Seeking Comments On FAA NPRM On Part 145 Operator Employee Alcohol And Controlled Substance Testing

On March 17, the FAA issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to collect information to draft regulations regarding controlled substance and alcohol testing of part 145 repair station employees located outside the United States. To help in the preparation of comments as well as to gather information about current industry practices, The Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) is soliciting input via a survey of potentially affected repair stations.

The rulemaking being considered would require employees of FAA-certificated foreign repair stations and other maintenance providers who perform safety-sensitive work on U.S. air carrier aircraft to be subject to a drug and alcohol testing program, which would have to meet FAA standards and be consistent with the applicable laws of the country where the repair station is located.

Companies that have part 145 certificated repair stations outside of the United States and Canada should respond to the ARSA survey and ensure it reaches the widest possible audience. The survey can be found here.

With the industry’s help, ARSA says, it can work to ensure that international law is respected, burdensome testing requirements are avoided, and that international businesses can continue their vital work with minimal interference.

FMI: http://arsa.org