PLEASE SEE ATTACHED

ACT NOW: Important drug testing changes

Changes to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) drug-testing regulations took effect January 1, 2018 and already we are seeing a major impact. The percentage of laboratory positive tests has doubled and the number of safety warnings issued by the MRO has gone up even more. If you act now, there are ways to keep your workplace safer, avoid positive tests and prevent employees from being removed due to safety letters.

 

What happened?

Four New Opioids, a Change from "Opiates" to "Opioids" and a delay in safety warnings

Effective January 1, 2018, the Final Rule added four semi-synthetic opioids to DOT's standard 5-panel drug

testing: hydrocodone; hydromorphone; oxymorphone; and oxycodone. In addition, the regulations rename the category or class of drugs currently referred to as " opiates"  to "opioids."

 

Medical Review Officers (M RO' s) always issued safety warnings to employers when the MRO learned of   information during the post -drug test interview with the employee/ urine donor that would likely lead to the employee being medically disqualified . What is new is the "5 day pause." The employee has 5 business days to have his or her physician contact the MRO to discuss the safety issue. For example,  if  an employee  tests positive for  oxycodone  and  presents  a prescription  to  the  MRO, the MRO  would  tell  the  employee  that  there  is a potential safety issue and that the employee  has 5 business days to  have the  prescribing physician contact  the  MRO to discuss. After 5 days or after  the discussion takes place, whichever  comes  first, the MRO will then report  the safety issue to  the  employer  if  the  issue cannot be resolved.

 

GIANT HOGWEED FOUND BEHIND STANTON SUB ALONG TOWER LINE.  TAKE CAUTION WITH THIS PLANT, IT CAN CAUSE SEVERE BURNS AND BLISTERS.  CAN CAUSE BLINDNESS IF IN CONTACT WITH YOUR EYES. 

Statement from Special Agent in Charge Harold H. Shaw Regarding Suspicious Devices Found in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts

At approximately 3:00 p.m. on March 30, 2016, the Tyngsboro Fire Department responded to a brush fire in the vicinity of 60 Locust Avenue in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts.

Crews that responded to the scene noticed items that didn’t appear to be part of the transmission system and alerted National Grid. National Grid assessed the situation and alerted law enforcement.

Massachusetts State Police and FBI special agent bomb technicians responded and identified multiple incendiary devices similar in structure to pipe bombs in the area. Early this morning, the devices were determined to be non-explosive and have been rendered safe.

Our law enforcement partners, as well as utility companies across the country, have been notified. We continue to share information regarding the incident.

The Tyngsboro Police and Fire Departments, along with the Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, and ATF, are assisting the FBI, which is now leading the investigation. At this point in time, there is no evidence which ties this incident to terrorism.

No further information will be provided at this time.

To all NEAT Apprentices:

 

PLEASE SHARE WITH FELLOW CREWS AND I.B.E.W. MEMBERS

 

We were informed that there was a bomb threat on National Grid property out of Tyngsborough, MA. Early yesterday morning upon crew arrival, crew noticed 3 can like objects that were hanging on the 326 345kv energized line. Crew immediately reported to National Grid as a threat. Upon further investigation National Grid de-energized the line to remove the 3 can like objects, and brought in MA bomb squad for the removal of the cans. Upon further investigation by the MA bomb squad they located 3 pipe bombs that were attached to the 326 345kv line. Grid was able to de-energize line, bring in MA bomb squad for a safe removal and further investigate the 3 can like objects that were hanging from the line anchored to the ground, then re-energize the line. We wanted to send out an email to make everyone aware of this incident and for crews to take extra precaution and inspect all lines before getting to work. If anything seems out of the ordinary please DO NOT go to work and report immediately

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED SAFETY BULLETIN