HomeMy WebLinkAbout96-002RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
BUTTE COUNTY POLICY FOR TESTING FOR ALCOHOL MISUSE
AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES USE
WFIEREAS, effective January 1, 1995, the County of Butte must comply with the United
States Department of Transportation regulations implementing the Federal Omnibus Transportation
Employee Testing Act of 1991, by adoption of a policy to implement a program of testing for alcohol
misuse and controlled substance use by employees with commercial driver's licenses.
WHEREAS, the County staffhas developed such a policy and has rnet and conferred with the
representatives of the affected employee associations regarding the implementation of the policy;
WHEREAS, a complete copy of the policy is attached;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of the County of
Butte, State of California, to adopt the attached Butte County Policy for Testing for Alcohol Misuse
and Controlled Substances Use.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Butte this
9th day of .Ianuary , 1996, by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Meyer, Dolan, Houx, Thomas and Chair McLaughlin
NOES: None
ABSENT: Nano
NOT VOTING: None
EDWARD MCLAUGHLIN;; hairman of the
Board of Supervisors
ATTEST:
JOHN BLACKLOCK, Clerk of the
Board of Supervisors
BY: ~ ~ ~ .
COUNTY OF BUTTE POLICY FOR TESTING FOR ALCOHOL MISUSE
AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES USE
Effective January 1, 1995, the County of Butte {County) must comply with the United States
Department of Transportation regulations implementing the Federal Omnibus Transportation
Employee Testing Act of 1991. Specifically, the County must comply with the regulations of the
Federal Highway Administration (FHVVA). Adoption of a policy to implement a program of testing
for alcohol misuse and controlled substance use by employees with commercial driver's licenses is one
of the County's obligations under these regulations. Such program is intended to help prevent
accidents and injuries resulting from such misuse and use, as well as to reduce the County's liability
for such accidents and injuries.
A. DEFINITIONS. Applicable definitions are found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Parts 49 CFR 382, 49 CFR 40, and 49 CFR 390.5, including:
"Designated County Representative." The Personnel Director ar designated representative(s)
is designated as the County's Drug and Alcohol Testing Coordinator, and shall ensure that the
administration of this policy complies with applicable laws and regulations.
"Accident" means an occurrence involving a commercial motor vehicle operating on a public
road which results in: (1) a fatality; (2) bodily injury to a person who, as a result of the injury,
immediately receives medical treatment away from the scene of the accident; (3) one ar more
motor vehicles incumng disabling damage as a result of the accident, requiring the vehicle to
be transported away from the scene by a tow truck or other vehicle. (390.5)
"Alcohol" means the intoxicating agent in beverage alcohol, ethyl alcohols or other low
molecular weight alcohols including methyl and isopropyl alcohol. (382.101)
"Alcohol use" means the consumption of any beverage, mixture, or preparation, including any
medication, containing alcohol. (382.107)
"BAT" means Breath Alcohol Technician.
"Controlled substances" (herein also referred to as "drugs") for which testing is required
under the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act are: marijuana, cocaine,
amphetamines, opiates (including heroin), and phencyclidine (PCP). (40.21)
"Commercial motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used
in commerce to transport passengers or property of the motor vehicle: (1) has a gross
combination rating of 26,001 or more pounds; (2) has a gross combination weight rating of
26,001 or more pounds inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more
than 10,000 pounds; (3) is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver;
or (4) is of any size and is used to in the transportation of materials which require the motor
vehicle to be placarded under Hazardous Materials Regulations. (382.107)
"Driver" means any person who operates a commercial motor vehicle, including but not
limited to: employees in budgeted positions, extra-help employees, leased drivers. For
purposes of pre-employment/pre-duty testing only, the term "driver" includes a person
applying for employment to a position that requires the person to drive a commercial motor
vehicle. (382.107}
"EAP" means Employee Assistance Program.
"EBT" means Evidential Breath Testing device.
"Performing asafety-sensitive function" means an employee is considered to be performing
a safety-sensitive function during any period in which s/he is actually performing, ready to
perform, or immediately available to perform any safety-sensitive functions. (382.107)
"Safety-sensitive function" means any of the following on-duty functions: (1) all time at a
carrier or shipper plant, terminal, facility, or other property, waiting to be dispatched, unless
the employee has been relieved from duty by the employer; (2) all time inspecting, servicing,
or conditioning any commercial motor vehicle (CMV) at any time; (3) all time spent at the
driving controls of a commercial motor vehicle; (4} all time, other than driving time, spent on
or in a commercial motor vehicle; (5) all time loading or unloading a CMV, supervising, or
assisting in the loading or unloading, attending a vehicle being loaded or unloaded, remaining
in readiness to operate a CMV, or in giving or receiving receipts for shipments loaded or
unloaded; (6) all time spent performing the driver requirements associated with an accident;
(7) all time repairing, obtaining assistance, or remaining in attendance upon a disabled vehicle;
(8) all time spent providing a breath sample or urine specimen, including travel time to and
from the collection site, in order to comply with the random, reasonable suspicion, post-
accident, or follow-up testing required by Parts 382 of 49 Code of Federal Regulations.
