#### § 214.336 On-track safety procedures for certain roadway work groups and adjacent tracks.

(a) *Procedures; general.*

(1) *General rule.* Except as provided in [paragraph (e)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.336#p-214.336(e)) of this section, on-track safety is required for each adjacent controlled track when a roadway work group with at least one of the roadway workers on the ground is engaged in a common task with on-track, self-propelled equipment or coupled equipment on an occupied track. The required on-track safety shall be established through [§ 214.319](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.319) (Working limits, generally) or [§ 214.329](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.329) (Train approach warning provided by watchmen/lookouts) and as more specifically described in this section.

(2) *Special circumstance arising in territories with at least three tracks, if an occupied track is between two adjacent controlled tracks.* If an occupied track has two adjacent controlled tracks, and one of these adjacent controlled tracks has one or more train or other on-track equipment movements authorized or permitted at a speed of 25 mph or less (or 40 mph or less for one or more passenger train or other passenger on-track equipment movements), and the other adjacent controlled track has one or more concurrent train or other on-track equipment movements authorized or permitted at a speed over 25 mph (or over 40 mph for one or more passenger train or other passenger on-track equipment movements), the more restrictive procedures in [paragraph (b)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.336#p-214.336(b)) of this section apply.

(3) *Definitions.* As used in this section—

*Adjacent controlled track* means a controlled track whose track center is spaced 19 feet or less from the track center of the occupied track.

*Adjacent track* means a controlled or non-controlled track whose track center is spaced less than 25 feet from the track center of the occupied track.

*Inter-track barrier* means a continuous barrier of a permanent or semi-permanent nature that spans the entire work area, that is at least four feet in height, and that is of sufficient strength to prevent a roadway worker from fouling the adjacent track.

*Minor correction* means one or more repairs of a minor nature, including, but not limited to, welding, spiking, anchoring, hand tamping, and joint bolt replacement, that are accomplished with hand tools or handheld, hand-supported, or hand-guided power tools. The term does not include machine spiking, machine tamping, or any similarly distracting repair.

*Occupied track* means a track on which on-track, self-propelled equipment or coupled equipment is authorized or permitted to be located while engaged in a common task with a roadway work group with at least one of the roadway workers on the ground.

(b) *Procedures for adjacent-controlled-track movements over 25 mph (or over 40 mph if passenger movements).* If a train or other on-track equipment is authorized to move on an adjacent controlled track at a speed greater than 25 mph, or at a speed greater than 40 mph for a passenger train or other passenger on-track equipment movement, each roadway worker in the roadway work group that is affected by such movement must comply with the following procedures:

(1) *Ceasing work and occupying a predetermined place of safety.* Except for the work activities as described in [paragraph (e)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.336#p-214.336(e)) of this section, each affected roadway worker shall, as described in Table 1 of this section, cease all on-ground work and equipment movement that is being performed on or between the rails of the occupied track or on one or both sides of the occupied track, and occupy a predetermined place of safety upon receiving either a watchman/lookout warning or, alternatively, a notification that the roadway worker in charge intends to permit one or more train or other on-track equipment movements through the working limits on the adjacent controlled track.

(2) *Resuming work.*

(i) An affected roadway worker may resume on-ground work and equipment movement (on or between the rails of the occupied track or on one or both sides of the occupied track as described in Table 1 of this section) only after the trailing-end of all trains or other on-track equipment moving on the adjacent controlled track (for which a warning or notification has been received in accordance with [paragraph (b)(1)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.336#p-214.336(b)(1)) of this section) has passed and remains ahead of that roadway worker.

(ii) If the train or other on-track equipment stops before its trailing-end has passed all of the affected roadway workers in the roadway work group, the work to be performed (on or between the rails of the occupied track or on one or both sides of the occupied track as described in Table 1 of this section) ahead of the trailing-end of the train or other on-track equipment on the adjacent controlled track may resume only—

(A) If on-track safety through train approach warning ([§ 214.329](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.329)) has been established on the adjacent controlled track; or

(B) After the roadway worker in charge has communicated with a member of the train crew or the on-track equipment operator and established that further movements of such train or other on-track equipment shall be made only as permitted by the roadway worker in charge.

