has determined that 
preparation of a federalism summary impact statement for this rule is 
not required.

E. Environmental Impact

    FRA has evaluated this final rule in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), other 
environmental statutes, related regulatory requirements, and its 
``Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts'' (FRA's Procedures) 
(64 FR 28545, May 26, 1999). FRA has determined that this final rule is 
categorically excluded from detailed environmental review pursuant to 
section 4(c)(20) of FRA's NEPA Procedures, ``Promulgation of railroad 
safety rules and policy statements that do not result in significantly 
increased emissions of air or water pollutants or noise or increased 
traffic congestion in any mode of transportation.'' See 64 FR 28547, 
May 26, 1999. Categorical exclusions (CEs) are actions identified in an 
agency's NEPA implementing procedures that do not normally have a 
significant impact on the environment and therefore do not require 
either an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact 
statement (EIS). See 40 CFR 1508.4.
    In analyzing the applicability of a CE, the agency must also 
consider whether extraordinary circumstances are present that would 
warrant a more detailed environmental review through the preparation of 
an EA or EIS. Id. In accordance with section 4(c) and (e) of FRA's 
Procedures, the agency has further concluded that no extraordinary 
circumstances exist with respect to this regulation that might trigger 
the need for a more detailed environmental review. The purpose of this 
rulemaking is to expand the scope of FRA's drug and alcohol regulations 
to cover MOW workers as per Congress' mandate in the RSIA. 
Specifically, the rule adopts part 214's definition of ``Roadway 
Worker'' to define ``MOW employee'' under part 214, contains a revised 
version of the troubled employee identification requirements, and 
updates and restructures the rule to make it more user-friendly. FRA 
does not anticipate any environmental impacts from this or any other 
requirement of the final rule. FRA also finds that there are no 
extraordinary circumstances present in connection with this final rule.

F. Executive Order 12898 (Environmental Justice)

    Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, and DOT 
Order 5610.2(a) (91 FR 27534, May 10,

[[Page 37922]]

2012) require DOT agencies to achieve environmental justice as part of 
their mission by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, 
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental 
effects, including interrelated social and economic effects, of their 
programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-
income populations. The DOT Order instructs DOT agencies to address 
compliance with Executive Order 12898 and requirements within the DOT 
Order in rulemaking activities, as appropriate. FRA has evaluated this 
final rule under Executive Order 12898 and the DOT Order and determined 
it will not cause disproportionately high and adverse human health and 
environmental effects on minority populations or low-income 
populations.

G. Executive Order 13175 (Tribal Consultation)

    FRA has evaluated this final rule in accordance with the principles 
and criteria contained in Executive Order 13175, Consultation and 
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, dated November 6, 2000. 
The final rule would not have a substantial direct effect on one or 
more Indian tribes, would not impose substantial direct compliance 
costs on Indian tribal governments, and would not preempt tribal laws. 
Therefore, the funding and consultation requirements of Executive Order 
13175 do not apply, and a tribal summary impact statement is not 
required.

H. International Trade Impact Assessment

    The Trade Agreement Act of 1979 prohibits Federal agencies from 
engaging in any standards or related activities that create unnecessary 
obstacles to foreign commerce of the United States. Legitimate domestic 
objectives, such as safety, are not considered unnecessary obstacles. 
The statute also requires consideration of international standards and 
where appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S. standards.
    This rulemaking is purely domestic in nature and is not expected to 
affect trade opportunities for U.S. firms doing business overseas or 
for foreign firms doing business in the United States.

I. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    Pursuant to Section 201 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
(Pub. L. 104-4, 2 U.S.C. 1531), each Federal agency ``shall, unless 
otherwise prohibited by law, assess the effects of Federal regulatory 
actions on State, local, and tribal governments, and the private sector 
(other than to the extent that such regulations incorporate 
requirements specifically set forth in law).'' Section 202 of the Act 
(2 U.S.C. 1532) further requires that ``before promulgating any general 
notice of proposed rulemaking that is likely to result in the 
promulgation of any rule that includes any Federal mandate that may 
result in expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the 
aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100,000,000 or more (adjusted 
annually for inflation) in any one year, and before promulgating any 
final rule for which a general notice of proposed rulemaking was 
published, the agency shall prepare a written statement'' detailing the 
effect on State, local, and tribal governments and the private sector. 
This rule will not result in the expenditure of more than $100,000,000 
(as adjusted annually for inflation) by the public sector in any one 
year, and thus preparation of such a statement is not required.

J. Energy Impact

    Executive Order 13211 requires Federal agencies to prepare a 
Statement of Energy Effects for any ``significant energy action.'' 66 
FR 28355 (May 22, 2001). Under the Executive Order, a ``significant 
energy action'' is defined as any action by an agency (normally 
published in the Federal Register) that promulgates or is expected to 
lead to the promulgation of a final rule or regulation, including 
notices of inquiry, advance notices of proposed rulemaking, and notices 
of proposed rulemaking, that: (1)(i) Is a significant regulatory action 
under Executive Order 12866 or any successor order; and (ii) is likely 
to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or 
use of energy; or (2) is designated by the Administrator of the Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy action. 
FRA has evaluated this rule in accordance with Executive Order 13211, 
and determined that it will not have a significant adverse effect on 
the supply, distribution, or use of energy. Consequently, FRA has 
determined that this regulatory action is not a ``significant energy 
action'' within the meaning of Executive Order 13211.

K. Privacy Act Information

    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of any written 
communications and comments received into any of our dockets by the 
name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the document, 
if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
See https://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy notice 
of regulations.gov or interested parties may review DOT's complete 
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 
2000 (65 FR 19477). In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits 
comments from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT 
posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information 
the commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the 
system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 219

    Alcohol abuse, Drug abuse, Drug testing, Penalties, Railroad 
safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Safety, 
Transportation.

The Rule

    For the reasons stated above, FRA amends part 219 as follows:

PART 219--CONTROL OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE

0
1. The authority citation for part 219 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 20103, 20107, 20140, 21301, 21304, 21311; 
28 U.S.C. 2461, note; Sec. 412, Div. A, Pub. L. 110-432, 122 Stat. 
4889 (49 U.S.C. 20140, note); and 49 CFR 1.89.

Subpart A--General

0
2. Revise Sec.  219.1(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  219.1  Purpose and scope.

    (a) The purpose of this part is to prevent accidents and casualties 
in railroad operations that result from impairment of employees by 
alcohol or drugs.
* * * * *

0
3. Revise Sec.  219.3 to read as follows:


Sec.  219.3  Application.

    (a) General. This part applies to all railroads and contractors, 
except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of this section, and 
except for:
    (1) Railroads that operate only on track inside an installation 
that is not part of the general railroad system of transportation 
(i.e., plant railroads, as defined in Sec.  219.5);
    (2) Tourist, scenic, historic, or excursion operations that are not 
part of the general railroad system of transportation, as defined in 
Sec.  219.5; or
    (3) Rapid transit operations in an urban area that are not 
connected to the general railroad system of transportation.
    (b) Annual report requirements. (1) Subpart I of this part does not 
apply to

[[Page 37923]]

any domestic or foreign railroad that has fewer than 400,000 total 
annual employee work hours, including hours worked by all employees of 
the railroad, regardless of occupation, not only while in the United 
States, but also while outside the United States.
    (2) Subpart I of this part does not apply to any contractor that 
performs regulated service exclusively for railroads with fewer than 
400,000 total annual employee work hours, including hours worked by all 
employees of the railroad, regardless of occupation, not only while in 
the United States, but also while outside the United States.
    (3) When a contractor performs regulated service for at least one 
railroad with fewer than 400,000 total annual employee hours, including 
hours worked by all employees of the railroad, regardless of 
occupation, not only while in the United States, but also while outside 
the United States, subpart I of this part applies as follows:
    (i) A railroad with more than 400,000 total annual employee work 
hours must comply with subpart I regarding any contractor employees it 
integrates into its own alcohol and drug testing program under this 
part; and
    (ii) If a contractor establishes its own independent alcohol and 
drug testing program that meets the requirements of this part and is 
acceptable to the railroad, the contractor must comply with subpart I 
if it has 200 or more regulated employees.
    (c) Small railroad exception. (1) Subparts E and G of this part do 
not apply to small railroads, and a small railroad may not perform the 
Federal alcohol and drug testing authorized by these subparts. For 
purposes of this part, a small railroad means a railroad that:
    (i) Has a total of 15 or fewer employees who are covered by the 
hours of service laws at 49 U.S.C. 21103, 21104, or 21105, or who would 
be subject to the hours of service laws at 49 U.S.C. 21103, 21104, or 
21105 if their services were performed in the United States; and
    (ii) Does not have joint operations, as defined in Sec.  219.5, 
with another railroad that operates in the United States, except as 
necessary for purposes of interchange.
    (2) An employee performing only MOW activities, as defined in Sec.  
219.5, does not count towards a railroad's total number of covered 
employees for the purpose of determining whether it qualifies for the 
small railroad exception.
    (3) A contractor performing MOW activities exclusively for small 
railroads also qualifies for the small railroad exception (i.e., is 
excepted from the requirements of subparts E and G of this part). A 
contractor is not excepted if it performs MOW activities for at least 
one or more railroads that does not qualify for the small railroad 
exception under this section.
    (4) If a contractor is subject to all of part 219 of this chapter 
because it performs regulated service for multiple railroads, not all 
of which qualify for the small railroad exception, the responsibility 
for ensuring that the contractor complies with subparts E and G of this 
part is shared between the contractor and any railroad using the 
contractor that does not qualify for the small railroad exception.
    (d) Foreign railroad. (1) This part does not apply to the 
operations of a foreign railroad that take place outside the United 
States. A foreign railroad is required to conduct post-accident 
toxicological testing or reasonable suspicion testing only for 
operations that occur within the United States.
    (2) Subparts F, G, and K of this part do not apply to an employee 
of a foreign railroad whose primary reporting point is outside the 
United States if that employee is:
    (i) Performing train or dispatching service on that portion of a 
rail line in the United States extending up to 10 route miles from the 
point that the line crosses into the United States from Canada or 
Mexico; or
    (ii) Performing signal service in the United States.

0
4. In Sec.  219.4, revise paragraphs (a)(1), (b)(1), and (b)(2) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  219.4  Recognition of a foreign railroad's workplace testing 
program.

    (a) * * *
    (1) To be so considered, the petition must document that the 
foreign railroad's workplace testing program contains equivalents to 
subparts B, F, G, and K of this part:
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) Upon FRA's recognition of a foreign railroad's workplace 
alcohol and drug use program as compatible with the return-to-service 
requirements in subpart B of this part and the requirements of subparts 
F, G, and K of this part, the foreign railroad must comply with either 
the specified provisions of Sec.  219.4 or with the standards of its 
recognized program, and any imposed conditions, with respect to its 
employees whose primary reporting point is outside the United States 
and who perform train or dispatching service in the United States. The 
foreign railroad must also, with respect to its final applicants for, 
or its employees seeking to transfer for the first time to, duties 
involving such train or dispatching service in the United States, 
comply with either subpart F of this part or the standards of its 
recognized program.
    (2) The foreign railroad must comply with subparts A (general), B 
(prohibitions, other than the return-to-service provisions in paragraph 
(d) of this section), C (post-accident toxicological testing), D 
(reasonable suspicion testing), I (annual report requirements), and J 
(recordkeeping requirements) of this part. Drug or alcohol testing 
required by these subparts (except for post-accident toxicological 
testing required by subpart C) must be conducted in compliance with all 
applicable provisions of the DOT Procedures for Workplace Drug and 
Alcohol Testing Programs (part 40 of this title).
* * * * *

0
5. Section 219.5 is amended by:
0
a. Revising the introductory text;
0
b. Adding new definitions of ``Administrator'', ``Associate 
Administrator'', ``category of regulated employee'', and ``contractor'' 
in alphabetical order;
0
c. Revising the definitions of ``covered employee'' and ``covered 
service'';
0
d. Adding new definitions of ``DOT, The Department, or DOT agency'', 
``DOT-regulated employee'', ``DOT safety-sensitive duties or DOT 
safety-sensitive functions'', ``Drug and Alcohol Counselor or DAC,'' 
``employee'', ``evacuation'', ``flagman or flagger'' and ``fouling a 
track'' in alphabetical order;
0
e. Revising the definition of ``FRA representative'';
0
f. Removing the definition of ``general railroad system of 
transportation'';
0
g. Adding new definitions of ``highway-rail grade crossing'' and 
``highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident'' in alphabetical 
order;
0
h. Revising the definition of ``impact accident'';
0
i. Adding new definitions of ``joint operations'' and ``maintenance-of-
way employee or MOW employee'' in alphabetical order;
0
j. Revising the definition of ``medical facility'';
0
k. Adding new definitions of ``non-peer'', ``on-track or fouling 
equipment'', ``other impact accident'', ``person'', and ``plant 
railroad'' in alphabetical order;
0
l. Revising the definition of ``railroad property damage or damage to 
railroad property'';
0
m. Adding new definitions of ``raking collision'', ``regulated 
employee'', ``regulated service'', ``responsible railroad supervisor'', 
``side collision'', and ``tourist, scenic, historic, or

[[Page 37924]]

excursion operations that are not part of the general railroad system 
of transportation'' in alphabetical order;
0
n. Removing the definition of ``train'';
0
o. Revising the definitions of ``train accident'' and ``train 
incident''; and
0
p. Adding a new definition of ``watchman/lookout'' in alphabetical 
order.
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  219.5  Definitions.

    As used in this part only--
* * * * *
    Administrator means the Administrator of the Federal Railroad 
Administration or the Administrator's delegate.
    Associate Administrator means the Associate Administrator for 
Railroad Safety, Federal Railroad Administration, or the Associate 
Administrator's delegate.
    Category of regulated employee means a broad class of either 
covered service or maintenance-of-way employees (as defined in this 
section). For the purpose of determining random testing rates under 
Sec.  219.625, if an individual performs both covered service and 
maintenance-of-way activities, he or she belongs in the category of 
regulated employee that corresponds with the type of regulated service 
comprising more than 50 percent of his or her regulated service.
* * * * *
    Contractor means a contractor or subcontractor performing functions 
for a railroad.
* * * * *
    Covered employee means an employee (as defined in this section to 
include an employee, volunteer, or probationary employee performing 
activities for a railroad or a contractor to a railroad) who is 
performing covered service under the hours of service laws at 49 U.S.C. 
21101, 21104, or 21105 or who is subject to performing such covered 
service, regardless of whether the person has performed or is currently 
performing covered service. (An employee is not a ``covered employee'' 
under this definition exclusively because he or she is an employee for 
purposes of 49 U.S.C. 21106.) For the purposes of pre-employment 
testing only, the term ``covered employee'' includes a person applying 
to perform covered service in the United States.
    Covered service means service in the United States as a train 
employee, a dispatching service employee, or a signal employee, as 
those terms are defined at 49 U.S.C. 21101, but does not include any 
period the employee is relieved of all responsibilities and is free to 
come and go without restriction.
* * * * *
    DOT, The Department, or DOT agency means all DOT agencies, 
including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Federal Motor 
Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the Federal Transit 
Administration (FTA), the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration (NHTSA), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration (PHMSA), the United States Coast Guard (USCG) (for 
purposes of part 40 coverage only), and the Office of the Secretary 
(OST). These terms include any designee of a DOT agency.
    DOT-regulated employee means any person who is designated in a DOT 
agency regulation as subject to drug testing and/or alcohol testing. 
The term includes individuals currently performing DOT safety-sensitive 
functions designated in DOT agency regulations and applicants for 
employment subject to pre-employment testing. For purposes of drug 
testing conducted under the provisions of 49 CFR part 40, the term 
employee has the same meaning as the term ``donor'' as found on the 
Custody and Control Form and related guidance materials produced by the 
Department of Health and Human Services.
    DOT safety-sensitive duties or DOT-safety sensitive functions means 
functions or duties designated by a DOT agency, the performance of 
which makes an individual subject to the drug testing and/or alcohol 
testing requirements of that DOT agency. For purposes of this part, 
regulated service has been designated by FRA as a DOT safety-sensitive 
duty or function.
* * * * *
    Drug and Alcohol Counselor or DAC means a person who meets the 
credentialing and qualification requirements described in Sec.  242.7 
of this chapter.
    Employee means any individual (including a volunteer or a 
probationary employee) performing activities for a railroad or a 
contractor to a railroad.
    Evacuation means the mandatory or voluntary relocation of at least 
one person who is not a railroad employee for the purpose of avoiding 
exposure to a hazardous material release. It does not include the 
closure of public transportation roadways for the purpose of containing 
a hazardous material release, unless the closure is accompanied by an 
evacuation order.
    Flagman or Flagger means any person designated by the railroad to 
direct or restrict the movement of trains past a point on a track to 
provide on-track safety for maintenance-of-way employees, while engaged 
solely in performing that function.
* * * * *
    Fouling a track means the placement of an individual or an item of 
equipment in such proximity to a track that the individual or equipment 
could be struck by a moving train or on-track equipment, or in any case 
is within four feet of the field side of the near running rail.
* * * * *
    FRA representative means the Associate Administrator for Railroad 
Safety of FRA and staff, the Associate Administrator's delegate 
(including a qualified State inspector acting under part 212 of this 
chapter), the Chief Counsel of FRA, the Chief Counsel's delegate, or 
FRA's Drug and Alcohol Program oversight contractor.
* * * * *
    Highway-rail grade crossing means:
    (1) A location where a public highway, road, or street, or a 
private roadway, including associated sidewalks, crosses one or more 
railroad tracks at grade; or
    (2) A location where a pathway explicitly authorized by a public 
authority or a railroad carrier that is dedicated for the use of non-
vehicular traffic, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and others that 
crosses one or more railroad tracks at grade. The term ``sidewalk'' 
means that portion of a street between the curb line, or the lateral 
line of a roadway, and the adjacent property line or, on easements of 
private property, that portion of a street that is paved or improved 
and intended for use by pedestrians.
    Highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident means any impact 
between railroad on-track equipment and a highway user at a highway-
rail grade crossing. The term ``highway user'' includes pedestrians, as 
well as automobiles, buses, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, farm 
vehicles, and all other modes of surface transportation motorized and 
un-motorized.
    Impact accident, (1) Impact accident means a train accident, as 
defined in this section, consisting either of--
    (i) A head-on or rear-end collision between on-track equipment;
    (ii) A side collision, derailment collision, raking collision, 
switching collision, or ``other impact accident,'' as defined by this 
section;
    (iii) Impact with a deliberately-placed obstruction, such as a 
bumping post (but not a derail); or
    (iv) Impact between on-track equipment and any railroad equipment

