49 CFR 219.23 - Railroad policies.

(a) Whenever a breath or body fluid test is required of an employee under this part, the railroad must provide clear and unequivocal written notice to the employee that the test is being required under FRA regulations. Use of the mandated DOT form for drug or alcohol testing satisfies the requirements of this paragraph (a).

(b) Whenever a breath or body fluid test is required of an employee under this part, the railroad must provide clear, unequivocal written notice of the basis or bases upon which the test is required (e.g., reasonable suspicion, violation of a specified operating/safety rule enumerated in subpart D of this part, random selection, follow-up, etc.). Completion of the DOT alcohol or drug testing form indicating the basis of the test (prior to providing a copy to the employee) satisfies the requirement of this paragraph (b). Use of the DOT form for non-Federal tests is prohibited.

(c) Use of approved forms for mandatory post-accident toxicological testing under subpart C of this part provides the notifications required under this section with respect to such tests. Use of those forms for any other test is prohibited.

(d) Each railroad must provide educational materials that explain the requirements of this part, and the railroad's policies and procedures with respect to meeting those requirements.

(1) The railroad must ensure that a copy of these materials is distributed to each covered employee prior to the start of alcohol testing under the railroad's alcohol misuse prevention program and to each person subsequently hired for or transferred to a covered position.

(2) Each railroad must provide written notice to representatives of employee organizations of the availability of this information.

(e) Required content. The materials to be made available to employees must include detailed discussion of at least the following:

(1) The identity of the person designated by the railroad to answer employee questions about the materials.

(2) The classes or crafts of employees who are subject to the provisions of this part.

(3) Sufficient information about the safety-sensitive functions performed by those employees to make clear that the period of the work day the covered employee is required to be in compliance with this part is that period when the employee is on duty and is required to perform or is available to perform covered service.

(4) Specific information concerning employee conduct that is prohibited under subpart B of this part.

(5) In the case of a railroad utilizing the accident/incident and rule violation reasonable cause testing authority provided by this part, prior notice (which may be combined with the notice required by §§ 219.601(d)(1) and 219.607(d)(1)), to covered employees of the circumstances under which they will be subject to testing.

(6) The circumstances under which a covered employee will be tested under this part.

(7) The procedures that will be used to test for the presence of alcohol and controlled substances, protect the 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 covered 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 covered employees found to have violated Subpart B of this part, including the requirement that the employee be removed immediately from covered service, and the procedures under § 219.104.

(11) The consequences for covered employees found to have an alcohol concentration of .02 or greater but less than .04.

(12) Information concerning the effects of alcohol misuse on an individual's health, work, and personal life; signs and symptoms of an alcohol problem (the employee's or a coworker's); and available methods of evaluating and resolving problems associated with the misuse of alcohol, including utilization of the procedures set forth in subpart E of this part and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of substance abuse professionals and counseling and treatment programs.

(f) 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 authority independent of this part. Any such additional policies or consequences must be clearly and obviously described as being based on independent authority.