Date: 2024-07-22Category: Draft RegulationState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Draft Amendment (Rev.2) to CAR Section 5 Series F Part IV - Procedure for breath-analyser examination of the personnel engaged in Aircraft maintenance, Air traffic control services, Aerodrome operations, Ground handling services for detecting consumption of Alcohol.
**Executive Summary**
This document outlines the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) for breath-analyzer examinations aimed at detecting alcohol consumption among personnel engaged in safety-sensitive functions within the aviation industry. It specifies procedures, equipment standards, and actions to be taken in case of positive tests. Organizations must implement this CAR on or before July 7, 2024.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose:** To establish procedures for breath-analyzer examination of personnel in aircraft maintenance, air traffic control, aerodrome operations, and ground handling services.
* **Applicability:** Applies to organizations providing air traffic control services, aerodrome management, aircraft maintenance, ground handling, and aircraft operation, as well as personnel holding or not holding a license, approval, or authorization.
* **Implementation:** This CAR is to be implemented by July 7, 2024. Until then, CAR Section-5, Series-F, Part-IV Issue-I dated September 16, 2019, remains in force.
* **Safety Regulations:**
* Organizations must randomly subject at least 25% of individuals in safety-sensitive functions to breath-analyzer tests daily within one hour of reporting for duty.
* Personnel must refrain from consuming alcohol, drugs, or using products with alcoholic content prior to duty.
* Officer of Air Safety Directorate/Directorate of Medical Services (Civil Aviation)/Concerned Directorate of DGCA may require random breath-analyzer examination.
* **Equipment and Calibration:**
* Organizations must have at least two serviceable breath-analyzer units with fuel cell technology.
* Equipment must be calibrated after every 10,000 blows or as recommended by the manufacturer.
* Calibration agencies must maintain specified records and have ISO certification.
* **Breath-Analyzer Examination Procedure:**
* Examinations must be conducted by a Doctor holding MBBS degree/trained Paramedics/Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/Personnel holding BSC (Nursing)/Diploma (Nursing)-/Medical Personnel at a designated place within airport premises.
* Medical Personnel should run an 'air blank' on the instrument and obtain a reading of 0.000 before each test
* Positive tests require a repeat test after 20-25 minutes; witness countersigning required.
* Positive or refusal cases must be reported within 24 hours to the DGCA.
* **Action on Positive Test:**
* First violation: Suspension from duty and license/approval for three months.
* Second violation: Suspension for one year.
* Third violation: Suspension for three years.
* Fourth violation: Cancellation of license/approval and permanent removal from safety-sensitive functions.
* **Records:** Organizations must maintain records of breath-analyzer tests for at least one year.
* **General:** Organizations must document the Breath Analyser process in their manuals, provide wide publicity, and submit monthly data on actions taken to the DGCA by the 10th of each month.
**Impact Analysis**
**Organizations Engaged in Airside Operations (including Air Traffic Control Services, Aerodrome Management, Aircraft Maintenance and Repair, Ground Handling Agencies, Aircraft Operations)**
* **Impact:** Must implement breath-analyzer testing procedures, maintain equipment, and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
* **Action Required:** Establish testing protocols, acquire and calibrate equipment, and train personnel to conduct tests.
**Personnel in Safety-Sensitive Functions (Air Traffic Controllers, Flight Dispatchers, Aircraft Maintenance Personnel, Aerodrome Operation Personnel, Fire and Rescue Personnel, Vehicle Drivers, Ground Equipment Operators, Ground Handling Personnel)**
* **Impact:** Subject to breath-analyzer testing and consequences for positive results.
* **Action Required:** Comply with testing procedures, abstain from alcohol or psychoactive substances before duty, and consult with a doctor regarding medications.
**Aerodrome Management (Specifically regarding Ground Handling and Aerodrome Operation Personnel)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for breath-analyzer testing of their Ground Handling and Aerodrome Operation personnel.
* **Action Required:** Conduct random breath-analyzer examinations and take appropriate measures based on results.
Key Entities Referenced
Civil Aviation Requirements: Policy document outlining requirements for civil aviation, this document pertains to breath-analyzer examination procedures.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The office responsible for regulating civil aviation in India, including oversight of breath-analyzer tests.
Aircraft Act 1934: The Act under which this Civil Aviation Requirement is issued.
Aircraft Rules, 1937: Rules of the Aircraft Act, which Section 5A refers to.
