[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 247 (Thursday, December 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 71334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34054]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Safe Use of Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drugs
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of safety advisory.
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SUMMARY: FRA issues Safety Advisory 98-3 to address recommended
practices for the safe use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs
by safety-sensitive railroad employees.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lamar Allen, Alcohol and Drug Program
Manager, Office of Safety Assurance and Compliance, Operating Practices
Division, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Avenue, NW,
RRS-11, Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 20590, (Telephone: (202) 493-6313)
or Patricia V. Sun, Trial Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel, FRA, 1120
Vermont Avenue, NW, RCC-11, Mail Stop 10, Washington, DC 20590,
(Telephone: (202) 493-6060).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FRA issues this advisory in support of DOT's
efforts to ensure that transportation employees safely use prescription
and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Safe rail operations depend upon
alert and fully functional professionals who have not been adversely
affected by drug use, whether medically appropriate (``legal'') or not.
FRA has always prohibited illicit drug use and unauthorized use of
controlled substances by safety-sensitive employees, but is equally
concerned about the potentially adverse side effects from other
prescription drugs and OTC products. Because DOT and FRA testing
(including FRA's post-accident program) targets only alcohol and
controlled substances, FRA does not have a clear picture of the extent
to which the performance of safety-sensitive employees is adversely
affected by legal drug use.
Accordingly, although not specifically addressed in its alcohol and
drug testing regulations (49 CFR part 219), FRA strongly recommends
that rail employers and safety-sensitive employees follow Sec. 219.103
guidelines when considering the use of all prescription and OTC drugs.
Simply stated, in the interest of safety, FRA strongly recommends that
either a treating medical professional or a railroad-designated
physician make a fitness-for-work determination concerning all
prescription and OTC drug use prior to permitting an employee to return
to work in safety sensitive service. This determination should also be
made whenever an employee currently performing safety-sensitive
functions is concerned about possible effects on his or her job
performance from the use of prescription or OTC drugs.
Section 219.103(b) authorizes railroads to establish reporting and
approval procedures for all prescription and OTC drugs which may have
detrimental effects on safety. Additionally, FRA recommends that
railroads educate their employees on these reporting and approval
procedures and, most importantly, on how to use prescription and OTC
medications safely.
FRA will take all appropriate action to continue reducing the
negative impact from inappropriate use of all prescription and OTC
medications. Moreover, FRA strongly encourages the rail industry to
voluntarily develop programs on safe prescription and OTC drug use
before such programs are mandated or directed through legislation.
Issued in Washington, D.C., on December 16, 1998.
George Gavalla,
Acting Associate Administrator for Safety.
[FR Doc. 98-34054 Filed 12-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
