Burnley to Propose Wider Drug Testing

Transportation Secretary James H. Burnley IV said Thursday he will propose that companies doing business with his department conduct random drug testing of employees in security or safety-related jobs.

In a letter to 200 companies that have contracts with the department, Burnley said he soon would propose a regulation requiring them to conduct tests of “employees who have safety or security-related responsibilities” and “can endanger the lives of other people if they use drugs.”

Among the workers affected by the new rule would be those who service aircraft and ships, inspect rail tracks and maintain air traffic control systems.