Aerodrome: Premises where aircraft can take off and land, referenced for their operational personnel.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION
TECHNICAL CENTRE, OPP SAFDURJUNG AIRPORT, NEW DELHI
CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 5 – AIR SAFETY
SERIES F PART IV
ISSUE I, 16th SEPTEMBER 2019
EFFECTIVE: FORTHWITH
F. No. DGCA.15032 (02)/1/2019-DAS
SUBJECT: Procedure for breath-analyser examination of the personnel
engaged in Aircraft maintenance, Air traffic control services,
Aerodrome operations, Ground handling services for detecting
consumption of Alcohol.
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 It is a well-known fact that alcohol is a sedative, hypnotic, and addicting drug. It
impairs judgment and leads to behavior that can easily contribute to or cause
accidents. Even when the blood alcohol levels are zero in the body, there could be
some effect of hangover, which is mainly due to congeners. A hangover effect
produced by alcoholic beverages after the acute intoxication has worn off, may be
just as dangerous as the intoxication itself. Symptoms commonly associated with
a hangover are headache, dizziness, dry mouth, stuffy nose, fatigue, upset
stomach, irritability, impaired judgment, and increased sensitivity to bright light.
1.2 The majority of adverse effects produced by alcohol relate to the brain, eyes and
inner ear, which are three crucial organs of any person associated with safety-
related activities.
Brain effects include impaired reaction time, reasoning, judgment and memory.
Alcohol decreases the ability of the brain to make use of oxygen.
Visual symptoms include eye muscle imbalance, which leads to double vision
and difficulty in focusing.
Inner ear effects include dizziness and decreased hearing perception.
If such other variables are added as sleep deprivation, fatigue, medication use,
the negative effects are significantly magnified.
Rev-2, --- July 2024 1CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 5
SERIES F PART IV 16TH SEPTEMBER 2019
1.3 Para 1.2.7.1 of ICAO Annex -1 states that “Holders of licences shall not exercise
the privileges of their licences and related ratings while under the influence of any
psychoactive substance which might render them unable to safely and properly
exercise these privileges”.
Federal Aviation Administration, USA and Civil Aviation Authority, UK have
developed and published their policy for detection of consumption of psychoactive
substance including alcohol by personnel engaged in safety sensitive functions.
1.4 This Civil Aviation Requirement lays down the procedure to be followed for the
breath-analyzer examination for consumption of alcohol, of the personnel engaged
in safety sensitive functions pertaining to airside operations. It also lays down the
provision for enforcement action for violation.
1.5 This CAR is issued under the provisions of Section 5 (A) of Aircraft Act 1934, Rule
21 A and Rule 24 (3) read with Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.
2. Implementation Time frame:
The organization shall implement this CAR on or before 07.07.2024. During
intervening period CAR Section-5, Series-F, Part-IV Issue-I dated 16th September
2019 shall remain in force, however the organizations are encouraged to
implement the provisions of this CAR as soon as possible.
3. DEFINITIONS
Aerodrome Personnel manning Apron control, Personnel involved in
Operation operational duty on air side, aerobridge operator and
Personnel Aerodrome Rescue & Fire Fighting Personnel(ARFF)
Air Traffic Air Traffic Controller” means a person on duty in an air traffic
Controller services unit and entrusted with the task of giving
instructions, clearance or advice to aircraft by approved
means of communication in the interest of safety of aircraft
operations
Air Traffic Control A service provided for the purpose of:
Services a) preventing collisions:
1) between aircraft, and
2) on the manoeuvring area between aircraft and
obstructions; and
b) expediting and maintaining an orderly flow of air traffic.
Breath-analyser Test conducted on personnel to measure alcohol in his/her
Examination exhaled air so as to determine the concentration of alcohol in
the blood.
Ground Handling An entity established for the purpose of providing ground
Agency handling service at an airport and security cleared by the
Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and duly appointed by the
airport operatorCIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 5
SERIES F PART IV 16TH SEPTEMBER 2019
Rev-1, 08th April 2024 2
Ground Handling Vehicle Drivers (including catering and refuelling vehicles),
Personnel equipment operators, Marshallers
Maintenance The performance of tasks required to ensure the continuing
airworthiness of an aircraft, including any one or combination
of overhaul, inspection, replacement, defect rectification, and
the embodiment of a modification or repair or test.
Maintenance Aircraft Maintenance Engineer or any other technically
Personnel trained person authorized to carry out maintenance of
aircraft.
Medical Personnel Medical Personnel for the purpose of this CAR means:
1. The following ‘Allied Health and healthcare professionals’ as
per the National Commission of Allied and healthcare
professions Act 2021:
a) Emergency Medical Technologist
b) Advance Care Paramedics
c) Operation Theatre Technologist
d) Anaesthesia Assistants and Technologists
2. All professionals registered under the Nursing Council of
India
3. All professionals registered under the Pharmacy Council
of India
Psychoactive Alcohol, opioids, cannabinoids, sedatives and hypnotics,
substances cocaine, other psychostimulants, hallucinogens, and volatile
solvents, whereas coffee and tobacco are excluded
Safety-sensitive Persons who might endanger aviation safety if they perform
employees their duties and functions improperly.
