Tr ai ni n g, Q u alific ati o n, a n d 

O v ersi g ht f or S af et y R el at e d 

R ailr o a d E m pl o y e es; 

P eri o dic O v ersi g ht J o b Ai d

A pril 2 0, 2 0 2 3 

Offic e of R ailr o a d S af et y
T a ble of C o nte nts

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d I ntr o d u cti o n ........................................................................................ 4

Detaile d Rec or ds of Test or I ns pecti o n ....................................................................................... 5

S u per vis or y E m pl o yees C o n d ucti n g Peri o dic O versi g ht of S R R Es ........................................... 6

A P P E N DI X A - E X A M P L E S O F T E S T S A N D I N S P E C TI O N S T H A T M A Y B E 

C O N D U C T E D B Y S U P E R VI S O R Y E M P L O Y E E S D U RI N G P E RI O DI C O V E R SI G H T ......... 8

2 1 4 B- 1 - Fall Pr otecti o n Ge ner all y ................................................................................................. 8

2 1 4 B- 2 - Fall Pr otecti o n S yste ms Sta n dar ds a n d Practices ............................................................ 9

2 1 4 B- 3 – Safet y Nets .................................................................................................................... 1 1

2 1 4 B- 4 - W or ki n g O ver or A djace nt t o Water ............................................................................. 1 2

2 1 4 B- 5 - Scaff ol di n g..................................................................................................................... 1 3

2 1 4 B- 6 – Per s o nal Pr otecti ve E q ui p me nt ..................................................................................... 1 4

2 1 4 C- 1 - O n Tr ac k Saf et y J o b Briefi n g ........................................................................................ 1 5

2 1 4 C- 2 - Cr ossi n g Trac ks ............................................................................................................. 1 6

2 1 4 C- 3 - R M M Wee d S pra yi n g/ S n o w Re m o val .......................................................................... 1 7

2 1 4 C- 4 - T u n nel Nic hes or Cleari n g Ba ys .................................................................................... 1 7

2 1 4 C- 5 - R M M M o ve me nts o n N o n- C o ntr olle d A B S Territ or y .................................................. 1 8

2 1 4 C- 6 - E xcl usi ve Trac k Occ u pa n c y ( E T O), a n d E T O Electr o nic Dis pla y ............................... 1 8

2 1 4 C- 7 - F o ul Ti me ...................................................................................................................... 2 0

2 1 4 C- 8 - Trai n C o or di nati o n ......................................................................................................... 2 0

2 1 4 C- 9 - I naccessi ble Tr ac k ......................................................................................................... 2 1

2 1 4 C- 1 0 – Trai n A p pr o ac hi n g War ni n g ....................................................................................... 2 2

2 1 4 C- 1 1 – A djace nt C o ntr olle d Trac ks ........................................................................................ 2 2

2 1 4 C- 1 2 – L o ne W or k er ............................................................................................................... 2 4

2 1 4 C- 1 3 – R oa d wa y Mai nte na nce M ac hi nes ( R M M) .................................................................. 2 4

2 1 4 D- 1 – R M M G o o d Fait h C halle n ge ........................................................................................ 2 5

2 1 4 D- 2 – R M M O perat ors Ne w Hi Rail ...................................................................................... 2 5

2 1 4 D- 3 – R M M O perat ors E xisti n g Hi- Rail ................................................................................ 2 6

2 1 4 D- 4 – R M M O perat ors O T E N E W ......................................................................................... 2 6

2 1 4 D- 5 – R M M O perat ors O T E E xisti n g ..................................................................................... 2 7

2 1 4 D- 6 – R M M O perat ors O T E Pre ............................................................................................. 2 8

2 1 4 D- 7 – R M M O perat ors T o wi n g E q ui p me nt ............................................................................ 2 9
2 1 8- 1 – Utilit y E m pl o yee .............................................................................................................. 3 0

2 1 8- 2 – Bl ue Si g nal Dis pla y ......................................................................................................... 3 0

2 1 8- 3 – Bl ue Si g nal Dis pla y o n Ot her t ha n Mai n Trac k .............................................................. 3 1

2 1 8- 4 – Bl ue Si g nal Dis pla y L oc o m oti ve a n d Car Ser vice Ar eas ................................................ 3 1

2 1 8- 5 – Bl ue Si g nal Dis pla y Re m ote C o ntr olle d S witc hes .......................................................... 3 2

2 1 8- 6 – O per ati n g Ha n d- O perate d S witc h es, I ncl u di n g Cr oss o ver S witc hes .............................. 3 3

2 1 8- 7 – S h o vi n g a n d P us hi n g M o ve me nts ................................................................................... 3 3

2 1 8- 8 – Ha n d - Op er ate d Cr oss o ver S witc hes ................................................................................ 3 4

2 1 8- 9 – Ha n d - O p er ate d S witc hes, I n cl u di n g Cr oss o ver S witc hes ............................................... 3 4

2 1 8- 1 0 – Ha n d O p er ate d Mai n Trac k S witc hes i n N o n - Si g nale d Territ or y ................................. 3 5

2 1 8- 1 1 – Ha n d O p er ate d Cr oss o ver S witc hes .............................................................................. 3 6

2 1 8- 1 2 – Ha n d O p er ate d Fi xe d Derails ........................................................................................ 3 6

2 2 0- 1 – Pr o per Ra di o Pr oce d ures ................................................................................................. 3 7

2 2 0- 2 – Ra di o M o nit ori n g ............................................................................................................ 3 8

2 2 0- 3 – E mer ge n c y Ra di o Tra ns missi o ns .................................................................................... 3 8

2 2 0- 4 – Ra di o C o m m u nicati o n i n S h o vi n g, Bac ki n g or P us hi n g M o ve me nts ............................. 3 8

O P - 1 – A u di ble War ni n g fr o m Trai ns .......................................................................................... 4 0

A p pe n di x B – R M M Q uic k Refer e nce ......................................................................................... 4 1

A p pe n di x C – Sc he d ule of Re pairs Fl o w C h art ............................................................................ 4 5

A p pe n di x D – E xa m ple of a Peri o dic O v ersi g ht Test/I ns pecti o n Rec or d .................................... 4 6

A p pe n di x E – Part 2 1 4 S u b part C A djace nt C o ntr olle d Trac k E x ce pti o ns .................................. 4 7

A p pe n di x F – Part 2 1 8 S u b part F E x ce pti o ns ............................................................................... 4 8
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d I ntr o d ucti o n

Discl ai mer

F R A is iss ui n g t his g ui da nce p urs ua nt t o D O T Or d er 2 1 0 0. 6 A (J u n e 7, 2 0 2 1) a n d F R A’s ge neral 

a ut h orit y t o prescri be re g ulati o ns a n d iss ue or ders f or e ver y ar ea of railr oa d safet y u n der 4 9 

U. S. C. § § 1 0 3( g) a n d 2 0 1 0 3(a). E xce pt w he n ref ere nci n g la ws, re g ulati o ns, p olicies, or or ders, 

t he c o nte nts of t his g ui da nce d oc u me nt d o n ot ha v e t he f or ce a n d eff ect of l a w a n d are n ot mea nt 

t o bi n d t he p u blic i n a n y wa y. T his d oc u me nt d oes n ot re vise or r e place a n y pre vi o usl y iss ue d 

g ui da nce. 