[[Page 37925]]

fouling the track, such as an impact between a train and the boom of an 
off-rail vehicle.
    (2) The definition of ``impact accident'' does not include an 
impact with naturally-occurring obstructions such as fallen trees, rock 
or snow slides, livestock, etc.
* * * * *
    Joint operations means rail operations conducted by more than one 
railroad on the same track (except for minimal joint operations 
necessary for the purpose of interchange), regardless of whether such 
operations are the result of contractual arrangements between the 
railroads, order of a governmental agency or a court of law, or any 
other legally binding directive. For purposes of this part only, 
minimal joint operations are considered necessary for the purpose of 
interchange when:
    (1) The maximum authorized speed for operations on the shared track 
does not exceed 20 mph;
    (2) Operations are conducted under operating rules that require 
every locomotive and train to proceed at a speed that permits stopping 
within one half the range of vision of the locomotive engineer;
    (3) The maximum distance for operations on the shared track does 
not exceed 3 miles; and
    (4) Any operations extending into another railroad's yard are for 
the sole purpose of setting out or picking up cars on a designated 
interchange track.
    Maintenance-of-way employee or MOW employee means a roadway worker 
as defined in Sec.  214.7 of this chapter.
    Medical facility means a hospital, clinic, physician's office, or 
laboratory where post-accident toxicological testing specimens can be 
collected according to recognized professional standards, and where an 
individual's post-accident medical needs can be attended to.
* * * * *
    Non-peer means a supervisor (other than a co-worker), labor 
organization representative, or family member of a regulated employee.
    On-track or fouling equipment means any railroad equipment that is 
positioned on the rails or that is fouling the track, and includes, but 
is not limited to, the following: A train, locomotive, cut of cars, 
single car, motorcar, yard switching train, work train, inspection 
train, track motorcar, highway-rail vehicle, push car, crane, or other 
roadway maintenance machine, such as a ballast tamping machine, if the 
machine is positioned on or over the rails or is fouling the track.
    Other impact accident means an accident or incident, not classified 
as a head-on, rear-end, side, derailment, raking, or switching 
collision, that involves contact between on-track or fouling equipment. 
This includes impacts in which single cars or cuts of cars are damaged 
during operations involving switching, train makeup, setting out, etc.
* * * * *
    Person means an entity of any type covered under 1 U.S.C. 1, 
including but not limited to the following: A railroad; a manager, 
supervisor, official, or other employee or agent of a railroad; any 
owner, manufacturer, lessor, or lessee of railroad equipment, track, or 
facilities; any independent contractor providing goods or services to a 
railroad, such as a service agent performing functions under part 40 of 
this title; and any employee of such owner, manufacturer, lessor, 
lessee, or independent contractor.
    Plant railroad means a plant or installation that owns or leases a 
locomotive, uses that locomotive to switch cars throughout the plant or 
installation, and is moving goods solely for use in the facility's own 
industrial processes. The plant or installation could include track 
immediately adjacent to the plant or installation if the plant railroad 
leases the track from the general system railroad and the lease 
provides for (and actual practice entails) the exclusive use of that 
trackage by the plant railroad and the general system railroad for 
purposes of moving only cars shipped to or from the plant. A plant or 
installation that operates a locomotive to switch or move cars for 
other entities, even if solely within the confines of the plant or 
installation, rather than for its own purposes or industrial processes, 
will not be considered a plant railroad because the performance of such 
activity makes the operation part of the general railroad system of 
transportation.
* * * * *
    Railroad property damage or damage to railroad property means 
damage to railroad property (specifically, on-track equipment, signals, 
track, track structure, or roadbed) and must be calculated according to 
the provisions for calculating costs and reportable damage in the FRA 
Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports (see Sec.  225.21 of this 
chapter for instructions on how to obtain a copy). Generally, railroad 
property damage includes labor costs and all other costs to repair or 
replace in-kind damaged on-track equipment, signals, track, track 
structures (including bridges and tunnels), or roadbed. (Labor costs 
that must be accounted for include hourly wages, transportation costs, 
and hotel expenses.) It does not include the cost of clearing a wreck; 
however, additional damage to the above-listed items caused while 
clearing the wreck must be included in the damage estimate. It also 
includes the cost of rental and/or operation of machinery such as 
cranes and bulldozers, including the services of contractors, to 
replace or repair the track right-of-way and associated structures. 
Railroad property damage does not include damage to lading. Trailers/
containers on flatcars are considered to be lading and damage to these 
is not to be included in on-track equipment damage. Damage to a flat 
car carrying a trailer/container, however, is included in railroad 
property damage. Railroads should refer directly to the FRA Guide for 
Preparing Accident/Incident Reports for additional guidance on what 
constitutes railroad property damage.
    Raking collision means a collision between parts or lading of a 
consist on an adjacent track, or with a structure such as a bridge.
    Regulated employee means a covered employee or maintenance-of-way 
employee who performs regulated service for a railroad subject to the 
requirements of this part.
    Regulated service means covered service or maintenance-of-way 
activities, the performance of which makes an employee subject to the 
requirements of this part.
* * * * *
    Responsible railroad supervisor means any responsible line 
supervisor (e.g., a trainmaster or road foreman of engines) or superior 
official in authority over the regulated employees to be tested.
* * * * *
    Side collision means a collision at a turnout where one consist 
strikes the side of another consist.
* * * * *
    Tourist, scenic, historic, or excursion operations that are not 
part of the general railroad system of transportation means a tourist, 
scenic, historic, or excursion operation conducted only on track used 
exclusively for that purpose (i.e., there is no freight, intercity 
passenger, or commuter passenger railroad operation on the track).
    Train accident means a rail equipment accident described in Sec.  
225.19(c) of this chapter involving damage in excess of the current 
reporting threshold (see Sec.  225.19(e) of this chapter), including an 
accident involving a switching movement. Rail

[[Page 37926]]

equipment accidents include, but are not limited to, collisions, 
derailments, and other events involving the operations of on-track or 
fouling equipment (whether standing or moving).
    Train incident means an event involving the operation of railroad 
on-track or fouling equipment that results in a casualty but in which 
railroad property damage does not exceed the reporting threshold.
* * * * *
    Watchman/lookout means an employee who has been annually trained 
and qualified to provide warning of approaching trains or on-track 
equipment. Watchmen/lookouts must be properly equipped to provide 
visual and auditory warning by such means as a whistle, air horn, white 
disk, red flag, lantern, or fusee. A watchman/lookout's sole duty is to 
look out for approaching trains/on-track equipment and provide at least 
fifteen seconds advanced warning to employees before the arrival of 
trains/on-track equipment.

0
6. Revise Sec.  219.9 to read as follows:


Sec.  219.9  Responsibility for compliance.

    (a) General. Although the requirements of this part are stated in 
terms of the duty of a railroad, when any person, as defined by Sec.  
219.5, performs any function required by this part, that person 
(whether or not a railroad) shall perform that function in accordance 
with this part.
    (b) Joint operations. (1) In the case of joint operations, primary 
responsibility for compliance with subparts C, D, and E of this part 
rests with the host railroad, and all affected employees must be 
responsive to direction from the host railroad that is consistent with 
this part. However, nothing in this paragraph restricts railroads 
engaged in joint operations from appropriately assigning responsibility 
for compliance with this part amongst themselves through a joint 
operating agreement or other binding contract. FRA reserves the right 
to bring an enforcement action for noncompliance with this part against 
the host railroad, the employing railroad, or both.
    (2) When an employee of a railroad engaged in joint operations is 
required to participate in breath or body fluid testing under subpart 
C, D, or E of this part and is subsequently subject to adverse action 
alleged to have arisen out of the required test (or alleged refusal 
thereof), necessary witnesses and documents available to the other 
railroad engaged in the joint operations must be made available to the 
employee and his or her employing railroad on a reasonable basis.
    (c) Contractor responsibility for compliance. As provided by 
paragraph (a) of this section, any independent contractor or other 
entity that performs regulated service for a railroad, or any other 
services under this part or part 40 of this title, has the same 
responsibilities as a railroad under this part with respect to its 
employees who perform regulated service or other service required by 
this part or part 40 of this title for the railroad. The entity's 
responsibility for compliance with this part may be fulfilled either 
directly by that entity or by the railroad treating the entity's 
regulated employees as if they were the railroad's own employees for 
purposes of this part. The responsibility for compliance must be 
clearly spelled out in the contract between the railroad and the other 
entity or in another document. In the absence of a clear delineation of 
responsibility, FRA may hold the railroad and the other entity jointly 
and severally liable for compliance.

0
7. Add Sec.  219.10 to read as follows:


Sec.  219.10  Penalties.

    Any person, as defined by Sec.  219.5, who violates any requirement 
of this part or causes the violation of any such requirement is subject 
to a civil penalty of at least $650 and not more than $25,000 per 
violation, except that: Penalties may be assessed against individuals 
only for willful violations; where a grossly negligent violation or a 
pattern of repeated violations has created an imminent hazard of death 
or injury, or has caused death or injury, a penalty not to exceed 
$105,000 per violation may be assessed; and the standard of liability 
for a railroad will vary depending upon the requirement involved. See, 
e.g., Sec.  219.105, which is construed to qualify the responsibility 
of a railroad for the unauthorized conduct of an employee that violates 
Sec.  219.101 or Sec.  219.102 (while imposing a duty of due diligence 
to prevent such conduct). Each day a violation continues constitutes a 
separate offense. See Appendix A to this part for a statement of agency 
civil penalty policy.

0
8. Amend Sec.  219.11 by revising paragraphs (a), (b)(1) and (2), and 
(c) through (h) to read as follows:


Sec.  219.11  General conditions for chemical tests.

    (a)(1) Any regulated employee who is subject to performing 
regulated service for a railroad is deemed to have consented to testing 
as required in subparts B, C, D, E, F, G, and K of this part.
    (2) A regulated employee required to participate in alcohol and/or 
drug testing under this part must be on duty and subject to performing 
regulated service when the specimen collection is initiated and the 
alcohol testing/urine specimen collection is conducted (with the 
exception of pre-employment testing under subpart F of this part).
    (b)(1) Each regulated employee must participate in such testing, as 
required under the conditions set forth in this part and implemented by 
a representative of the railroad or employing contractor.
    (2) In any case where an employee is suffering a substantiated 
medical emergency and is subject to alcohol or drug testing under this 
part, necessary medical treatment must be accorded priority over 
provision of the breath or body fluid specimen(s). A medical emergency 
is an acute medical condition requiring immediate medical care. A 
railroad may require an employee to substantiate a medical emergency by 
providing verifiable documentation from a credible outside professional 
(e.g., doctor, dentist, hospital, or law enforcement officer) 
substantiating the medical emergency within a reasonable period of 
time.
* * * * *
    (c) A regulated employee who is required to be tested under 
subparts C, D, or E of this part and who is taken to a medical facility 
for observation or treatment after an accident or incident is deemed to 
have consented to the release to FRA of the following:
    (1) The remaining portion of any body fluid specimen taken by the 
medical facility within 12 hours of the accident or incident that is 
not required for medical purposes, together with any normal medical 
facility record(s) pertaining to the taking of such specimen;
    (2) The results of any laboratory tests for alcohol or any drug 
conducted by or for the medical facility on such specimen;
    (3) The identity, dosage, and time of administration of any drugs 
administered by the medical facility before the time specimens were 
taken by the medical facility or before the time specimens were taken 
in compliance with this part; and
    (4) The results of any breath tests for alcohol conducted by or for 
the medical facility.
    (d) Any person required to participate in body fluid testing under 
subpart C of this part (post-accident toxicological testing) shall, if 
requested by a representative of the railroad or the medical facility, 
evidence consent to the taking of specimens, their release for 
toxicological analysis under pertinent

[[Page 37927]]

provisions of this part, and release of the test results to the 
railroad's Medical Review Officer by promptly executing a consent form, 
if required by the medical facility. A regulated employee is not 
required to execute any document or clause waiving rights that the 
employee would otherwise have against the railroad, and any such waiver 
is void. The employee may not be required to waive liability with 
respect to negligence on the part of any person participating in the 
collection, handling or analysis of the specimen or to indemnify any 
person for the negligence of others. Any consent provided consistent 
with this section may be construed to extend only to those actions 
specified in this section.
    (e)(1) A regulated employee who is notified of selection for 
testing under this part must cease to perform his or her assigned 
duties and proceed to the testing site either immediately or as soon as 
possible without adversely affecting safety.
    (2) A railroad must ensure that the absence of a regulated employee 
from his or her assigned duties to report for testing does not 
adversely affect safety.
    (3) Nothing in this part may be construed to authorize the use of 
physical coercion or any other deprivation of liberty to compel breath 
or body fluid testing.
    (f) Any employee performing duties for a railroad who is involved 
in a qualifying accident or incident described in subpart C of this 
part, and who dies within 12 hours of that accident or incident as the 
result thereof, is deemed to have consented to the removal of body 
fluid and/or tissue specimens necessary for toxicological analysis from 
the remains of such person, and this consent is implied by the 
performance of duties for the railroad (i.e., a consent form is not 
required). This consent provision applies to all employees performing 
duties for a railroad, and not just regulated employees.
    (g) Each supervisor responsible for regulated employees (except a 
working supervisor who is a co-worker as defined in Sec.  219.5) must 
be trained in the signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug influence, 
intoxication, and misuse consistent with a program of instruction to be 
made available for inspection upon demand by FRA. Such a program shall, 
at a minimum, provide information concerning the acute behavioral and 
apparent physiological effects of alcohol, the major drug groups on the 
controlled substances list, and other impairing drugs. The program must 
also provide training on the qualifying criteria for post-accident 
toxicological testing contained in subpart C of this part, and the role 
of the supervisor in post-accident collections described in subpart C 
and appendix C of this part.
    (h) Nothing in this subpart restricts any discretion available to 
the railroad to request or require that a regulated employee cooperate 
in additional breath or body fluid testing. However, no such testing 
may be performed on urine or blood specimens provided under this part. 
For purposes of this paragraph (h), all urine from a void constitutes a 
single specimen.
* * * * *

0
9. Add Sec.  219.12 to read as follows:


Sec.  219.12  Hours-of-service laws implications.

    (a) A railroad is not excused from performing alcohol or drug 
testing under subpart C (post-accident toxicological testing) and 
subpart D (reasonable suspicion testing) of this part because the 
performance of such testing would violate the hours-of-service laws at 
49 U.S.C. ch. 211. If a railroad establishes that a violation of the 
hours-of-service laws is caused solely because it was required to 
conduct post-accident toxicological testing or reasonable suspicion 
testing, FRA will not take enforcement action for the violation if the 
railroad used reasonable due diligence in completing the collection and 
otherwise completed it within the time limitations of Sec.  219.203(d) 
(for post-accident toxicological testing) or Sec.  219.305 (for 
reasonable suspicion testing), although the railroad must still report 
any excess service to FRA.
    (b) A railroad may perform alcohol or drug testing authorized under 
subpart E (reasonable cause testing) of this part even if the 
performance of such testing would violate the hours-of-service laws at 
49 U.S.C. ch. 211. If a railroad establishes that a violation of the 
hours-of-service laws is caused solely by its decision to conduct 
authorized reasonable cause testing, FRA will not take enforcement 
action for the violation if the railroad used reasonable due diligence 
in completing the collection and otherwise completed it within the time 
limitations of Sec.  219.407, although the railroad must still report 
any excess service to FRA.
    (c) A railroad must schedule random alcohol and drug tests under 
subpart G of this part so that sufficient time is provided to complete 
the test within a covered employee's hours-of-service limitations under 
49 U.S.C. ch. 211. However, if a direct observation collection is 
required during a random test per the requirements of part 40 of this 
title, then the random test must be completed regardless of the hours-
of-service law limitations, although the railroad must still report any 
excess service to FRA. A railroad may not place a regulated employee 
on-duty for the sole purpose of conducting a random alcohol or drug 
test under subpart G of this part.
    (d) A railroad must schedule follow-up tests under Sec.  219.104 so 
that sufficient time is provided to complete a test within a covered 
employee's hours-of-service limitations under 49 U.S.C. ch. 211. If a 
railroad is having a difficult time scheduling the required number of 
follow-up tests because a covered employee's work schedule is 
unpredictable, there is no prohibition against the railroad placing an 
employee (who is subject to being called to perform regulated service) 
on duty for the purpose of conducting the follow-up tests; except that 
an employee may be placed on duty for a follow-up alcohol test only if 
he or she is required to completely abstain from alcohol by a return-
to-duty agreement, as provided by Sec.  40.303(b) of this title. A 
railroad must maintain documentation establishing the need to place the 
employee on duty for the purpose of conducting the follow-up test and 
provide this documentation for review upon request of an FRA 
representative.

0
10. Revise Sec.  219.23 to read as follows:


Sec.  219.23  Railroad policies.

    (a) Whenever a breath or body fluid test is required of an employee 
under this part, the railroad (either through a railroad employee or a 
designated agent, such as a contracted collector) must provide clear 
and unequivocal written notice to the employee that the test is being 
required under FRA regulations and is being conducted under Federal 
authority. The railroad must also provide the employee clear and 
unequivocal written notice of the type of test that is required (e.g., 
reasonable suspicion, reasonable cause, random selection, follow-up, 
etc.). These notice requirements are satisfied if:
    (1) For all FRA testing except mandatory post-accident 
toxicological testing under subpart C of this part, a railroad uses the 
mandated DOT alcohol or drug testing form, circles or checks off the 
box corresponding to the type of test, and shows this form to the 
employee before testing begins; or
    (2) For mandatory post-accident toxicological testing under subpart 
C of this part, a railroad uses the approved FRA form and shows this 
form to the employee before testing begins.
    (b) Use of the mandated DOT alcohol or drug testing forms for non-
Federal

[[Page 37928]]

tests or mandatory post-accident toxicological testing under subpart C 
of this part is prohibited (except for post-accident breath alcohol 
testing permitted under Sec.  219.203(c)). Use of the approved FRA 
post-accident toxicological testing form for any testing other than 
that mandated under subpart C is prohibited.
    (c) Each railroad must develop and publish educational materials, 
specifically designed for regulated employees that clearly explain the 
requirements of this part, as well as the railroad's policies and 
procedures with respect to meeting those requirements. The railroad 
must ensure that a copy of these materials is distributed to each 
regulated employee hired for or transferred to a position that requires 
alcohol and drug testing under this part. (This requirement does not 
apply to an applicant for a regulated service position who either 
refuses to provide a specimen for pre-employment testing or who has a 
pre-employment test with a result indicating a violation of the alcohol 
or drug prohibitions of this part.) A railroad may satisfy this 
requirement by either--
    (1)(i) Continually posting the materials in a location that is 
easily visible to all regulated employees going on duty at their 
designated reporting place and, if applicable, providing a copy of the 
materials to any employee labor organization representing a class or 
craft of regulated employees of the railroad; or
    (ii) Providing a copy of the materials in some other manner that 
will ensure regulated employees can find and access these materials 
explaining the critical aspects of the program (e.g., by posting the 
materials on a company Web site that is accessible to all regulated 
employees); or
    (2) For a minimum of three years after June 12, 2017, also ensuring 
that a hard copy of these materials is provided to each maintenance-of-
way employee.
    (d) Required content. The materials to be made available to 
regulated employees under paragraph (c) of this section must, at a 
minimum, include clear and detailed discussion of the following:
    (1) The position title, name, and means of contacting the person(s) 
the railroad designates to answer employee questions about the 
materials;
    (2) The specific classes or crafts of employees who are subject to 
the provisions of this part, such as engineers, conductors, MOW 
employees, signal maintainers, or train dispatchers;
    (3) Sufficient information about the regulated service functions 
those employees perform to make clear that the period of the work day 
the regulated employee is required to be in compliance with the alcohol 
prohibitions of this part is that period when the employee is on duty 
and is required to perform or is available to perform regulated 
service;
    (4) Specific information concerning regulated employee conduct that 
is prohibited under subpart B of this part (e.g., the minimum 
requirements of Sec. Sec.  219.101, 219.102, and 219.103);
    (5) The requirement that a railroad utilizing the reasonable cause 
testing authority provided by subpart E of this part must give prior 
notice to regulated employees of the circumstances under which they 
will be subject to reasonable cause testing;
    (6) The circumstances under which a regulated employee will be 
tested under this part;
    (7) The procedures used to test for the presence of alcohol and 
controlled substances, protect the regulated employee and the integrity 
of the testing processes, safeguard the validity of the test results, 
and ensure that those results are attributed to the correct employee;
    (8) The requirement that a regulated employee submit to alcohol and 
drug tests administered in accordance with this part;
    (9) An explanation of what constitutes a refusal to submit to an 
alcohol or drug test and the attendant consequences;
    (10) The consequences for a regulated employee found to have 
violated subpart B of this part, including the requirement that the 
employee be removed immediately from regulated service, and the 
responsive action requirements of Sec.  219.104;
    (11) The consequences for a regulated employee who has a Federal 
alcohol test indicating an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or greater but 
less than 0.04; and
    (12) Information concerning the effects of alcohol and drug misuse 
on an individual's health, work, and personal life; signs and symptoms 
of an alcohol or drug problem (the employee's or a co-worker's); and 
available methods of evaluating and resolving problems associated with 
the misuse of alcohol and drugs, and the names, addresses, and 
telephone numbers of DACs and counseling and treatment programs.
    (e) Optional provisions. The materials supplied to employees may 
also include information on additional railroad policies with respect 
to the use or possession of alcohol and drugs, including any 
consequences for an employee found to have a specific alcohol 
concentration that are based on the railroad's company authority 
independent of this part. Any such additional policies or consequences 
must be clearly and obviously described as being based on the 
railroad's independent company authority.