This definition includes, but is not limited to, technical air
crew, cabin crew, aircraft maintenance personnel, air traffic
controllers, and security screeners.
4. APPLICABILITY
Provisions of this Civil Aviation Requirements are applicable to the following:
4.1 Organisations engaged in the provision of Air Traffic Control Services, Aerodrome
Management, Aircraft Maintenance and Repair, Ground Handling Agency, Aircraft
Operation.
4.2 Personnel employed in organizations as in para 4.1 whether holding licence/
approval/authorisation or non-licensed personnel i.e.
a. Air Traffic Controllers, Flight Despatchers.
b. Aircraft Maintenance personnel, Aerodrome operation personnel, Fire and
rescue personnel, Vehicle drivers (including catering and refuelling vehicles)
ground equipment operators and ground handling personnel.CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 5
SERIES F PART IV 16TH SEPTEMBER 2019
Rev-2, --- July 2024 3
5. SAFETY REGULATIONS
5.1. The organizations as in para 4.1 shall ensure that at least 25% individuals
employed in their respective organizations as engaged in such functions as
provided under para 4.2, are randomly subjected to breath-analyzer examination
on a daily basis within one hour of reporting for duty. Such employees may also
be informed one hour before commencement of duty regarding his/her breath-
analyzer test. If such a person report sick after being contacted, and shows
inability to join duty, then that person shall produce a medical certificate duly
issued by a Registered Medical Practitioner, whenever he/she reports for duty.
The medical certificate will be reviewed by organization. Aerodrome Management
shall be responsible for the conduct of BA test on the personnel of the ground
handling agency and the aerodrome operational personnel.
The Organizations must use a scientifically valid method such as a random-
number table or a computer-based random-number generator to select the
covered employees for testing. Each covered employee in the pool must have a
unique identifier Employee Number, or other comparable identifying number. The
employer must ensure that all employees have an equal chance of being tested
each time the selection is made. Specific individuals or groups must not be
targeted including certain occupational groups or locations. The concerned
organization shall select 25% individual for the BA test before start of the shift and
communicate to the person conducting the BA test and the individual selected for
the BA test when he/she reports for the duty.
Note: - Whenever the 25% leads to a fractional outcome, the fraction is to be
completed on the higher side and complete natural number is to be considered
for selecting target population.
5.2 As specified in Paras1.4 and 4 of this CAR, no person shall consume any
drug/formulation or use any substance mouthwash/tooth gel or any such product
which has alcoholic content, prior to reporting for duty, as such alcohol content
may lead to positive result in BA test. Any person, who is taking such medication
shall consult the company doctor / doctor administering medication, before they
undertake the assigned duty.
5.3 Save as otherwise provided, officer of Air Safety Directorate/Directorate of Medical
Services (Civil Aviation)/Concerned Directorate of DGCA may require random
breath-analyzer examination of personnel as covered in para 4.
5.4 In an event of suspicion regarding consumption of alcohol, Aerodrome
Management may conduct random breath-analyzer examination of ground
handling personnel and Aerodrome Operation Personnel. Similarly other
organisation may also subject their employees to random BA test without
compromising with the 25% of daily requirement for BA test.CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 5
SERIES F PART IV 16TH SEPTEMBER 2019
Rev-1, 08th April 2024 4
6. EQUIPMENT USAGE AND CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
6.1 EQUIPMENT USAGE AND CALIBRATION
6.1.1 Organization shall make available at least two serviceable breath-analyzer
equipment fuel cell technology based, capable of giving accurate digital value up to
three decimal places in mg/dL with a memory to store and recall at least last 1000
records.
6.1.2 The breath-analyser equipment shall be used only in auto mode.
6.1.3 The breath-analyzer equipment shall be attachable to a printer. At least one
serviceable printer for the breath-analyzer equipment shall be available at all
times.
6.1.4 The breath-analyzer equipment shall be calibrated after 10,000 blows/at a
frequency as recommended by the equipment manufacturer whichever is earlier
from an agency having ISO certification. The date of the last calibration shall be
appended on the instrument. Record of such calibrations shall be maintained by
the employer. It shall be the responsibility of the employer to ensure continued
serviceability of the breath-analyzer equipment and maintain such records.