 

F R A rec o m me n ds t hat users of t his j o b ai d rea d t h e r ule te xt ( 4 9 C F R Part 2 4 3 ) bef or e usi n g it. 

T his j o b ai d d oes n ot s u p pla nt t he r ule te xt, b ut i nstea d is i nte n de d as a res o urce t hat pr o vi d es t he 

fra me w or k f or c o m plia nce wit h t he peri o dic o versi g ht re q uire me nts of § 2 4 3. 2 0 5 . T his j o b ai d is 

i nte n de d es peci all y f or r ailr oa d c o ntract ors as F R A a ntici pates nearl y all r ailr oa ds will mer ge 

t heir peri o dic o versi g ht u n der Part 2 4 3 wit h t he o v ersi g ht re q uire m e nts of Part 2 1 7. Li ke wise, 

t his j o b ai d c o ul d be use d t o hel p de vel o p i nter nal m o nit ori n g pr oce d ures f or t he railr oa d’s o ntrac k saf et y pr o gr a m per § 2 1 4. 3 0 3( b). 

lease direct an y q uesti o ns relate d t o t his d oc u me nt t o F R A at Part 2 4 3 Q uesti o ns @ d ot. g o v 

F ore w or d 

P urs ua nt t o § 2 4 3. 1 0 1, a n e m pl o yer m ust a d o pt a n d c o m pl y wit h a trai ni n g pr o gra m f or its 

safet y r elate d r ailr oa d e m pl o yees (S R R Es ). As part of t hat pr o gr a m, a n e m pl o yer s hall a d o pt 

a n d c o m pl y wit h a pr o gr a m t o c o n d uct peri o dic o versi g ht tests a n d i ns pecti o ns t o deter mi ne if 

S R R Es c o m pl y wit h Fe deral r ailr oa d saf et y la ws, re g ulati o ns, a n d or ders p artic ular t o F R Are g ulate d pers o nal a n d w or k gr o u p saf et y. I n t he bac k gr o u n d t o t he fi n al r ule, F R A e x plai ne d 

t hat t he p ur p ose of peri o dic o versi g ht is t o re q uire e m pl o yers t o “ m ore cl osel y m o nit or t he 

acti vities of lar gel y mai nte na nce - of- w a y, si g nal, a n d o perati o ns pers o n n el ( w h o are n ot 

c o n d uct ors or l oc o m oti ve e n gi neers, see § 2 4 3. 2 0 5( b)).” Peri o dic o versi g ht be gi ns t he da y t he 

railr oa d or railr oa d c o ntr act or c o m me n ces o perati o ns. O nl y q ualifie d s u per vis ors ma y c o n d uct 

peri o dic o versi g ht p urs ua nt t o § 2 4 3. 2 0 5(c) a n d ( g)( 3). It is rec o m me n de d t hat users of t his j o b 

ai d rea d § 2 4 3. 2 0 5 i n its e ntiret y.

Re gar dless of t he j o b title use d, peri o dic o versi g ht m ust be c o n d ucte d o n S R R Es t o assess t heir a bilit y t o c o m pl y 

wit h Fe deral railr oa d safet y la ws, re g ulati o ns, a n d or ders pertai ni n g t o pers o nal a n d w or k gr o u p safet y i n c o n necti o n 

wit h t heir d uties.

4 9 C F R § 2 4 3. 2 0 5 . 

C urre ntl y 4 9 C F R Parts 2 1 4, 2 1 8, a n d 2 2 0. 

7 9 F R 6 6 4 6 0, 6 6 4 8 7 ( N o v. 7, 2 0 1 4).
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

T his j o b ai d pr o vi des railr oa ds a n d r ailr oa d c o ntr act ors a fr a me w or k a n d r ec o m me n dati o ns f or 

c o m plia nce wit h t he r e q uireme nts of § 2 4 3. 2 0 5. It is desi g n e d t o s u m marize Part 2 4 3’s 

re q uire me nts a n d rec o m me n d practice s t o e ns ure eac h ste p i n t he a p plicati o n of Fe d eral 

re g ulati o ns pertai ni n g t o w or k gr o u p saf et y is c o nsi dere d w he n c o n d ucti n g tests or i ns pecti o ns. 

I n t his j o b ai d, t he ter ms “ m ust” a n d “s hall” i n dicate re g ulat or y re q uir e me nts w hile t he ter ms 

“ ma y” or “s h o ul d” i n dicate F R A’s r ec o m me n dati o n. 

Si nce a s u per vis or y e m pl o yee is n ot re q uire d t o v erif y e ver y re g ulat or y re q uire me nt d uri n g a 

peri o dic o versi g ht test or i ns pecti o n, A p pe n di x A t o t his d oc u me nt pr o vides e xa m ples of t he 

t y pes of tests, f or ms, a n d i ns pecti o ns a s u per vis or y e m pl o yee c o ul d c o nsi d er usi n g w he n 

c o n d ucti n g peri o dic o versi g ht. 

Peri o dic o versi g ht see ks t o acc o m plis h t w o g oals: ( 1) ta ke n otice of i n di vi d ual e m pl o yees w h o 

are i n n o nc o m plia nce a n d ta ke c orrecti ve acti o n t o e ns ure t hat t h ose s pecific e m pl o yees k n o w 

h o w t o d o t he w or k pr o p erl y (i n s o me i nsta nces, t he e m pl o yee mi g ht nee d c oac hi n g or retrai ni n g, 

es peciall y if t he p ers o n h as n ot ha d m uc h e x perie n ce d oi n g t he w or k; i n ot h er i nsta nces, tr ai ni n g 

ma y n ot be a n iss ue a n d ot her re me di al acti o n ma y be a p pr o pri ate); a n d ( 2) re vie w all of t h e 

o versi g ht data, i n t he a g gre gate, t o det ect patter ns of n o nc o m plia nce.

