Action
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Summary
FRA proposes regulations establishing minimum training standards for each category and subcategory of safety-related railroad employee, as required by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008. The proposed rule would require each railroad or contractor that employs one or more safety-related railroad employee to develop and submit a training program to FRA for approval and to designate the qualification of each such employee. As part of that program, most employers would need to conduct periodic oversight of their own employees to determine compliance with Federal railroad safety laws, regulations, and orders applicable to those employees. The proposal would also require most railroads to conduct annual written reviews of their training programs to close performance gaps. Furthermore, FRA proposes specific training and qualification requirements for operators of roadway maintenance machines that can hoist, lower, and horizontally move a suspended load. Finally, FRA proposes minor clarifying amendments to the existing training requirements for railroad and contractor employees that perform brake system inspections, tests, or maintenance.