6.2 CALIBRATION AGENCIES
6.2.1 The organization shall ensure the following with respect to the calibration
agencies/labs contracted for calibration of their breath analyser equipment:
6.2.1.1 The contracted agencies/ labs engaged in calibration of their Breath Analyser
Equipment carries out the calibration in accordance with the procedure and
recommendations laid down by the manufacturer and should have ISO certification to
undertake the calibration activity. The contracted agencies/labs issues a calibration
certificate bearing a unique number for each calibration of Breath Analyser Equipment.
6.2.1.2 Calibration agency maintains at least following record:
(i) Manual containing the calibration procedure prescribed by the manufacturer.
(ii) Incoming Record: Calibration Agency maintains daily incoming record of BA
equipment received for calibration. Record should clearly indicate Serial no. of
the Equipment, Date and Time of receipt, Mode of receipt, Date of Last
calibration, Name of the operator or BA test agency.
(iii) Dispatch Record: The agency maintains dispatch record of the equipment
including Date/time of dispatch, Mode of dispatch, Mode of Payment, Invoice
number (Transaction Reference in case of online payment), Calibration
Certificate number and validity.
(iv) Calibration records of the equipment used in calibration process of Breath
Analyser Equipment.CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 5
SERIES F PART IV 16TH SEPTEMBER 2019
Rev-2, --- July 2024 5
6.2.1.3 All the records in para 5.2 are preserved for a period of two years.
6.2.2 Organization shall facilitate the DGCA inspection for checking the compliance of
the above mentioned requirements.
7. PROCEDURE FOR BREATH-ANALYZER EXAMINATION
7.1 Organisation shall have a Doctor holding MBBS degree/trained
Paramedics/Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/Personnel holding BSC
(Nursing)/Diploma (Nursing) /Medical Personnel to conduct the breath-analyser
examination at a designated place within the airport premises. Alternatively
organisations may pool their resources including personnel used for conducting
BA test or avail the breath-analyzer examination services of Govt. /Govt. licensed
private hospitals/ aerodrome operator/ Private organizations, holding the facility to
carry out breath-analyser test, located in the premises of the aerodrome/Medical
facilities established by Aerodrome operator. Such facilities shall be subjected to
periodic checks by the DGCA.
Note: In case of Flying Training Organisations, in addition to above mentioned
medical personnel the trained safety officer of the concerned flying training
organization can also conduct breath analyser test.
7.2 Before each test, the Medical Personnel shall run an ‘air blank’ on the instrument
and obtain a reading of 0.000. The Medical Personnel shall also carry out a control
test on daily basis and keep a record of printout to ensure serviceability of both
the breath-analyzer equipment and the printer. Any BA reading during
examination of a personnel above 0.000 shall be considered as positive result.
Breath-analyzer examination shall be recorded on camera and recording shall be
preserved for a period of six months.
7.3 Breath-analyzer examination record shall be maintained as per the format given in
Appendix I and Appendix II.
7.4 If the breath-analyzer examination result is positive, a repeat test shall be carried
out after an interval of maximum 20-25 minutes. Once a subject personnel is
detected positive, medical personnel as in para 7.1 on duty, shall provide the
proforma as per Appendix-I and the subject personnel shall give declaration in
respect of the use of equipment (same or alternate) for conduct of second test on
that proforma.
During this time, the subject personnel may be permitted to wash his face and
rinse his mouth, if desired. Before the second test is carried out, a control test
must be taken on the equipment being used to verify the serviceability and
correctness of the breath-analyzer. Both the readings so obtained shall be
recorded and print out taken. The second test shall be carried out in the presenceCIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 5
SERIES F PART IV 16TH SEPTEMBER 2019
of a witness as designated by the organisation, who shall countersign the test
report.
Rev-2, --- July 2024 6
7.5 The make, serial number and calibration status of the breath-analyzer shall be
recorded in the event a personnel is detected positive for alcohol consumption.
Under no circumstances, third test shall be conducted.
7.6 If the second test is satisfactory, the concerned personnel may be cleared for duty.
7.7 All the breath-analyzer examination positive /refusal cases shall be promptly
reported but not later than 24 hours of occurrence to the concerned Regional
Offices of the DGCA and at DGCA (HQ) as per table below:
S. No. Personnel Concerned Directorate of DGCA
1. Maintenance personnel Airworthiness Directorate
2. Air Traffic Control Officer AS & ANSS Directorate
3. Aerodrome Operation personnel Aerodrome Directorate
4. Ground Handling Personnel Aerodrome Directorate
5. Flight Despatcher Flight Standards Directorate
8. ACTION ON POSITIVE TEST
8.1 Any person, who tests breath-analyzer examination positive for the first
time/refuses to undergo the breath-analyser examination/refuses to undergo the
breath-analyser examination the second time upon being tested positive during
the first test/ attempt to evade the breath-analyzer examination by leaving the
airport premises, shall be kept off duty and his/her license/approval shall be
suspended for a period of three months. Non-licenced/non approval holder, shall
be removed from safety sensitive functions for a period of three months.
