Panel Supports Drug Tests for Rail Workers

A House subcommittee approved legislation Wednesday that would require random drug and alcohol testing of the nation’s railroad workers.

By a 13-0 vote, the House transportation, tourism and hazardous materials subcommittee sent the measure to the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Many lawmakers have been calling for drug and alcohol testing since the collision between an Amtrak passenger train and three Conrail locomotives on Jan. 4, 1987, in Chase, Md. The crash killed 16 people and injured 175 others, and two Conrail crewmen have admitted that they had smoked marijuana shortly before the accident.

The bill would require not only random testing, which supporters say would deter alcohol and drug abuse, but also testing after accidents, before hiring, for reasonable cause and as a part of annual physical examinations.

Second Test for Confirmation

Workers who test positive would be given a second, more sophisticated test to confirm the results. If they test positive again, they would be suspended without pay and required to complete rehabilitation programs to keep their jobs. Employees who refuse to take tests would risk being fired.