(c) *Procedures for adjacent-controlled-track movements 25 mph or less (or 40 mph or less if passenger movements).* If a train or other on-track equipment is authorized or permitted to move on an adjacent controlled track at a speed of 25 mph or less, or at a speed of 40 mph or less for a passenger train or other passenger on-track equipment movement, each roadway worker in the roadway work group that is affected by such movement must comply with the procedures listed in [paragraph (b)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.336#p-214.336(b)) of this section, except that equipment movement on the rails of the occupied track and on-ground work performed exclusively between the rails (*i.e.,* not breaking the plane of the rails) of the occupied track may continue, provided that no on-ground work is performed within the areas 25 feet in front of and 25 feet behind any on-track, self-propelled equipment or coupled equipment permitted to move on the occupied track.

(d) *Discretion of roadway worker in charge.* Nothing in this subpart prohibits the roadway worker in charge from establishing on-track safety on one or more adjacent tracks as he or she deems necessary consistent with both the purpose and requirements of this subpart.

(e) *Exceptions to certain requirements for adjacent-controlled-track on-track safety.* No on-track safety (other than that required by [paragraph (f)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.336#p-214.336(f)) of this section or provided under [paragraph (d)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.336#p-214.336(d)) of this section) is required by [paragraphs (a)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.336#p-214.336(a)) through [(c)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.336#p-214.336(c)) of this section for an adjacent controlled track during the times that the roadway work group is exclusively performing one or more of the following work activities:

(1) *On-ground work performed on a side of the occupied track meeting specified condition(s).* A roadway work group with all of its on-ground roadway workers (other than those performing work in accordance with another exception in [paragraph (e)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.336#p-214.336(e)) of this section) performing work while exclusively positioned on a side of the occupied track as follows and as further specified in Table 1 of this section:

(i) The side with no adjacent track;

(ii) The side with one or more adjacent tracks, the closest of which has working limits on it and no movements permitted within such working limits by the roadway worker in charge; or

(iii) The side with one or more adjacent tracks, provided that that it has an inter-track barrier between the occupied track and the closest adjacent track on that side.

(2) *Maintenance or repairs performed either alongside, or within the perimeter of, a roadway maintenance machine or coupled equipment on the occupied track.*

(i) One or more roadway workers performing maintenance or repairs alongside a roadway maintenance machine or coupled equipment, provided that such machine or equipment would effectively prevent the worker from fouling the adjacent controlled track on the other side of such equipment, and that such maintenance or repairs are performed while positioned on a side of the occupied track as described in paragraph (e)(1)(i), (ii), or (iii) and Table 1 of this section.

(ii) One or more roadway workers on or under a roadway maintenance machine or coupled equipment performing maintenance or repairs within the perimeter of the machine or equipment, provided that no part of their person breaks the plane of the rail of the occupied track except when toward one of the sides of the occupied track as described in paragraph (e)(1)(i), (ii), or

(iii) and Table 1 of this section. A boom or other equipment extending beyond the body of a roadway maintenance machine or coupled equipment toward an adjacent controlled track is not considered to be within the perimeter of the machine or coupled equipment.

(3) *Work activities involving certain equipment and purposes.* One or more on-ground roadway workers engaged in a common task on an occupied track with on-track, self-propelled equipment or coupled equipment consisting exclusively of one or more of the types of equipment described in [paragraphs (e)(3)(i)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.336#p-214.336(e)(3)(i)) through [(iii)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.336#p-214.336(e)(3)(iii)) of this section. If such a roadway work group (“excepted group”) is authorized or permitted to operate on the same occupied track and within the working limits of a separate roadway work group performing work that is subject to the requirements of this section (“non-excepted group”) or vice versa (*i.e.,* a non-excepted group is authorized or permitted to operate on the same occupied track and within the working limits of an excepted group), the groups must conduct an on-track safety job briefing to determine if adjacent-controlled-track on-track safety is necessary for the excepted group. Such determination shall be made by the roadway worker in charge of the working limits; however, if the groups are in such proximity where the ability of the roadway workers in the excepted group to hear or see approaching trains and other on-track equipment is impaired by background noise, lights, sight obstructions or any other physical conditions caused by the equipment, then this exception does not apply, and adjacent-controlled-track on-track safety must be provided to both groups. This exception otherwise applies to work activities involving one or more of the following types of equipment:

