Pipeline Safety: Drug Testing; Random Testing Rate

Summary: Each year, pipeline operators randomly select employees to test for prohibited drugs. The number of employees selected may not be less than the minimum annual percentage rate the Research and Special Programs Administration's (RSPA) Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) determines, which is either 50 percent or 25 percent of covered employees based on the industry's positive rate of random tests. In accordance with applicable standards, RSPA/OPS has determined that the positive rate of random drug tests reported by operators this year for testing done in calendar year 2002 is less than 1.0 percent. Therefore, in calendar year 2004, the minimum annual percentage rate for random drug testing is 25 percent of covered employees.