(382.107 and 395.2)
"Employee" means an individual defined by Department of Transportation Regulations as
subject to controlled substances andlor alcohol testing --- i.e., a "driver" as defined herein
(other than an applicant for employment) performing a "safety-sensitive function," (40.3)
An employee covered by this Policy is considered to be performing safety-sensitive functions
unless said employee: (1) is on approved leave from work; or (2) is specifically assigned other
functions away from the work site(s)/facility(ies) where safety-sensitive functions are
performed.
"Refuse to submit" (to an alcohol or controlled substance test) means an employee: { 1) fails
to provide adequate breath for testing without a valid medical explanation after slhe has
received notice of the requirement for breath testing (i.e., a copy of this policy}; (2) fails to
provide adequate urine for controlled substances testing without a valid medical explanation
after s/he has received notice of the requirement for urine testing (i.e., a copy of this policy);
or {3) engages in conduct that clearly obstructs the testing process. (382.107)
"Refusals to test" means: (a) refusal by an employee to complete and sign Part 2 of the Breath
alcohol testing form, to provide breath, to provide an adequate amount of breath, or
otherwise to cooperate in the testing process in a way that prevents the completion of the test.
(40.67)
"Screening test" means, in alcohol testing, the analytical procedure to determine whether an
employee may have a prohibited concentration of alcohol in his/her system. In controlled
substance testing, "screening test" means an immunoassay screen to eliminate "negative" urine
specimens from further consideration.
"Confirmation test" for alcohol testing means a second test, following a screening test with
a result of 0.02 or greater, that provided quantitative data of alcohol concentration.
"Confirmation test" for controlled substance testing means a second analytical procedure to
identify the presence of a specific drug or metabolite which is independent of the screening
test and which uses the GC/MS (gas chromatographytmass spectrometry) test to ensure
reliability and accuracy. (3 82.107)
"Medical Review Officer" (NIRO) means a licensed physician (medical doctor or doctor of
osteopathy) approved by the County who is responsible for receiving laboratory results
generated by a testing program who has knowledge of substance abuse disorders and has
appropriate medical training to interpret and evaluate an individual 's confirmed positive test
results together with his/her medical history and any other relevant biomedical information.
(See AttachmenC B to this Policy.) (40.3)
"Substance Abuse Professional" (SAP) means an individual approved by the County who is
licensed in accordance with Section 383.1.07 of the Code of Federal Regulations and who has
knowledge of and clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol and controlled
substances related disorders. (See Attachment B to this Policy.) (382.107)
B. CLASSIFICATIONS COVERED. Extra-help, provisional and permanent employees and
employees in budgeted positions in the classifications listed in Attachment A are subject to
drug and alcohol testing as outlined in this policy and federal regulations.
C. PROHIBITIONS. As used in this Part (C), "on duty" includes all time spent providing
samples or specimens, including travel time to and from the collection site, in order to comply
with the required random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, or follow-up testing. "On
duty" shall not include any time spent in pre-employment testing or return-to-duty testing.
(392.5 (8) )
1. No employee shall perform safety-sensitive functions within four hours after using
alcohol. No supervisor or manager having actual knowledge that an employee has used
alcohol within. four hours shall permit an employee to perform or continue to perform
safety- sensitive functions. (382.207)
2. No employee shall report to duty or remain on duty requiring the performance of safety-
sensitive functions while having an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater. However,
an employee whose alcohol test indicates an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or greater but
less than 0.04, must not perform or continue to perform any safety-sensitive functions
for a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours. No supervisor or manager having actual
knowledge that an employee has an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or greater shall permit
the employee to perform or continue to perform safety-sensitive functions. No
disciplinary action pursuant to this policy as set forth in Section I may be taken against
3
an employee based solely on test results showing an alcohol concentration of less than
0.04. However, this does not prohibit the County form taking disciplinary actionrn such
circumstance independent of Section I consistent with independent authority. (382.201)
No employee shall be on duty or operate a commercial motor vehicle while the employee
possesses alcohol. No manager or supervisor having actual knowledge that an employee
possesses alcohol may permit the employee to drive or continue to drive a commercial
motor vehicle. (382.204)
4. No employee shall use alcohol while performing safety-sensitive functions. No manager
or supervisor having actual knowledge that an employee is using alcohol while
performing safety-sensitive functions shall permit the employee to perform or continue
to perform safety-sensitive functions. (382.205)
When circumstances are such that a employee is required to take apost-accident alcohol
test, that employee shall. not use alcohol far eight hours following the accident, or until
s/he has undergone apost-accident alcohol test, whichever occurs first. (382.209)
6. No employee shall report for duty or remain on duty requiring the performance of safety-
sensitive functions when the employee uses any controlled substance, except when the
use is pursuant to the instructions of a physician who has advised the employee in writing
that the substance does not adversely affect the employee's ability to safely operate a
commercial motor vehicle. No manager or supervisor having actual knowledge that an
employee has used a controlled substance shall permit the employee to perform or
continue to perform asafety-sensitive function. (382.213)
7. No employee shall refuse to submit to the following required alcohol or controlled
substance tests: random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, follow-up testing. No
supervisor or manager shall permit an employee who refuses to submit to such tests to
perform or continue to perform safety-sensitive functions. (382.211)
No employee shall report for duty, remain on duty or perform asafety-sensitive function
if the employee tests positive for controlled substances. No manager or supervisor
having actual knowledge that an employee has tested positive for controlled substances
shall permit the employee to perform or continue to perform safety-sensitive functions.
