49 C.F.R. Subpart F—Pre-Employment Tests
Title 49 - Transportation
(a) Prior to the first time a covered employee performs covered service for a railroad, the employee must undergo testing for drugs. No railroad may allow a covered employee to perform covered service, unless the employee has been administered a test for drugs with a result that did not indicate the misuse of controlled substances. This requirement applies to final applicants for employment and to employees seeking to transfer for the first time from non-covered service to duties involving covered service. (b) As used in subpart H of this part with respect to a test required under this subpart, the term covered employee includes an applicant for pre-employment testing only. In the case of an applicant who declines to be tested and withdraws the application for employment, no record may be maintained of the declination. (a) A railroad may, but is not required to, conduct pre-employment alcohol testing under this part. If a railroad chooses to conduct pre-employment alcohol testing, the railroad must comply with the following requirements: (1) It must conduct a pre-employment alcohol test before the first performance of safety-sensitive functions by every covered employee (whether a new employee or someone who has transferred to a position involving the performance of safety-sensitive functions). (2) It must treat all safety-sensitive employees performing safety-sensitive functions the same for the purpose of pre-employment alcohol testing (i.e., it must not test some covered employees and not others). (3) It must conduct the pre-employment tests after making a contingent offer of employment or transfer, subject to the employee passing the pre-employment alcohol test. (4) It must conduct all pre-employment alcohol tests using the alcohol testing procedures of part 40 of this title. (5) It must not allow a covered employee to begin performing safety-sensitive functions unless the result of the employee's test indicates an alcohol concentration of less than 0.04. (b) As used in subpart H of this part, with respect to a test authorized under this subpart, the term covered employee includes an applicant for pre-employment testing only. In the case of an applicant who declines to be tested and withdraws the application for employment, no record may be maintained of the declination. The railroad must provide for medical review of drug test results as provided in subpart H of this part. The railroad must notify the applicant of the results of the drug and alcohol tests in the same manner as provided for employees in subpart H of this part. Records must be maintained confidentially and be retained in the same manner as required under subpart J of this part for employee test records, except that such records need not reflect the identity of an applicant whose application for employment in covered service was denied. An applicant who has refused to submit to pre-employment testing under this section may not be employed in covered service based upon the application and examination with respect to which such refusal was made. This section does not create any right on the part of the applicant to have a subsequent application considered; nor does it restrict the discretion of the railroad to entertain a subsequent application for employment from the same person.
Title 49: Transportation
PART 219—CONTROL OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE
Subpart F—Pre-Employment Tests
§ 219.501 Pre-employment drug testing.
§ 219.502 Pre-employment alcohol testing.
§ 219.503 Notification; records.
§ 219.505 Refusals.
