DOT amends drug and alcohol rules

Amendments to the DOT’s rules that require flight crew, instructors, mechanics and others involved in the operation and maintenance of commercial aircraft to undergo periodic testing for drug and alcohol abuse go into effect on August 1. According to the DOT, key changes include increased protection measures for the employee if an initial test result indicates that a specimen may have been altered or substituted; a plan to make validity testing mandatory; a procedure for employers to remove employees from their jobs temporarily while a test is under review; greater authorization powers to contract services providers; and enhanced training requirements for testing personnel.