PHMSA Advisory Bulletin on Post Accident Drug and Alcohol Testing
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued an Advisory Bulletin concerning its regulations in Part 199 requiring pipeline operators and operators of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities to conduct post-accident drug and alcohol tests of covered employees. Within the mandated timelines after a reportable pipeline accident or incident, operators must drug and alcohol test each covered employee whose performance either contributed to the accident or cannot be completely discounted as a contributing factor to the accident or incident. Operators must make the determination of employee contribution to the accident or incident promptly to meet the timelines for testing required by the regulations. This was further emphasized by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its report of the September 9, 2010, incident in San Bruno, California. Dated February 23, 2012. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-02-23/html/2012-4157.htm