View all text of Subpart M [§ 26.601 - § 26.619]

§ 26.606 - Written policy and procedures.

(a) Licensees and other entities that implement an FFD program under this subpart must ensure that—

(1) A written FFD policy statement is provided to each individual who is subject to the program before the individual is subject to drug and alcohol testing.

(2) The FFD policy statement describes the performance objectives in § 26.23.

(3) The FFD policy statement describes the minimum days off requirements in § 26.205(d)(3) or maximum average work hours requirements in § 26.205(d)(7).

(4) The FFD policy statement must be written in sufficient detail to provide affected individuals with information on what is expected of them and what consequences may result from a lack of adherence to the policy, including those elements described in paragraph (b) of this section, sanctions required under this part, and required medical/clinical treatment and follow-up testing for FFD policy violations.

(5) The FFD policy statement describes the individual's responsibilities to report for work in a physiological and psychological condition that enables the safe and competent performance of assigned duties and responsibilities and inform a licensee- or other entity-designated representative when the individual determines that this cannot be accomplished.

(6) The FFD policy statement must prohibit the consumption of alcohol, at a minimum, within an abstinence period of 5 hours preceding the individual's arrival at the licensee's or other entity's facility.

(7) The FFD policy statement must convey that abstinence from alcohol for the 5 hours preceding any scheduled tour of duty is considered to be a minimum that is necessary, but may not be sufficient, to ensure that the individual is fit for duty.

(b) Licensees and other entities must establish, implement, and maintain written procedures that address the following topics:

(1) For the drug and alcohol testing program under this subpart:

(i) The methods and techniques to collect and test for drugs and alcohol and for the shipping and temporary storage of biological specimens used for drug testing at HHS-certified laboratories;

(ii) The urine specimen volumes, techniques for split specimen collections, and the acceptability of a urine specimen as described in § 26.111 or as described in the HHS Guidelines;

(iii) Protecting the privacy of an individual who provides a specimen, protecting the integrity of the specimen, and ensuring that the test results are valid and attributable to the correct individual; and

(iv) If the licensee or other entity elects to use the HHS Guidelines, the name of the specific HHS Guideline and revision being implemented by the licensee or other entity and a description of the specific sections in the guideline that are being implemented in the procedure, including specimen collections, drug testing, and evaluation of test results.

(2) The immediate and follow-up actions that will be taken, and the procedures to be used, in those cases in which individuals who are subject to the FFD program:

(i) Have been involved in the use, sale, or possession of illegal substances, illegal drugs, or illicit substances;

(ii) Are impaired by any illegal substances, illegal drugs, or illicit substances or the consumption of alcohol as determined by behavioral observation or a test that measures blood alcohol concentration;

(iii) Attempted to subvert the testing process by adulterating or diluting specimens (in vivo or in vitro), substituting specimens, or by any other means;

(iv) Refused to provide a specimen for analysis or follow instructions provided by FFD program personnel;

(v) Had legal action taken relating to drug or alcohol use;

(vi) Demonstrated character or actions indicating that the individual cannot be trusted or relied upon to perform those duties and responsibilities or maintain access to NRC-licensed facilities, special nuclear material (SNM), or sensitive information; or

(vii) Have a condition or have taken actions that pose or have posed an immediate hazard to themselves or others, as notified by EAP personnel under § 26.35(c)(2).

(3) The process, including the duties and responsibilities of FFD program personnel, to be followed if an individual's behavior or condition raises a concern regarding the possible use, sale, or possession of illegal drugs on- or offsite; the possible use or possession of alcohol on the NRC-licensed facility; impairment from any cause that in any way could adversely affect the individual's ability to safely and competently perform the individual's duties; or the receipt of credible information indicating that the individual cannot be trusted or relied on to perform those duties and responsibilities making the individual subject to this part.

(4) Operation and oversight of any onsite or offsite collection facility.

(5) The fatigue management requirements in § 26.202(b) and either § 26.205(d)(3) or (7).

(6) Measures to prevent subversion of drug and alcohol tests conducted onsite and offsite.