Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration April 21, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice advises operators of gas, hazardous liquid and carbon dioxide pipelines and liquefied natural gas facilities that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS), intends to issue an Advisory Bulletin to begin collecting annual drug and alcohol testing data for contractor employees performing covered functions in the pipeline industry. The collection of contractor testing data is necessary for the calculation of the minimum annual percent rate for random drug testing, which is based on the reported positive rate for the entire industry. No regulatory change is necessary because the current rule already requires operators to report testing data for covered employees to OPS. The Advisory Bulletin will end the deferment period addressed in the preamble to the current rule for reporting contractor data and suggest a method for reporting the data that minimizes the problems associated with duplication. This notice proposes a method for reporting contractor data, seeks public comment on the method, and encourages suggestions for alternative approaches for reporting contractor testing data.