Peri o dic O versi g ht b y C o ntr act o rs

A railr oa d c o ntract or is r e q uire d t o c o n d uct p eri o dic o versi g ht of its o w n e m pl o yees w he n it 

meets all t he f oll o wi n g criteri a: 

1. T he c o ntract or e m pl o ys m ore t ha n 1 5 S R R Es; 

2. T he c o ntract or r elies o n trai ni n g it directl y pr o vi des t o its o w n e m pl o yees as t he basis f or 

q ualif yi n g t h ose e m pl o yees t o perf or m s afet y- relat e d d uties o n a railr o a d; a n d

3. T he c o ntract or e m pl o ys s u per vis or y S R R Es ca pa ble of perf or mi n g o versi g ht.

 

N ot wit hsta n di n g t he re q uire me nts of par a gra p hs § 2 4 3. 2 0 5(c) a n d ( g), a railr oa d a n d a c o ntract or 

ma y a gree t hat t he c o ntr act or will pr o vi de t he o versi g ht b y s pecif yi n g i n t he pr o gra m t hat t he 

railr oa d has tr ai ne d t he c o ntract or e m pl o yees res p o nsi ble f or trai ni n g a n d o versi g ht. 

Railr oa d c o ntract ors m ust ha ve a cl ear u n d er sta n di n g of peri o dic o versi g ht res p o nsi bilities wit h 

t heir railr oa d clie nts pri or t o e n ga gi n g i n a n y saf et y-relate d d uties o n t he railr oa d. 

Det aile d Rec or ds of Test or I ns pecti o n 

7 9 F R 6 6 4 8 6 8 7.

4 9 C F R § 2 4 3. 2 0 5( g).

4 9 C F R § 2 4 3. 2 0 5( h).
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

Eac h e m pl o yer t hat c o n d ucts peri o dic o versi g ht m ust create a n d mai ntai n r ec or ds p urs u a nt t o 

§ 2 4 3. 2 0 5(i). T he i nf or m ati o n liste d bel o w ca pt ur es t he esse ntial ele m e nts of a peri o dic 

o versi g ht rec or d. 

D oc u me nt all acti vities of t he test or i ns pecti o n o n t he desi g nate d f or m. At t he 

mi ni m u m , eac h f or m m ust i ncl u de:

T he date

Ti me

Place

Res ult of eac h test or i ns pecti o n

Eac h pers o n a d mi nisteri n g test(s) or i ns pecti o n(s); a n d

Pers o n teste d. 

T he rec or d s hall als o pr o vi de a met h o d t o rec or d w het her t he e m pl o yee c o m plie d wit h t he 

m o nit ore d d uties, a n d a n y i nter ve nti o ns use d t o re me diate n o n- c o m plia nce. 

Tests or I ns pecti o ns 

Tests or I ns pecti o ns ma y be eit her a n n o u n ce d or u na n n o u nce d. 

Tests or I ns pecti o ns s ho ul d be c o n d ucte d t hr o u g h o ut a n S R R E’s e ntire s hift s o t hat a n y 

ni g ht acti vities are c o ver e d . 

Tests or I ns pecti o ns s ho ul d be c o n d ucte d t hr o u g h o ut a S R R E’s w or k l ocati o n(s), i.e., 

mai nli ne, si di n gs, yar ds, lea ds, mai nte na nce, s h o ps, wit h a n d wit h o ut e q ui p me nt w here 

a p plica ble. 

At t he e n d of eac h test or i ns pecti o n t he s u per vis or y e m pl o yee s hall brief t he S R R E o n 

t he res ults of t he test or i ns pecti o n, a n d i nter ve nti o ns use d t o re me diate n o nc o m plia nce. 

S u per vis or y E m pl o yees C o n d ucti n g Peri o dic O versi g ht of S R R Es

M ust be f or mall y trai ne d/ q ualifie d o n a n y a p plica ble safet y r ules a n d pr oce d ures f or t he 

railr oa d t he y are u p o n. 

M ust be k n o wle d gea ble i n all Fe deral r e g ulati o ns f or t he peri o dic o v ersi g ht t he y are 

perf or mi n g. 

See 7 9 F R 6 6 4 8 7 ( N o v. 7, 2 0 1 4)( descri bi n g i n t he secti o n b y secti o n a nal ysis of t he Part 2 4 3 fi nal r ule t hat 

peri o dic o versi g ht mea ns re g ularl y c o n d ucti n g b ot h tests a n d i ns pecti o ns, a n d w hat t h ose ter ms mea n i n t his 

c o nte xt). I n s u m mar y:

 Tests re q uire cha n g i n g t he w or k e n vir o n me nt s o t hat o ne or m ore e m pl o yee s m ust act t o pre ve nt n o n c o m plia nce. 

 I ns pecti o ns re q uire obser v i n g o ne or m ore e m pl o yees at a j o b site a n d deter mi n i n g w het her t he e m pl o yees are i n 

c o m plia nce . 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

S h o ul d verif y t hat S R R Es are trai n e d a n d q ualifi e d o n all r oles/ pr oce d ures t he y are 

perf or mi n g f or t he railr o a d t he y ar e u p o n. 

S h o ul d verif y t hat r oa d w a y w or kers ar e c o m pl yi n g wit h all a p plica ble r ules of t he 

railr oa d t he y are u p o n. 

S h o ul d c o nsi der i nter ve ni n g i n circ u msta nces w h ere a n u nsafe act or n o n- c o m plia nce 

wit h Fe deral railr o a d saf et y la ws, re g ulati o ns, or or ders is o bser v e d. 

hall d oc u me nt w het her t he e m pl o yee c o m plie d wit h t he m o nit ore d d uties, a n d a n y 

i nter ve nti o ns use d t o re m e diate n o n-c o m plia n ce.
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

A P P E N DI X A - EX A M P L E S O F T E S T S A N D I N S P E C TI O N S T H A T M A Y B E 

C O N D U C T E D B Y S U P E R VI S O R Y E M P L O Y E E S D U RI N G P E RI O DI C O V E R SI G H T

2 1 4 B- 1 - F all Pr otecti o n Ge ner all y

O bjecti ve: O bser v e bri d ge w or kers ( B W) i ns pecti n g bri d ges, or usi n g e xce pti o ns, or usi n g fall 

restrai nt. 

 

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4. 1 0 3 - Fall Pr otecti o n G e nerall y a n d Railr oa d R ul es. 

W or ki n g o n a r ailr o a d b ri d ge perf or mi n g a bri d ge i ns pecti o n 

 

O bser ve B W e n ga g e d i n i ns pecti o n of a railr o a d bri d ge: 

Verif y B W c o m plies wit h t he railr oa d’s / c o ntract or’s cli m bi n g tec h ni q ues a n d 

pr oce d ur es. 

Verif y B W is e n g a ge d s olel y i n i ns pecti o n acti vities.

C hec k if a p plica bl e, t he B W is pr o vi de d all e q ui p me nt necessar y t o meet t he nee ds of 

safet y, i ncl u di n g a n y s pecialize d alter nati ve s yste ms re q uire d. 

W or ki n g o n a r ailr o a d b ri d ge usi n g a n e xce pti o n i n pl ace of f all pr otecti o n 

O bser ve B W usi n g a n e x ce pti o n p urs ua nt t o § 2 1 4. 1 0 3(c): 

Verif y B W is perf or mi n g mi n or re pairs or i ns pecti o ns sta yi n g e xcl usi vel y bet wee n 

t he o utsi de rails.

