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| Volume 17, Issue 3 | Spring 2004 |
Educational UpdatesDrug and Alcohol Policy UpdatesThe FTA Office of Safety and Security recently clarified rules for alcohol and drug tests following accidents involving lifts on mass transit vehicles. The FTA has determined that because lifts constitute equipment used in revenue service and their operation is essential to the operation of the vehicle and protection of the public safety, their operation should be included in the accident definition. Therefore, the FTA clarified its position expanding its interpretation of "operation of a vehicle" to include operation of its lift. Thus, fatalities associated with the operation of a lift will require the conduct of FTA drug and alcohol post-accident tests for the driver and any other covered employee that could have contributed to the accident. Non-fatal accidents associated with the operation of the lift that result in bodily injury requiring immediate transportation to a medical facility will also require the conduct of FTA drug and alcohol post-accident tests unless the employee can be completely discounted as a contributing factor. Prescription and Over-the-Counter MedicationsThe FTA prescription and over-the counter medications toolkit was developed in response to growing concern about the use of prescription and over-the-counter medications that can affect the performance of safety-sensitive duties. To assist grantees, FTA created a toolkit of sample policies, procedures, training materials and post-accident documentation procedures that are currently in use at transit agencies across the country. Print copies were mailed to grantees in August. To download another copy of the toolkit, go to http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/. DTA on the Web
FTA Substance Abuse Seminar Set for Sioux FallsThe one-day seminar is set for April 20 at the Holiday Inn City Centre in Sioux Falls. It will provide essential facts and information to facilitate employer's compliance with DOT's 49 CFR Part 40 and FTA's 49 CFR Part 655. A highlevel overview of the regulation will be discussed as well as how employers may treat both over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Transit agency managers, safety mangers and third-party contractors for transit substance abuse programs are encouraged to attend. Registration is free, but space is limited. For more information contact Olivia D. Alexis at (617)494-3344 or (617)494-3798 or by e-mail at olivia.alexis@volpe.dot.gov. To register on-line go to http://transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/Training/655Seminars/. Random Testing Rates UnchangedOn Jan. 5 the Federal Register announced the random testing rates for employers subject to the Federal Transit Administration's drug and alcohol rules. The random testing rate for drugs remains at 50 percent while the random testing rate for alcohol remains at 10 percent. Why Join DTA?Paying your membership dues allows the Dakota Transit Association to accomplish its mission on your behalf. The association encourages cooperation among members in dealing with public transportation issues to:
If you haven't renewed your membership, do it today. If you can't find your membership renewal invoice or have other membership questions, contact Linda Freeman at (701) 385-4364 or Kenmare Wheels and Meals, Inc. P.O. Box 481; Kenmare, ND 58746
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The Dakota Transit Association will launch its website, www.dakotatransit.org, within the next few weeks. The site will feature information on the association, training opportunities, recent newsletters and links to other useful websites. Let us know what you would like to see on the website and visit frequently to keep up with changes and new information.