0
11. Add Sec.  219.25 to subpart A to read as follows:


Sec.  219.25  Previous employer drug and alcohol checks.

    (a) As required by Sec.  219.701(a) and (b), a railroad must 
conduct drug or alcohol testing under this part in compliance with part 
40 of this title (except for post-accident toxicological testing under 
subpart C of this part). A railroad must therefore comply with Sec.  
40.25 of this title by checking the alcohol and drug testing record of 
any direct regulated employee (a regulated employee who is not employed 
by a contractor to the railroad) it intends to use for regulated 
service before the employee performs such service for the first time. A 
railroad is not required to check the alcohol and drug testing record 
of contractor employees performing regulated service on its behalf (the 
alcohol and drug testing record of those contractor employees must be 
checked by their direct employers).
    (b) When determining whether a person may become or remain 
certified as a locomotive engineer or a conductor, a railroad must 
comply with the requirements in Sec.  240.119(c) (for engineers) or 
Sec.  242.115(e) (for conductors) of this chapter regarding the 
consideration of Federal alcohol and drug violations that occurred 
within a period of 60 consecutive months before the review of the 
person's records.

Subpart B--Prohibitions

0
12. Revise Sec.  219.101(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  219.101  Alcohol and drug use prohibited.

    (a) Prohibitions. Except as provided in Sec.  219.103--
    (1) No regulated employee may use or possess alcohol or any 
controlled substance when the employee is on duty and subject to 
performing regulated service for a railroad.
    (2) No regulated employee may report for regulated service, or go 
or remain on duty in regulated service, while--
    (i) Under the influence of or impaired by alcohol;
    (ii) Having 0.04 or more alcohol concentration in the breath or 
blood; or
    (iii) Under the influence of or impaired by any controlled 
substance.
    (3) No regulated employee may use alcohol for whichever is the 
lesser of the following periods:
    (i) Within four hours of reporting for regulated service; or

[[Page 37929]]

    (ii) After receiving notice to report for regulated service.
    (4)(i) No regulated employee tested under the provisions of this 
part whose Federal test result indicates an alcohol concentration of 
0.02 or greater but less than 0.04 may perform or continue to perform 
regulated service for a railroad, nor may a railroad permit the 
regulated employee to perform or continue to perform regulated service, 
until the start of the regulated employee's next regularly scheduled 
duty period, but not less than eight hours following administration of 
the test.
    (ii) Nothing in this section prohibits a railroad from taking 
further action under its own independent company authority when a 
regulated employee tested under the provisions of this part has a 
Federal test result indicating an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or 
greater, but less than 0.04. However, while a Federal test result of 
0.02 or greater but less than 0.04 is a positive test and may be a 
violation of a railroad's operating rules, it is not a violation of 
this section and cannot be used to decertify an engineer under part 240 
of this chapter or a conductor under part 242 of this chapter.
    (5) If an employee tested under the provisions of this part has a 
test result indicating an alcohol concentration below 0.02, the test is 
negative and is not evidence of alcohol misuse. A railroad may not use 
a Federal test result below 0.02 either as evidence in a company 
proceeding or as a basis for subsequent testing under company 
authority. A railroad may take further action to compel cooperation in 
other breath or body fluid testing only if it has an independent basis 
for doing so. An independent basis for subsequent company authority 
testing will exist only when, after having a negative Federal 
reasonable suspicion alcohol test result, the employee exhibits 
additional or continuing signs and symptoms of alcohol use. If a 
company authority test then indicates a violation of the railroad's 
operating rules, this result is independent of the Federal test result 
and must stand on its own merits.
* * * * *

0
13. Revise Sec.  219.102 to read as follows:


Sec.  219.102  Prohibition on abuse of controlled substances.

    No regulated employee may use a controlled substance at any time, 
whether on duty or off duty, except as permitted by Sec.  219.103.

0
14. Revise Sec.  219.104 to read as follows:


Sec.  219.104  Responsive action.

    (a) Removal from regulated service. (1) If a railroad determines 
that a regulated employee has violated Sec.  219.101 or Sec.  219.102, 
or the alcohol or controlled substances misuse rule of another DOT 
agency, the railroad must immediately remove the employee from 
regulated service and the procedures described in paragraphs (b) 
through (d) of this section apply.
    (2) If a regulated employee refuses to provide a breath or body 
fluid specimen or specimens when required to by the railroad under a 
provision of this part, a railroad must immediately remove the 
regulated employee from regulated service, and the procedures described 
in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section apply. This provision 
also applies to Federal reasonable cause testing under subpart E of 
this part (if the railroad has elected to conduct this testing under 
Federal authority).
    (b) Notice. Before or upon removing a regulated employee from 
regulated service under this section, a railroad must provide written 
notice to the employee of the reason for this action. A railroad may 
provide a regulated employee with an initial verbal notice so long as 
it provides a follow-up written notice to the employee as soon as 
possible. In addition to the reason for the employee's withdrawal from 
regulated service, the written notice must also inform the regulated 
employee that he may not perform any DOT safety-sensitive duties until 
he completes the return-to-duty process of part 40.
    (c) Hearing procedures. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(5) 
of this section, if a regulated employee denies that a test result or 
other information is valid evidence of a Sec.  219.101 or Sec.  219.102 
violation, the regulated employee may demand and must be provided an 
opportunity for a prompt post-suspension hearing before a presiding 
officer other than the charging official. This hearing may be 
consolidated with any disciplinary hearing arising from the same 
accident or incident (or conduct directly related thereto), but the 
presiding officer must make separate findings as to compliance with 
Sec. Sec.  219.101 and 219.102.
    (2) The hearing must be convened within the period specified in the 
applicable collective bargaining agreement. In the absence of an 
agreement provision, the regulated employee may demand that the hearing 
be convened within 10 calendar days of the employee's suspension or, in 
the case of a regulated employee who is unavailable due to injury, 
illness, or other sufficient cause, within 10 days of the date the 
regulated employee becomes available for the hearing.
    (3) A post-suspension proceeding conforming to the requirements of 
an applicable collective bargaining agreement, together with the 
provisions for adjustment of disputes under sec. 3 of the Railway Labor 
Act (49 U.S.C. 153), satisfies the procedural requirements of this 
paragraph (c).
    (4) With respect to a removal or other adverse action taken as a 
consequence of a positive test result or refusal in a test authorized 
or required by this part, nothing in this part may be deemed to abridge 
any procedural rights or remedies consistent with this part that are 
available to a regulated employee under a collective bargaining 
agreement, the Railway Labor Act, or (with respect to employment at 
will) at common law.
    (5) Nothing in this part restricts the discretion of a railroad to 
treat a regulated employee's denial of prohibited alcohol or drug use 
as a waiver of any privilege the regulated employee would otherwise 
enjoy to have such prohibited alcohol or drug use treated as a non-
disciplinary matter or to have discipline held in abeyance.
    (d) A railroad must comply with the requirements for Substance 
Abuse Professional evaluations, the return-to-duty process, and follow-
up testing contained in part 40 of this title.
    (1) Post-accident toxicology testing exception. If a regulated 
employee has a post-accident toxicology test result under subpart C of 
this part that is positive for a drug not listed in Sec.  40.5's 
definition of ``Drugs,'' a railroad may conduct the employee's return-
to-duty and follow-up tests under part 40, or may conduct the 
employee's return-to-duty and follow-up tests under its own authority 
to comply with the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section, so 
long as its testing procedures are otherwise identical to those of part 
40, and include the specific drug for which the violation occurred, on 
an expanded drug testing panel.
    (e) Applicability. (1) This section does not apply to actions based 
on breath or body fluid tests for alcohol or drugs that are conducted 
exclusively under authority other than that provided in this part 
(e.g., testing under a company medical policy, testing for cause wholly 
independent of the subpart E Federal authority of this part, or testing 
under a labor agreement).
    (2) This section does not apply to Federal alcohol tests indicating 
an alcohol concentration of less than 0.04.
    (3) This section does not apply to a locomotive engineer or 
conductor who has an off-duty conviction for, or a completed state 
action to cancel, revoke,

[[Page 37930]]

suspend, or deny a motor vehicle driver's license for operating while 
under the influence of or impaired by alcohol or a controlled 
substance. (However, this information remains relevant for the purpose 
of locomotive engineer or conductor certification, according to the 
requirements of parts 240 or 242 of this chapter.)
    (4) This section does not apply to an applicant who declines to be 
subject to pre-employment testing and withdraws an application for 
employment before the test begins. The determination of when a drug or 
alcohol test begins is made according to the provisions found in 
subparts E and L of part 40 of this title.
    (5) Paragraph (c) of this section does not apply to an applicant 
who tests positive or refuses a DOT pre-employment test.
    (6) As provided by Sec.  40.25(j) of this title, paragraph (d) of 
this section applies to any DOT-regulated employer seeking to hire for 
DOT safety-sensitive functions an applicant who tested positive or who 
refused a DOT pre-employment test.

0
15. Revise Sec.  219.105 to read as follows:


Sec.  219.105  Railroad's duty to prevent violations.

    (a) A railroad may not, with actual knowledge, permit a regulated 
employee to go or remain on duty in regulated service in violation of 
the prohibitions of Sec.  219.101 or Sec.  219.102. As used in this 
section, the actual knowledge imputed to the railroad is limited to 
that of a railroad management employee (such as a supervisor deemed an 
``officer,'' whether or not such person is a corporate officer) or a 
supervisory employee in the offending regulated employee's chain of 
command. A railroad management or supervisory employee has actual 
knowledge of a violation when he or she:
    (1) Personally observes a regulated employee use or possess alcohol 
or use drugs in violation of this subpart. It is not sufficient for 
actual knowledge if the supervisory or management employee merely 
observes the signs and symptoms of alcohol or drug use that require a 
reasonable suspicion test under Sec.  219.301;
    (2) Receives information regarding a violation of this subpart from 
a previous employer of a regulated employee, in response to a 
background information request required by Sec.  40.25 of this title; 
or
    (3) Receives a regulated employee's admission of prohibited alcohol 
possession or prohibited alcohol or drug use.
    (b) A railroad must exercise due diligence to assure compliance 
with Sec. Sec.  219.101 and 219.102 by each regulated employee.
    (c) A railroad's alcohol and/or drug use education, prevention, 
identification, intervention, and rehabilitation programs and policies 
must be designed and implemented in such a way that they do not 
circumvent or otherwise undermine the requirements, standards, and 
policies of this part. Upon FRA's request, a railroad must make 
available for FRA review all documents, data, or other records related 
to such programs and policies.
    (d) Each year, a railroad's supervisors must conduct and record a 
number of ``Rule G'' employee observations at a minimum equal to twice 
the railroad's total number of regulated employees. Each ``Rule G'' 
observation must be made sufficiently close to an individual regulated 
employee to determine whether the employee is displaying signs and 
symptoms indicative of a violation of the prohibitions of this part.

0
16. Revise Sec.  219.107 to read as follows:


Sec.  219.107  Consequences of refusal.

    (a) A regulated employee who refuses to provide a breath or body 
fluid specimen or specimens when required to by the railroad under a 
provision of this part must be withdrawn from regulated service for a 
period of nine (9) months. Per the requirements of part 40 of this 
title, a regulated employee who provides an adulterated or substituted 
specimen is deemed to have refused to provide the required specimen and 
must be withdrawn from regulated service in accordance with this 
section.
    (b) Notice. Before or upon withdrawing a regulated employee from 
regulated service under this section, a railroad must provide written 
notice to the employee of the reason for this action, and the 
procedures described in Sec.  219.104(c) apply. A railroad may provide 
a regulated employee with an initial verbal notice so long as it 
provides a follow-up written notice as soon as possible.
    (c) The withdrawal required by this section applies only to an 
employee's performance of regulated service for any railroad with 
notice of such withdrawal. During the period of withdrawal, a railroad 
with notice of such withdrawal must not authorize or permit the 
employee to perform any regulated service for the railroad.
    (d) The requirement of withdrawal for nine (9) months does not 
limit any discretion on the part of the railroad to impose additional 
sanctions for the same or related conduct.
    (e) Upon the expiration of the nine month period described in this 
section, a railroad may permit an employee to return to regulated 
service only under the conditions specified in Sec.  219.104(d), and 
the regulated employee must be subject to return-to-duty and follow-up 
tests, as provided by that section.

Subpart C--Post-Accident Toxicological Testing

0
17. In Sec.  219.201, revise paragraphs (a) and (b) to read as follows:


Sec.  219.201  Events for which testing is required.

    (a) List of events. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this 
section, FRA post-accident toxicological tests must be conducted after 
any event that involves one or more of the circumstances described in 
paragraphs (a)(1) through (5) of this section:
    (1) Major train accident. Any train accident (i.e., a rail 
equipment accident involving damage in excess of the current reporting 
threshold) that involves one or more of the following:
    (i) A fatality to any person;
    (ii) A release of hazardous material lading from railroad equipment 
accompanied by--
    (A) An evacuation; or
    (B) A reportable injury resulting from the hazardous material 
release (e.g., from fire, explosion, inhalation, or skin contact with 
the material); or
    (iii) Damage to railroad property of $1,500,000 or more.
    (2) Impact accident. Any impact accident (i.e., a rail equipment 
accident defined as an ``impact accident'' in Sec.  219.5) that 
involves damage in excess of the current reporting threshold, resulting 
in--
    (i) A reportable injury; or
    (ii) Damage to railroad property of $150,000 or more.
    (3) Fatal train incident. Any train incident that involves a 
fatality to an on-duty employee (as defined in Sec.  219.5) who dies 
within 12 hours of the incident as a result of the operation of on-
track equipment, regardless of whether that employee was performing 
regulated service.
    (4) Passenger train accident. Any train accident (i.e., a rail 
equipment accident involving damage in excess of the current reporting 
threshold) involving a passenger train and a reportable injury to any 
person.
    (5) Human-factor highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident. A 
highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident when it involves:
    (i) A regulated employee who interfered with the normal functioning

[[Page 37931]]

of a grade crossing signal system, in testing or otherwise, without 
first taking measures to provide for the safety of highway traffic that 
depends on the normal functioning of such system, as prohibited by 
Sec.  234.209 of this chapter;
    (ii) A train crewmember who was, or who should have been, flagging 
highway traffic to stop due to an activation failure of the grade 
crossing system, as provided by Sec.  234.105(c)(3) of this chapter;
    (iii) A regulated employee who was performing, or should have been 
performing, the duties of an appropriately equipped flagger (as defined 
in Sec.  234.5 of this chapter) due to an activation failure, partial 
activation, or false activation of the grade crossing signal system, as 
provided by Sec.  234.105(c)(1) and (2), Sec.  234.106, or Sec.  
234.107(c)(1)(i) of this chapter;
    (iv) A fatality to any regulated employee performing duties for the 
railroad, regardless of fault; or
    (v) A regulated employee who violated an FRA regulation or railroad 
operating rule and whose actions may have played a role in the cause or 
severity of the accident/incident.
    (b) Exceptions. Except for a human-factor highway-rail grade 
crossing accident/incident described in paragraph (a)(5) of this 
section, no test may be required in the case of a collision between 
railroad rolling stock and a motor vehicle or other highway conveyance 
at a highway/rail grade crossing. No test may be required for an 
accident/incident the cause and severity of which are wholly 
attributable to a natural cause (e.g., flood, tornado, or other natural 
disaster) or to vandalism or trespasser(s), as determined on the basis 
of objective and documented facts by the railroad representative 
responding to the scene.
* * * * *

0
18. Revise Sec.  219.203 to read as follows:


Sec.  219.203  Responsibilities of railroads and employees.