(382.215)
D. t'IRCUMSTANCES FOR TESTING. An employee may be directed to undergo random,
follow-up, reasonable suspicion or post-accident alcohol testing while the employee is
performing safety-sensitive functions, just before the employee is to perform safety sensitive
functions, or just after the employee has ceased performing such functions.
Under no circumstances will an employee who is tested as positive under this Policy be
permitted to drive any vehicle, including his/her personal vehicle. County personnel shall
transport any employee that tests positive to his/her residence or other appropriate destination
after the test.
Employees and applicants for employment subject to this policy are required to be tested
under the following circumstances:
"Pre-employment" testing.
a. No applicant shall be appointed or assigned to any covered position that performs
safety sensitive functions unless s/he has been administered an alcohol test with a
result indicating a alcohol concentration less than 0.02, and has received a
controlled substance test result from the MRO indicating a verified negative test
result. (382.301)
b. Only those applicants wha have been selected for possible appointment shall be
tested. Whenever possible, the testing shall be in conjunction with or part of the
pre-employment physical examination process.
c. Pre-employment (or post jab offer} drug and alcohol tests will be conducted when
an applicant is considered for appointment to an extra-help, provisional or
permanent position in a class listed in this policy. Applicants who refuse to submit
to testing or who do not have a verified negative test will not be hired and are not
entitled to a second test or re-test of the specimen.
The Designated County Representative shall notify an unsuccessful applicant of the
results of apre-employment controlled substance test, if the applicant requests such
results, within 60 calendar days of being notified of the disposition of the
employment application. (324.411)
d. Drug and alcohol tests will be conducted when a current County employee transfers
from a position not covered by this policy to a position in a job class listed in this
policy. Non-covered employees requesting transfer into a position requiring drug
testing who test positive may, upon request, have their specimen retested pursuant
to Part K of this Policy.
The Designated County Representative shall make reasonable efforts to contact and
request each applicant or employee who submitted a specimen, to contact and
discuss the results of the controlled substance test with the MRO who has been
unable to contact the applicant. The Designated County Representative shall
immediately notify the MRO that the applicant or employee has been notified to
contact the MRO within 24 hours. (382.411)
f. Any employee who transfers from a permanent position covered by this policy to
another permanent position covered by this policy does not require testing.
2. Random testing.
a. All employees covered by this policy are subject to unannounced testing based on
random selection.(382.305)
b. To assure that the selection. process is random, all employees covered by this policy
will be placed in a common pool consisting of all such employees within the County.
(382.305)
c. The random selection procedure may be a computer-based number generator, or by
a combination of computer based number generator and random number tables, that
is matched with County identification numbers of all employees in the pool. Under
the selection process used, each covered employee shall have an equal chance of
being tested each time selections are made. {382.305)
d. The random testing rate far controlled substances will be a 50°lo annualized rate,
unless the FF3WA Administrator publishes in the Federal Register a new applicable
annual percentage rate for a calendar year. {382.305)
e. The random testing rate for alcohol will be a 25°lo annualized rate, unless the
FHWA Administrator publishes in the Federal Register a new applicable annual
percentage rate for a calendar year. {382.305)
f. To ensure that the required minimum number of random tests are made during a
year, when an employee selected is absent from work, an alternate randomly
selected employee will be made. When the absent employee who was originally,
randomly selected for testing for controlled substances returns to work, sthe will be
tested.
3. Post-accident testing.
a. As soon as practical following an accident involving a commercial motor vehicle,
each surviving employee shall be tested for alcohol and controlled substances: (1)
who was performing safety-sensitive functions with respect to the vehicle, if the
accident involved the loss of human life; or (2) who receives a citation under State
or local law for a moving traffic violation arising from the accident. This provision
applies to the operator of the vehicle and to any other covered employees whose
performance could have contributed to the accident. (382.303)
b. The results of a breath or blood test for the use of alcohol or a urine test for the use
of controlled substances which is conducted by State or local law enforcement
officials may be substituted for required County post-accident testing, provided such
tests conform to applicable laws regarding those tests. However, neither the
employee or the supervisorlmanager should assume that such test results will be
available, and should ensure that the required tests are obtained under this Policy.
