Implementation Guidelines - Federal Transit Administration - U.S. ...

process ensures that all critical concerns are
addressed and improves the chances for
acceptance and support of the new/revised
program. The program should be presented
in a positive, proactive manner as the
product of a visible, agency-wide effort.
Section 1. TASK TEAM
Experience has shown that
implementation of a new program or
revision to an existing one is best achieved
when a task team is formed and given
responsibility for formulating or revising the
policy and implementing the drug and
alcohol program, with management
guidance and approval. The composition of
the team will depend on the size of the
organization. In medium- to large-sized
systems, representatives from each of the
following disciplines should be included if
possible: management, legal, medical
personnel, operations, maintenance, and
labor relations. The team in unionized
systems should include one representative
from each bargaining unit, and at least one
employee representative from the general
work population. You may also wish to
include representatives from your
consortium/third party administrator or
service agents (e.g., MRO, SAP) if you have
already obtained their services.
In small systems with limited staff, the
team should include at least a driver and/or a
maintenance employee. Small systems that
are part of a city or county department may
also wish to include legal counsel and
someone from the personnel department.
Program Manager. The transit
system’s drug and alcohol program manager
(DAPM) should lead the team. The DAPM
should be knowledgeable about the transit
system’s operations, human resources, drug
and alcohol program and regulatory
requirements. The DAPM will be ultimately
responsible for the formation,
implementation, and day-to-day
management of the program. The DAPM
needs sufficient authority to direct the
program and must have easy access to senior
management, union representatives, and
first-line workers.
Task Team Responsibilities. The
primary responsibility of the task team is to
develop an action plan for accomplishing the
program’s goals and objectives, thereby
ensuring the successful implementation or
revision of the program. The action plan
should include: a list of necessary tasks, the
assignment of individuals responsible for
tasks, and a time schedule for completion.
Other duties of the task team may include:
• Helping resolve local policy issues;
• Providing input into the
development or revision of the
employer’s drug and alcohol testing
program policy;
• Establishing roles and
responsibilities of individuals
responsible for developing
procedures for the transit system’s
drug and alcohol testing program;
• Identifying and evaluating potential
service agents, testing pools,
consortia, or other programs that
may be beneficial to the employer;
• Providing input into procurement of
equipment and contract services for
specimen collection, laboratory
testing, MRO services, BATs, and
SAP and/or consortia;
• Assisting in employee awareness
and supervisor training; and
Chapter 3. Program Formulation 3-2 August 2002