    (a) Employees tested. A regulated employee subject to post-accident 
toxicological testing under this subpart must cooperate in the 
provision of specimens as described in this part and appendix C to this 
part.
    (1) General. Except as otherwise provided for by this section, 
following each qualifying event described in Sec.  219.201, a regulated 
employee directly involved in a qualifying event under this subpart 
must provide blood and urine specimens for toxicological testing by 
FRA. This includes any regulated employee who may not have been present 
or on-duty at the time or location of the event, but whose actions may 
have played a role in its cause or severity, including, but not limited 
to, an operator, dispatcher, or signal maintainer.
    (2) Fatalities. Testing of the remains of an on-duty employee (as 
defined in Sec.  219.5) who is fatally injured in a qualifying event 
described in Sec.  219.201 is required, regardless of fault, if the 
employee dies within 12 hours of the qualifying event as a result of 
such qualifying event.
    (3) Major train accidents. For an accident or incident meeting the 
criteria of a major train accident in Sec.  219.201(a)(1)--
    (i) All assigned crew members of all trains or other on-track 
equipment involved in the qualifying event must be subjected to post-
accident toxicological testing, regardless of fault.
    (ii) Other surviving regulated employees who are not assigned crew 
members of an involved train or other on-track equipment (e.g., a 
dispatcher or a signal maintainer) must be tested if a railroad 
representative can immediately determine, on the basis of specific 
information, that the employee may have had a role in the cause or 
severity of the accident/incident. In making this determination, the 
railroad representative must consider any such information that is 
immediately available at the time the qualifying event determination is 
made under Sec.  219.201.
    (4) Fatal train incidents. For a fatal train incident under Sec.  
219.201(a)(3), the remains of any on-duty employee (as defined in Sec.  
219.5) performing duties for a railroad who is fatally injured in the 
event are always subject to post-accident toxicological testing, 
regardless of fault.
    (5) Human-factor highway-rail grade crossing accident/incidents. 
(i) For a human-factor highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident 
under Sec.  219.201(a)(5)(i), only a regulated employee who interfered 
with the normal functioning of a grade crossing signal system and whose 
actions may have contributed to the cause or severity of the event is 
subject to testing.
    (ii) For a human-factor highway-rail grade crossing accident/
incident under Sec.  219.201(a)(5)(ii), only a regulated employee who 
was a train crew member responsible for flagging highway traffic to 
stop due to an activation failure of a grade crossing system (or who 
was on-site and directly responsible for ensuring that flagging was 
being performed), but who failed to do so, and whose actions may have 
contributed to the cause or severity of the event, is subject to 
testing.
    (iii) For a human-factor highway-rail grade crossing accident/
incident under Sec.  219.201(a)(5)(iii), only a regulated employee who 
was responsible for performing the duties of an appropriately equipped 
flagger (as defined in Sec.  234.5 of this chapter), but who failed to 
do so, and whose actions may have contributed to the cause or severity 
of the event is subject to testing.
    (iv) For a human-factor highway-rail grade crossing accident/
incident under Sec.  219.201(a)(5)(iv), only the remains of any 
fatally-injured employee(s) (as defined in Sec.  219.5) performing 
regulated service for the railroad are subject to testing.
    (v) For a human-factor highway-rail grade crossing accident/
incident under Sec.  219.201(a)(5)(v), only a regulated employee who 
violated an FRA regulation or railroad operating rule and whose actions 
may have contributed to the cause or severity of the event is subject 
to testing.
    (6) Exception. For a qualifying impact accident, passenger train 
accident, fatal train incident, or human-factor highway-rail grade 
crossing accident/incident under Sec.  219.201(a)(2) through (5), a 
surviving crewmember or other regulated employee must be excluded from 
testing if the railroad representative can immediately determine, on 
the basis of specific information, that the employee had no role in the 
cause or severity of the accident/incident. In making this 
determination, the railroad representative must consider any 
information that is immediately available at the time the qualifying 
event determination is made under Sec.  219.201.
    (i) This exception is not available for assigned crew members of 
all involved trains if the qualifying event also meets the criteria for 
a major train accident under Sec.  219.201(a)(1) (e.g., this exception 
is not available for an Impact Accident that also qualifies as a major 
train accident because it results in damage to railroad property of 
$1,500,000 or more).
    (ii) This exception is not available for any on-duty employee who 
is fatally-injured in a qualifying event.
    (b) Railroad responsibility. (1) A railroad must take all 
practicable steps to ensure that all surviving regulated employees of 
the railroad who are subject to FRA post-accident toxicological testing 
under this subpart provide blood and urine specimens for the 
toxicological testing required by FRA. This includes any regulated 
employee who may not have been

[[Page 37932]]

present or on-duty at the time or location of the event, but whose 
actions may have played a role in its cause or severity, including, but 
not limited to, an operator, dispatcher, or signal maintainer.
    (2) A railroad must take all practicable steps to ensure that 
tissue and fluid specimens taken from fatally injured employees are 
subject to FRA post-accident toxicological testing under this subpart.
    (3) FRA post-accident toxicological testing under this subpart 
takes priority over toxicological testing conducted by state or local 
law enforcement officials.
    (c) Alcohol testing. Except as provided for in paragraph (e)(4) of 
this section, if the conditions for mandatory post-accident 
toxicological testing exist, a railroad may also require an employee to 
provide breath for testing in accordance with the procedures set forth 
in part 40 of this title and in this part, if such testing does not 
interfere with timely collection of required urine and blood specimens.
    (d) Timely specimen collection. (1) A railroad must make every 
reasonable effort to assure that specimens are provided as soon as 
possible after the accident or incident, preferably within four hours. 
Specimens that are not collected within four hours after a qualifying 
accident or incident must be collected as soon thereafter as 
practicable. If a specimen is not collected within four hours of a 
qualifying event, the railroad must immediately notify the FRA Drug and 
Alcohol Program Manager at 202-493-6313 and provide detailed 
information regarding the failure (either verbally or via a voicemail). 
The railroad must also submit a concise, written narrative report of 
the reasons for such a delay to the FRA Drug and Alcohol Program 
Manager, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Washington, DC 20590. The report 
must be submitted within 30 days after the expiration of the month 
during which the accident or incident occurred. This report may also be 
submitted via email to an email address provided by the FRA Drug and 
Alcohol Program Manager.
    (2) The requirements of paragraph (d) of this section must not be 
construed to inhibit an employee who is required to be post-accident 
toxicological tested from performing, in the immediate aftermath of an 
accident or incident, any duties that may be necessary for the 
preservation of life or property. Where practical, however, a railroad 
must utilize other employees to perform such duties.
    (3) If a passenger train is in proper condition to continue to the 
next station or its destination after an accident or incident, the 
railroad must consider the safety and convenience of passengers in 
determining whether the crew should be made immediately available for 
post-accident toxicological testing. A relief crew must be called to 
relieve the train crew as soon as possible.
    (4) A regulated employee who may be subject to post-accident 
toxicological testing under this subpart must be retained in duty 
status for the period necessary to make the determinations required by 
Sec.  219.201 and this section and (as appropriate) to complete 
specimen collection.
    (e) Recall of employees for testing. (1) Except as otherwise 
provided for in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, a regulated employee 
may not be recalled for testing under this subpart if that employee has 
been released from duty under the normal procedures of the railroad. An 
employee who has been transported to receive medical care is not 
released from duty for purposes of this section. Furthermore, nothing 
in this section prohibits the subsequent testing of an employee who has 
failed to remain available for testing as required (e.g., an employee 
who is absent without leave). However, subsequent testing does not 
excuse a refusal by the employee to provide the specimens in a timely 
manner.
    (2) A railroad must immediately recall and place on duty a 
regulated employee for post-accident drug testing, if--
    (i) The employee could not be retained in duty status because the 
employee went off duty under normal railroad procedures before being 
contacted by a railroad supervisor and instructed to remain on duty 
pending completion of the required determinations (e.g., in the case of 
a dispatcher or signal maintainer remote from the scene of an accident 
who was unaware of the occurrence at the time he or she went off duty); 
and
    (ii) The railroad's preliminary investigation (contemporaneous with 
the determination required by Sec.  219.201) indicates a clear 
probability that the employee played a role in the cause or severity of 
the accident/incident.
    (3) If the criteria in paragraph (e)(2) of this section are met, a 
regulated employee must be recalled for post-accident drug testing 
regardless of whether the qualifying event happened or did not happen 
during the employee's tour of duty. However, an employee may not be 
recalled for testing if more than 24 hours have passed since the 
qualifying event. An employee who has been recalled must be placed on 
duty for the purpose of accomplishing the required post-accident drug 
testing.
    (4) Urine and blood specimens must be collected from an employee 
who is recalled for testing in accordance with this section. If the 
employee left railroad property before being recalled, however, the 
specimens must be tested for drugs only. A railroad is prohibited from 
requiring a recalled employee to provide breath specimens for alcohol 
testing, unless the regulated employee has remained on railroad 
property since the time of the qualifying event and the railroad has a 
company policy completely prohibiting the use of alcohol on railroad 
property.
    (5) A railroad must document its attempts to contact an employee 
subject to the recall provisions of this section. If a railroad is 
unable, as a result of the non-cooperation of an employee or for any 
other reason, to obtain specimen(s) from an employee subject to 
mandatory recall within the 24-hour period after a qualifying event and 
to submit specimen(s) to FRA as required by this subpart, the railroad 
must contact FRA and prepare a concise narrative report according to 
the requirements of paragraph (d)(1) of this section. The report must 
also document the railroad's good faith attempts to contact and recall 
the employee.
    (f) Place of specimen collection. (1) With the exception of Federal 
breath testing for alcohol (when conducted as authorized under this 
subpart), an employee must be transported to an independent medical 
facility for specimen collection. In all cases, blood may be drawn only 
by a qualified medical professional or by a qualified technician 
subject to the supervision of a qualified medical professional (e.g., a 
phlebotomist). A collector contracted by a railroad or medical facility 
may collect and/or assist in the collection of specimens at the medical 
facility if the medical facility does not object and the collector is 
qualified to do so.
    (2) If an employee has been injured, a railroad must ask the 
treating medical facility to obtain the specimens. Urine may be 
collected from an injured employee (conscious or unconscious) who has 
already been catheterized for medical purposes, but an employee may not 
be catheterized solely for the purpose of providing a specimen under 
this subpart. Under Sec.  219.11(a), an employee is deemed to have 
consented to FRA post-accident toxicological testing by the act of 
being subject to performing regulated service for a railroad.
    (g) Obtaining cooperation of facility. (1) In seeking the 
cooperation of a medical facility in obtaining a specimen

[[Page 37933]]

under this subpart, a railroad must, as necessary, make specific 
reference to the requirements of this subpart and the instructions in 
FRA's post-accident toxicological shipping kit.
    (2) If an injured employee is unconscious or otherwise unable to 
evidence consent to the procedure and the treating medical facility 
declines to obtain blood and/or urine specimens after having been 
informed of the requirements of this subpart, the railroad must 
immediately notify the duty officer at the National Response Center 
(NRC) at (800) 424-8802, stating the employee's name, the name and 
location of the medical facility, the name of the appropriate 
decisional authority at the medical facility, and the telephone number 
at which that person can be reached. FRA will then take appropriate 
measures to assist in obtaining the required specimens.
    (h) Discretion of physician. Nothing in this subpart may be 
construed to limit the discretion of a medical professional to 
determine whether drawing a blood specimen is consistent with the 
health of an injured employee or an employee afflicted by any other 
condition that may preclude drawing the specified quantity of blood.

0
19. Revise Sec.  219.205 to read as follows:


Sec.  219.205  Specimen collection and handling.

    (a) General. Urine and blood specimens must be obtained, marked, 
preserved, handled, and made available to FRA consistent with the 
requirements of this subpart, the instructions provided inside the FRA 
post-accident toxicological shipping kit, and the technical 
specifications set forth in appendix C to this part.
    (b) Information requirements. Basic information concerning the 
accident/incident and any treatment administered after the accident/
incident is necessary to process specimens, analyze the significance of 
laboratory findings, and notify railroads and employees of test 
results. Accordingly, the railroad representative must complete the 
information required by Form FRA 6180.73 (revised) for shipping with 
the specimens. Each employee subject to testing must cooperate in 
completion of the required information on Form FRA F 6180.74 (revised) 
for inclusion in the shipping kit and processing of the specimens. The 
railroad representative must ask an appropriate representative of the 
medical facility to complete the remaining portion of the information 
on each Form 6180.74. A Form 6180.73 must be forwarded in the shipping 
kit with each group of specimens. A Form 6180.74 must be forwarded in 
the shipping kit for each employee who provides specimens. A Form 
6180.73 and either a Form 6180.74 or a Form 6180.75 (for fatalities) 
are included in the shipping kit. (See paragraph (c) of this section.)
    (c) Shipping kits. (1) FRA and the laboratory designated in 
appendix B to this part make available for purchase a limited number of 
standard shipping kits for the purpose of routine handling of post-
accident toxicological specimens under this subpart. Specimens must be 
placed in the shipping kit and prepared for shipment according to the 
instructions provided in the kit and appendix C to this part.
    (2) Standard shipping kits may be ordered directly from the 
laboratory designated in appendix B to this part by first requesting an 
order form from FRA's Drug and Alcohol Program Manager at 202-493-6313. 
In addition to the standard kit for surviving employees, FRA also has 
distributed a post-mortem shipping kit to Class I, II, and commuter 
railroads. The post-mortem kit may not be ordered by other railroads. 
If a smaller railroad has a qualifying event involving a fatality to an 
on-duty employee, the railroad should advise the NRC at 1-800-424-8802 
of the need for a post-mortem kit, and FRA will send one overnight to 
the medical examiner's office or assist the railroad in obtaining one 
from a nearby railroad.
    (d) Shipment. Specimens must be shipped as soon as possible by pre-
paid air express (or other means adequate to ensure delivery within 24 
hours from time of shipment) to the laboratory designated in appendix B 
to this part. However, if delivery cannot be ensured within 24 hours 
due to a suspension in air express delivery services, the specimens 
must be held in a secure refrigerator until delivery can be 
accomplished. In no circumstances may specimens be held for more than 
72 hours. Where express courier pickup is available, the railroad must 
ask the medical facility to transfer the sealed toxicology kit directly 
to the express courier for transportation. If courier pickup is not 
available at the medical facility where the specimens are collected or 
if for any other reason a prompt transfer by the medical facility 
cannot be assured, the railroad must promptly transport the sealed 
shipping kit holding the specimens to the most expeditious point of 
shipment via air express. The railroad must maintain and document a 
secure chain of custody of the kit(s) from its release by the medical 
facility to its delivery for transportation, as described in appendix C 
to this part.
    (e) Specimen security. After a specimen kit or transportation box 
has been sealed, no entity other than the laboratory designated in 
appendix B to this part may open it. If the railroad or medical 
facility discovers an error with either the specimens or the chain of 
custody form after the kit or transportation box has been sealed, the 
railroad or medical facility must make a contemporaneous written record 
of that error and send it to the laboratory, preferably with the 
transportation box.


Sec.  219.207--[Amended]  

0
20. Section 219.207 is amended by--
0
a. In paragraph (a), removing the word ``and/or'' and adding, in its 
place, the word ``and''; removing the words ``timely collected'' and 
adding, in their place, ``collected in a timely fashion''; removing the 
word ``shipping'' and adding, in its place, ``post-mortem shipping''; 
and removing the words ``if a person'' and adding, in their place, ``if 
the custodian is someone'';
0
b. In the introductory text of paragraph (b), removing ``(800) 424-8801 
or'';
0
c. In paragraph (c), removing the word ``and/or'' and adding, in its 
place, the word ``and''; and
0
d. In paragraph (d), removing the word ``specifies'' and adding, in its 
place, the words ``and the instructions included inside the shipping 
kits specify''.

0
21. In Sec.  219.209, revise paragraphs (a)(2)(iv), (a)(2)(v), and (b), 
and remove paragraph (c), to read as follows:


Sec.  219.209  Reports of tests and refusals.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iv) Brief summary of the circumstances of the accident/incident, 
including basis for testing (e.g., impact accident with a reportable 
injury); and
    (v) Number of employees tested.
    (b) If a railroad is unable, as a result of non-cooperation of an 
employee or for any other reason, to obtain a specimen and provide it 
to FRA as required by this subpart, the railroad must immediately 
notify the FRA Drug and Alcohol Program Manager at 202-493-6313 and 
provide detailed information regarding the failure (either verbally or 
via a voicemail). The railroad must also provide a concise narrative 
written report of the reason for such failure and, if appropriate, any 
action taken in response to the cause of such failure. This report must 
be appended to the report of the accident/incident required to be 
submitted under part 225 of this chapter and must also

[[Page 37934]]

be mailed to the FRA Drug and Alcohol Program Manager at 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

0
22. Section 219.211 is amended by--
0
a. Adding a sentence at the end of paragraph (b);
0
b. Revising the second sentence of paragraph (c) and the second 
sentence of paragraph (e); and
0
c. Revising paragraph (g)(3).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  219.211  Analysis and follow-up.

* * * * *
    (b) * * * An employer is prohibited from temporarily removing an 
employee from the performance of regulated service based only on a 
report from the laboratory to the MRO of a confirmed positive test for 
a drug or drug metabolite, an adulterated test, or a substituted test, 
before the MRO has completed verification of the test result.
    (c) * * * The Medical Review Officer must promptly report the 
results of each review to the Associate Administrator for Railroad 
Safety, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. * * *
    (e) * * * An employee wishing to respond may do so by email or 
letter addressed to the Drug and Alcohol Program Manager, Office of 
Railroad Safety, FRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590 
within 45 days of receipt of the test results. * * *
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (3) This provision does not authorize holding any employee out of 
service pending receipt of PAT testing results. It also does not 
restrict a railroad from taking such action based on the employee's 
underlying conduct, so long as it is consistent with the railroad's 
disciplinary policy and is taken under the railroad's own authority.
* * * * *


Sec.  219.213  [Amended]

0
23. In Sec.  219.213, paragraphs (a) and (b), revise all references to 
``covered service'' to read ``regulated service,'' and in paragraph 
(b), add ``written'' in front of the word ``notice''.
0
24. Revise subpart D to read as follows:
Subpart D--Reasonable Suspicion Testing
Sec.
219.301 Mandatory reasonable suspicion testing.
219.303 Reasonable suspicion observations.
219.305 Prompt specimen collection; time limitations.

Subpart D--Reasonable Suspicion Testing


Sec.  219.301  Mandatory reasonable suspicion testing.

    (a) Each railroad must require a regulated employee to submit to a 
breath alcohol test when the railroad has reasonable suspicion to 
believe that the regulated employee has violated any prohibition of 
subpart B of this part concerning use of alcohol. The railroad's 
determination that reasonable suspicion exists to require the regulated 
employee to undergo an alcohol test must be based on specific, 
contemporaneous, articulable observations concerning the appearance, 
behavior, speech, or body odors of the employee. A Federal reasonable 
suspicion alcohol test is not required to confirm the on-duty 
possession of alcohol.
    (b) Each railroad must require a regulated employee to submit to a 
drug test when the railroad has reasonable suspicion to believe that 
the regulated employee has violated the prohibitions of subpart B of 
this part concerning use of controlled substances. The railroad's 
determination that reasonable suspicion exists to require the regulated 
employee to undergo a drug test must be based on specific, 
contemporaneous, articulable observations concerning the appearance, 
behavior, speech, or body odors of the employee. Such observations may 
include indications of the chronic and withdrawal effects of drugs.
    (c) Reasonable suspicion observations made under this section must 
comply with the requirements of Sec.  219.303.
    (d) As provided by Sec.  219.11(b)(2), in any case where an 
employee is suffering a substantiated medical emergency and is subject 
to alcohol or drug testing under this subpart, necessary medical 
treatment must be accorded priority over provision of the breath or 
body fluid specimens. However, when the employee's condition is 
stabilized, reasonable suspicion testing must be completed if within 
the eight-hour limit provided for in Sec.  219.305.


Sec.  219.303  Reasonable suspicion observations.

    (a) With respect to an alcohol test, the required observations must 
be made by a responsible railroad supervisor (defined by Sec.  219.5) 
trained in accordance with Sec.  219.11(g). The supervisor who makes 
the determination that reasonable suspicion exists may not conduct the 
reasonable suspicion testing on that regulated employee.
    (b) With respect to a drug test, the required observations must be 
made by two responsible railroad supervisors (defined by Sec.  219.5), 
at least one of whom must be both on site and trained in accordance 
with Sec.  219.11(g). If one of the supervisors is off site, the on-
site supervisor must communicate with the off-site supervisor, as 
necessary, to provide him or her the information needed to make the 
required observation. This communication may be performed via 
telephone, but not via radio or any other form of electronic 
communication.
    (c) This subpart does not authorize holding any employee out of 
service pending receipt of toxicological analysis for reasonable 
suspicion testing, nor does it restrict a railroad from taking such 
action based on the employee's underlying conduct, provided it is 
consistent with the railroad's policy and taken under the railroad's 
own authority.
    (d) The railroad must maintain written documentation that 
specifically describes the observed signs and symptoms upon which the 
determination that reasonable suspicion exists is based. This 
documentation must be completed promptly by the trained supervisor.