(382.303)
c. An employee who is subject to past-accident testing shall remain readily available
for such testing or the employee may be deemed to have refused to submit to
testing. Such employee may leave the scene of an accident only for the following
reasons: (1} to obtain necessary emergency medical care; (2) to obtain necessary
medical attention for persons injured in the accident; or (3) to obtain assistance in
6
responding to the accident. However, the employee is expected to notify his/her
supervisor or manager at the earliest possible time, and to make him/herself
available for testing as soon as possible.
The employee shall be transported to the collection site whenever possible by a
County supervisor, manager or other designated department employee. Under no
circumstances shall an employee requiring post-accident testing be permitted to
drive any vehicle. A County supervisor, manager or other designated department
employee shall transport the employee to hisll-er residence or other appropriate
destination after the test.
d. An alcohol test should be administered within two hours following the accident.
Such test will normally be the breath alcohol test. When an evidential breath testing
device (EBT) is not readily available for both screening and confirmation tests,
blood alcohol testing shall be used for both. tests as allowed under Part 40 of the
Cade of Federal Regulations. When an EBT is readily available for the screening
test but an EBT suitable for confirmation testing is not readily available, blood
alcohol testing shall be used for confirmation test purposes as allowed under Part
40 of the Code of Federal Regulations. When an employee attempts and fails to
provide an adequate amount of breath, blood alcohol testing may be used for both
screening and confirmation purposes as allowed under Part 40 of the Code of
Federal Regulations. (382.303; 40.71)
If the test is not administered within two hours, a record stating the reasons the test
was not promptly administered shall be prepared and maintained on file. If the test
is not administered within 8 hours, attempts to administer an alcohol test shall cease
and a report prepared and maintained on file. (382.303)
e. If a controlled substance test is not administered within 32 hours following the
accident, a record stating the reasons the test was not promptly administered shall
be prepared and maintained on file. (382.303)
4. Reasonable suspicion testing.
The required observations for alcohol andtor controlled substances reasonable
suspicion testing shall be made by a supervisor or manager who is trained in
accordance with Part F of this Policy. Whenever possible, a second trained
supervisor or manager will be consulted prior to determining reasonable suspicion
exists. The person making the determination that reasonable suspicion exists shall
not conduct the alcohol test of the employee. (382.307)
b. The employees shall be transported to the collection site by a County supervisor,
manager or other designated department employee. Under no circumstances shall
an employee requiring reasonable suspicion testing be permitted to drive any
vehicle. A County supervisor, manager or other designated department employee
shall transport the employee to his/her residence or other appropriate destination
after the test.
A covered employee shall submit to an alcohol test when a supervisor or manager
who is trained in accordance with Part F of this Policy has reasonable suspicion to
believe that individual has violated a prohibition in part C of this Policy. Whenever
passible, a second trained supervisor or manager will be consulted prior to
determining reasonable suspicion exists The determination that reasonable suspicion
exists must be based on specific, contemporaneous, articulable observations
concerning the appearance, behavior, speech or body odors of the employee. An
employee may be directed to undergo reasonable suspicion alcohol testing only if
the required observations are made during, just preceding, or just after the employee
is performing safety-sensitive functions. (382.307)
If the reasonable suspicion alcohol test is not administered within two hours, a
record stating the reasons the test was not promptly administered shall be prepared
and maintained on file. If the test is not administered within 8 hours, attempts to
administer an alcohol test shall cease and a report prepared and maintained on file.
{382.307)
Notwithstanding the absence of a reasonable suspicion alcohol test, no employee
shall report for duty or remain on duty requiring the performance of safety-sensitive
functions while the employee is under the influence of or impaired by alcohol, as
shown by the behavioral, speech and performance indicators of alcohol misuse, nor
shall the employee be permitted to perform or continue to perform safety-sensitive
functions until: (1) an alcohol test is administered and the employee's alcohol
concentration measures less than 0.02; or (2) 24 hours have elapsed following the
determination that there is reasonable suspicion that the employee has violated a
prohibition in Part C of the Policy concerning the use of alcohol. (382.307)
d. A covered employee shall submit to an alcohol or controlled substance test when
a supervisor or manager has reasonable suspicion to believe that the employee has
violated the prohibition specified in Part C of this Policy. The determination that
reasonable suspicion exists must be based on specific, contemporaneous, articulable
observations concerning the appearance, behavior, speech or body odors of the
employee, and the observations may include indications of the chronic and
withdrawal effects of controlled substances. (382.307)
A written record shall be made of the observations leading to an alcohol or
controlled substance reasonable suspicion test, and signed by the supervisor or
manager who made the observations, within 24 hours of the observed behavior or
before the results of the controlled substances tests are released, whichever is
earlier. (382.307)
