FRA Drug & Alcohol Testing Requirements Flashcards

Under FRA regulations, what is the minimum period a railroad employee must refrain from consuming alcohol before reporting for duty?

Answer: 4 hours

FRA regulations require railroad employees to refrain from alcohol consumption for at least 4 hours before reporting for duty in a safety-sensitive position.

What action must a railroad supervisor take if they have reasonable suspicion that an employee is impaired by drugs or alcohol?

Answer: Remove the employee from service and arrange for reasonable suspicion testing

Supervisors who have reasonable suspicion of employee impairment must remove the employee from safety-sensitive duty and arrange for drug and/or alcohol testing.

Which type of specimen is used for FRA-mandated drug testing?

Answer: Urine

FRA drug testing under 49 CFR Part 219 requires urine specimens tested at DOT-certified laboratories.

What must a railroad do when an employee refuses to submit to an FRA-required drug or alcohol test?

Answer: Treat the refusal as a positive test result and remove the employee from service

Under FRA and DOT rules, a refusal to test is treated the same as a positive test result, requiring immediate removal from safety-sensitive service.

Which substance is NOT included in the FRA's standard 5-panel drug test?

Answer: Alcohol

The FRA 5-panel urine drug test screens for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP); alcohol is tested separately via breath or blood.

How long after a railroad accident must post-accident testing be completed under FRA regulations?

Answer: As soon as practicable but no later than 8 hours for alcohol and 32 hours for drugs

FRA requires post-accident alcohol testing within 8 hours and drug testing within 32 hours of a qualifying event; if not completed in time, the railroad must document why.