FRA proposes training standards for rail workers
Would require each railroad or contractor with safety-related railroad employees to develop a training program designating the qualifications of each employee and then submit that program for the FRA’s approval.
The Federal Rail Administration (FRA) announced a proposal to require railroads to train and qualify employees in safety-related positions on federal railroad safety laws, regulations and orders.
The proposed rule would require each railroad or contractor with safety-related railroad employees to develop a training program designating the qualifications of each employee and then submit that program for the FRA’s approval. Employers would conduct periodic oversight of their own employees to determine compliance and conduct annual written reviews of their training programs to close performance gaps. The proposed rule is a requirement of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.
Under the Federal Railroad Administration Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), training would apply to relevant railroad rules and procedures used to implement those federal railroad safety laws.
The NPRM was developed with input from officials in numerous federal and state government agencies, industry, and labor. The NPRM is available at http://www.fra.dot.gov/rcc/pages/fp_321.shtml.
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