New Delhi: In a first for India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday issued rules under which pilots, cabin crew and air traffic controllers (ATCOs) will face dope tests on a random basis from January 31, 2022.
The new rule states that at least 10% of these personnel in an organization must be tested annually.
“Random drug testing for psychoactive substance consumption shall be conducted by all scheduled commercial aircraft operators and air navigation service providers flight crew Members and the ATCOs employed by them, respectively at the facilities established by them by using the services of a suitable laboratory. The medical personnel of the concerned organization will cooperate during this process. This program will ensure that at least 10% of the employees of an organization,” said the order issued by DGCA chief Arun Kumar.
Organizations have been asked to use “a scientifically validated method such as a random-number table or a computer-based random-number generator” to select employees for testing.
In addition, airlines, AAI (parent organization for ATCO) and flying schools “should ensure that flight crew members, air traffic control officers, aircraft maintenance engineers/certified personnel, trainee pilots and instructors/examiners are not allowed to consume psychoactive substances in their employment.” is tested for the substance on the following occasions:
a) before giving employment to any person;
b) prior to enlisting a trainee pilot in an FTO;
c) follow-up testing of confirmed cases;
d) On the first available opportunity, if any Aviation Personnel has
Refused to drug test a foreign regulator in the course of flight operations/duty in that country.”
All positive cases have to be reported to DGCA within 24 hours of detection. A confirmatory test will need to be conducted on those who test positive.
Action on positive cases will start with immediate removal of the person from duty till a confirmation report is received.
“In case of a positive confirmatory test for the first time, the employee concerned shall be referred for de-addiction/rehabilitation program by the organization to a specialist doctor/counselor/de-addiction center in consultation with the MRO. Such employee shall be subject to psychoactive substance abuse with a negative test report.” Will return to active duty after being re-tested. Also a fitness certificate will be required by the medical in-charge of the organization concerned.”
“If any person who has returned to security sensitive duties after testing positive in paragraph 8.2 and again is found positive in the confirmatory test, the license of such person shall be suspended for a period of three years and for a third period of three years.” Positive opportunity, the license will be revoked.”
“In the event, if a person refuses to take the test, such person shall be removed from security sensitive duties unless such person maintains the drug testing profile listed in paragraph 5 within a period of 48 hours at the organization facility.” wherein, the license of the person involved shall be suspended for a period of one year and the person involved shall undergo a rehabilitation process before returning to active duty,” it said.
“If a person refuses to test for the second time or is tested positive after the first opportunity of refusing to test, the license shall be suspended for a period of three years and subsequently for any violation.” The license will be cancelled,” the order added.
Drugs to be tested for include: amphetamines and amphetamine-type stimulants; opiates and metabolites; Cannabis (marijuana) as THC; cocaine; Barbiturates and benzodiazepines.
The new rule states that at least 10% of these personnel in an organization must be tested annually.
“Random drug testing for psychoactive substance consumption shall be conducted by all scheduled commercial aircraft operators and air navigation service providers flight crew Members and the ATCOs employed by them, respectively at the facilities established by them by using the services of a suitable laboratory. The medical personnel of the concerned organization will cooperate during this process. This program will ensure that at least 10% of the employees of an organization,” said the order issued by DGCA chief Arun Kumar.
Organizations have been asked to use “a scientifically validated method such as a random-number table or a computer-based random-number generator” to select employees for testing.
In addition, airlines, AAI (parent organization for ATCO) and flying schools “should ensure that flight crew members, air traffic control officers, aircraft maintenance engineers/certified personnel, trainee pilots and instructors/examiners are not allowed to consume psychoactive substances in their employment.” is tested for the substance on the following occasions:
a) before giving employment to any person;
b) prior to enlisting a trainee pilot in an FTO;
c) follow-up testing of confirmed cases;
d) On the first available opportunity, if any Aviation Personnel has
Refused to drug test a foreign regulator in the course of flight operations/duty in that country.”
All positive cases have to be reported to DGCA within 24 hours of detection. A confirmatory test will need to be conducted on those who test positive.
Action on positive cases will start with immediate removal of the person from duty till a confirmation report is received.
“In case of a positive confirmatory test for the first time, the employee concerned shall be referred for de-addiction/rehabilitation program by the organization to a specialist doctor/counselor/de-addiction center in consultation with the MRO. Such employee shall be subject to psychoactive substance abuse with a negative test report.” Will return to active duty after being re-tested. Also a fitness certificate will be required by the medical in-charge of the organization concerned.”
“If any person who has returned to security sensitive duties after testing positive in paragraph 8.2 and again is found positive in the confirmatory test, the license of such person shall be suspended for a period of three years and for a third period of three years.” Positive opportunity, the license will be revoked.”
“In the event, if a person refuses to take the test, such person shall be removed from security sensitive duties unless such person maintains the drug testing profile listed in paragraph 5 within a period of 48 hours at the organization facility.” wherein, the license of the person involved shall be suspended for a period of one year and the person involved shall undergo a rehabilitation process before returning to active duty,” it said.
“If a person refuses to test for the second time or is tested positive after the first opportunity of refusing to test, the license shall be suspended for a period of three years and subsequently for any violation.” The license will be cancelled,” the order added.
Drugs to be tested for include: amphetamines and amphetamine-type stimulants; opiates and metabolites; Cannabis (marijuana) as THC; cocaine; Barbiturates and benzodiazepines.
.