[Federal Register: November 30, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 229)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 66788]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30no99-25]                         


[[Page 66788]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

49 CFR Part 199

[Docket RSPA-97-2995; Notice 7]

 
Control of Drug Use and Alcohol Misuse in Natural Gas, Liquefied 
Natural Gas, and Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Operations; Alcohol Misuse 
Prevention Program

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

ACTION: Notice of revision of random drug testing.

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SUMMARY: RSPA has received and evaluated the 1999 Management 
Information System (MIS) Data Collection forms for the drug testing 
pipeline industry personnel. RSPA determined that the random positive 
drug testing rate for pipeline industry for the period of January 1, 
1998, through December 31, 1998, was 0.7 percent. Therefore, the 
minimum random drug testing rate for the pipeline industry will be 
maintained at 25 percent of the covered employees for the period of 
January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2000.

DATES: Effective January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catrina M. Pavlik, Office of Pipeline 
Safety, Compliance and State Programs, (DPS-23), Research and Special 
Programs Administration, 400 7th Street SW., Room 7128, Washington, DC 
20590, telephone (202) 366-6199.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a final rule published on December 23, 
1993 (58 FR 68257), RSPA announced that it would require operators of 
gas, hazardous liquid and carbon dioxide pipelines and liquefied 
natural gas facilities, who are subject to 49 CFR parts 192, 193 and 
195 to implement, maintain, and submit an annual report of their drug 
testing program data. Any operator with 51 or more covered employees 
had to submit this information on an annual basis. Operators with 50 or 
fewer covered employees had to maintain this information, and RSPA 
randomly selected 100 operators in this category to submit their data. 
The drug testing statistical data was essential for RSPA to use the 
data to analyze its current approach to deterring and detecting illegal 
drug abuse in the pipeline industry, and, as appropriate, plan a more 
efficient and effective approach. In 1997, RSPA lowered the random drug 
testing rate to 25 percent. Since the positive random testing rate 
continues to be less than 1 percent industry-wide, RSPA announces that 
in accordance with Section 199.11(c)(3) the minimum random drug testing 
rate is 25 percent of covered pipeline employees for the period of 
January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2000.
    Submission of MIS reports are due to the Office of Pipeline Safety, 
Research and Special Programs Administration, DPS-23, Room 7128, 400 
7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20590, not later than March 15 each 
calendar year. Notice of statistical data will be published in the 
future to report results of each calendar year's MIS Data Collection 
results. RSPA will also publish at that time whether or not the random 
rate will be reduced or increased for the pipeline industry pursuant to 
Section 199.11.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 23, 1999.
Richard B. Felder,
Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety.
[FR Doc. 99-30985 Filed 11-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P