[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 13 (Friday, January 18, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2611-2612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-261]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Part 199

[Docket RSPA-97-2995; Notice 9]


Pipeline Drug Testing; Random Testing Rate

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of random drug testing rate.

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SUMMARY: Each year, a minimum percentage of covered pipeline employees 
must be randomly tested for prohibited drugs. The percentage, either 50 
percent or 25 percent, depends on the positive rate of random testing 
reported to RSPA in the previous year. In accordance with applicable 
standards, we have determined that the positive rate of random testing 
reported this year for testing in calendar year 2000 was less than 1.0 
percent. Therefore, in calendar year 2002, the minimum annual 
percentage rate for random drug testing is 25 percent of covered 
employees.

DATES: Effective January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2002, at least 
25 percent of covered employees must be randomly drug tested.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: L. M. Furrow by phone at 202-366-4559, 
by fax at 202-366-4566, by mail at U.S. Department of Transportation, 
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590, or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Operators of gas, hazardous liquid, and 
carbon dioxide pipelines and operators of liquefied natural gas 
facilities must annually submit Management Information System (MIS) 
reports of drug testing done in the previous calendar year (49 CFR 
199.119(a)). One of the uses of this information is to calculate the 
minimum annual percentage rate at which operators must randomly drug 
test all covered employees during the next calendar year (49 CFR 
199.105(c)(2)). If the minimum annual percentage rate for random drug 
testing is 50 percent, we may lower the rate to 25 percent if we 
determine that the positive rate reported for random tests for two 
consecutive calendar years is less than 1.0 percent (49 CFR 
199.105(c)(3)). If the minimum annual percentage rate is 25 percent, we 
will increase the rate to 50 percent if we determine that the positive 
rate reported for random tests for any calendar year is equal to or 
greater than 1.0 percent (49 CFR 199.105(c)(4)). Part 199 defines 
``positive rate'' as ``the number of positive results for random drug 
tests * * * plus the number of refusals of random tests * * *, divided 
by the total number of random drug tests * * * plus the number of 
refusals of random tests. * * *''
    Through calendar year 1996, the minimum annual percentage rate for 
random drug testing in the pipeline industry was 50 percent of covered 
employees. Based on MIS reports of random testing done in 1994 and 
1995, we lowered the minimum rate from 50 to 25 percent for calendar 
year 1997 (61 FR 60206--November 27, 1996). The minimum rate remained 
at 25 percent in calendar years 1998 (62 FR 59297--Nov. 3, 1997); 1999 
(63 FR 58324--Oct. 30, 1998); 2000 (64 FR 66788--Nov. 30, 1999), and 
2001 (65 FR 81409--Dec. 26, 2000).

[[Page 2612]]

    Using the MIS reports received this year for drug testing done in 
calendar year 2000, we calculated the positive rate of random testing 
to be 0.6 percent. Since the positive rate continues to be less than 
1.0 percent, we are announcing that the minimum annual percentage rate 
for random drug testing is 25 percent of covered employees for the 
period January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2002.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 5103, 60102, 60104, 60108, 60117, and 
60118; 49 CFR 1.53.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 31, 2001.
Stacey L. Gerard,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 02-261 Filed 1-17-02; 8:45 am]
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