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

substance abuse professionals, and
individual employees; assess the
proposed method of notifying
employees of verified positive test
results and the method used to afford
employees the opportunity to discuss
test results;
5. Assess the availability and cost for
expert testimony for associated court
cases; and
6. If not based locally, have the MRO
indicate how face-to-face medical
evaluations with employees will be
conducted (i.e., an opiate positive,
insufficient volume) and how the
MRO will coordinate with the
DER/DAPM and local substance
abuse professionals.
When the services of an MRO have been
retained, the employer should be sure to:
• Define procedures for disclosure of
verified non-negative test results to
the employer, and the confidentiality
that is required for medical
information not specifically related
to the use of drugs;
• Notify the MRO of the specimen
collection sites, laboratories, and
SAPs used by the employer;
• Provide the MRO with copies of the
employer’s policy and procedures
manual;
• Make sure the MRO has a copy of
the regulations (49 CFR Parts 40 and
655) and the DOT MRO Guidelines;
and
• Specify reporting procedures and
record keeping requirements.
If the employer has an FTA-approved stand
down policy (see discussion in Chapter 4 of
these guidelines), the MRO must work
closely with the employer and the laboratory
to work out reporting procedures, timelines,
and verification logistics.
Section 5. CORRECTABLE AND
FATAL FLAWS
Fatal Flaws and Test Cancellations.
Any time a service agent, employer, or other
entity involved in the testing process
becomes aware of an error in the testing
process, it must be documented. Most
problems that arise in the collection process
are correctable following procedures
established in §40.205. However, there are
four errors that cannot be corrected if they
occur, and are not followed by a retest.
DOT has identified the following errors and
omissions as “fatal flaws” that must result in
a specimen being rejected by the laboratory
(§40.199).
1. Specimen identification number on
the specimen bottle does not match
the specimen identification number
on the custody and control form.
2. Collector’s printed name and
signature are both missing from the
custody and control form.
3. Primary specimen volume is less
than 30 mL and the split specimen
cannot be re-designated as the
primary specimen.
4. Specimen bottle seal is broken or
shows evidence of tampering and the
split specimen cannot be redesignated
as the primary specimen.
In addition, the MRO must cancel a test
when the following situations exist. In some
cases, as designated below, the MRO may
Chapter 7. Drug Testing Procedures 7-24 August 2002