5. Return to duty testing.
a. Before an employee returns to duty requiring the performance of asafety-sensitive
function after engaging in conduct prohibited by Part C of this Policy concerning
alcohol, the employee shall undergo areturn-to-duty alcohol test with a result
indicating an alcohol concentration of less than 0,02. (383.309)
b. Each employee who engages in conduct prohibited by Part C of this Policy shall be
evaluated by the SAP who shall determine what assistance, if any, the employee
needs in resolving problems associated with alcohol misuse and controlled
substances use. (382.605)
c. Before an employee returns to duty requiring the performance of asafety-sensitive
function after engaging in conduct prohibited by Part C of this Policy concerning
controlled substances, the employee shall undergo areturn-to-duty controlled
substance test with a result indicating a verified negative result for controlled
substance use. (382.309; 382.605))
In addition, each employee identified as needing assistance in resolving problems
with alcohol misuse or controlled substance use shall be evaluated by the SAP at the
employee's own expense to determine that he has properly followed any prescribed
rehabilitation program. (382.605)
d. The County may direct the employee to undergo return-to-duty testing for both
alcohol and controlled substances if the SAP determines that return-to-duty and
follow-up testing for both alcohol and controlled substances is necessary for that
particular employee. (382.605)
6. Follow-up testing.
Following a determination by the SAP that an employee who engaged in conduct
prohibited by Part C of this Policy is in need of assistance in resolving problems with
alcohol misuse and/or use of controlled substances, such. employee is subjected to unan-
nounced follow-up alcohol and/or controlled substance testing as directed by the SAP
after the employee returns to duty. Such tests will be at county expense. The number
and frequency of such tests shall be directed by the SAP and consist of at least 6 tests in
the first 12 months following the employee's return to duty. The County may direct the
employee to undergo follow-up testing for both alcohol and controlled substances if the
SAP determines that follow-up testing for both alcohol and controlled substances is
necessary for that particular employee. Follow-up testing shall not exceed 60 months
from the date of the employee's return to duty. The SAP may terminate the requirement
for follow-up testing at any time after the first six tests have been administered.
(382.311; 382.605)
E. REMOVAL FROM SAFETY-SENSITIVE POSITION
1. No employee shall perform safety-sensitive functions, including driving a commercial
motor vehicle, if the employee has engaged in conduct prohibited by Part C of this
Policy. No supervisor or manager shall permit any employee to perform safety-sensitive
functions, including operating a commercial motor vehicle, if s/he has determined that
the employee has violated this Part (C), (382.501 (a) (b))
9
2. An employee who has engaged in conduct prohibited by Part C of this Policy shall not
perform safety-sensitive functions until the employee has met the evaluation and return-
to-duty testing requirements of Part D of this Policy. The requirement for referral to and
evaluation by the SAP does not apply to pre-employment testing or return-to-duty
testing. (382.503) (382.605)
3. No employee who has been tested under this Policy who is found to have an alcohol
concentration of 0.02 or Beater but less than 0.04 shall perform or continue to perform
safety-sensitive functions, including operating a commercial motor vehicle, until the start
of the employee's next regularly scheduled duty period, but not less than 24 hours
following administration of the test. (382.505)
4. An employee who is removed from asafety-sensitive position may use accrued paid time
off (e.g., compensatory time, administrative leave, vacation time) in accordance with the
provisions of the applicable Memorandum of Understanding or of the Personnel Rules.
An employee who is removed from asafety-sensitive position may also request leave of
absence without pay in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Memorandum
of Understanding or of the Personnel Rules.
When an employee who is removed from asafety-sensitive position as the result of a
positive screening test, and the confirmation test or an employee requested "re-test" yield
a negative test result: (1} the paid leave used by the employee for the period the
employee was removed from the safety-sensitive position shall be restored; (2) the
employee shall receive pay for his/her regularly scheduled hours of work during the
period of leave of absence without pay while removed from the safety-sensitive position.
This provision shall not preclude the County from preceding with any disciplinary action
regarding the employee, up to and including dismissal.
F. SUPERVISORY TRAINING. Every supervisor and manager covered by this policy who
will be responsible for reasonable suspicion determinations will receive the following training:
(a) at least 60 minutes of training of alcohol misuse; and (b) at least sixty minutes of training
on controlled substance use. The training shall cover the physical, behavioral, speech, and
performance indicators of probable alcohol misuse and use of controlled substances.
(Supervisors and management at the level equivalent to Public Works Superintendent and
above shall be trained.) (382.603)
G. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL
1. Each covered employee shall receive educational materials regarding this Policy prior to
the start of alcohol and controlled substances testing and each employee subsequently
hired or transferred into a position requiring driving a commercial motor vehicle shall
receive educational materials regarding this Policy. Each such employee shall sign a
statement certifying that s/he has received the materials. (382.601)
2. Each affected employee organization shall be notified of the availability of this Policy.
(382.601)
10
3. Employees who have questions regarding this policy should contact the designated
County representative through the Butte County Personnel Department.
