Federal Register #2130-AC87

Final Rule: Training, Qualification, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), part of the Department of Transportation, has issued a final rule amending regulations for training, qualification, and oversight of safety-related railroad employees. - Government Buyer: - Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Office of Railroad Safety - Scope and Impact: - Applies to all railroads, contractors, and training organizations involved in safety-related employee training - Addresses industry petitions from the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association, Inc. (NRC) - Products/Services Requested: - Regulatory compliance training programs for safety-related railroad employees - Includes initial and refresher training, program submission, approval, and periodic oversight - Revised refresher training definitions and test-out option - Streamlined program submission processes - Unique/Notable Requirements: - One-year delay for refresher training implementation for small entities (approx. 3,500 employees) - No new costs imposed; estimated cost savings of $1.1 million due to delayed refresher training - Codifies agency guidance and clarifies requirements for designated instructors, refresher training, and training organizations - No OEMs, vendors, or purchase quantities specified (regulatory action, not a procurement) - Place of Performance: - Federal Railroad Administration Headquarters, Washington, DC

Description

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is issuing a final rule to amend its regulation on Training, Qualification, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees. This rule codifies agency guidance and clarifies existing requirements to ensure railroad employees and contractors have the necessary knowledge to comply with federal railroad safety laws, regulations, and orders. The rule applies to all railroads, contractors, and training organizations involved in training safety-related railroad employees, with certain exceptions. The final rule also addresses petitions for rulemaking and incorporates guidance related to designated instructors, refresher training, and training organizations or learning institutions.

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