219.300—Mandatory reasonable suspicion testing.
(a) Requirements.
(1)
A railroad must require a covered employee to submit to an alcohol test when the railroad has reasonable suspicion to believe that the employee has violated any prohibition of subpart B of this part concerning use of alcohol. The railroad's determination that reasonable suspicion exists to require the covered employee to undergo an alcohol test must be based on specific, contemporaneous, articulable observations concerning the appearance, behavior, speech or body odors of the employee.
(2)
A railroad must require a covered employee to submit to a drug test when the railroad has reasonable suspicion to believe that the employee has violated the prohibitions of subpart B of this part concerning use of controlled substances. The railroad's determination that reasonable suspicion exists to require the covered employee to undergo a drug test must be based on specific, contemporaneous, articulable observations concerning the appearance, behavior, speech or body odors of the employee. Such observations may include indications of the chronic and withdrawal effects of drugs.
(b)
(1)
With respect to an alcohol test, the required observations must be made by a supervisor trained in accordance with § 219.11(g). The supervisor who makes the determination that reasonable suspicion exists may not conduct testing on that employee.
(2)
With respect to a drug test, the required observations must be made by two supervisors, at least one of whom is trained in accordance with § 219.11(g).
(c)
Nothing in this section may be construed to require the conduct of alcohol testing or drug testing when the employee is apparently in need of immediate medical attention.
(d)
(1)
If a test required by this section is not administered within two hours following the determination under this section, the railroad must prepare and maintain on file a record stating the reasons the test was not properly administered. If a test required by this section is not administered within eight hours of the determination under this section, the railroad must cease attempts to administer an alcohol test and must state in the record the reasons for not administering the test. Records must be submitted to FRA upon request of the FRA Administrator.