(i) A hi-rail vehicle or other rail-bound vehicle (other than a catenary maintenance tower vehicle) being used for inspection or minor correction purposes, provided that such vehicle is not coupled to one or more railroad cars. In accordance with [§ 214.315(a)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.315#p-214.315(a)), where multiple hi-rail or rail-bound vehicles being used for inspection or minor correction are engaged in a common task, the on-track safety job briefing shall include discussion of the nature of the work to be performed to determine if adjacent-controlled-track on-track safety is necessary.

(ii) An automated inspection car being used for inspection or minor correction purposes.

(iii) A catenary maintenance tower car or vehicle, provided that all of the on-ground workers engaged in the common task (other than those performing work in accordance with another exception in [paragraph (e)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.336#p-214.336(e)) of this section) are positioned within the gage of the occupied track for the sole purpose of applying or removing grounds.

(f) *Procedures for components of roadway maintenance machines fouling an adjacent controlled track.* Except as provided for in [§ 214.341(c)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.341#p-214.341(c)), a component of a roadway maintenance machine shall not foul an adjacent controlled track unless working limits have been established on the adjacent-controlled-track and there are no movements permitted within the working limits by the roadway worker in charge that would affect any of the roadway workers engaged in a common task with such machine.

Table 1—Summary of On-Track Safety Procedures for Certain Roadway Work Groups and Adjacent Tracks