If t he B W is o utsi de a r ail, v erif y t hat si de of t he bri d ge is e q ui p pe d wit h w al k wa ys 

a n d raili n gs of s uffici e nt hei g ht, wi dt h, a n d stre n gt h t o pre ve nt a f all. 

Verif y B W at all ti mes mai ntai ns a p ositi o n si x feet or m ore fr o m t he e d ge of a bri d ge 

or r oa d w a y dec k, or fr o m a n o pe ni n g t hr o u g h w hic h a pers o n c o ul d fall. 

W or ki n g o n a r ailr o a d b ri d ge usi n g f all restr ai nt 

O bser ve B W usi n g f all restrai nt: 

Verif y B Ws f all restrai nt s yste m c o m p o ne nts meet t he re q uire m e nts f or c o m p o ne nts 

of a pers o n al fall arrest s yste m, as set f ort h i n § 2 1 4. 1 0 5.

Verif y B W is pr e ve nte d fr o m reac hi n g a n y e d g e or o pe ni n g w her e t he y c o ul d fall, i n 

a n y directi o n.

If B W is usi n g a retr acta ble la n yar d or lif eli ne i n t he fall restr ai nt s yste m, verif y t he 

B W ca n n ot reac h a n y e d ge or o pe ni n g w h ere t he y c o ul d fall w he n t he retracta ble 

c o m p o ne nt is f ull y de pl o ye d.
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

2 1 4 B- 2 - F all Pr otecti o n S yste ms St a n d ar ds a n d Pr actices

O bjecti ve: O bser v e fall pr otecti o n s yste ms c o nf or m t o sta n dar ds. 

 

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4. 1 0 5 - Fall pr otecti o n s yste ms a n d practices. 

W or ki n g o n a R ailr o a d Bri d ge wit h F all Pr otecti o n 

Ge ner al

Verif y f all pr otecti o n e q ui p me nt is o nl y bei n g use d f or pers o n al fall pr otecti o n. 

Verif y t hat c o m p o n e nts are i ns pecte d pri or t o use a n d f o u n d t o be free of d efects s uc h as 

wear, d a ma ge, c orr osi o n, mil de w, a n d ot her deteri orati o n. 

Verif y t hat bri d ge w or kers are tr ai ne d o n t he a p plicati o n li mits of t he e q ui p me nt, pr o per 

h o o k- u p, a nc h ori n g a n d tie- off tec h ni q ues, met h o ds of use, a n d pr o p er met h o ds of 

i ns pecti o n a n d st ora ge. 

Vertic al lif eli nes

Verif y lifeli nes h a ve a mi ni m u m brea ki n g stre n gt h of 5, 0 0 0 p o u n ds. 

Verif y t hat eac h bri d g e w or ker is pr o vi de d wit h a s e parat e lifeli ne. 

C hec k t hat lifeli nes ar e n ot ma de of nat ur al fi ber r o pe.

H oriz o nt al lifeli nes

Verif y lifeli nes w ere d esi g ne d, i nstalle d, a n d use d u n der t he s u per visi o n of a c o m pete nt 

pers o n, as part of a c o m plete pers o nal f all arr est s yste m t hat mai ntai ns a safet y fact or of 

at least t w o.

C hec k t hat lifeli nes ar e n ot ma de of nat ur al fi ber r o pe. 

Verif y t hat de vi ces use d t o c o n nect t o a h ori z o ntal lifeli ne t hat ma y bec o me a vertical 

lifeli ne are ca pa bl e of l oc ki n g i n eit her directi o n. 

Self ret r acti n g lifeli nes a n d l a n y ar ds 

Verif y self retr acti n g lifeli nes a n d la n yar ds t hat a ut o maticall y li mit free fall dista nce t o 

t w o feet or less h a ve c o m p o ne nts ca pa ble of s ustai ni n g a mi ni m u m static te nsile l oa d of 

3, 0 0 0 p o u n ds a p plie d t o t he de vice i n t he f ull y e xte n de d p ositi o n. 

Verif y t hat self retr acti n g lifeli nes a n d la n yar ds t h at d o n ot li mit free fall dista nce t o t w o 

feet or less, ri pstic h, a n d teari n g a n d def or me d la n yar ds ar e ca p a ble of wit hsta n di n g 5, 0 0 0 

p o u n ds a p plie d t o t he de vice i n t he f ull y e xte n de d p ositi o n. 

 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

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C o n necti n g h ar d w are

Verif y t hat c o n n ect ors h a ve a c orr osi o n-resista nt fi nis h, a n d all s urfaces a n d e d ges ar e 

s m o ot h. 

Verif y t hat c o n n ect ors ar e dr o p f or g e d, press e d, or f or me d steel, or m a de of e q ui vale ntstre n gt h materials. 

Verif y s na p - h o o ks ar e ca pa ble of s ustai ni n g a mi ni m u m te nsile l oa d of 3, 6 0 0 p o u n ds 

wit h o ut crac ki n g, br ea ki n g, or ta ki n g per ma n e nt def or mati o n. 

Verif y s na p - h o o ks ar e ca pa ble of s ustai ni n g a mi ni m u m te nsile l oa d of 5, 0 0 0 p o u n ds. 

Verif y s na p - h o o ks ar e n ot c o n necte d t o eac h ot her. 

C hec k t hat s na p - h o o ks ar e di me nsi o nall y c o m pati ble wit h t he me m ber t o w hic h t he y ar e 

c o n necte d t o pr e ve nt u ni nte nti o nal dise n ga ge me nt. 

Verif y t hat n o n-l oc ki n g t y pe s na p- h o o ks are n ot e n ga ge d: 

Directl y, ne xt t o we b bi n g, r o pe, or wir e r o pe; 

T o eac h ot her; 

T o a dee -ri n g t o w hic h a n ot her s na p- h o o k or ot h er c o n nect or is attac he d;

T o a h oriz o ntal lifeli ne; or

T o a n y o bject t hat is i nc o m pati bl y s ha pe d or di me nsi o ne d i n relati o n t o t he s na p- h o o k 

s o t hat u ni nte nti o nal dise n ga ge me nt c o ul d occ ur. 

B o d y h ar nesses

C hec k t hat b o d y belts are n ot bei n g use d as c o m p o ne nts of a pers o n al fall arrest s yste m.

O bser ve t hat s yste ms are w or n wit h t he attac h me nt p oi nt of t he b o d y har ness l ocate d i n 

t he ce nter of t he w ear er’s bac k near s h o ul der le v el, or a b o ve t he wearer’s h ea d.

Verif y dee -ri n gs are ca pa ble of s ustai ni n g a mi ni m u m te nsile l oa d of 3, 6 0 0 p o u n ds 

wit h o ut crac ki n g, br ea ki n g, or ta ki n g per ma n e nt def or mati o n. 

