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The 8th Edition of NORAC operating rules (NORAC=-Norheast Operating Rules Advisory Committee) which were effective the first of last year 2003, and govern operations on Amtrak, Bay Colony, Canadian Pacific's former D+H, Conrail Shared Assets in NJ + Detroit areas; CSX's former CR lines (tho CSXT is about to implement their own rulebook on those routes very soon, I hear), Genesee & Wyoming, NJTransit, Susquehanna, NS' former CR lines, Providence & Worcester, Reading Blue Mountain & Northern, and SEPTA, plus some associated members (list of 39 roads, including Connecticut Southern, Springfield Terminal, Morristown & Erie). Rule G reads as follows: <<G. Drugs and Alcohol Employees are prohibited from engaging in the following activities while on duty or reporting for duty: 1. Using alcoholic beverages or intoxicants, having them in their possession, or being under their influence. 2. Using or being under the influence of any drug, medication, or other controlled substance - including prescribed medication - that will in any way adversely affect their alertness, coordination, reaction, response or safety. Employees having questions about possible adverse effects of prescribed medication must consult a Company medical officer before reporting for duty. 3. Illegally possessing or selling a drug, narcotic or other controlled substance. An employee may be required to take a breath test and/or provide a urine sample if the Company reasonably suspects violation of this rule. Refusal to comply with this requirement will be considered a violation of this rule and the employee will be promptly removed from service. >> ================================================ [Smoking is covered in Rule H.] For someone like myself, and I consider myself a responsible drinker (I know pretty much when to shut myself off, and I never drink when subject to duty), I consider that the programs of random D+A testing impinge on my personal integrity, in that I accept that I must comply with the Rules if I intend to continue working on the Railroad, including any like Rule G. I accept the legality of random testing nonetheless, especially when validated by court decisions based on the need for the public's safety. For those unawares, since random testing commenced, the amount of 'positive' results has been somewhere near one-fourth of the amount that management anticipated. Kind of like saying that instead of a one percent occurrence rate, only about 0.25% of employees tested were found in violation, and most railroads have standards that are more strict than the US DOT's regulations (and most states' liquor laws) dictate. All in all, we're a pretty safe bunch of people, alcohol- and drug-wise ..... we're not users, in spite of some having been in the past. That doesn't mean that we're not still human beings, subject to human foibles and all ..... but, I'll let my brothers in the BLE and UTU speak to those issues of working out in the field vs. being alert and all. D.D.Perry, train dispatcher Amtrak New England Division Boston CETC
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