AMC1 CAT.GEN.MPA.170(b) Psychoactive substances

CAA ORS9 Decision No. 35

POLICY FOR THE PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF MISUSE OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES

(a) The scope of the operator’s policy on the prevention and detection of the misuse of psychoactive substances should encompass all flight crew members and cabin crew members and other safety-sensitive personnel under its direct control who, if they fail to perform their duties or functions properly, may endanger the safety of an aircraft or its occupants.

(b) The operator should ensure that individuals that are subject to the policy are dealt with in a consistent, just and fair manner.

(c) The operator’s policy should include a requirement for testing for psychoactive substances and a requirement for an assessment by appropriately trained personnel, in at least the following circumstances:

(1) upon initial employment by the operator;

(2) periodically on an unannounced basis;

(3) with due cause or reasonable suspicion

(4) after a serious incident or accident provided that:

(i) testing is possible due to the location of the serious incident or accident;

(ii) the serious incident or accident is not subject to safety investigation in accordance with UK Regulation (EU) No. 996/2010; and

(iii) testing would not be prejudicial to any other national requirements.

(d) The operator’s policy should set out the training requirements for the personnel at (a) above on the prevention and detection of the misuse of psychoactive substances. The training requirements should cover:

(1) the effects of psychoactive substances on individuals and the potential effects on flight safety;

(2) the established policy and testing procedures within the organisation to prevent and detect misuse of psychoactive substances;

(3) assistance provided by the operator’s occupational health provision, and the support programme in accordance with CAT.GEN.MPA.215 Support programme ; and

(4) individual roles and responsibilities with regard to applicable legislation and organisational policies on psychoactive substances.