Verif y dee -ri n gs are ca pa ble of s ustai ni n g a mi ni m u m te nsile l oa d of 5, 0 0 0 p o u n ds. 

O bser ve t h at t he pers o n al f all arrest s yste m c o m p o ne nts c o nf or m t o st a n d ar ds. 

Verif y t hat a n c h ora g es ar e ca p a ble of s u p p orti n g at least 5, 0 0 0 p o u n ds per bri d ge w or ker 

attac he d or ar e desi g ne d, i nstalle d, a n d use d u n der t he s u per visi o n of a q ualifie d pers o n 

as part of a c o m plete pers o nal fall pr otecti o n s yste m t hat mai ntai ns a safet y fact or of at 

least t w o.

C hec k t hat t he s yste m will bri n g a bri d ge w or ker t o a c o m plete st o p a n d li mit ma xi m u m 

decelerati o n dista nce a bri d ge w or ker tr a vels t o 3. 5 feet.

Verif y t he s yste m is arra n ge d s o t hat a bri d ge w or ker ca n n ot free fall m ore t ha n si x feet 

a n d ca n n ot c o nt act t he gr o u n d or a n y l o wer h oriz o ntal s urface of t he bri d g e. 

Verif y t he s yste m li mits t he ma xi m u m arresti n g f orce o n a bri d ge w or ker t o 1, 8 0 0 p o u n ds 

w he n use d wit h a b o d y h ar ness. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

1 1

C hec k t hat t he s yste m has s ufficie nt stre n gt h t o wit hsta n d t wice t he p ote ntial i m pact 

e ner g y of a bri d ge w or ker free falli n g a dista nce of si x feet, or t he free fall dista nce 

per mitte d b y t he s yste m, w hic he ver is less. 

Verif y t ha t a pl a n is i n place f or t he pr o m pt r esc ue of bri d ge w or k ers i n t he e ve nt of a 

fall.

2 1 4 B- 3 – S afet y Nets

O bjecti ve: O bser v e t hat t he i nstallati o n of t he saf et y net s yste m c o nf or ms t o sta n dar ds. 

 

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4. 1 0 5 - Fall pr otecti o n s yste ms a n d practices. 

Verif y safet y nets are i nstalle d as cl ose as practica ble u n der t he w al ki n g/ w or ki n g s urface 

o n w hic h bri d ge w or k ers are w or ki n g, a n d n ot i nstalle d m ore t ha n 3 0 f eet b el o w s uc h 

s urface.

Verif y t he safet y is i nstalle d s o a n y fall fr o m t he w or ki n g s urface t o t he net is 

u n o bstr ucte d. 

O bser ve t h at t he t esti n g or certific ati o n of t he s afet y net s yst e m c o nf or ms t o st a n d ar ds.

 

Verif y t hat t he safet y nets a n d net i nstallati o ns were dr o p- test e d at t he j o bsite after i nitial 

i nstallati o n a n d bef ore b ei n g use d as a f all pr otecti o n s yste m, w he ne ver rel o cate d, after 

maj or re pair, a n d at si x m o nt h i nter vals if left i n o ne place , a n d

Verif y t hat t he dr o p- test (if perf or m e d) c o nsist e d of a 4 0 0- p o u n d ba g of sa n d 3 0 i nc hes, 

pl us or mi n us t w o i nc hes, i n dia meter dr o p pe d i nt o t he net fr o m t he hi g hest ( b ut n ot less 

t ha n 3 1⁄2 feet) w or ki n g s urface o n w hic h bri d g e w or kers are t o be pr ot ecte d, or 

Verif y t hat t he r ailr oa d or railr oa d c o ntract or has de m o nstrate d t hat a dr o p- test is n ot 

easi ble a n d h as ha d a d esi g nate d c o m pete nt certif y t hat t he net a n d its i nstallati o n are i n 

c o m plia nce wit h t he pr o visi o ns b y pre pari n g a certificati o n rec or d pri or t o use of t he net, 

a n d

Verif y t hat t he certificati o n i ncl u de d a n i de ntificati o n of t he net, t he date it was 

deter mi ne d t hat t he net w as i n c o m plia nce wit h t his secti o n, a n d t he si g nat ure of t he 

pers o n ma ki n g t his deter mi nati o n a n d t hat t h e m ost rece nt certificati o n f or eac h n et 

i nstallati o n is a vaila ble at t he j o bsite w here t he s u bject net is l o cate d.

O bser ve t h at t he i nst all ati o n of t he s afet y net s yste m c o nf or ms t o st a n d ar ds.

 

Verif y safet y net is i nstalle d s uc h t hat t here is n o c o ntact wit h s urfaces or str uct ures 

bel o w t he net w he n s u bjecte d t o a n i m pact f orce e q ual t o t he dr o p test s pe cifie d.

Verif y safet y nets e xte n d o ut war d fr o m t he o uter m ost pr ojecti o n of t he w or k s urface as 

f oll o ws: 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

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If t he vertical dista nce fr o m t he w or ki n g le vel t o t he h oriz o ntal pla ne of t he net is 5 

feet or less, t he mi ni m u m re q uire d h ori z o ntal dista nce of t he o uter e d g e of t he net 

be y o n d t he e d ge of t he w or ki n g s urface is 8 feet. 

If t he vertical dista nce fr o m t he w or ki n g le vel t o t he h oriz o ntal pla ne of t he net is 

greater t ha n 5 feet, b ut less t ha n 1 0 feet, t he mi ni m u m re q uire d h oriz o ntal dista nce of 

t he o uter e d ge of t he net be y o n d t he e d ge of t he w or ki n g s urface is 1 0 feet. 

If t he vertical dista nce fr o m t he w or ki n g le vel t o t he h oriz o ntal pla ne of t he net is 

greater t ha n 1 0 feet, t he mi ni m u m re q uire d h oriz o ntal dista nce of t he o uter e d ge of 

t he net be y o n d t he e d g e of t he w or ki n g s urf ace is 1 3 feet. 

Verif y safet y net has a b or der r o p e or w e b bi n g wit h a mi ni m u m brea ki n g stre n gt h of 

5, 0 0 0 p o u n ds. 

Verif y t he ma xi m u m size of eac h s afet y n et mes h o pe ni n g d oes n ot e xcee d 3 6 s q uare 

i nc hes a n d is n ot l o n ger t ha n 6 i nc hes o n a n y si de meas ure d ce nter t o-ce nter of mes h 

r o pes or w e b bi n g a n d t hat all mes h cr ossi n g is sec ure d t o pre v e nt e nlar g e me nt of t he 

mes h o pe ni n g. 

Verif y c o n n ecti o ns bet w ee n saf et y net pa n els are as str o n g as i nte gral net c o m p o ne nts 

a n d are s p ace d n ot m ore t ha n 6 i nc hes a part.

