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

Sample Program Notification Letter—New Policy/Program
Dear (Safety-Sensitive Employee) or Union Representative):
The Federal Transit Administration has recently revised and consolidated its drug and alcohol
regulations into one new regulation entitled, Prevention of Alcohol Misuse and Prohibited Drug Use in
Transit Operations (49 CFR Part 655). (Transit Agency) is required to comply with this regulation, and
we must issue a policy prohibiting illegal drug use at all times by our safety-sensitive employees. In
addition, alcohol consumption by our safety-sensitive employees is prohibited while performing, and for
4 hours prior to performing safety-sensitive functions. Alcohol use after an accident is also prohibited.
Tests must be conducted in six specific situations to determine whether an employee has used alcohol or
drugs. The procedures and technology we will employ in this testing are specified in a Department of
Transportation regulation, Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs
(49 CFR Part 40).
The regulations are very specific regarding what (Transit Agency) must do to comply. We have
developed a policy and procedures list that will apply to you based upon the job functions you perform at
(Transit Agency). To help you and your representatives better understand our policy and procedures, the
following information will be available at all times in the (Drug and Alcohol Program Manager’s/General
Manager’s/Legal/Labor Relations/Human Resources/Medical) Office:
1. Contact person
2. Safety-sensitive employee categories
3. When employees are required to be in compliance
4. Prohibited behavior
5. Circumstances when employee is tested
6. Testing procedures
7. Mandatory testing requirement for safety-sensitive functions
8. Consequences of refusing to submit to a test
9. Consequences of a verified positive drug test result
10. Consequences of an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater
11. Consequences of an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or greater, but less than 0.04
12. Information concerning the affects of alcohol misuse.
This program will begin on (Date of Implementation).
Thank you for your cooperation in implementing these important new safety regulations. If you have any
questions regarding these regulations or (Transit Agency’s) policy and procedures, please contact (Name
of Contact Person) at (Telephone Number of Contact Person).
Sincerely,
General Manager
Enclosure(s)
Chapter 4. Policy Development and Communication 4-17 August 2002