4. Employees covered by this Policy shall periodically be provided information concerning
the effects of alcohol and controlled substance use on an individual's health, work and
personal life; signs and symptoms of an alcohol or a controlled substances problem; and
available methods of intervening when an alcohol or a controlled substances problem is
suspected, including confrontation, referral to the Employee Assistance Program, or
referral to management. (382.601)
5. For those departments with covered employees, a copy of this Policy and instructions
with respect to post-accident testing shall be placed in each supervisor's and manager's
vehicle, in work areas and other locations as appropriate.
6. Resources available to employees include:
a. Employee Assistance Program (EAP}. Each employee covered by this policy will
receive a copy of the Employee Assistance Program booklet. The phone number
for the Employee Assistance Program is (800) 32?-0801 and will be displayed in
work areas.
b. All health plans available to employees through the County have alcohol and/or
substance abuse treatment coverage. A description of covered services is included
in the summary plan document for each plan. Each plan also has a "800" number
where employees can obtain information on coverage and costs. Far P.E.R.S.
health plans, these number are shown in the PERS "Basic Health Plans" booklet.
c. Other providers of services which provides alcohol and substance abuse treatment
programs which are relatively inexpensive, are listed in the yellow pages of the
phone book. Employees should contact such providers for costs and possible
insurance coverage information.
H. OTRER EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
1. The use of any substance by a covered employee which carries a warning label that
indicates the mental functioning, motor skills, or judgment may be adversely affected
must be reported to supervisory personnel and medical advice should be sought, as
appropriate, before performing safety-sensitive functions.
2. When a covered employee has been prescribed a controlled substance by a physician, the
employee must advise his/her supervisor in writing of such use prior to the performance
of safety sensitive functions, together with a statement from the physician that such use
does not adversely affect the employee's ability to safely operate a commercial motor
vehicle. The written notice must identify the patient's name, prescribed drug, the
quantity/amount to be taken, and the period of authorization. (382.213)
11
3. When an employee has received alcohol or controlled substance testing by a law
enforcement agency following an on-duty accident which requires post-accident testing
(in which there was a fatality or where the employee was cited by the law enforcement
agency), the employee shall provide his supervisor with a copy of the results of that
testing as soon as possible after receipt. (382.303)
4. A covered employee may not identify him herself as unfit for duty after having been
notified of a random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, or follow-up test to avoid the
consequences for a positive test or a refusal to test.
It is the responsibility of the employee to complete any treatment program prescribed by
the SAP, and to comply with return-ta-work and follow-up testing.
6. When an employee is at a collection site or giving a specimen or sample for testing, the
employee shall follow all instructions given by collection site and/or testing personnel
and by County supervisorylmanagement personnel.
7. In the interest of safety to employees, co-workers and the public, if an employee knows
a covered employee is engaging in prohibited conduct under Part C of this Policy (which
requires the employee to be removed from his/her safety-sensitive function), the
employee should report such. conduct to their supervisor or manager.
Any employee who is tested as positive under this Policy shall not drive any vehicle,
including his/her personal vehicle, while on duty.
I. DENIAL OF EMPLOYMENTIDISCIPLINE.
Any applicant for County employment who tampers, alters, substitutes, adulterates,
destroys, attempts to falsify or falsifies any alcohol or controlled substance sample,
specimen, document, report, or memorandum pertaining to a drug or alcohol test shall
be denied employment.
2. Any applicant who interferes with or attempts to interfere with procedures, equipment
or personnel in the course of collecting controlled substance specimens or breath alcohol
testing shall be denied employment.
3. Any applicant who refuses to submit to testing shall be denied employment.
4. Any employee who tampers, alters, substitutes, adulterates, destroys, attempts to falsify
or falsifies any alcohol or controlled substance sample or specimen, document, report,
or memorandum pertaining to a drug or alcohol test shall be subject to disciplinary action
in accordance with County Rules.
Any employee who interferes with or attempts to interfere with the procedures,
equipment or personnel in the course of collecting controlled substance specimens or
alcohol testing samples shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with County
Rules.
6. Any covered employee who refuses to submit to testing shall be terminated.
12
7. Any covered employee who engages in conduct prohibited under Part C of this Policy
shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination, except as provided
in 8, immediately below.
8. When a covered employee undergoes random, reasonable suspicion, or post-accident
alcohol or controlled substances testing and there is a verified positive-result, aone-time
exception may apply in lieu of dismissal provided all of the following conditions are met:
(a) the employee agrees in writing to enter and complete the treatment program specified
by the SAP; (b) the employee attains a verified return-to-work negative test for alcohol
and/or controlled substances; (c) the employee agrees in writing to be subject to
unannounced frequent follow-up testing for up to 60 months after the employee returns
to duty and does not test positive during such testing.
9. Any employee who fails to or refuses to complete the treatment program prescribed by
the SAP shall be terminated.
