CLEVELAND, March 12 — BLET National President Don Hahs issued the following statement regarding the National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary findings in the fatal February 21 train accident in Carrizozo, N.M.
“Random drug testing by the Federal Railroad Administration has proven over the years that our members are drug free.
“Twenty-five percent of our work force is randomly tested for drugs each year. According to the most recent data, entered into the Federal Register on January 16, 2004, more than 99 percent of rail workers tested drug free. This is far superior to the work place at large.
“The purpose of random testing is to give the FRA an indication of potential abuse. Even though the percentage of positive tests is extremely low, no drug and alcohol use is acceptable in our industry. Period.
“Preliminary testing by the NTSB revealed that marijuana may have been in the system of the engineer who lost his life in the accident. If these preliminary findings are proven to be correct, then this terrible incident is a tragedy for everyone in our railroad family.
“Employee empowerment programs like Operation Redblock permit railroads and its employees to resolve drug and alcohol related issues. In light of the NTSB’s preliminary findings, all railroad workers must continue to do their part in making sure that Redblock and programs like it continue to be successful.
“Our hearts go out to the families who lost loved ones in the accident.”