8.2 In case of second such violation of the provisions contained in Para 8.1 of this CAR,
the license/approval issued by DGCA, of the concerned person shall be suspended
for a period of one year. Non-licenced/ non approval holder, shall be removed from
the performance of safety Sensitive function for a period of one year.
8.3 In case of third such violation of the provisions contained in Para 8.1 of this CAR,
the license/approval issued by DGCA of the concerned person shall be suspended
for a period of three years. Non-licenced/non approval holder, shall be removed from
safety sensitive functions for a period of three years.
8.4 In case of fourth such violation of the provisions contained in Para 8.1 of this CAR,
the license/approval issued by DGCA of the concerned person shall be cancelled
and non-licenced/non approval holder shall be removed permanently from
sensitive functions.CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 5
SERIES F PART IV 16TH SEPTEMBER 2019
Issue-I, 16th September 2019 7
8.5 For the ground handling personnel and aerodrome operational personnel, who do
not hold any licence/approval, the concerned aerodrome operator/Organization
shall formulate a procedure for temporary removal from the duty and/or permanent
removal from the duty of a personnel involved in violation of para 8.1 to 8.4.
9. PRESERVATION OF RECORDS
The Employer/Organisation conducting BA Test shall maintain records of breath-
analyser examination for the personnel. All the relevant records must be preserved
for a period of one year.
10. GENERAL
10.1 It shall be the responsibility of organisations to document the process for the
Breath Analyser examination in their respective manuals and ensure wide publicity
of the procedure.
10.2 Each Organisation shall submit monthly data in respect of Para 8 of this CAR to
th
the concerned Directorate as per the table in para 7.7 at DGCA (HQ) latest by 10
of every month for the immediate preceding month.
Sd/-
(Vikram Dev Dutt)
Director General of Civil AviationCIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 5
SERIES F PART IV 16TH SEPTEMBER 2019
Rev-1, 08th April 2024 8CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 5
SERIES F PART IV 16TH SEPTEMBER 2019
Appendix I
(NAME OF THE ORGANISATION)
MEDICAL EXAMINATION FOR ALCOHOL
Sl. No. …………………
To be filled by Person undergoing the BA test (in Capital Letters)
I hereby report for the duty
Name ………………………Job Function/designation. ……………………………..
License No./Approval No. if Applicable ………................................
Emp. No. ……………. Place …………… Date …………… Time of Reporting ……….
Signature ………………………..
Declaration of subject personnel
(Tick the option applicable)
1. I wish to undergo confirmatory test on the same Breath- Analyser Equipment.
Or
I wish to undergo confirmatory test on the alternate Breath- Analyser Equipment
(Name & Signature of subject personnel)
Declaration by Doctor / Medical Personnel
The choice of Breath- Analyser Equipment has been exercised by the subject personnel.
(Name &Signature of Doctor/Medical Officer Personnel)
To be filled up by the Medical Personnell
1. Breath-analyzer Result Negative/Positive
(Reading to be indicated in writing)
2. If found positive the result of first test:
………………………%BAC at……..hrs
3. Result of second test at.…. hrs ………………………%BAC
4. Sr No. of BA Equipment used ………………………………………….
Remarks: He/she is not under/under the influence of alcohol at present.
Signature of Witness Signature/Name of Doctor/ Medical
Personnel
Name and Designation Date/Time……………
Date/Time ………….
Rev-2, --- July 2024 9CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 5
SERIES F PART IV 16TH SEPTEMBER 2019
Appendix II
BREATH-ANALYSER EXAMINATION FOR ALCOHOL
Place: .………............ Date: …………..........
Name of the Medical Personnel: ………………………………
NOTE: In case a Personnel is tested ‘Positive’ in first test, a separate Form is required to be filled up as in “Appendix I” by the
Doctor/Medical Personnel and countersigned by the witness.
I hereby report for Equipment
the duty. Serial Number
Name (in capital Signature of Signature of
Letters) of Emp. personnel BA Doctor/ Medical
Personnel No/Uniqu Time of undergoing BA Reading Time of Officer
S No. undergoing BA Test e I.D. Job Function Reporting Test (in %) BA Test Personnel Remarks
Rev-2, --- July 2024 10