| Example number/diagram number (see figure 1) | “Side A” of the occupied track—the side from the vertical plane of the near running rail of the occupied track extending outward through to the fouling space of the adjacent controlled track (“ `No. 1' Track” or “No. 1”) | | On or between the rails of the occupied track (“ `No. 2' track” or “number 2”), where on-track Safety Is Established through Working Limits | “Side B” of the occupied track—either (1) the side with no adjacent track or (2) the side from the vertical plane of the near running rail of the occupied track extending outward through to the fouling space of the adjacent controlled track (“ `number 3' track” or “number 3”) | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Method of On-Track Safety on Side A | Requirement | Requirements | Requirements | Method of on-track safety on side B |
| 1 | Working limits or train approach warning | Upon receiving a notification or warning for movement(s) (“movement notification or warning”) for No. 1, cease work and occupy a predetermined place of safety (“PPOS”)1 | Upon movement notification or warning for No. 1, cease work and occupy a PPOS, except work may continue during movement(s) on No. 1 auth'd. at 25 mph or less (or 40 mph or less for passenger train movements) if maintain 25′ spacing2 | Work3 is not required to cease during movement(s) on No. 1 | Not applicable (N/A), because there is no adjacent track. |
| 2 | Working limits | Upon movement notification for No. 1, cease work and occupy a PPOS. Work3 is not required to cease during movement(s) on No. 3 | Upon movement notification for No. 1 or No. 3, cease work and occupy a PPOS, except work may continue during movement(s) on No. 1 or No. 3 auth'd. at 25 mph or less (or at 40 mph or less for passenger train movements) if maintain 25′ spacing2 | Upon movement notification for No. 3, cease work and occupy a PPOS. Work3 is not required to cease during movement(s) on No. 1 | Working limits. |
| 3 | Working limits | Upon movement notification for No. 1, cease work and occupy a PPOS. Work3 is not required to cease during movement(s) on No. 3 | Upon movement notification for No. 1 or warning for No. 3, cease work and occupy a PPOS, except work may continue during movement(s) on No. 1 or No. 3 auth'd. at 25 mph or less (or at 40 mph or less for passenger train movements) if maintain 25′ spacing2 | Upon movement warning for No. 3 or notification for No. 1, cease work and occupy a PPOS | Train approach warning. |
| 4 | Train approach warning | Upon movement warning for No. 1 or No. 3, cease work and occupy a PPOS | Upon movement warning for No. 1 or No. 3, cease work and occupy a PPOS, except work may continue during movement(s) on No. 1 or No. 3 auth'd. at 25 mph or less (or at 40 mph or less for passenger train movements) if maintain 25′ spacing2 | Upon movement warning for No. 3 or No. 1, cease work and occupy safety PPOS | Train approach warning. |
| 5 | None, but with inter-track barrier | Work is prohibited on No. 1 and up to barrier (“Side A1”). Work is not required to cease btwn. barrier and near running rail of occupied track (“Side A2”) during movement(s) on No. 1 | Work is not required to cease during movement(s) on No. 1 | Work is not required to cease during movement(s) on No. 1 | N/A, because there is no adjacent track. |
| 6 | None, but with inter-track barrier | Work is prohibited on Side A1. Work3 is not required to cease on Side A2 during movement(s) on No. 1 or No. 3 | Work is not required to cease during movement(s) on No. 1. Upon movement notification or warning for No. 3, cease work and occupy a PPOS, except work may continue during movement(s) on No. 3 auth'd. at 25 mph or less (or at 40 mph or less for passenger trains) if maintain 25′ spacing2 | Upon movement notification or warning for No. 3, cease work and occupy a PPOS. Work3 is not required to cease during movement(s) on No. 1 | Working limits or train approach warning. |
| | | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 As used in the above table, a “predetermined place of safety” (or “PPOS”) means a specific location that an affected roadway worker must occupy upon receiving a watchman/lookout's warning of approaching movement(s) (“warning”) or a roadway worker in charge's (“RWIC's”) notification of pending movement(s) on an adjacent track (“notification”), as designated during the on-track safety job briefing required by [§ 214.315](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.315). The PPOS may not be on a track, unless the track has working limits on it and no movements permitted within such working limits by the RWIC. Thus, under these circumstances, the space between the rails of the occupied track (No. 2 in this table) may be designated as a place to remain in position or to otherwise occupy upon receiving a warning or notification. The RWIC must determine any change to a PPOS, and communicate such change to all affected roadway workers through an updated on-track safety job briefing. | | | | | |
| 2 On-ground work is prohibited in the areas 25′ in front of and 25′ behind equipment on the occupied track (No. 2), and must not break the plane of a rail on No. 2 towards a side of No. 2 unless work is permitted on that side. Note, however, that per [§ 214.336(a)(2)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.336#p-214.336(a)(2)), work would no longer be permitted to continue on or between the rails of the occupied track during movement(s) on an adjacent controlled track at 25 mph or less (or at 40 mph or less for passenger trains or other passenger on-track equipment movements) if there is a simultaneous movement on the other adjacent controlled track at more than 25 mph (or at more than 40 mph per hour for passenger train movements or other passenger on-track equipment movements). | | | | | |
| 3 Work that does not break the plane of the near running rail of the occupied track (No. 2) is not required to cease during such movements; work that breaks the plane of the near running rail of the occupied track may also continue: 1) during the times that work is permitted on or between the rails of the occupied track in accordance with [§ 214.336(c)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.336#p-214.336(c)) (Procedures for adjacent-controlled-track movements 25 mph or less, or 40 mph or less for passenger train movements or other passenger on-track equipment movements); or 2) if such work is performed alongside or within the perimeter of a roadway maintenance machine or coupled equipment in accordance with [§ 214.336(e)(2)](/on/2024-09-24/title-49/section-214.336#p-214.336(e)(2)). | | | | | |

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[[76 FR 74615](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/76-FR-74615), Nov. 30, 2011, as amended at [79 FR 1766](https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/79-FR-1766), Jan. 10, 2014]