Sec.  219.305  Prompt specimen collection; time limitations.

    (a) Consistent with the need to protect life and property, testing 
under this subpart must be conducted promptly following the 
observations upon which the testing decision is based.
    (b) If a test required by this subpart is not administered within 
two hours following a determination made under this section, the 
railroad must prepare and maintain on file a record stating the reasons 
the test was not administered within that time period. If an alcohol or 
drug test required by this subpart is not administered within eight 
hours of a determination made under this subpart, the railroad must 
cease attempts to administer the test and must record the reasons for 
not administering the test. The eight-hour requirement is satisfied if 
the individual has been delivered to the collection site (where the 
collector is present) and the request has been made to commence 
collection of the specimens within that period. The records required by 
this section must be submitted to FRA upon request of the FRA Drug and 
Alcohol Program Manager.
    (c) A regulated employee may not be tested under this subpart if 
that individual has been released from duty under the normal procedures 
of a railroad. An individual who has been transported to receive 
medical care is not released from duty for purposes of

[[Page 37935]]

this section. Nothing in this section prohibits the subsequent testing 
of an employee who has failed to remain available for testing as 
required (i.e., who is absent without leave).

0
25. Revise subpart E to read as follows:
Subpart E--Reasonable Cause Testing
Sec.
219.401 Authorization for reasonable cause testing.
219.403 Requirements for reasonable cause testing.
219.405 Documentation requirements.
219.407 Prompt specimen collection; time limitations.
219.409 Limitations on authority.

Subpart E--Reasonable Cause Testing


Sec.  219.401  Authorization for reasonable cause testing.

    (a) Each railroad may, at its own discretion, elect to conduct 
Federal reasonable cause testing authorized by this subpart. If a 
railroad chooses to do so, the railroad must use only Federal authority 
for all reasonable cause testing that meets the criteria of Sec.  
219.403. In addition, the railroad must notify its regulated employees 
of its decision to use Federal reasonable cause testing authority in 
the employee educational policy required by Sec.  219.23(e)(5). The 
railroad must also provide written notification of its decision to 
FRA's Drug and Alcohol Program Manager, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.
    (b) If a railroad elects to conduct reasonable cause testing under 
the authority of this subpart, the railroad may, under the conditions 
specified in this subpart, require any regulated employee, as a 
condition of employment in regulated service, to cooperate with breath 
or body fluid testing, or both, to determine compliance with Sec. Sec.  
219.101 and 219.102 or a railroad rule implementing the requirements of 
Sec. Sec.  219.101 and 219.102. This authority is limited to testing 
after observations or events that occur during duty hours (including 
any period of overtime or emergency service). The provisions of this 
subpart apply only when, and to the extent that, the test in question 
is conducted in reliance upon the authority conferred by this section. 
A railroad may not require an employee to be tested under the authority 
of this subpart unless reasonable cause, as defined in this section, 
exists with respect to that employee.


Sec.  219.403  Requirements for reasonable cause testing.

    Each railroad's decision process regarding whether reasonable cause 
testing is authorized must be completed before the reasonable cause 
testing is performed and documented according to the requirements of 
Sec.  219.405. The following circumstances constitute reasonable cause 
for the administration of alcohol and/or drug tests under the authority 
of this subpart.
    (a) Train accident or train incident. A regulated employee has been 
involved in a train accident or train incident (as defined in Sec.  
219.5) reportable under part 225 of this chapter, and a responsible 
railroad supervisor (as defined in Sec.  219.5) has a reasonable 
belief, based on specific, articulable facts, that the individual 
employee's acts or omissions contributed to the occurrence or severity 
of the accident; or
    (b) Rule violation. A regulated employee has been directly involved 
in one or more of the following railroad or FRA rule violations or 
other errors:
    (1) Noncompliance with a train order, track warrant, track 
bulletin, track permit, stop and flag order, timetable, signal 
indication, special instruction or other directive with respect to 
movement of railroad on-track equipment that involves--
    (i) Occupancy of a block or other segment of track to which entry 
was not authorized;
    (ii) Failure to clear a track to permit opposing or following 
movements to pass;
    (iii) Moving across a railroad crossing at grade without 
authorization; or
    (iv) Passing an absolute restrictive signal or passing a 
restrictive signal without stopping (if required);
    (2) Failure to protect on-track equipment, including leaving on-
track equipment fouling an adjacent track;
    (3) Operation of a train or other speedometer-equipped on-track 
equipment at a speed that exceeds the maximum authorized speed by at 
least 10 miles per hour or by 50% of such maximum authorized speed, 
whichever is less;
    (4) Alignment of a switch in violation of a railroad rule, failure 
to align a switch as required for movement, operation of a switch under 
on-track equipment, or unauthorized running through a switch;
    (5) Failure to restore and secure a main track switch as required;
    (6) Failure to apply brakes or stop short of a derail as required;
    (7) Failure to secure a hand brake or failure to secure sufficient 
hand brakes, as required;
    (8) Entering a crossover before both switches are lined for 
movement or restoring either switch to normal position before the 
crossover movement is completed;
    (9) Failure to provide point protection by visually determining 
that the track is clear and giving the signals or instructions 
necessary to control the movement of on-track equipment when engaged in 
a shoving or pushing movement;
    (10) In the case of a person performing a dispatching function or 
block operator function, issuance of a mandatory directive or 
establishment of a route that fails to provide proper protection for 
on-track equipment;
    (11) Interference with the normal functioning of any grade crossing 
signal system or any signal or train control device without first 
taking measures to provide for the safety of highway traffic or train 
operations which depend on the normal functioning of such a device. 
Such interference includes, but is not limited to, failure to provide 
alternative methods of maintaining safety for highway traffic or train 
operations while testing or performing work on the devices or on track 
and other railroad systems or structures which may affect the integrity 
of the system;
    (12) Failure to perform stop-and-flag duties necessary as a result 
of a malfunction of a grade crossing signal system;
    (13) Failure of a machine operator that results in a collision 
between a roadway maintenance machine and on-track equipment or a 
regulated employee;
    (14) Failure of a roadway worker-in-charge to notify all affected 
employees when releasing working limits;
    (15) Failure of a flagman or watchman/lookout to notify employees 
of an approaching train or other on-track equipment;
    (16) Failure to ascertain that provision was made for on-track 
safety before fouling a track;
    (17) Improper use of individual train detection in a manual 
interlocking or control point; or
    (18) Failure to apply three point protection (fully apply the 
locomotive and train brakes, center the reverser, and place the 
generator field switch in the off position) that results in a 
reportable injury to a regulated employee.


Sec.  219.405  Documentation requirements.

    (a) Each railroad must maintain written documentation that 
specifically describes the basis for each reasonable cause test it 
performs under Federal authority. This documentation must be completed 
promptly by the responsible railroad supervisor; although it does not 
need to be completed before the reasonable cause testing is conducted.
    (b) For a rule violation, the documentation must include the type 
of

[[Page 37936]]

rule violation and the involvement of each tested regulated employee. 
For a train accident or train incident reportable under part 225 of 
this chapter, a railroad must describe either the amount of railroad 
property damage or the reportable casualty and the basis for the 
supervisor's belief that the employee's acts or omissions contributed 
to the occurrence or severity of the train accident or train incident.


Sec.  219.407  Prompt specimen collection; time limitations.

    (a) Consistent with the need to protect life and property, testing 
under this subpart must be conducted promptly following the 
observations upon which the testing decision is based.
    (b) If a test conducted pursuant to the authority of this subpart 
is not administered within two hours following the observations upon 
which the testing decision is based, the railroad must prepare and 
maintain on file a record stating the reasons the test was not 
conducted within that time period. If an alcohol or drug test 
authorized by this subpart is not administered within eight hours of 
the event under this subpart, the railroad must cease attempts to 
administer the test and must record the reasons for not administering 
the test. The eight-hour time period begins at the time a responsible 
railroad supervisor receives notice of the train accident, train 
incident, or rule violation. The eight-hour requirement is satisfied if 
the employee has been delivered to the collection site (where the 
collector is present) and the request has been made to commence 
collection of specimen(s) within that period. The records required by 
this section must be submitted to FRA upon request of the FRA Drug and 
Alcohol Program Manager.
    (c) A regulated employee may not be tested under this subpart if 
that individual has been released from duty under the normal procedures 
of the railroad. An individual who has been transported to receive 
medical care is not released from duty for purposes of this section. 
Nothing in this section prohibits the subsequent testing of a regulated 
employee who has failed to remain available for testing as required 
(i.e., who is absent without leave).


Sec.  219.409  Limitations on authority.

    (a) The alcohol and/or drug testing authority conferred by this 
subpart does not apply with respect to any event that meets the 
criteria for post-accident toxicological testing required under subpart 
C of this part.
    (b) This subpart does not authorize holding an employee out of 
service pending receipt of toxicological analysis for reasonable cause 
testing because meeting the testing criteria is only a basis to inquire 
whether alcohol or drugs may have played a role in the accident or rule 
violation. However, this subpart does not restrict a railroad from 
holding an employee out of service based on the employee's underlying 
conduct, so long as it is consistent with the railroad's policy and the 
action is taken under the railroad's own authority.
    (c) When determining whether reasonable cause testing is justified, 
a railroad must consider the involvement of each crewmember in the 
qualifying event, not the involvement of the crew as a whole.

Subpart F--Pre-Employment Tests

0
26. Revise Sec.  219.501 to read as follows:


Sec.  219.501  Pre-employment drug testing.

    (a) Before an individual performs regulated service the first time 
for a railroad, the railroad must ensure that the individual undergoes 
testing for drugs in accordance with the regulations of a DOT agency. 
No railroad may allow a direct employee (a railroad employee who is not 
employed by a contractor to the railroad) to perform regulated service, 
unless that railroad has conducted a DOT pre-employment test for drugs 
on that individual with a result that did not indicate the misuse of 
controlled substance. This requirement applies both to a final 
applicant for direct employment and to a direct employee seeking to 
transfer for the first time from non-regulated service to duties 
involving regulated service. A regulated employee must have a negative 
DOT pre-employment drug test for each railroad for which he or she 
performs regulated service as the result of a direct employment 
relationship.
    (b) Each railroad must ensure that each employee of a contractor 
who performs regulated service on the railroad's behalf has a negative 
DOT pre-employment drug test on file with his or her employer. The 
railroad must also maintain documentation indicating that it had 
verified that the contractor employee had a negative DOT pre-employment 
drug test on file with his or her direct employer. A contractor 
employee who performs regulated service for more than one railroad does 
not need to have a DOT pre-employment drug test for each railroad for 
which he or she provides service.
    (c) If a railroad has already conducted a DOT pre-employment test 
resulting in a negative for a regulated service applicant under the 
rules and regulations of another DOT agency (such as the Federal Motor 
Carrier Safety Administration), FRA will accept the result of that 
negative DOT pre-employment test for purposes of the requirements of 
this subpart.
    (d) As used in subpart H of this part with respect to a test 
required under this subpart, the term regulated employee includes an 
applicant for pre-employment testing only. If an applicant declines to 
be tested and withdraws an application for employment before the pre-
employment testing process commences, no record may be maintained of 
the declination.
    (e) The pre-employment drug testing requirements of this section do 
not apply to covered employees of railroads qualifying for the small 
railroad exception (see Sec.  219.3(c)) or maintenance-of-way employees 
who were performing duties for a railroad before June 12, 2017. 
However, a grandfathered employee must have a negative pre-employment 
drug test before performing regulated service for a new employing 
railroad after June 12, 2017.

0
27. In Sec.  219.502, revise paragraph (a) introductory text, (a)(1), 
(a)(2), (a)(5), and (b) to read as follows:


Sec.  219.502  Pre-employment alcohol testing.

    (a) A railroad may, but is not required to, conduct pre-employment 
alcohol testing under this part. If a railroad chooses to conduct pre-
employment alcohol testing, the railroad must comply with the following 
requirements:
    (1) The railroad must conduct a pre-employment alcohol test before 
the first performance of regulated service by an employee, regardless 
of whether he or she is a new employee or a first-time transfer to a 
position involving the performance of regulated service.
    (2) The railroad must treat all employees performing regulated 
service the same for the purpose of pre-employment alcohol testing 
(i.e., a railroad must not test some regulated employees and not 
others.)
* * * * *
    (5) If a regulated employee's Federal pre-employment test indicates 
an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater, a railroad may not allow 
him or her to begin performing regulated service until he or she has 
completed the Federal return-to-duty process under Sec.  219.104(d).
    (b) As used in subpart H of this part with respect to a test 
authorized under this subpart, the term regulated

[[Page 37937]]

employee includes an applicant for pre-employment testing only. If an 
applicant declines to be tested before the testing process commences, 
no record may be maintained of the declination. The determination of 
when an alcohol test commences must be made according to the provisions 
of Sec.  40.243(a) of this title.

0
28. Revise Sec.  219.503 to read as follows:


Sec.  219.503  Notification; records.

    Each railroad must provide for medical review of drug test results 
according to the requirements of part 40 of this title, as provided in 
subpart H of this part. The railroad must also notify the applicant in 
writing of the results of any Federal drug and/or alcohol test that is 
a positive, adulteration, substitution, or refusal in the same manner 
as provided for employees in part 40 of this title and subpart H of 
this part. Records must be maintained confidentially and be retained in 
the same manner as required under subpart J of this part for employee 
test records, except that such records need not reflect the identity of 
an applicant who withdrew an application to perform regulated service 
before the commencement of the testing process.

0
29. Revise Sec.  219.505 to read as follows:


Sec.  219.505  Non-negative tests and refusals.

    An applicant who has tested positive or refused to submit to pre-
employment testing under this section may not perform regulated service 
for any railroad until he or she has completed the Federal return-to-
duty process under Sec.  219.104(d). An applicant may also not perform 
DOT safety-sensitive functions for any other employer regulated by a 
DOT agency until he or she has completed the Federal return-to-duty 
process under Sec.  219.104(d). This section does not create any right 
on the part of the applicant to have a subsequent application 
considered; nor does it restrict the discretion of the railroad to 
entertain a subsequent application for employment from the same person.

0
30. Revise subpart G to read as follows:
Subpart G--Random Alcohol and Drug Testing Programs
Sec.
219.601 Purpose and scope of random testing programs.
219.603 General requirements for random testing programs.
219.605 Submission and approval of random testing plans.
219.607 Requirements for random testing plans.
219.609 Inclusion of contractor employees and volunteers in random 
testing plans.
219.611 Random alcohol and drug testing pools.
219.613 Random testing selections.
219.615 Random testing collections.
219.617 Participation in random alcohol and drug testing.
219.619 Positive alcohol and drug test results and refusals; 
procedures.
219.621 Use of service agents.
219.623 Records.
219.625 FRA Administrator's determination of random alcohol and drug 
testing rates.

Subpart G--Random Alcohol and Drug Testing Programs


Sec.  219.601  Purpose and scope of random testing programs.

    (a) Purpose. The purpose of random alcohol and drug testing is to 
promote safety by deterring regulated employees from misusing drugs and 
abusing alcohol.
    (b) Regulated employees. Each railroad must ensure that a regulated 
employee is subject to being selected for random testing as required by 
this subpart whenever the employee performs regulated service on the 
railroad's behalf.
    (c) Contractor employees and volunteers. A regulated employee who 
is a volunteer or an employee of a contractor to a railroad may be 
incorporated into the random testing program of more than one railroad 
if:
    (1) The contractor employee or volunteer is not already part of a 
random testing program that meets the requirements of this subpart and 
has been accepted by the railroad for which he or she performs 
regulated service (as described in Sec.  219.609); or
    (2) The railroad for which the contractor employee or volunteer 
performs regulated service is unable to verify that the individual is 
part of a random testing program acceptable to the railroad that meets 
the requirements of this subpart.
    (d) Multiple DOT agencies. (1) If a regulated employee performs 
functions subject to the random testing requirements of more than one 
DOT agency, a railroad must ensure that the employee is subject to 
selection for random drug and alcohol testing at or above the current 
minimum annual testing rate set by the DOT agency that regulates more 
than 50 percent of the employee's DOT-regulated functions.
    (2) A railroad may not include a regulated employee in more than 
one DOT random testing pool for regulated service performed on its 
behalf, even if the regulated employee is subject to the random testing 
requirements of more than one DOT agency.


Sec.  219.603  General requirements for random testing programs.

    (a) General. To the extent possible, each railroad must ensure that 
its FRA random testing program is designed and implemented so that each 
employee performing regulated service on its behalf should reasonably 
anticipate that he or she may be called for a random test without 
advance warning at any time while on duty and subject to performing 
regulated service.
    (b) Prohibited selection bias. A random testing program may not 
have a selection bias or an appearance of selection bias, or appear to 
provide an opportunity for a regulated employee to avoid complying with 
this section.
    (c) Plans. As required by Sec. Sec.  219.603 through 219.609, each 
railroad must submit for FRA approval a random testing plan meeting the 
requirements of this subpart. The plan must address all regulated 
employees, as defined in Sec.  219.5.
    (d) Pools. Each railroad must construct and maintain random testing 
pools in accordance with Sec.  219.611.
    (e) Selections. Each railroad must conduct random testing 
selections in accordance with Sec.  219.613.
    (f) Collections. Each railroad must perform random testing 
collections in accordance with Sec.  219.615.
    (g) Cooperation. Each railroad and its regulated employees must 
cooperate with and participate in random testing in accordance with 
Sec.  219.617.
    (h) Responsive action. Each railroad must handle positive random 
tests and verified refusals to test in accordance with Sec.  219.619.
    (i) Service agents. Each railroad may use a service agent to 
perform its random testing responsibilities in accordance with Sec.  
219.621.
    (j) Records. Each railroad must maintain records required by this 
subpart in accordance with Sec.  219.623.


Sec.  219.605  Submission and approval of random testing plans.

