Federal Aviation Administration

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Definition - What does Federal Aviation Administration mean?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in the context of alcohol and drug testing, is a government agency that regulates drug and alcohol testing programs aligned with public health and safety guidelines related to aeronautical management and commercial aircraft operation positions within the civil aviation industry. FAA-based regulatory policies and procedures are oriented around the Department of Transportation (DOT) statutes, falling under the 49 CFR part 40 provision combined with the Omnibus Transportation Employees Testing Act of 1991 upholding the mandatory testing.

SureHire explains Federal Aviation Administration

The FAA serves a multifaceted function in developing, implementing, and sustaining civil aviation procedures and systems that elevate air traffic control and navigation measures as a priority in fostering commercial air travel and military assignments. Flight crew personnel and other aircraft team members represent the face of companies in following all drug-testing procedures that dictate whether an applicant or employee is capable of occupying a safety-sensitive position per FAA standards. A Designated Employer Representative (DER) is an employee that assumes the responsibility for coordinating drug and alcohol testing programs that address educational training and resources to employers and staff, illustrating the necessary protocol for allocated drug screen occasions such as pre-employment testing, random testing, reasonable suspicion testing, and post-accident testing.

The FAA comprises a hierarchy of administrators that oversees the logistics surrounding efficient air navigation and air traffic control systems entailing the certification of pilots and airports, introducing technological advancements to facilitate intercommunication between airborne flights and ground control, and leveraging commercial space transportation accommodations. A proactive initiative to advance an anti-drug climate in the workplace sets the boundaries for deterring individuals from engaging in addictive habits that can undermine job performance against FAA expectations. A health and safety policy stipulates the collection of a urine specimen from all applicants and employees via a 5-panel drug test to identify the presence of drug metabolites in the body including amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP).

The FAA holds employers accountable in conveying pertinent information about alcohol misuse and controlled substance abuse to their employees, underscoring a zero-tolerance policy that emphasizes the ramifications concerning all drug and alcohol testing procedures at any given time.

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