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Federal Transit Authority Proposes  New Safety Standards

Federal Transit Authority Proposes New Safety Standards

March 25, 2024
“This rule will ultimately save lives,” said FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced it is proposing mandatory minimum standards to protect those who perform track work for all rail transit agencies nationwide.

The National Transportation Safety Board and FTA’s Transit Advisory Committee for Safety both have recommended regulatory action to address rail transit worker roadway safety . 

According to data reported in the National Transit Database, between January 1, 2008, and October 31, 2022, 22 workers were killed, and 120 workers were seriously injured in rail transit roadway safety events.

“This rule will ultimately save lives,” said FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool., in a statement “Once this rule is finalized, it will support safer conditions for workers who perform critical tasks that keep transit operating efficiently and safely.”

Under a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking transit agencies nationwide would be required to create a protection program geared at personnel who work on or around the tracks, implement comprehensive training for workers, and ensure that unsafe acts and conditions are reported.

The proposed rule would apply to rail agencies and state safety oversight agencies (SSOAs) that are tasked with overseeing safety, marking a significant step toward protecting those working on transit railways.

The proposed rule would create the following requirements for rail transit agencies: 

  • Adopt and implement a Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) Program to improve worker safety consistent with Federal and state safety requirements. “Roadway” is a term describing the area on and along the tracks.
  • Establish minimum RWP program elements, including job safety briefings, lone worker protection, and good faith safety challenges.
  • Document RWP programs in a manual that includes a track access guide. Implement an RWP training program that addresses all transit workers responsible for on-track safety by position.

The proposed rule would also require SSOAs to review and approve worker protection program elements, monitor implementation, and conduct annual audits to ensure compliance.

FTA is also seeking feedback on the level of participation that safety committees, which are established by the rail transit agencies, may have in the proposed rule, including their involvement in approving, monitoring, or overseeing the implementation of a rail transit worker protection program.

FTA encourages members of the public, transit agencies, State Safety Oversight Agencies, unions, and other interested parties to submit comments on this proposed rulemaking for the transit industry to the Federal Register comment docket, which will be open for 60 days until May 24, 2024.

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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