    (a) Plan submission. (1) Each railroad must submit for review and 
approval a random testing plan meeting the requirements of Sec. Sec.  
219.607 and 219.609 to the FRA Drug and Alcohol Program Manager, 1200 
New Jersey Ave. SE., Washington, DC 20590. A railroad commencing start-
up operations must submit its plan no later than 30 days before its 
date of commencing operations. A railroad that must comply with this 
subpart because it no longer qualifies for the small railroad exception 
under Sec.  219.3 (due to a change in operations or its number of 
covered employees) must submit its plan no later than 30 days after it 
becomes

[[Page 37938]]

subject to the requirements of this subpart. A railroad may not 
implement a Federal random testing plan or any substantive amendment to 
that plan before FRA approval.
    (2) A railroad may submit separate random testing plans for each 
category of regulated employees (as defined in Sec.  219.5), combine 
all categories into a single plan, or amend its current FRA-approved 
plan to add additional categories of regulated employees, as defined by 
this part.
    (b) Plan approval notification. FRA will notify a railroad in 
writing whether its plan is approved. If the plan is not approved 
because it does not meet the requirements of this subpart, FRA will 
inform the railroad of its non-approval, with specific explanations of 
any required revisions. The railroad must resubmit its plan with the 
required revisions within 30 days of the date of FRA's written notice. 
Failure to resubmit the plan with the necessary revisions will be a 
failure to submit a plan under this part.
    (c) Plan implementation. Each railroad must implement its random 
testing plan no later than 30 days from the date of FRA approval.
    (d) Plan amendments. (1) Each railroad must submit to FRA a 
substantive amendment to an approved plan at least 30 days before its 
intended effective date. A railroad may not implement any substantive 
amendment before FRA approval.
    (2) Each railroad must provide a non-substantive amendment to an 
approved plan (such as the replacement or addition of service 
providers) to the FRA Drug and Alcohol Program Manager in writing (by 
letter or email) before its effective date. However, FRA pre-approval 
is not required.
    (e) Previously approved plans. A railroad is not required to 
resubmit a random testing plan that FRA had approved before June 12, 
2017, unless the railroad must amend the plan to comply with the 
requirements of this subpart. A railroad must submit new plans, 
combined plans, or amended plans incorporating new categories of 
regulated employees (i.e., maintenance-of-way employees) for FRA 
approval at least 30 days before June 12, 2017.


Sec.  219.607  Requirements for random testing plans.

    (a) General. A random testing plan that a railroad submits under 
this subpart must address and comply with the requirements of this 
subpart. The railroad must also comply with these requirements in 
implementing the plan.
    (b) Model random testing plan. A railroad (or a contractor or 
service agent that submits a part 219-compliant random testing plan to 
a railroad for submission as a part of the railroad's random testing 
plan) may complete, modify if necessary, and submit a plan based on the 
FRA model random testing plan that can be downloaded from FRA's Drug 
and Alcohol Program Web site.
    (c) Specific plan requirements. Each random testing plan must 
contain the following items of information, each of which must be 
contained in a separate, clearly identified section:
    (1) Total number of covered employees, including covered service 
contractor employees and volunteers;
    (2) Total number of maintenance-of-way employees, including 
maintenance-of-way contractor employees and volunteers;
    (3) Names of any contractors who perform regulated service for the 
railroad, with contact information;
    (4) Method used to ensure that any regulated service contractor 
employees and volunteers are subject to the requirements of this 
subpart, as required by Sec.  219.609;
    (5) Name, address, and contact information for the railroad's 
Designated Employer Representative (DER) and any alternates (if 
applicable);
    (6) Name, address, and contact information for any service 
providers, including the railroad's Medical Review Officers (MROs), 
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 
certified drug testing laboratory(ies), Drug and Alcohol Counselors 
(DACs), Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs), and C/TPA or collection 
site management companies. Individual collection sites do not have to 
be identified;
    (7) Number of random testing pools and the proposed general pool 
entry assignments for each pool. If using a C/TPA, a railroad must 
identify whether its regulated employees are combined into one pool, 
contained in separate pools, or combined in a larger pool with other 
FRA or other DOT agency regulated employees, or both.
    (8) Target random testing rates;
    (9) Method used to make random selections, including a detailed 
description of the computer program or random number table selection 
process employed;
    (10) Selection unit(s) for each random pool (e.g., employee name or 
ID number, job assignment, train symbol) and whether the individual 
selection unit(s) will be selected for drugs, alcohol, or both;
    (11) If a railroad makes alternate selections, under what limited 
circumstances these alternate selections will be tested (see Sec.  
219.613);
    (12) Frequency of random selections (e.g., monthly);
    (13) Designated testing window. A designated testing window extends 
from the beginning to the end of the designated testing period 
established in the railroad's FRA-approved random plan (see Sec.  
219.603), after which time any individual selections for that 
designated testing window that have not been collected are no longer 
active (valid); and
    (14) Description of how the railroad will notify a regulated 
employee that he or she has been selected for random testing.


Sec.  219.609  Inclusion of contractor employees and volunteers in 
random testing plans.

    (a) Each railroad's random testing plan must demonstrate that all 
of its regulated service contractor employees and volunteers are 
subject to random testing that meets the requirements of this subpart. 
A railroad can demonstrate that its regulated service contractor 
employees and volunteers are in compliance with this subpart by either:
    (1) Directly including regulated service contractor employees and 
volunteers in its own random testing plan and ensuring that they are 
tested according to that plan; or
    (2) Indicating in its random testing plan that its regulated 
service contractor employees and volunteers are part of a random 
testing program which is compliant with the requirements of this 
subpart, e.g., conducted by a contractor or C/TPA (``non-railroad 
random testing program''). If a railroad chooses this option, the 
railroad must append to its own random testing plan one or more addenda 
describing the method it will use to ensure that the non-railroad 
random testing program is testing its regulated service contractor 
employees and volunteers according to the requirements of this subpart. 
A railroad may comply with this requirement by appending the non-
railroad random testing program or a detailed description of the 
program and how it complies with this subpart.
    (b) Each railroad's random testing plan(s) and any addenda must 
contain sufficient detail to fully document that the railroad is 
meeting the requirements of this subpart for all personnel performing 
regulated service on its behalf.
    (c) If a railroad chooses to use regulated service contractor 
employees and volunteers who are part of a non-railroad random testing 
program, the railroad remains responsible for

[[Page 37939]]

ensuring that the non-railroad program is testing the regulated service 
contractor employees and volunteers according to the requirements of 
this subpart.
    (d) FRA does not pre-approve contractor or service agent random 
testing plans, but may accept them as part of its approval process of a 
railroad's plan.


Sec.  219.611  Random alcohol and drug testing pools.

    (a) General. Each railroad must ensure that its random testing 
pools include all regulated employees who perform regulated service on 
its behalf, except that a railroad's random testing pools do not have 
to include regulated employees who are part of a non-railroad random 
testing program that is compliant with the requirements of this subpart 
and that has been accepted by the railroad.
    (b) Pool entries. Each railroad must clearly indicate who will be 
tested when a specific pool entry is selected.
    (1) Pool entries may be employee names or identification numbers, 
train symbols, or specific job assignments, although all the entries in 
a single pool must be of generally consistent sizes and types.
    (2) Pool entries must not allow a field manager or field supervisor 
to have discretion over which employee is to be tested when an entry is 
selected.
    (3) Pool entries must be constructed and maintained so that all 
regulated employees have an equal chance of being selected for random 
testing for each selection draw.
    (c) Minimum number of pool entries. A railroad (including a service 
agent used by a railroad to carry out its responsibilities under this 
subpart) may not maintain a random testing pool with less than four 
pool entries. Placeholder pool entries (entries that do not represent 
legitimate selections of regulated employees) are not permitted. A 
railroad or contractor with less than four regulated employees can 
comply with this requirement by having its regulated employees 
incorporated into a railroad or non-railroad random testing pool that 
contains more than four entries.
    (d) Pool construction. (1) An individual who is not subject to the 
random testing requirements of FRA or another DOT agency may not be 
placed in the same pool as a regulated employee.
    (2) A railroad may not include a regulated employee in more than 
one random testing pool established under the regulations of a DOT 
agency.
    (3) A regulated employee may be placed in a random testing pool 
with employees subject to the random testing requirements of another 
DOT agency, only if all entries in the pool are subject to testing at 
the highest minimum random testing rate required by the regulations of 
a DOT agency for any single member in the pool.
    (4) A regulated employee does not have to be placed in separate 
pools for random drug and random alcohol testing selection.
    (5) A regulated employee must be incorporated into a random testing 
pool as soon as possible after his or her hire or first transfer into 
regulated service.
    (e) Frequency of regulated service. (1) A railroad may not place a 
person in a random testing pool for any selection period in which he or 
she is not expected to perform regulated service.
    (2) A railroad employee who performs regulated service on average 
less than once a quarter is a de minimis safety concern for random 
testing purposes, and does not have to be in a random testing program. 
A railroad that chooses to random test de minimis employees must place 
them in a separate random testing pool from employees who perform 
regulated service on a regular basis (e.g., engineers, conductors, 
dispatchers, and signal maintainers).
    (3) A railroad must make a good faith effort to determine the 
frequency of an employee's performance of regulated service and must 
evaluate the employee's likelihood of performing regulated service in 
each upcoming selection period.
    (f) Pool maintenance. Pool entries must be updated at least 
monthly, regardless of how often selections are made, and a railroad 
must ensure that each of its random testing pools is complete and does 
not contain outdated or inappropriate entries.
    (g) Multiple random testing pools. A railroad may maintain more 
than one random testing pool if it can demonstrate that its random 
testing program is not adversely impacted by the number and types of 
pools or the construction of pool entries, and that selections from 
each pool will meet the requirements of this subpart.


Sec.  219.613  Random testing selections.

    (a) General. Each railroad must ensure that each regulated employee 
has an equal chance of being selected for random testing whenever 
selections are made. A railroad may not increase or decrease an 
employee's chance of being selected by weighting an entry or pool.
    (b) Method of selection. (1) Each railroad must use a selection 
method that is acceptable to FRA and meets the requirements of this 
subpart, such as a computer selection program, proper use of a random 
number table, or an alternative method which FRA has approved as part 
of the railroad's random testing plan.
    (2) A selection method must be free of bias or apparent bias and 
employ objective, neutral criteria to ensure that every regulated 
employee has an equal statistical chance of being selected within a 
specified time frame. The selection method may not utilize subjective 
factors that permit a railroad to manipulate or control selections in 
an effort to either target or protect any employee, job, or operational 
unit from testing.
    (3) The randomness of a selection method must be verifiable, and, 
as required by Sec.  219.623, any records necessary to document the 
randomness of a selection must be retained for not less than two years 
from the date the designated testing window for that selection expired.
    (c) Minimum random testing rate. (1) Each railroad must distribute 
random tests reasonably throughout the calendar year and make 
sufficient selections to ensure that each random testing pool meets the 
Administrator's minimum annual random testing rates as established 
according to Sec.  219.625.
    (2) Each railroad must continually monitor changes in its workforce 
to ensure that the required number of selections and tests are 
conducted each year.
    (d) Selection frequency. Each railroad must select at least one 
entry from each of its random testing pools every three months.
    (e) Discarded selection draws. Each selection draw must identify 
who will be subject to random testing. A railroad cannot discard a 
selection draw without an acceptable explanation (e.g., the selection 
was drawn from an incomplete or inaccurate pool). A railroad must 
document and retain records for all discarded selection draws, 
including the specific reason the selection draw was not used, as 
required by Sec.  219.623.
    (f) Increasing random selections. A railroad that is unable to 
complete a collection for each selection made during a designated 
testing period may increase the number of selections in a subsequent 
selection period to ensure that it meets the annual minimum random 
testing rate for the calendar year.
    (g) Selection snapshots. Each railroad must capture and maintain an 
electronic or hard copy snapshot of each random testing pool at the 
time it makes a testing selection. A railroad must not re-create pool 
entries from records after the time of the original selection. The 
railroad must maintain this snapshot for

[[Page 37940]]

a period of two years, as required by subpart J of this part.
    (h) Multiple DOT agencies. Each railroad must ensure that each 
regulated employee who performs functions subject to the random testing 
requirements of more than one DOT agency is subject to random selection 
at or above the current minimum annual testing rate set by the DOT 
agency that regulates more than 50 percent of the employee's DOT-
regulated functions.


Sec.  219.615  Random testing collections.

    (a) Minimum random testing rates. Each railroad must complete a 
sufficient number of random alcohol and drug testing collections from 
each of its random testing pools to meet the Administrator's minimum 
annual testing rates established in accordance with Sec.  219.625.
    (b) Designated testing window. Each railroad must complete the 
collection for a selected pool entry within the FRA-approved designated 
testing window for that selection. Once a designated testing window has 
closed, any selections not collected during that window are no longer 
valid and may not be subject to random testing.
    (c) Collection timing. (1) A regulated employee may be subject to 
random testing only while on duty and subject to performing regulated 
service.
    (2) Each railroad's random alcohol and drug testing collections 
must be unannounced and spread reasonably throughout the calendar year. 
Collections must also be distributed unpredictably throughout the 
designated testing window and must reasonably cover all operating days 
of the week (including operating weekends and holidays), shifts, and 
locations.
    (3) Random alcohol test collections must be performed unpredictably 
and in sufficient numbers at either end of an operating shift to attain 
an acceptable level of deterrence throughout the entire shift. At a 
minimum, a railroad must perform 10% of its random alcohol tests at the 
beginning of shifts and 10% of its random alcohol tests at the end of 
shifts.
    (4) If a regulated employee has been selected for both random drug 
and alcohol testing, a railroad may conduct these tests separately, so 
long as both required collections can be completed by the end of the 
employee's shift and the railroad does not inform the employee that an 
additional collection will occur later.
    (d) Collection scheduling. While pool entries must be selected 
randomly, a railroad may schedule each random test collection during a 
designated testing window according to its approved plan.
    (1) A railroad may schedule a collection based on the availability 
of the selected pool entry, the logistics of performing the collection, 
and any other requirements of this subpart.
    (2) If a selected pool entry does not identify the selection by 
name (i.e., train crews or job functions), a railroad may not use its 
scheduling discretion to deliberately target or protect a particular 
employee or work crew. Unless otherwise approved in a random testing 
plan, railroad field supervisors or field management personnel may not 
use discretion to choose or to change collection dates or times if that 
choice could intentionally alter who is to be tested.
    (e) Notification requirements. (1) A railroad may notify a 
regulated employee that he or she has been selected for random testing 
only during the duty tour in which the collection is to be conducted, 
and only so far in advance as is reasonably necessary to ensure the 
employee's presence at the scheduled collection time and place.
    (2) A railroad must make collections as soon as possible. Each 
collection must begin within two hours after the railroad has notified 
the employee of his or her selection for random testing, unless the 
railroad has an acceptable reason for the delay. A railroad should 
monitor each employee after notification and, whenever possible, 
arrange for the employee to be immediately escorted by supervisory or 
management personnel to the collection location.
    (3) A railroad must inform an regulated employee that he or she has 
been selected for random testing at the time the employee is notified. 
Completion of the Federal Drug Testing Custody and Control Form (CCF) 
or the DOT Alcohol Testing Form (ATF) indicating the basis of the test 
satisfies this requirement, so long as the employee has been shown and 
directed to sign the CCF or ATF as required by Sec. Sec.  40.73 and 
40.241 of this title.
    (f) Incomplete collections. A railroad must use due diligence to 
ensure that a random testing collection is completed for each selected 
pool entry, unless it has an acceptable explanation for not conducting 
the collection. All reasons for incomplete collections must be fully 
documented and are subject to inspection by FRA upon request.
    (g) Hours-of-service limitations. (1) Except as provided by 
paragraph (g)(2) of this section, a railroad must immediately terminate 
a random collection and may not reschedule it if the collection is not 
completed within a covered employee's hours-of-service limitations.
    (2) If a random collection requires a direct observation collection 
under Sec.  40.67 of this title, the directly observed collection must 
immediately proceed until completed. A railroad must submit an excess 
service report, as required by part 228 of this chapter, if completion 
of the directly observed collection causes the covered employee to 
exceed his or her hours-of-service limitations.


Sec.  219.617  Participation in random alcohol and drug testing.

    (a) Railroad responsibility. (1) A railroad must, under the 
conditions specified in this subpart and subpart H of this part, 
require a regulated employee selected for random testing to cooperate 
in alcohol and/or drug testing.
    (2) If an employee is performing regulated service at the time he 
or she is notified of his or her selection for random testing, the 
railroad must ensure that the employee immediately ceases to perform 
regulated service and proceeds to the collection site without adversely 
affecting safety. A railroad must also ensure that the absence of an 
employee from his or her assigned duties to report for testing does not 
adversely affect safety. Once an employee begins the testing process, 
he or she may not be returned to regulated service until the testing 
process is complete.
    (3) A railroad may excuse an employee who has been notified of or 
her selection for random testing only if the employee can substantiate 
that a medical emergency involving the employee or an immediate family 
member (e.g., birth, death, or medical emergency) supersedes the 
requirement to complete the test. A medical emergency is defined in 
this part as an acute medical condition requiring immediate emergency 
care. To be eligible for exclusion from random testing, the employee 
must provide verifiable documentation of the emergency situation from a 
credible outside professional within a reasonable period of time (e.g., 
a doctor, dentist, hospital, law enforcement officer, or school 
authority). A railroad may not test an employee who has been excused 
from testing under the same random selection.
    (b) Employee responsibility. (1) A regulated employee subject to 
the random testing requirements of this subpart must cooperate with the 
selection and testing process, and must proceed to the testing site 
upon notification that he or she has been selected for random testing.
    (2) A regulated employee must fully cooperate and comply with the 
urine drug collection and/or breath alcohol

[[Page 37941]]

testing procedures required by subpart H of this part, and provide the 
required specimen(s), and must, upon request, complete the required 
paperwork and certifications.


Sec.  219.619  Positive alcohol and drug test results and refusals; 
procedures.

    Section 219.104 contains the procedures for administrative handling 
by the railroad or contractor in the event a urine specimen provided 
under this subpart is reported as a verified positive by the Medical 
Review Officer, a breath alcohol specimen is reported at 0.04 or 
greater by the Breath Alcohol Technician, or a refusal to test has 
occurred. The responsive action required in Sec.  219.104 is not stayed 
pending the result of the testing of a split urine specimen or a 
challenge to any part of the testing process or procedure.


Sec.  219.621  Use of service agents.

    (a) A railroad may use a service agent (such as a consortium/third 
party administrator (C/TPA)) to act as its agent to carry out any role 
in random testing specifically permitted under subpart Q of part 40 of 
this title, such as maintaining random pools, conducting random 
selections, and performing random urine drug collections and breath 
alcohol tests.
    (b) A railroad may not use a service agent to notify a regulated 
employee that he or she has been selected for random testing. A 
regulated employee who has been selected for random testing must 
otherwise be notified of the selection by his or her employer. A 
service agent may also not perform any role that Sec.  40.355 of this 
title specifically reserves to an employer, which, for purposes of this 
subpart, is defined as a railroad or a contractor performing railroad-
accepted testing.
    (c) A railroad is primarily responsible for compliance with the 
random alcohol and drug testing of this subpart, but FRA reserves the 
right to bring an enforcement action for noncompliance against the 
railroad, its service agents, its contractors, and/or its employees.
    (d) If a railroad conducts random drug and/or alcohol testing 
through a C/TPA, the number of employees required to be tested may be 
calculated for each individual railroad belonging to the C/TPA, or may 
be based on the total number of regulated employees covered by the C/
TPA in a larger combined railroad or DOT agency random pool. Selections 
from combined railroad random pools must meet or exceed the highest 
minimum annual percentage rate established under this subpart or any 
DOT agency drug testing rule that applies to any member of that pool.


Sec.  219.623  Records.

    (a) As provided by Sec.  219.901, each railroad is required to 
maintain records related to random testing for a minimum of two years.
    (b) Contractors and service agents performing random testing 
responsibilities under this subpart must provide records required by 
this subpart whenever requested by the contracting railroad or by FRA. 
A railroad remains responsible for maintaining records demonstrating 
that it is in compliance with the requirements of this subpart.


Sec.  219.625  FRA Administrator's determination of random alcohol and 
drug testing rates.

