Alcohol and Drug Program (49 CFR Part 219) RSAC Presentation

1
Alcohol and Drug Program (49 CFR Part 219)RSAC
Presentation

• June 25, 2009
• Note PEER Prevention Works

2
Program Status

• Generally all program components are working well
  but there is room for improvement
• Management/Service Agents (e.g., collectors,
  laboratories)/Labor/Employees proactively
  striving to improveEducation/Training is Key
  Factor!
• MDMA (Ecstasy) will be added to DOT Part 40 Panel

3
FRA Initiatives

• Part 219 NPRM to implement Rail Safety
  Improvement Act (RSIA) directive to cover
  Maintenance of Way (MOW) employees also
  proposing changes to address NTSB recommendations
  and to mature and improve the regulation.

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Adding MOW

• RSIA directed and NTSB recommended after several
  significant accidents.
• Employers and MOW Labor Organizations have
  voluntarily initiated company testing programs in
  response.
• FRA is committed to proposing an NPRM that fits
  the safety need, does not over-reach and
  seamlessly fits into the current employer
  programs with the least negative impact.
• Goal---Provide the proven programs and tools to
  assist the industry in improving MOW safety!

5
FRA Post-Accident Panel Expansion

• Forward looking evolution---currently test for 9
  drugs/classes of drugs
• --Cannabinoids
• --Cocaine
• --Opiates
• --Amphetamine
• --Methamphetamine
• --Phencyclidine
• --Barbiturates
• --Benzodiazepines
• --Alcohol

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Expanded Panel

• Adds to the Benzodiazepines
• lorazepam (Ativan)
• clonazepam (Klonopin)
• Adds to the Amphetamines
• MDMA
• MDA
• MDEA

• Add Synthetic Opiates
• hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet)
• oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan)
• hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• oxymorphone (Numorphan)
• methadone (Methadone, Dolophine)
• fentanyl (Fentanyl, Sublimaze)
• tramadol (Ultram, Ultracet)
• propoxyphene (Darvocet, Darvon)
• Add Sedating Antihistamines
• diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• chlorpheniramine
• brompheniramine
• phentermine

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Reporting and Use of Lab Findings

• As before, the post-accident testing lab (Quest
  in Atlanta) will report results to FRA and the
  Medical Review Officer (MRO) only the MRO will
  then verify the test results before reporting
  them to the railroad.
• FRA will work very closely with the MRO on the
  decision to pass findings to the railroads
  Designated Employee Representative or Medical
  Director.
• Not trying to catch but to investigate the role
  of therapeutic drug use in railroad accidents.

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PEER Prevention

• FRA has committed to assist Industry efforts to
  implement and/or improve Peer Prevention Programs
  designed to further the reduction of the negative
  impact of alcohol and drug use (both illicit and
  unsafe legal use).
• Actively involving employees in creating a sober
  and non-impaired workforce is a proven productive
  tool that is a Safety Win-Win for all!