Title: Federal Railroad Administration Consortium | US Drug Test Centers
Headings: FRA – Federal Railroad Administration Drug Testing Consortium
FRA – Federal Railroad Administration Drug Testing Consortium
FRA-MOW Drug Testing
CFR Part 219
Post-Accident Testing
Compliance With FRA Drug and Alcohol Testing

Content: FRA-MOW Drug Testing
The FRA already applied to covered employees, but more recently, they expanded CFR Part 219 to cover Maintenance-of-Way (MOW) employees, in addition. MOW workers are anyone whose work activities include inspection, repair, or construction of roadways, tracks, bridges, etc. Previously, the FRA tested MOW workers only post-mortem in the event of an accident. However, due to the FRA still finding a high rate of positive drug test results among these deceased MOW workers, MOW employees are now fully subject to CFR Part 219. These workers receive the same minimum rate of random drug and alcohol testing as covered employees. The FRA now acknowledges "regulated employees," which includes both covered and MOW employees. CFR Part 219
Under CFR Part 219, the FRA has designated its safety-sensitive employees to be those who perform services covered under the hours of service laws (covered service). This includes “contracted” hours of service employees and also individuals who may volunteer to perform hours of service duties for a railroad. These generally include train and engine service employees involved in the movement of trains or engines (e.g., conductors, brakemen, switchmen, engineers, locomotive hostlers/helpers), dispatching employees who issue mandatory directives (e.g., train dispatchers, control operators), and signal employees who inspect, repair or maintain signal systems. Many regulated service contractors must also comply with CFR Part 219.