In This Issue

Pipeline Drug Testing; Random Testing Rate

Each year pipeline operators randomly select employees to test for prohibited drugs. The number of selections may not be less than the minimum annual percentage rate determined by OPS, either 50 percent or 25 percent of covered employees, based on the industry’s positive rate of random tests. Using the MIS reports received this year for drug testing done in calendar year 2001, OPS has calculated the positive rate of random testing to be 0.6 percent. Since the positive rate continues to be less than 1.0 percent, OPS has announced that the minimum annual percentage rate for random drug testing is 25 percent of covered employees for the period January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2003.

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 buck.furrow@rspa.dot.gov.