Opinion ID: 1702773
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Federal Drug Testing in General

Text: ¶ 21. An employee who is, for example, randomly selected for testing reports to a Department of Transportation-compliant collection site, 49 C.F.R. § 40.3, and provides a urine specimen. 49 C.F.R. § 40.25. [1] After the employee produces a specimen, the collector takes it and, while in the employee's presence, pours at least 30 mL from the collection container to another bottle which will be the primary specimen and pours at least 15 mL into another bottle which will be the split specimen. 49 C.F.R. § 40.25(f)(10)(ii)(B)(1). ¶ 22. Both specimens are then shipped to a DOT-compliant drug testing laboratory which initially tests the primary specimen for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and phensyblidine (PCP). 49 C.F.R. § 40.29. If the initial test returns a negative result, the test is complete; however, if the initial test returns positive, a confirmation test is conducted. Id. [2] ¶ 23. The results of the testing of the primary specimen are reported to the Medical Review Officer (MRO), a licensed physician, 49 C.F.R. § 40.3, whose responsibility, among other things, is to review and interpret confirmed positive test results.... 49 C.F.R. § 40.33(b)(3). If the MRO receives a confirmed positive result, he must contact the employee directly prior to verification to determine whether the employee wants to discuss the result and inform the employee that the test will be verified as positive if he declines to do so. 49 C.F.R. § 40.33(c)(2). If the confirmed positive result is for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, and/or PCP, the MRO must allow the employee to present information concerning a legitimate explanation for the confirmed positive test. 49 C.F.R. § 40.33(c)(6). Also, the MRO shall notify each employee who has a confirmed positive test that the employee has 72 hours in which to request a test of the split specimen. 49 C.F.R. § 40.33(f)(1). In the event the employee does in fact request testing of the split specimen, the split specimen is sent to a second laboratory for testing. Id. ¶ 24. For federal purposes, the practical effect of a confirmed test result is that the employee is prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions. An employee is not eligible to drive again until he completes the Return-to-Duty Process with a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). 49 C.F.R. § 382.605. The SAP's duties are, among other things, to make a clinical assessment and evaluation of the employee, refer the employee to an education or treatment program, and conduct a follow-up evaluation to determine the employee's participation in treatment programs and compliance with recommendations. Id. ¶ 25. In the instant case, Burton received notification from Lori Hale that he tested positive for marijuana. The Results of Controlled Substance Test form states that Burton's MRO was Dr. Chris Schwartz. There is no indication that the MRO contacted Burton directly or informed Burton that he had 72 hours to request testing of his split specimen as required by 49 C.F.R. § 40.33(c)(2). [3]