10. Any employee who has a verified positive return-to-work or after returning to work has
a positive follow-up or random controlled substance test shall be subject to disciplinary
action in accordance with County Rules.
11. Any employee who has a verified return-to-work ar after returning to work has afollow-
up or random alcohol test with a result indicating an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or
greater shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with County Rules.
J. RECORD KEEPINGtRELEASE OF INFORMATION
The County shall maintain records with respect to alcohol and controlled substances
testing as required by applicable Federal regulations. (382.401; 390.31)
2. Except as required by law or expressly authorized or required in applicable regulations,
the County shall not release employee information that is contained in alcohol and
controlled substances testing records. (382.405; 40.81}
An employee is entitled, upon written request, to obtain copies of any records pertaining
to that employee's use of alcohol or controlled substances, including any records related
to his/her alcohol or controlled substances tests. The County shall promptly provide
such records requested by the employee, and charge the employee only for the records
requested. (382.405; 40.81)
The County shall release information regarding an employee's records as directed by the
specific, written consent of the employee to an identified person. Records shall be made
available to a subsequent employer upon receipt of a written request from the former
employee. (382.405; 40.81)
13
The County may disclose alcohol or controlled substances testing information on an
employee to that employee or to the decision maker in a lawsuit, a grievance, or other
proceeding initiated by or on behalf of the employee, and arising from the results of an
alcohol andlor controlled substance test administered under this Policy, or from the
County's determination that the employee engaged in conduct prohibited by Part C of
this Policy, including but not limited to a workers' compensation, unemployment
compensation, or other proceeding relating to a benefit sought by the employee.
(3 82.405; 40.81)
A laboratory with which the County contracts for controlled substance testing shall,
upon written request of an employee, provide access to any retards relating to hislher
drug test and any records relating to the results of any relevant certification, review, or
revocation-of-certification proceedings. A laboratory with which the County contracts
for controlled substance testing shall disclose information related to a positive drug of
an employee to that employee, the County, or the decision maker in a lawsuit, grievance,
or other proceeding initiated by or on behalf of the individual and arising from a certified
positive drug test. (40.35, 40.37)
K. TESTING PROCEDURES. Testing procedures are specified in the attached 49 CFR 40,
including:
Alcohol Misuse.
a. When an employee refuses to complete and sign the breath alcohol testing form, to
provide breath, to provide an adequate amount of breath, or otherwise to cooperate
with the testing process to prevent the complete of the best, the Breath Alcohol
Technician (BAT) shall immediately notify the employer. {40.67)
b. In the event an employee attempts and is unable to provide an adequate breadth
sample in accordance with Section 40.69 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the
County shall direct the employee to obtain, as soon as practical, an evaluation from
a licensed physician who is acceptable to the County concerning the employee's
medical ability to provide an adequate amount of breath. The physician shall
provide a written statement of the basis of hislher conclusions to the employer.
(40.69)
c. As an alternative to the referral and evaluation of the employee for an inadequate
breadth Sample, the County may require the employee to provide a blood alcohol
specimen for test, when permitted by Part 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(40.69)
(1) When the result of a blood alcohol test is an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or
greater, the employer must inform the employee of the test result, and inform
the employee that s/he has ?2 hours in which to request a test of the split
specimen at hislher own expense. if the employee requests a test of the split
specimen within 72 hours, the County shall direct the laboratory to release the
split specimen. for testing by a Department of Health and Human Services
certified laboratory. Action required by applicable Department of
Transportation regulations {e.g., removal from aSafety-sensitive position) is
14
not stayed pending the result of the test of the split specimen. If the result of
the test of the split specimen fails to reconfirm the presence of an alcohol
concentration of 0.04 or greater, the test is invalid. (40.77)
(2) If an employee has not contacted the County within 72 hours, as provided
immediately above, the employee may present to the County information
documenting that serious illness, injury, inability to contact the County, lack
of actual notice of the verified positive test, or other circumstances unavoidably
preventing the employee from timely contacting the County. If the County
concludes that there is a legitimate explanation for the employee's failure to
contact the County within 72 hours, the County shall direct the analysis of the
split specimen be performed. (40.77)
2. Controlled Substance Use.
A MRO shall report to the employer that s/he has made all reasonable efforts to
contact the employee when there is a verified positive test. The employer shall, as
soon as practicable, request the employee to contact the MRO prior to the
employee's next shift or within 24 hours, whichever is earlier. {382.409)
b. The Designated County Representative shall make reasonable efforts to contact and
request each employee whose controlled substances test is verified as positive to
contact the MRO and discuss the results with the MRO who has been unable to
contact the employee. The Designated County Representative shall immediately
notify the MRO that the employee has been notified to contact the NIRO within 24
hours. (3 82.411)
c. When the test result of a primary specimen or of a single specimen is positive, the
employee may request the MRO to have the split sample tested or the single
specimen re-tested in a different DHHS-certified laboratory for presence of the
drug(s) for which a positive result was obtained. Such test or re-test shall be at the
employee's own expense. The MRO shall honor such a request if it is made within
72 hours of the employee having been notified of a verified positive test result.
