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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Interpretation Response #PI-92-059

Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.

Interpretation Response Details

Response Publish Date:

Company Name:

Individual Name:

Country: US

View the Interpretation Document

Response text:

October 28,1992

This is in response to your correspondence of August 6, 1992, to Ms. Bea Vandervalk, Director of the Anti-Drug Information Center (ADIC) requesting guidance on whether an operator, who remains at the ocean surface, in control of an underwater submarine that inspects submerged pipelines would be subject to drug testing under Part-199.

A person performing an operation, maintenance or emergency-response function on a pipeline regulated by 49 CFR Parts 190-199 is an "employee", as defined in 49 CFR § 199.3 and is subject to drug testing.

The activity you describe is a maintenance function performed on a pipeline. The function is regulated under the underwater inspection provisions of 49 CFR §§ 192.612 and 195.413 so long as the pipeline being inspected meets the criteria set out in those regulations.

Thank you for your inquiry. Please let me know if you need any more information about our drug testing requirements.

Sincerely,

Richard L. Rippert

Drug Compliance Coordinator

Office of Pipeline Safety

Enforcement

Regulation Sections

Section Subject
192.612 Underwater inspection and reburial of pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico and its inlets
195.413 Underwater inspection and reburial of pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico and its inlets