    (a) Notice. Each year, the Administrator publishes a Federal 
Register notice announcing the minimum annual random alcohol and drug 
testing rates which take effect on January 1 of the following calendar 
year. These rates are based on the railroad industry's random testing 
violation rates for the preceding two consecutive calendar years, which 
are determined using annual railroad alcohol and drug program data 
required to be submitted to the FRA's Management Information System 
(MIS) under Sec.  219.800.
    (b) Information. Data from MIS reports provide the information used 
for this determination. In order to ensure reliability of the data, the 
Administrator may consider the quality and completeness of the reported 
data, obtain additional information or reports from railroads, or make 
appropriate modifications in calculating the industry positive rate.
    (c) Initial minimum annual random testing rates. The Administrator 
has established an initial minimum annual random testing rate of 50 
percent for drugs and 25 percent for alcohol for any new category of 
regulated employees added to those already being tested under this 
part.
    (1) These initial testing rates are subject to amendment by the 
Administrator in accordance with paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section 
after at least 18 months of MIS data have been compiled for the new 
category of regulated employees.
    (2) The Administrator will determine separate minimum annual random 
testing rates for each added category of regulated employees for a 
minimum of three calendar years after that category is incorporated 
into random testing under this part.
    (3) The Administrator may move to combine categories of regulated 
employees requiring separate determinations into a single determination 
once the categories' testing rates are identical for two consecutive 
years.
    (d) Drug testing rate. The Administrator may set the minimum annual 
random drug testing rate for the railroad industry at either 50 percent 
or 25 percent.
    (1) When the minimum annual percentage rate for random drug testing 
is 50 percent, the Administrator may lower the rate to 25 percent if 
the Administrator determines that the MIS data for two consecutive 
calendar years show that the reported random testing positive rate is 
less than 1.0 percent.
    (2) When the minimum annual percentage rate for random drug testing 
is 25 percent, and the MIS data for any calendar year show that the 
reported random testing positive rate is equal to or greater than 1.0 
percent, the Administrator will increase the minimum annual percentage 
rate for random drug testing to 50 percent.
    (e) Alcohol testing rate. The Administrator may set the minimum 
annual random alcohol testing rate for the railroad industry at 50 
percent, 25 percent, or 10 percent.
    (1) When the minimum annual percentage rate for random alcohol 
testing is 50 percent or 25 percent, the Administrator may lower this 
rate to 10 percent if the Administrator determines that the MIS data 
for two consecutive calendar years show that the random testing 
violation rate is less than 0.5 percent.
    (2) When the minimum annual percentage rate for random alcohol 
testing is 50 percent, the Administrator may lower the rate to 25 
percent if the Administrator determines that the MIS data for two 
consecutive calendar years show that the random testing violation rate 
is less than 1.0 percent but equal to or greater than 0.5 percent.
    (3) When the minimum annual percentage rate for random alcohol 
testing is 25 percent, and the MIS data for that calendar year show 
that the random testing violation rate for drugs is equal to or greater 
than 0.5 percent but less than 1.0 percent, the Administrator will 
increase the minimum annual percentage rate for random drug testing to 
50 percent.
    (4) When the minimum annual percentage rate for random alcohol 
testing is 10 percent or 25 percent, and the MIS data for any calendar 
year show that the random testing violation rate is equal to or greater 
than 1.0 percent, the Administrator will increase the minimum annual 
percentage rate for random alcohol testing to 50 percent.

[[Page 37942]]

Subpart H--Drug and Alcohol Testing Procedures


Sec.  219.701  [Amended]

0
31. Revise Sec.  219.701 by:
0
a. In paragraphs (a) and (b), removing the phrase ``B, D, F, and G'' 
wherever it appears and adding, in its place, ``B, D, E, F, G, and K 
(but only for co-worker or non-peer referrals that involve a violation 
of the prohibitions of this subpart)''; and
0
b. Removing paragraph (c).

Subpart I--Annual Report

0
32. In Sec.  219.800, revise the last sentence of paragraph (b) and the 
first sentence of paragraph (d) and add a new paragraph (f) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  219.800  Annual reports.

* * * * *
    (b) * * * For information on where to submit MIS forms and for the 
electronic version of the form, see: https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/details/L02639.
* * * * *
    (d) As a railroad, if you have a regulated employee who performs 
multi-DOT agency functions (e.g., an employee drives a commercial motor 
vehicle and performs switchman duties for you), count the employee only 
on the MIS report for the DOT agency under which he or she is random 
tested. * * *
* * * * *
    (f) A railroad required to submit an MIS report under this section 
must submit separate reports for covered employees and MOW employees.

Subpart J--Recordkeeping Requirements

0
33. Revise Sec.  219.901 to read as follows:


Sec.  219.901  Retention of alcohol and drug testing records.

    (a) General. (1) In addition to the records part 40 of this title 
requires keeping, a railroad must also maintain alcohol and drug misuse 
prevention program records in a secure location with controlled access 
under this section's requirements.
    (2) A railroad must maintain for two years, rather than one year, 
the records to which Sec.  40.333(a)(4) of this title applies (i.e., 
records of negative and cancelled drug test results and alcohol test 
results with a concentration of less than 0.02). A railroad may 
maintain legible and accessible scanned or electronic copies of these 
records for the second year.
    (b) Records maintained for a minimum of five years. Each railroad 
must maintain the following records for a minimum of five years:
    (1) A summary record or the individual files of each regulated 
employee's test results; and
    (2) A copy of the annual report summarizing the results of its 
alcohol and drug misuse prevention program (if required to submit the 
report under Sec.  219.800(a)).
    (c) Records maintained for a minimum of two years. Each railroad 
must maintain the following records for a minimum of two years:
    (1) Records related to the collection process:
    (i) Collection logbooks, if used;
    (ii) Documents relating to the random selection process, including 
the railroad's approved random testing plan and FRA's approval letter 
for that plan;
    (iii) Documents generated in connection with decisions to 
administer Federal reasonable suspicion or reasonable cause alcohol or 
drug tests;
    (iv) Documents generated in connection with decisions on post-
accident testing; and
    (v) Documents verifying the existence of a medical explanation for 
the inability of a regulated employee to provide an adequate specimen;
    (2) Records related to test results:
    (i) The railroad's copy of the alcohol test form, including the 
results of the test;
    (ii) The railroad's copy of the drug test custody and control form, 
including the results of the test;
    (iii) Documents related to any regulated employee's refusal to 
submit to an alcohol or drug test required under this part; and
    (iv) Documents a regulated employee presented to dispute the result 
of an alcohol or drug test administered under this part;
    (3) Records related to other violations of this part; and
    (4) Records related to employee training:
    (i) Materials on alcohol and drug abuse awareness, including a copy 
of the railroad's policy on alcohol and drug abuse;
    (ii) Documentation of compliance with the requirements of Sec.  
219.23; and
    (iii) Documentation of training (including attendance records and 
training materials) the railroad provided to supervisors for the 
purpose of qualifying the supervisors to make a determination 
concerning the need for reasonable suspicion or post-accident alcohol 
and drug testing.

0
34. Revise Sec.  219.903 to read as follows:


Sec.  219.903  Access to facilities and records.

    (a) Release of regulated employee information contained in records 
required to be maintained under Sec.  219.901 must be in accordance 
with part 40 of this title and with this section. (For purposes of this 
section only, urine drug testing records are considered equivalent to 
breath alcohol testing records.)
    (b) Each railroad must grant access to all facilities used to 
comply with this part to the Secretary of Transportation, United States 
Department of Transportation, or any DOT agency with regulatory 
authority over the railroad or any of its regulated employees.
    (c) Each railroad must make available copies of all results for its 
drug and alcohol testing programs conducted under this part and any 
other information pertaining to the railroad's alcohol and drug misuse 
prevention program, when requested by the Secretary of Transportation 
or any DOT agency with regulatory authority over the railroad or 
regulated employee.


Sec.  219.905  [Removed and Reserved]

0
35. Remove and reserve Sec.  219.905.

0
36. Add a new subpart K to read as follows:

Subpart K--Referral Programs

Sec.
219.1001 Requirement for referral programs.
219.1003 Referral program conditions.
219.1005 Optional provisions.
219.1007 Alternate programs.

Subpart K--Referral Programs


Sec.  219.1001  Requirement for referral programs.

    (a) The purpose of this subpart is to help prevent the adverse 
effects of drug and alcohol abuse in connection with regulated 
employees.
    (b) A railroad must adopt, publish, and implement the following 
programs:
    (1) Self-referral program. A program designed to encourage and 
facilitate the identification of a regulated employee who abuses drugs 
or alcohol by providing the employee the opportunity to obtain 
counseling or treatment before the employee's drug or alcohol abuse 
manifests itself in a detected violation of this part; and
    (2) Co-worker referral program. A program designed to encourage co-
worker participation in preventing violations of this part.
    (c) A railroad may adopt, publish, and implement the following 
programs:
    (1) Non-peer referral program. A program designed to encourage non-
peer participation in preventing violations of this part; and

[[Page 37943]]

    (2) Alternate program(s). An alternate program or programs meeting 
the specific requirements of Sec.  219.1003 or complying with Sec.  
219.1007, or both.
    (d) Nothing in this subpart may be construed to:
    (1) Require payment of compensation for any period a regulated 
employee is restricted from performing regulated service under a 
voluntary, co-worker, or non-peer referral program;
    (2) Require a railroad to adhere to a voluntary, co-worker, or non-
peer referral program when the referral is made for the purpose, or 
with the effect, of anticipating or avoiding the imminent and probable 
detection of a rule violation by a supervising employee;
    (3) Interfere with the subpart D requirement for Federal reasonable 
suspicion testing when a regulated employee is on duty and a supervisor 
determines the employee is exhibiting signs and symptoms of alcohol 
and/or drug use;
    (4) Interfere with the requirements in Sec.  219.104(d) for 
responsive action when a violation of Sec.  219.101 or Sec.  219.102 is 
substantiated; or
    (5) Limit the discretion of a railroad to dismiss or otherwise 
discipline a regulated employee for specific rule violations or 
criminal offenses, except as this subpart specifically provides.


Sec.  219.1003  Referral program conditions.

    (a) General. A referral program must specify the allowances, 
conditions, and procedures under which a self-referral, co-worker 
referral, and, if adopted, a non-peer referral, can occur, as follows:
    (1) For a self-referral, a railroad must identify one or more 
designated DAC contacts (including telephone number and email (if 
available)) and any expectations regarding when the referral is allowed 
to take place (such as during non-duty hours, or while the employee is 
unimpaired, or both, as Sec.  219.1005 permits);
    (2) For a co-worker referral, a railroad may accept a referral 
under this subpart only if it alleges that the regulated employee was 
apparently unsafe to work with or in violation of this part or the 
railroad's drug and alcohol abuse rules. The employee must waive 
investigation of the rule charge and must contact the DAC within a 
reasonable period of time;
    (3) For a non-peer referral, a railroad may remove a regulated 
employee from service only if a railroad representative confirms that 
the employee is unsafe to work with or in violation of this part or the 
railroad's drug and alcohol abuse rules. The employee must waive 
investigation of the rule charge and must contact the DAC within a 
reasonable period of time.
    (b) Employment maintained. A regulated employee who is affected by 
a drug or alcohol abuse problem may maintain an employment relationship 
with a railroad if:
    (1) The employee seeks assistance through the railroad's voluntary 
referral program for his or her drug or alcohol abuse problem or a co-
worker or a non-peer refers the employee for such assistance; and
    (2) The employee successfully completes the education, counseling, 
or treatment program a DAC specifies under this subpart.
    (c) Employment action. If a regulated employee does not choose to 
seek assistance through a referral program, or fails to cooperate with 
a DAC's recommended program, the disposition of the employee's 
relationship with the railroad is subject to normal employment action.
    (d) Qualified DAC evaluation. (1) A DAC acceptable to the railroad 
must evaluate a regulated employee entering a self-referral, co-worker 
referral, or non-peer referral program;
    (2) The DAC must meet any applicable state standards and comply 
with this subpart; and
    (3) The DAC must determine the appropriate level of care 
(education, counseling, or treatment, or all three) necessary to 
resolve any identified drug or alcohol abuse problems.
    (e) Removal from regulated service. A referral program must 
stipulate that a regulated employee a DAC has evaluated as having an 
active drug abuse disorder may not perform regulated service until the 
DAC can report that safety is no longer affected.
    (f) Confidentiality maintained. Except as provided under paragraph 
(l) of this section, a railroad must treat a regulated employee's 
referral and subsequent handling (including education, counseling, and 
treatment) as confidential. Only personnel who administer the 
railroad's referral programs may have access to the identities of the 
individuals in these programs.
    (g) Leave of absence. A railroad must grant a regulated employee 
the minimum leave of absence the DAC recommends to complete a primary 
education, counseling, or treatment program and to establish control 
over the employee's drug or alcohol abuse problem.
    (h) Return to regulated service. (1) Except as Sec. Sec.  
219.1001(d)(4) and 219.1005 may provide, a railroad must return an 
regulated employee to regulated service upon the DAC's recommendation 
that the employee has established control over his or her drug or 
alcohol abuse problem, has a low risk to return to drug or alcohol 
abuse, and has complied with any recommended return-to-service 
requirements.
    (2) The DAC determines the appropriate number and frequency of 
required follow-up tests. The railroad determines the dates of testing.
    (3) The railroad may condition an employee's return to regulated 
service on successful completion of a return-to-service medical 
evaluation.
    (4) A railroad must return an employee to regulated service within 
five working days of the DAC's notification to the railroad that the 
employee is fit to return to regulated service, unless the employee has 
a disqualifying medical condition. (i.e., the employee is at a low risk 
to return to drug or alcohol abuse).
    (i) Rehabilitation plan. No person--whether an employing railroad, 
managed care provider, service agent, individual, or any person other 
than the DAC who conducted the initial evaluation--may change in any 
way the DAC's evaluation or recommendations for assistance. The DAC who 
made the initial evaluation may modify the employee's initial 
evaluation and follow-up recommendation(s) based on new or additional 
information.
    (j) Locomotive engineers and conductors. Consistent with Sec. Sec.  
240.119(e) and 242.115(g) of this chapter, for a certified locomotive 
engineer, certified conductor, or a candidate for engineer or conductor 
certification, the referral program must state that confidentiality is 
waived (to the extent the railroad receives from a DAC official notice 
of the active drug abuse disorder and suspends or revokes the 
certification, as appropriate) if the employee at any time refuses to 
cooperate in a recommended course of counseling or treatment.
    (k) Contacting a DAC. If a regulated employee does not contact a 
DAC within the railroad's specified time limits, the railroad may begin 
an investigation to assess the employee's cooperation and compliance 
with its referral program.
    (l) Time requirements for DAC evaluations. Once a regulated 
employee has contacted the designated DAC, the DAC's evaluation must be 
completed within 10 working days. If the employee needs more than one 
evaluation, the evaluations must be completed within 20 working days.
    (m) Time limitations on follow-up treatment, care, or testing. Any 
follow-up treatment, care, or testing established under a referral 
program must not

[[Page 37944]]

exceed 24 months beyond an regulated employee's initial removal from 
regulated service, unless the regulated employee's entry into the 
program involved a substantiated part 219 violation.


Sec.  219.1005  Optional provisions.

    A railroad's referral program may include any of the following 
provisions at the option of the railroad and with the approval of the 
labor organization(s) affected:
    (a) The program may provide that the rule of confidentiality is 
waived if:
    (1) The regulated employee at any time refuses to cooperate in a 
DAC's recommended course of education, counseling, or treatment; or
    (2) The railroad determines, after investigation, that the 
regulated employee has been involved in a drug- or alcohol-related 
disciplinary offense growing out of subsequent conduct.
    (b) The program may require successful completion of a return-to-
service medical examination as a further condition of reinstatement in 
regulated service.
    (c) The program may provide that it does not apply to a regulated 
employee whom the railroad has previously assisted under a program 
substantially consistent with this section.
    (d) The program may provide that, in order to invoke its benefits, 
the regulated employee must report to the railroad's designated contact 
either:
    (1) During non-duty hours (i.e., at a time when the regulated 
employee is off duty); or
    (2) While unimpaired and otherwise in compliance with the 
railroad's drug and alcohol rules consistent with this subpart.


Sec.  219.1007  Alternate programs.

    (a) Instead of the referral programs required under Sec.  219.1001, 
a railroad is permitted to develop, publish, and implement alternate 
programs that meet the standards established in Sec.  219.1001. Such 
programs must have the written concurrence of the recognized 
representatives of the regulated employees. Nothing in this subpart 
restricts a railroad or labor organization from adopting, publishing, 
and implementing programs that afford more favorable conditions to 
regulated employees troubled by drug or alcohol abuse problems, 
consistent with a railroad's responsibility to prevent violations of 
Sec. Sec.  219.101, 219.102, and 219.103.
    (b) The concurrence of the recognized representatives of the 
regulated employees in an alternate program may be evidenced by a 
collective bargaining agreement or any other document describing the 
class or craft of employees to which the alternate program applies. The 
agreement or other document must make express reference to this subpart 
and to the intention of the railroad and employee representatives that 
the alternate program applies instead of the program required by this 
subpart.
    (c) The railroad must file the agreement or other document 
described in paragraph (b) of this section along with the requested 
alternate program it submits for approval with the FRA Drug and Alcohol 
Program Manager. FRA will base its approval on whether the alternative 
program meets the Sec.  219.1001 objectives. The alternative program 
does not have to include each Sec.  219.1001 component, but must meet 
the general standards and intent of Sec.  219.1001. If a railroad 
amends or revokes an approved alternate policy, the railroad must file 
a notice with FRA of such amendment or revocation at least 30 days 
before the effective date of such action.
    (d) This section does not excuse a railroad from adopting, 
publishing, and implementing the programs Sec.  219.1001 requires for 
any group of regulated employees not falling within the coverage of an 
appropriate, approved alternate program.
    (e) Consistent with Sec.  219.105(c), FRA has the authority to 
inspect the aggregate data of any railroad alcohol and/or drug use 
education, prevention, identification, and rehabilitation program or 
policy, including alternate peer support programs, to ensure that they 
are not designed or implemented in such a way that they circumvent or 
otherwise undermine Federal requirements, including the requirements in 
this part regarding peer support programs.