O bser ve t h at t he d ail y use of t he s afet y net s yste m c o nf or ms t o st a n d ar ds. 

 

Verif y t hat nets are i ns pecte d at least o nce a w ee k f or mil de w, wear, da ma g e, a n d ot her 

deteri orati o n a n d t h at def ecti ve c o m p o ne nts s hall be re m o ve d p er ma n e ntl y fr o m ser vice.

C hec k t hat t o ols, scra ps, or ot her materi als t hat ha ve falle n i nt o t he saf et y n et are 

re m o ve d as s o o n as p ossi ble, a n d at least bef ore t h e ne xt w or k s hift. 

2 1 4 B- 4 - W or ki n g O ver or A dj ace nt t o W ater

O bjecti ve: O bser v e bri d ge w or kers w or ki n g o ver or a djace nt t o water. 

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4- 1 0 7 - W or ki n g o v er or a djace nt t o water a n d Railr oa d R ules 

W or ki n g o ver or a dj ace nt t o w ater a n d N O T u n der t he pr o visi o ns of § 2 1 4. 1 0 3( b)( 2), ( c) or 

( d) of t his s u b p art

Verif y t hat bri d ge w or kers w or ki n g o ver or a djace nt t o water wit h a de pt h of f o ur f eet or 

m ore, or w here t he d a n ger of dr o w ni n g e xists, ar e pr o vi de d a n d use life v ests or b u o ya nt 

w or k vests i n c o m plia nce wit h U. S. C oast G uar d r e q uire me nts i n 4 6 C F R s ecti o ns 

1 6 0. 0 4 7, 1 6 0. 0 5 2, a n d 1 6 0. 0 5 3. 

Verif y t hat l ife preser vers i n c o m plia nce wit h U. S. C oast G uar d re q uire me nts i n 4 6 C F R 

1 6 0. 0 5 5 are wit hi n rea d y access. 

Verif y t hat all fl otati o n d e vice s were i ns pecte d f or defects t hat r e d uce t heir stre n gt h or 

b u o ya nc y b y desi g nate d i n di vi d uals trai ne d b y t he railr oa d or railr oa d c o ntr act or a n d 

dee me d n o n- d efecti ve pri or t o use. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

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Verif y ri n g b u o ys wit h at least 9 0 feet of li ne ar e pr o vi de d a n d r ea dil y a va il a ble f or 

e mer ge n c y res c ue o perati o ns, wit h dista nce bet wee n ri n g b u o ys n ot e xcee di n g 2 0 0 feet. 

Verif y t hat at least o ne lifesa vi n g s kiff, i nflat a ble b oat, or e q ui vale nt de vi ce is 

i m me diatel y a vaila ble, a n d if deter mi ne d b y a c o m pete nt pers o n t hat e n vir o nme ntal 

c o n diti o ns, i ncl u di n g weat her, wat er s pee d, a n d terrai n, merit a d diti o nal pr otecti o n, t hat 

t he s kiff or b oat is ma n ne d. 

2 1 4 B- 5 - Sc aff ol di n g

O bjecti ve: O bser v e bri d ge w or kers usi n g scaff ol di n g 

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4- 1 0 9 – Scaff ol di n g 

Ge ner al

Verif y eac h scaff ol d a n d scaff ol d c o m p o n e nt, e xce pt s us pe nsi o n r o pes a n d g uar drail 

s yste ms, b ut i ncl u di n g f o oti n gs a n d a nc h ora g e, is ca pa ble of s u p p orti n g, wit h o ut fail ure, 

its o w n wei g ht a n d at least f o ur ti mes t he ma xi m u m i nte n de d l oa d a p plie d or tra ns mitte d 

t o t hat scaff ol d or scaff ol d c o m p o ne nt. 

Verif y scaff ol ds ha v e n ot bee n alter e d or m o ve d w hile t he y are o cc u pie d. T his para gra p h 

d oes n ot a p pl y t o vertical m o ve me nts of m o bile scaff ol ds t hat ar e desi g ne d t o m o ve 

verticall y w hile occ u pie d.

Verif y a n access la d der or e q ui vale nt saf e access is pr o vi de d.

G u ar dr ail s yste ms

Verif y g uar drail s yste ms are ca pa ble of wit hsta n di n g, wit h o ut fail ure, a f orce of at least 

2 0 0 p o u n ds a p plie d wit hi n t w o i nc hes of t he t o p e d ge, i n a n y o ut war d or d o w n war d 

directi o n, at a n y p oi nt al o n g t he t o p e d ge. 

Verif y t o p e d g e hei g ht of t o prails, or e q ui vale nt g uar drail s yste m me m ber are 4 2 i nc h es, 

pl us or mi n us t hree i nc hes a n d s u p p orts are at i nter vals n ot t o e xcee d ei g ht feet. 

Verif y mi drails, scr ee ns, mes h, i nter me diate vertical me m bers, s oli d pa nels, a n d 

e q ui vale nt str uct ural me m bers are ca p a ble of wit hsta n di n g, wit h o ut fail ure, a f or ce of at 

least 1 5 0 p o u n ds a p plie d i n a n y d o w n war d or o ut war d directi o n at a n y p oi nt al o n g t he 

mi drail or ot her me m ber.

Verif y mi drail s ar e i nstalle d at a hei g ht mi d wa y b et wee n t he t o p e d ge of t h e g uar dr ail 

s yste m a n d t he wal ki n g/ w or ki n g le vel. 

Verif y t oe b o ar ds are a mi ni m u m of f o ur i nc hes i n hei g ht. 

M a n u all y pr o pelle d m o bile l a d der st a n ds a n d sc aff ol ds

Verif y t hat t her e are n o s har p e d ges or b urrs. 

Verif y t hat t h e ma xi m u m w or k le vel hei g ht d oes n ot e xcee d f o ur ti mes t he mi ni m u m or 

least base di me nsi o ns of a n y m o bile la d der sta n d or scaff ol d or t hat s uita ble o utri g ger 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

1 4

fra mes are e m pl o ye d t o ac hie ve t his least base di m e nsi o n, or t hat e q ui vale nt pr o visi o ns 

ha ve be e n ma de t o g u y or brace t he u nit a gai nst ti p pi n g. 

Verif y t hat t he mi ni m u m platf or m wi dt h f or a n y w or k le vel is n ot less t ha n 2 0 i nc hes f or 

m o bile scaff ol ds (t o wers). 

Verif y t hat la d d er sta n ds s hall ha ve a mi ni m u m ste p wi dt h of 1 6 i nc hes a n d t hat the ste ps 

are f a bricate d fr o m sli p r esista nt trea ds.

Verif y t hat g uar drails a n d mi drails c o nf or m t o t he ge neral g u ar dr ail s yste m re q uire me nts 

of t his secti o n. 

