Rail workers face tests for over-the-counter drugs in U.S. plan

The U.S. government seeks to expand post-accident drug testing for railroad workers to include prescription and over-the-counter medications including Benadryl because of increasing use among employees.

The Federal Railroad Administration said in a proposed rule published today in the Federal Register that evidence from earlier accidents shows that existing tests for alcohol and illegal drugs aren’t sufficient to protect safety.

Tramadol, a synthetic opiate pain killer, and sedating antihistamines including Benadryl would be tested, according to the proposal. The agency said it may expand the list.

“Both tramadol and the drugs in the sedating antihistamine category have potential side effects that could impair an employee’s cognitive abilities,” the FRA said in the proposal.

The FRA found 9.3 percent of urine samples collected and frozen after previous accidents tested positive for at least one over-the-counter drug that can impair people’s performance, according to the proposal.

The samples had originally been reported as negative for drugs, according to the FRA. The agency found positive results in 14 of 150 samples.

The proposal is a response to recommendations by the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates rail and other accidents.