0
37. Revise appendix A to read as follows:

Appendix A to Part 219--Schedule of Penalties

    The following chart lists the schedule of civil penalties:

                          Penalty Schedule \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Willful
               Section \2\                   Violation       violation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Subpart A--General
------------------------------------------------------------------------
219.3 Application:
    (a) Railroad or contractor does not           $5,000          $7,500
     have required program..............
    (c) Railroad or contractor                     2,500           5,000
     improperly tests under subpart E or
     G of this part.....................
219.9 Responsibility for compliance:
    (b)(1) Host railroad failed to take            5,000           7,500
     responsibility for compliance or
     other railroad or contractor did
     not take responsive action of
     direction of host railroad during
     joint operations...................
219.11 General conditions for chemical
 tests:
    (b)(1) Employee unlawfully refuses             2,500           5,000
     to participate in testing..........
    (b)(2) Employer fails to give                  3,000           8,000
     priority to medical treatment......
    (b)(3) Employee fails to remain                2,500           5,000
     available..........................
    (d) Employee unlawfully required to            2,500           5,000
     execute a waiver of rights.........
    (e)(1) Failure to direct employee to           2,500           5,000
     proceed to collection site as soon
     as possible without affecting
     safety.............................
    (e)(3) Railroad used or authorized             5,000           7,500
     the use of coercion to obtain
     specimens..........................
    (g) Failure to meet supervisory                2,500           5,000
     training requirements or program of
     instruction not available or
     program not complete...............
    (h) Urine or blood specimens                   2,500           5,000
     provided for Federal testing were
     used for non-authorized testing....
219.12 Hours-of-service laws
 implications:
    (a)-(d) Failure to exceed Hours of             2,500           5,000
     Service to conduct required testing
     or exceeding HOS when not
     authorized to conduct testing......
219.23 Railroad policies:
    (a) Failure to provide written                 1,000           4,000
     notice of FRA test.................
    (a)(1) Failure to provide written              1,000           4,000
     notice of basis for FRA test.......

[[Page 37945]]

 
    (a)(2) Use of a non-approved FRA               1,000           4,000
     form for mandatory post-accident
     toxicological testing..............
    (b) Improper use of Federal drug or            1,000           4,000
     alcohol testing form or use of
     Subpart C form for other test......
    (c) Failure to make required                   2,500           5,000
     educational materials available....
    (d) Failure to provide required                2,500           5,000
     minimum educational content........
    (e) Non-Federal provisions are not             2,500           5,000
     clearly described as independent
     authority..........................
219.25 Previous employer drug and
 alcohol checks:
    (a)(1)Failure to conduct previous              2,500           5,000
     employer drug and alcohol check or
     failure to provide response to
     previous employer when requested...
    (a)(2) Failure to perform and                  2,500           5,000
     complete FRA and DOT-required
     background checks in a timely
     manner.............................
    (a)(3) Failure to document due                 2,500           5,000
     diligence in completing FRA and DOT-
     required background checks.........
    (b) Failure to comply with Sec.                2,500           5,000
     240.119(c) (for engineers) or Sec.
      242.115(e) (for conductors) of
     this chapter regarding the
     consideration of Federal alcohol
     and drug violations that occurred
     within a period of 60 consecutive
     months prior to the review of the
     person's records...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Subpart B--Prohibitions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
219.101 Alcohol and drug use prohibited:
    (a) Railroad with actual knowledge    ..............          10,000
     of use, possession or impairment
     from alcohol or controlled
     substances permits employee to go
     on duty or remain on duty..........
219.103 Prescribed and over-the-counter
 drugs:
    (a) Failure to train employee                  2,500           5,000
     properly on requirements...........
219.104 Responsive action:
    (a) Failure to remove employee from            5,000           7,500
     regulated service immediately......
    (b) Failure to provide written                 2,500           5,000
     notice for removal.................
    (c) Failure to provide prompt                  2,500           5,000
     hearing within 10 calendar days....
    (d) Employee improperly returned to            5,000           7,500
     regulated service..................
    (e) Failure to ensure certified                2,500           5,000
     locomotive engineers and conductors
     received required follow-up testing
     minimums as per Sec.
     240.119(d)(2) and Sec.
     242.115(f)(2) of this chapter......
219.105 Railroad's duty to prevent
 violations:
    (a) Employee improperly permitted to           7,500          10,000
     remain in regulated service........
    (b) Failure to exercise due                    5,000           7,500
     diligence to assure compliance with
     prohibition........................
    (d) Failure to conduct and record              2,500           5,000
     minimum number of Rule G
     observations.......................
219.107 Consequences of unlawful
 refusal:
    (a) Failure to disqualify an                   5,000           7,500
     employee for nine months following
     a refusal..........................
    (b) Fail to provide written notice             2,500           5,000
     of withdrawal to employee..........
    (c) Employee unlawfully returned to            5,000           7,500
     service............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Subpart C--Post-Accident Toxicological Testing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
219.201 Events for which testing is
 required:
    (a) Failure to test after qualifying           5,000           7,500
     event (each regulated employee not
     tested is a violation).............
    (c)(1)(i) Failure to make good faith           5,000           7,500
     determination......................
    (c)(1)(ii) Failure to provide                  2,500           5,000
     requested decision report to FRA...
    (c)(2) Testing performed after non-            5,000          10,000
     qualifying event...................
219.203 Responsibilities of railroads
 and employees:
    (a)(1)(i) and (a)(2)(i) Failure to             5,000           7,500
     properly test/exclude from testing.
    (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(2)(ii) Non-                 5,000           7,500
     regulated service employee tested..
    (b)(1) Delay in obtaining specimens            2,500           5,000
     due to failure to make every
     reasonable effort..................
    (c) Independent medical facility not           2,500           5,000
     utilized...........................
    (d) Failure to report event or                 1,000           3,000
     contact FRA when intervention
     required...........................
    (d)(1) Failure to collect specimens            2,500           5,000
     in a timely manner.................
    (e)(2) Failure to recall employee              2,500           5,000
     for testing when conditions met....
    (e)(5) Failure to document why                 2,500           5,000
     employee could not be recalled.....
    (f)(1) Specimen collection not                 2,500           5,000
     completed at an independent medical
     facility...........................
219.205 Specimen collection and
 handling:
    (a) Failure to observe requirements            2,500           5,000
     with respect to specimen
     collection, marking and handling...
    (b) Failure to provide properly                2,500           5,000
     prepared forms with specimens......
    (d) Failure to promptly or properly            2,500           5,000
     forward specimens..................
219.207 Fatality:
    (a) Failure to collect specimens....           5,000           7,500
    (a)(1) Failure to ensure timely                2,500           5,000
     collection and shipment of required
     specimens..........................
    (b) Failure to request assistance              2,500           5,000
     when necessary.....................
219.209 Reports of tests and refusals:
    (a)(1) Failure to provide telephonic           1,000           2,000
     report.............................
    (b) Failure to provide written                 1,000           2,000
     report of refusal to test..........
    (c) Failure to maintain report                 1,000           2,000
     explaining why test not conducted
     within 4 hours.....................
219.211 Analysis and follow-up:
    (c) Failure of the MRO to report MRO           2,500           5,000
     downgrades and/or verified non-
     negative results to FRA in a timely
     manner.............................
    (g)(3) Unauthorized withholding of             2,500           5,000
     regulated employee out of regulated
     service pending receipt of PAT
     testing results....................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 37946]]

 
                 Subpart D--Reasonable Suspicion Testing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
219.301 Mandatory reasonable suspicion
 testing:
    (a) Failure to conduct breath                  5,000           7,500
     alcohol test when reasonable
     suspicion testing criteria met or
     conduct breath alcohol test under
     reasonable suspicion when criteria
     not met............................
    (b) Failure to conduct drug test               5,000           7,500
     when reasonable suspicion testing
     criteria met or conduct drug test
     under reasonable suspicion when
     criteria not met...................
219.303 Testing when reasonable
 suspicion criteria not met:
    (a) Failure to use a trained                   2,500           5,000
     supervisor when conducting a
     reasonable suspicion determination
     for alcohol........................
    (b) Failure to use two supervisors,            2,500           5,000
     one of which must have been
     trained, when conducting a
     reasonable suspicion determination
     for drugs..........................
    (c) Improperly holding employee out            2,500           5,000
     of service.........................
    (d) Failure to provide adequate                2,500           5,000
     written documentation for the
     reasons for a reasonable suspicion
     test...............................
219.305 Prompt specimen collections;
 time limitations:
    (a) Fail to promptly conduct test...           2,500           5,000
    (b) Failure to document why test not           2,500           5,000
     administered within time limits....
    (c) Improper recall of employee.....           2,500           5,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Subpart E--Reasonable Cause Testing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
219.401 Authorization for reasonable
 cause testing:
    (a) Failure to declare which                   2,500           5,000
     authority (Federal or company) is
     being used for reasonable cause
     testing............................
    (b) Testing conducted after                    2,500           5,000
     regulated employee is released from
     duty...............................
219.403 Requirements for reasonable
 cause testing:
    (a) Testing when event did not meet            2,500           5,000
     the criteria for train accident or
     train incident.....................
    (b) Testing when event did not meet            2,500           5,000
     the criteria for rule violation....
219.405 Documentation requirements:
    (a) Failure to provide adequate                1,000           2,500
     written documentation for the
     reasons for a reasonable cause test
    (b) Failure to document specific               1,000           2,500
     type of rule violation and the
     involvement of each tested
     regulated employee.................
219.407 Prompt Specimen Collection; Time
 Limitations:
    (a) Failure to perform a test in a             2,500           5,000
     timely.............................
    (b) Failure to document why test not           1,000           2,500
     administered within time limits....
    (c) Improper recall of employee.....           2,500           5,000
219.409 Limitations on authority:
    (b) Improper withholding of                    2,500           5,000
     regulated employee from regulated
     service pending test results.......
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Subpart F--Pre-Employment Tests
------------------------------------------------------------------------
219.501 Pre-employment drug testing:
    (a) Failure to conduct a Federal pre-          2,500           5,000
     employment test before a final
     applicant or employee transfer
     performs regulated service.........
    (b) Failure to conduct a Federal pre-          2,500           5,000
     employment test before an employee
     of a contractor performs regulated
     service............................
    (e) Pre-employment testing of                  1,000           2,500
     grandfathered regulated employee...
219.502 Pre-employment alcohol testing:
    (a)(1) Failure to conduct alcohol              2,500           5,000
     testing of a regulated employee
     after choosing to perform Federal
     pre-employment alcohol testing.....
    (a)(2) Failure to treat all                    2,500           5,000
     regulated employees the same for
     purposes of Federal pre-employment
     alcohol testing....................
219.503 Notification; records:
    Failure to notify the applicant in             1,000           2,500
     writing of non-negative test
     results or refusal.................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Subpart G--Random Alcohol and Drug Testing Programs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
219.601 Purpose and scope of random
 testing programs:
    (b) Failure to ensure regulated                2,500           5,000
     employee is subject to random
     testing............................
    (c) Contractor or volunteer not                2,500           5,000
     included in random testing while
     subject to performing regulated
     service............................
    (d)(1) Regulated employee not                  2,500           5,000
     subject to random testing at
     minimum rate set by agency covering
     more than 50% of employee's
     regulated functions................
219.605 Submission and approval of
 random testing plans:
    (a)(1) Failure to obtain FRA                   2,500           5,000
     approval of random testing program.
    (c) Failure to implement random                2,500           5,000
     testing plan within 30 days of
     notification of FRA approval.......
    (d)(1) Failure to implement                    2,500           5,000
     substantive plan amendment within
     30 days of notification of FRA
     approval, or failure to obtain FRA
     approval before implementing
     substantive plan amendment before
     implementation.....................
    (d)(2) Failure to submit non-                  2,500           5,000
     substantive plan amendment before
     implementation.....................
219.607 Requirements for random testing
 plans:
    (a) Railroad implementation failed             2,500           5,000
     to comply with approved plan.......
    (c) Failure to contain required plan           2,500           5,000
     elements...........................
219.609 Inclusion of contractor
 employees and volunteers in random
 testing plans:
    (a) Failure to demonstrate that                2,500           5,000
     regulated service contractor
     employees and volunteers are
     subject to random testing..........

[[Page 37947]]

 
    (c) Failure to ensure regulated                2,500           5,000
     service contractor and volunteers
     are tested in accordance with this
     subpart............................
219.611 Random drug and alcohol and drug
 testing pools:
    (a) Failure of railroad to ensure              2,500           5,000
     that all regulated employees
     including contractors and
     volunteers are included in random
     testing pools......................
    (b)(2) Improper criteria for pool              2,500           5,000
     entries which allows for employer
     discretion over who is to be tested
    (b)(3) Failure to construct and                2,500           5,000
     maintain pool entries that will
     ensure regulated employees have an
     equal chance of being selected
     randomly for each draw.............
    (c) Maintaining a random testing               2,500           5,000
     pool with less than four pool
     entries............................
    (d)(1) Failure to ensure that pools            2,500           5,000
     do not contain non-regulated
     employees..........................
    (d)(2) Regulated employee included             2,500           5,000
     in more than one DOT random pool...
    (d)(3) Failure to maintain pools and/          2,500           5,000
     or pool entries that meet FRA/DOT
     regulations........................
    (d)(5) Failure to add or remove                2,500           5,000
     regulated employees to or from the
     proper random pool in a timely
     manner.............................
    (e)(2) Failure to remove employees             2,500           5,000
     who perform de minimis service from
     pools which include employees who
     perform regulated service on a
     regular basis......................
    (f) Failure to have an effective               2,500           5,000
     mechanism to update and maintain
     pools..............................
219.613 Random testing selections:
    (b)(1) Failure to use an FRA-                  2,500           5,000
     acceptable selection procedure.....
    (b)(2) Failure to ensure every                 2,500           5,000
     regulated employee has an equal
     chance at being selected at each
     draw...............................
    (b)(3) Failure to have necessary               2,500           5,000
     documentation verifying the
     selection process for testing
     window.............................
    (c)(1) Failure to select pool                  2,500           5,000
     entries at a rate which ensures
     compliance with FRA required random
     rates or fail to reasonably
     distribute selections throughout
     the selection year.................
    (d) Railroad failed to select at               2,500           5,000
     least one entry from each of its
     random testing pools every three
     months.............................
    (e) Railroad discarded selection               2,500           5,000
     draws without an acceptable
     explanation........................
    (g) Failure to capture and maintain            2,500           5,000
     electronic or hard copy snapshot of
     each random testing pool at the
     time it makes a testing selection..
219.615 Random testing collections:
    (a) Failure to comply with minimum             2,500           5,000
     annual random collection testing
     rates..............................
    (b) Failure to test selections                 2,500           5,000
     within the approved testing window.
    (c)(1) Testing a regulated employee            2,500           5,000
     while not on duty or testing a
     regulated employee not randomly
     selected or testing a non-regulated
     employee...........................
    (c)(2) Failure to distribute                   2,500           5,000
     collections reasonably throughout
     all shifts, days of the week, weeks
     of the month, and months of the
     year...............................
    (c)(3) Failure to perform at least             2,500           5,000
     10% of its random alcohol tests at
     the beginning of shifts and at
     least 10% of random alcohol tests
     at the end of shifts...............
    (e)(1) Advance notification given to           2,500           5,000
     employees selected for testing.....
    (e)(2) Fail to begin collection                2,500           5,000
     within two hours of notice of
     random selection without an
     acceptable reason for the delay....
    (f) Failure to test a selection                2,500           5,000
     without an FRA-acceptable reason...
    (g)(1) Fail to immediately terminate           2,500           5,000
     random collection due to hours of
     service expiration.................
219.617 Participation in random alcohol
 and drug testing:
    (a)(1) Failure to test regulated               2,500           5,000
     employee when properly selected for
     random test........................
    (a)(2) Failure to restrict regulated           2,500           5,000
     employee from performing regulated
     service prior to completion of
     random testing.....................
    (a)(3) Improperly excused without              2,500           5,000
     substantiated medical emergency....
219.621 Use of Service Agents:
    (g) Improper use a service agent to            2,500           5,000
     notify a regulated employee that
     they have been selected for random
     testing............................
219.623 Records
    (a) Failure of railroads to meet               2,500           5,000
     recordkeeping requirements.........
    (g) Failure of contractors and                 2,500           5,000
     service agents to provide required
     random testing records when
     requested by the contracting
     railroad or FRA....................
219.625 FRA Administrator's
 determination of random alcohol and
 drug rates
    (d) Failure to meet the required FRA           2,500           5,000
     random testing rate for drugs......
    (e) Failure to meet the required FRA           2,500           5,000
     random testing rate for alcohol....
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Subpart H--Drug and Alcohol Testing Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
219.701 Standards for drug and alcohol
 testing:
    (a) Failure to comply with part 40             5,000           7,500
     procedures in subpart B, D, E, F, G
     and K testing......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Subpart I--Annual Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------
219.800 Annual Reports:
    (a) Failure to submit MIS report on            2,500           5,000
     time...............................
    (c) Failure to submit accurate MIS             2,500           5,000
     report.............................
    (d) Failure to include required data           2,500           5,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Subpart J--Recordkeeping Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
219.901 Retention of alcohol and drug
 testing records:

[[Page 37948]]

 
    (a) Failure to maintain records                2,500           5,000
     required to be kept by part 40 of
     this chapter.......................
    (b) Failure to maintain records                2,500           5,000
     required to be kept for five years.
    (c) Failure to maintain records                2,500           5,000
     required to be kept for two years..
219.903 Access to facilities and
 records:
    (a) Failure to release records in              2,500           5,000
     this subpart in accordance with
     part 40 of this chapter............
    (b) Failure to permit access to                2,500           5,000
     facilities.........................
    (c) Failure to provide access to               2,500           5,000
     results of railroad alcohol and
     drug testing programs..............
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Subpart K--Referral Programs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
219.1001 Requirement for referral
 programs:
    (b)(1) Failure to adopt or implement           2,500           5,000
     required self-referral program or
     alternate program that meets the
     requirements of this subpart.......
    (b)(2) Failure to adopt or implement           2,500           5,000
     required co-worker referral program
     or alternate program that meets the
     requirements of subpart K of this
     part...............................
    (d) Violation of referral program              2,500           5,000
     prohibitions.......................
219.1003 Referral program conditions:
    (a) Failure to comply with referral            2,500           5,000
     program conditions.................
    (b) Failure to maintain employment..           2,500           5,000
    (c) Failure to disqualify regulated            2,500           5,000
     employee when referral conditions
     not met............................
    (d) Use of unqualified DAC..........           2,500           5,000
    (e) Allowing person evaluated as               2,500           5,000
     having active substance abuse
     disorder to perform regulated
     service............................
(f) Breach of confidentiality                      2,500           5,000
    (g) Failure to allow recommended               2,500           5,000
     leave of absence...................
    (h)(1)-(3) Failure to meet return to           2,500           5,000
     service conditions.................
    (h)(4) Failure to return to service            2,500           5,000
     when conditions met................
    (i) Improper modification to                   2,500           5,000
     rehabilitation plan................
    (l) Failure to complete DAC                    2,500           5,000
     evaluation within time limit.......
    (m) Exceeding 24 month time limit on           2,500           5,000
     aftercare when not associated with
     a substantiated part 219 violation.
219.1007 Alternate programs:
    (c) Failure to obtain FRA approval             2,500           5,000
     of alternate program...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ A penalty may be assessed against an individual only for a willful
  violation. The FRA Administrator reserves the right to assess a
  penalty of up to $105,000 for any violation, including ones not listed
  in this penalty schedule, where circumstances warrant. See 49 CFR part
  209, appendix A.
\2\ The penalty schedule uses section numbers from 49 CFR part 219; and
  if more than one item is listed as a type of violation of a given
  section, each item is also designated by a ``penalty code,'' which is
  used to facilitate assessment of civil penalties. For convenience,
  penalty citations will cite the CFR section and the penalty code, if
  any. FRA reserves the right, should litigation become necessary, to
  substitute in its complaint the CFR citation in place of the combined
  CFR and penalty code citation.


    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 27, 2016.
Amitabha Bose,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-13058 Filed 6-6-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P