DOT adjusts its drug testing program

Effective Jan. 1, 2018, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will expand its drug testing panel to include certain semi-synthetic opioids (i.e., hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone) for DOT-regulated industries, including railroads.
According to DOT officials, this recent change to expand its drug testing panel is a “direct effort to enhance safety, prevent opioid abuse and combat the nation’s growing opioid epidemic.”
The DOT currently requires drug testing of safety-sensitive employees in the transportation industries. BNSF employees who are subject to random DOT drug and alcohol testing include TYE crews and employees in maintenance of way, signal, dispatching, yardmaster positions or drivers who maintain a commercial driver’s license.
BNSF conducts a variety of drug testing in accordance with federal and state statutes and regulations, as well as BNSF policy and rules. In addition to drug testing mandated by the DOT, BNSF has exercised its authority to test in certain circumstances. For example, any BNSF employee is subject to testing if they are at fault in a motor vehicle accident in a BNSF owned, leased or rented vehicle.
Other reminders separate from above, but related: BNSF has recently published the Fitness for Duty Restriction of Medications, which places restrictions on certain medications for employees performing safety sensitive duties. In addition, please remember that in accordance with the Use of Alcohol and Drug Policy, a prescription is valid only if the prescription order was issued within the last 12 months.017
Effective Jan. 1, 2018, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will expand its drug testing panel to include certain semi-synthetic opioids (i.e., hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone) for DOT-regulated industries, including railroads.
According to DOT officials, this recent change to expand its drug testing panel is a “direct effort to enhance safety, prevent opioid abuse and combat the nation’s growing opioid epidemic.”

The DOT currently requires drug testing of safety-sensitive employees in the transportation industries. BNSF employees who are subject to random DOT drug and alcohol testing include TYE crews and employees in maintenance of way, signal, dispatching, yardmaster positions or drivers who maintain a commercial driver’s license.
BNSF conducts a variety of drug testing in accordance with federal and state statutes and regulations, as well as BNSF policy and rules. In addition to drug testing mandated by the DOT, BNSF has exercised its authority to test in certain circumstances. For example, any BNSF employee is subject to testing if they are at fault in a motor vehicle accident in a BNSF owned, leased or rented vehicle.
Other reminders separate from above, but related: BNSF has recently published the Fitness for Duty Restriction of Medications, which places restrictions on certain medications for employees performing safety sensitive duties. In addition, please remember that in accordance with the Use of Alcohol and Drug Policy, a prescription is valid only if the prescription order was issued within the last 12 months.