FTA to increase random drug testing rate next month

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on Jan. 1 will increase the minimum rate of random drug testing from 25 percent to 50 percent of covered employees for employers that are subject to the agency's drug and alcohol regulation.

The agency recently announced the increase in a Federal Register notice and "Dear Colleague" letter. The change is due to an increase in the industry's "positive rate" as reflected in random drug test data for 2017, FTA officials said in a notice on the agency's website.

FTA requires that employers and their contracts that receive FTA financial assistance implement programs designed to help prevent accidents, injuries and fatalities resulting from misuse of alcohol and use of prohibited drugs by employees who serve in safety-sensitive functions.

On Dec. 18, the FTA will host a webinar to discuss the testing rate increase. Advance registration, which is required, can be done via this link.