Verif y t hat a cli m bi n g la d der or stair w a y has b ee n pr o vi de d f or pr o p er access a n d e gress , 

is affi xe d or b uilt i nt o t he scaff ol d a n d is l ocate d s o t hat i n its use it will n ot ha ve a 

te n de nc y t o ti p t he scaff ol d. 

Verif y t hat all scaff ol d casters are pr o vi de d wit h a p ositi ve w heel a n d/ or s wi vel l oc k t o 

pre ve nt m o ve me nt a n d t h at la d der sta n ds s hall ha v e at least t w o of t he f o ur casters a n d 

are of t h e s wi vel t y pe. 

2 1 4 B- 6 – Pers o n al Pr ot ecti ve E q ui p m e nt

O bjecti ve: O bser v e bri d ge w or ker pers o n al pr otecti o n e q ui p me nt ( P P E) 

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4- 1 1 1 – Pers o nal pr otecti ve e q ui p me nt, ge nerall y, § 2 1 4. 1 1 3 Hea d, § 

2 1 4. 1 1 5 F o ot Pr otecti o n, § 2 1 4. 1 1 7 E ye a n d Face Pr otecti o n a n d t he Railr o a d R ules

Pers o n al pr otecti ve e q ui p m e nt, ge ner all y 

Verif y t hat B W are usi n g all pers o nal pr otecti ve e q ui p me nt re q uire d b y t he re g ulati o ns 

a n d t he w or k b ei n g perf or me d 

He a d Pr otecti o n

Verif y Railr oa d B W’s w or ki n g i n areas w her e t here is a p ossi ble da n ger of hea d i nj ur y 

fr o m i m pact, or fr o m falli n g or fl yi n g o bjects, or fr o m electrical s h oc k a n d b ur ns are 

weari n g pr ot ecti ve hel mets.

F o ot Pr ot ecti o n 

Verif y bri d ge w or kers ar e weari n g f o ot pr otecti o n e q ui p me nt w he n p ote nti al f o ot i nj ur y 

ma y res ult fr o m i m pact, f alli n g or fl yi n g o bjects, electrical s h oc k or b ur ns, or ot her 

hazar d o us c o n diti o n.

E ye a n d F ace Pr otecti o n

O bser ve Railr o a d bri d ge w or kers are w eari n g e ye a n d face pr otecti o n e q ui p me nt w he n 

p ote ntial e ye or f ace i nj ur y ma y res ult fr o m p h ysi cal, c he mical, or ra di a nt a ge nts. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

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Verif y r ailr oa d bri d ge w or kers w h ose visi o n r e q uires t he use of c orr ecti ve le nses, w he n 

re q uire d b y t his secti o n t o wear e ye pr ot ecti o n ar e pr otecte d b y g o g gles or s pectacles of 

o ne of t he f oll o wi n g t y pes: 

S pectacles w h os e pr otecti ve le nses pr o vi de o ptical c orrecti o n t he fr a me of w hic h 

i ncl u des s hiel di n g a gai nst o bjects reac hi n g t he wearer’s e yes ar o u n d t he le nses; 

G o g gles t hat ca n be w or n o ver c orrecti ve l e nses wit h o ut dist ur bi n g t he a dj ust me nt of 

t he le nses; or

G o g gles t hat i nc or p orat e c orrecti ve le nses m o u nte d be hi n d t he pr otecti ve le nse s.

2 1 4 C- 1 - O n r ac k S af et y J o b Briefi n g

O bjecti ve O bser v e r oa d wa y or k ers o n-tr ac k saf et y j o b briefi n gs a n d t heir u n dersta n di n g of t he 

differe nt ele me nts of a n o n-t rac k afet y j o b briefi n g. 

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4. 3 0 3( b) - Railr oa d o n- trac k safet y pr o gra ms, ge n erall y, § 2 1 4. 3 0 9 – O n

trac k saf et y ma n ual, § 2 1 4. 3 1 1 – Res p o nsi bilit y of e m pl o yers, § 2 1 4. 3 1 3 – Res p o nsi bilit y of 

i n di vi d ual r oa d wa y w or k ers, § 2 1 4. 3 1 5 – S u per visi o n a n d c o m m u nicati o n & Railr oa d R ules 

N ote: Roa d wa y w or k er m ust be trai ne d/ q ualifie d f or t heir assi g ne d d uties i ncl u di n g a n y 

re q uire me nts of tr ai ni n g f or t he railr o a d t he y are u p o n. 

Res p o nsi bilit y of E m pl o yers a n d I n di vi d u al R o a d w a y W or kers 

As pr o vi de d i n § 2 1 4. 3 1 1, a n e m pl o yer is res p o nsi ble f or t he u n dersta n di n g a n d c o m plia nce b y 

its e m pl o yees of its r ules/re g ulati o ns. As pr o vi de d i n § 2 1 4. 3 1 3, a r oa d w a y w or ker is r es p o nsi ble

f or f oll o wi n g t he o n-trac k safet y r ules of t he railr oa d t he y ar e u p o n. 

E ns ure r oa d wa y w or ker(s) u n dersta n d t he y s h all o nl y f o ul a trac k i n perf or ma nce of t heir 

d uties, a n d t he y m ust ascertai n t hat o n-trac k saf et y is bei n g pr o vi de d bef or e f o uli n g a 

trac k. 

As k if t he r oa d w a y w or k er(s) u n d ersta n d t he y ca n ref use a n y directi ve t o vi olat e a n o ntrac k saf et y r ule or re g ul ati o n (s).

Verif y t he r o a d wa y w or k er(s) u n d ersta n d w h at a g o o d fait h c halle n ge is a n d k n o w w her e 

t o fi n d t he writte n pr oce d ure t o ac hie v e a pr o m pt a n d e q uita ble res ol uti o ns f or t he 

railr oa d t he y are u p o n. 

Verif y r o a d wa y w or ker(s) u n dersta n d t hat, bef ore t he y f o ul a trac k, a n o n-tr ac k saf et y j o b 

briefi n g is re q uire d. 

O n Tr ac k S afet y J o b Briefi n g

Were t h e i nstr ucti o ns o n t he o n-trac k s afet y pr o ce d ures c o vere d i n t he j o b briefi n g? 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

1 6

N ote: I nstr ucti o ns o n t he o n-track safet y bei n g utilize d, f or e x a m ple, E xcl usi ve Trac k 

Occ u pa n c y, F o ul Ti me, I naccessi ble Trac k, etc.

Verif y t he r o a d wa y w or k er(s) k n o w t h eir l ocati o n is wit hi n t he w or ki n g li mits, if 

esta blis he d. 

C o nfir m t he r oa d wa y w or ker(s) ca n i de ntif y t h e r o a d wa y w or ker i n c h ar g e ( R WI C). 