Action required by applicable Department of Transportation regulations (e.g.,
removal from a safety sensitive position) is not stayed pending the result of the test
of the split sample. If the result of the test of the split specimen fails to reconfirm
the presence of the drug(s) or drug metabolite(s) found in the primary specimen, the
MRO shall cancel. the test. (40.25; 40.33)
d. If an employee has not contacted the MRO within 72 hours (as provided,
immediately above), the employee may present to the MRO information
documenting that serious illness, injury, inability to contact the MRO, lack of actual
notice of the verified positive test, or other circumstances unavoidably preventing
the employee from timely contacting the MRO. If the MRQ concludes that there
is a legitimate explanation for the employee's failure to contact the MRO within 72
hours, the NIRO shall direct the reanalysis of the primary specimen or analysis of the
split specimen, as applicable, be performed. (40.33)
If an employee is unable to provide an adequate urine sample, the MRO shall refer
the individual for a medical evaluation to develop pertinent information concerning
15
whether the individuals inability to provide a specimen is genuine or constitutes a
refusal to test. (For pre-employment testing, the MRO is not required to make such
a referral.) Upon completion of the medical evaluation, the MRO shall report histher
conclusions to the County in writing. The cost of such evaluation and report shall
be borne by the employee. (40.25)
L. COUNTY CONTROL AND ACCESS TO PROPERTY
The County reserves the right to search all areas and property in which the County maintains
control or joint control with an employee in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.
A search of any container for employee property such as desks, cubicles and lockers may be
conducted at any time with the affected employee's prior permission. Otherwise, the County
may notify the appropriate law enforcement agency that an employee may have illegal drugs
in his or her possession or in an area not jointly or fully controlled by the County.
M. VENDORS/CONTRACTORS
Vendors/contractors used by the County to implement this policy are listed on
Attachment B, including their addresses and phone numbers. Attachment B shall be
amended by the County to reflect any such changes in vendors/contractors and the
amended Attachment B shall be made available to the affected employees and employee
associations. Upon request; the County will discuss new vendorslcontractors with
affected employee associations.
2. Each vendor/contractor will perform those duties and responsibilities specified in
applicable Federal regulations. Each vendor/contractor will comply with all methods and
procedures, including reporting and record keeping, of applicable Federal regulations.
N . SEVERABILITY. In the event any provisions of this Policy is declared by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be illegal or unenforceable, that provision shall be null and void, but
such nullification shall not affect any other provisions of this Policy, all of which other
provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
i~
County of Butte Alcohol Misuse and Controlled Substance Use Policy
Attachment A
Road Maintenance Worker I, II, III
Bridge Maintenance Worker I, II, III
Traffic Control Worker I, II, III
Tree TrimmerlClimber I, II
Lead Road Maintenance Worker
Lead Bridge Maintenance Worker
Lead Flood ControUTree Trimmer
Lead Traffic Control Worker
Supervising Road Maintenance Worker
Supervising Bridge Maintenance Worker
Supervising Traffic Control Worker
Superintendent -Flood Control and Drainage Districts
Vehicle Service Worker
Equipment Mechanic
Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Lead FabricatorNVelderlMechanic
Lead Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Supervisor -Fleet Services/Stores Operations
Deputy Director of Weights and Measures
Weights and Measures Inspector I, II, III
Law Enforcement classifications using commercial license
17
County of Butte Alcohol Misuse and Controlled Substance Use Policy
Attachment B
Listed below are vendorslcontractorsuwd by the County of Butte.
1. MEDICAL REVIEW OFFICER (MRO)
Dr. David McKinney
2767 Olive Hwy. Suite 12
Oroville, California 95965
The primary MRO for this policy will be:
(916) 532-8260
2 . SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROFESSIONAL (SAP). The primary SAP for this policy will be:
Dr. David McKinney (916) 532-8260
2767 Olive Hwy. Suite 12
Oroville, California 95965
3 . DRUG TESTING LABORATORY. The primary laboratory for testing of controlled substances
samples will be:
Sierra Nevada Laboratories (916) 899-1027
1405 Magnolia Avenue
Chico, CA
4. DRUG TESTING COLLECTION AGENCY. The primary collection agency for drug sample
collection will be:
Oroville Hospital (916) 533-8500
2767 Olive Hwy.
Oroville, CA 95965
5 . BREATH ALCOHOL TESTING CONTRACTOR. The primary contractor for breath alcohol
testing will be:
Oroville Hospital (916) 533-8500
2767 Olive Hwy.
Oroville, CA 95965
6. BLOOD ALCOHOL COLLECTION CONTRACTOR. The primary contractor for blood
alcohol collection will be:
Oroville Hospital (916) 533-8500
2767 Olive Hwy.
Oroville, CA 95965
18