Verif y r o a d wa y w or ker(s) u n dersta n ds t hat o nl y o ne q ualifie d R WI C ca n h a ve c o ntr ol of 

t he w or ki n g li mits. 

N ote: R WI C m ust meet t he trai ni n g a n d q ualificati o ns re q uire me nts of § 2 1 4 . 3 5 3 

E ns ure t he R WI C is accessi ble t o t he r oa d wa y w or k gr o u p a n d alter nati ve pr oce d ur es 

were disc uss e d i n t he e ve nt t he r oa d wa y w or ker i n c har ge is n o l o n ger accessi ble t o t he 

me m bers of t he r o a d wa y w or k gr o u p. 

Was t he w or k t o b e perf or me d a n d t he c h ar acterist ics of t he w or k l ocati o n disc usse d i n 

t he j o b briefi n g? 

Was t her e a disc ussi o n a b o ut all a djace nt trac ks i n t he j o b briefi n g? 

Verif y r o a d wa y w or ker(s) ac k n o wle d g e d u n dersta n di n g of t he o n-trac k s af et y j o b 

briefi n g. 

Di d t he r oa d w a y w or k gr o u p re- brief if c o n diti o ns c ha n ge d ? 

Were t h e w or ki n g li mits releas ed pri or t o r oa d wa y w or kers b ei n g i n t he clear of t he 

trac k(s) or aff or de d a n ot her f or m of o n-trac k saf et y? 

O n - Tr ac k S afet y M a n u al 

O n trac k s afet y ma n u al m ust be c urre nt. T h ese i nstr ucti o ns i ncl u de t he a p plica ble railr oa d

o perati n g r ules, b ulleti ns, ot her pr oce d ures c o ncer ni n g o n- trac k safet y pr oce d ures a n d s h all be 

mai ntai ne d i n o ne ma n ual. 

Verif y t hat t he o n- trac k s afet y ma n ual is a v aila ble t o all r oa d wa y w or ker(s) . 

If o bser vi n g a lo n e or k er , e ns ur e t he o n-tr ac k safet y ma n ual is rea dil y a v aila ble or has 

alter nati ve mea ns t o access t he ma n ual. 

2 1 4 C- 2 - Cr ossi n g Tr ac ks 

O bjecti ve: O bser v e r oa d wa y w or k ers cr ossi n g tr ac ks f or c o m plia nce wit h t he railr oa ds 

a pplica ble o n -tr ac k safet y pr oce d ur es. 

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4. 3 1 7 – O n trac k s afet y pr oce d ures, g e ner all y a n d Railr oa d R ules

R o a d w a y W or ker Cr ossi n g Tr ac k(s) 

Verif y t he r o a d wa y w or k er(s) are c o m pl yi n g wit h railr oa d’s r ul e(s) r e gar di n g cr ossi n g 

trac ks saf el y.
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

1 7

Verif y t he R oa d wa y w or ker(s) m o ve directl y a n d pr o m ptl y acr oss t he trac k. 

Are r o a d wa y w or ker(s) carr yi n g t o ols, material or ha ve t heir si g ht or heari n g 

i m paire d t hat w o ul d pre v e nt r oa d wa y w or kers fr o m m o vi n g ra pi dl y a wa y fr o m 

a p pr oac hi n g tr ai ns or o n-trac k e q ui p me nt? 

2 1 4 C- 3 - R M M Wee d S pr a yi n g/ S n o w Re m o v al 

O bjecti ve: Obser v e r oa d wa y w or k ers o n n o n- c o ntr olle d trac k utilizi n g r oa d wa y mai nte na n ce 

mac hi nes f or wee d s pra yi n g or s n o w re m o val per railr oa d o n- tr ac k safet y pr oce d ur es. 

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4. 3 1 7 – O n trac k s afet y pr oce d ures, g e ner all y a n d Railr oa d R ules

O n - Tr ac k R o a d w a y M ai nte n a nce M ac hi nes Wee d S pr a yi n g/ S n o w Re m o v al 

E ns ure railr o a d ha ve pr o ce d ures i n place b ef or e utilizi n g e xce pti o ns u n der § 2 1 4. 3 1 7(c) 

Are t he r o a d wa y w or ker(s) c o m pl yi n g wit h railr oa d’s o perati n g r ules a n d pr oce d ures f or 

m o ve me nt of e q ui p me nt ? 

Ha ve all o n tr ac k m o ve m e nts i n t he affecte d area bee n i nf or me d of t he Wee d 

S pra yi n g/ S n o w Re m o val o perati o n? 

Are all m o ve me nts bei n g o perate d at restricte d s p ee d as defi n e d i n § 2 1 4. 7 ? 

N ote: E x ce pt o n ot her t h a n yar d tr ac ks or s witc hi n g lea ds n o m ore t ha n 2 5 m p h 

Is c o m m u nicati o n bet wee n o n-trac k e q ui p me nt pr o vi de d? 

Verif y t hat r e m otel y c o ntr olle d h u m p yar d facilit y o perati o ns ar e n ot i n eff ect a n d 

kic ki n g of cars is pr o hi bite d u nless a gree d t o b y t he r oa d w a y w or k er i n c h ar ge. 

Verif y t he r o a d wa y w or k ers ar e n ot perf or mi n g ot her r oa d wa y w or ker d uti es o utsi de of 

wee d s pr a yi n g or s n o w r e m o val. 

Verif y t he r o a d wa y mai nte na nce m ac hi nes ha v e o pera ble : 

3 6 0- de gree i nter mitte nt war ni n g li g ht or beac o n. 

W or ki n g li g ht if o perate d at ni g ht or da r k ar eas s u c h as t u n nels – u nless e q ui vale nt 

li g hti n g is pr o vi de d. 

Ill u mi nati o n de vice ca p a ble of ill u mi nati n g t he trac k a hea d f or 3 0 0 f eet u n d er n or mal 

weat her a n d at m os p heri c c o n diti o ns. 

Bra ke li g ht acti vate d b y t he bra ki n g s yste m visi ble f or 3 0 0 feet u n der n or mal weat her 

a n d at m os p heric c o n diti o ns. 

Rear war d vie wi n g de vice. 

2 1 4 C- 4 - T u n nel Nic hes or Cle ari n g B a ys 

O bjecti ve: E ns ure r o a d w a y w or kers utilizi n g t u n nel nic hes or cl eari n g ba y less t ha n 4 feet fr o m 

t he rail c o m pl y wit h railr oa d’s o n trac k saf et y pr o ce d ures. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

1 8

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4. 3 1 7 – O n trac k s afet y pr oce d ures, g e ner all y a n d Railr oa d R ules

T u n nel Nic hes or Cle ari n g B a ys 

Verif y t he r o a d wa y w or k er(s) are c o m pl yi n g wit h railr oa d’s o n- trac k s afet y pr oce d ur es 

re gar di n g t he usi n g of t u n nel nic hes or cl eari n g b a ys. 

Verif y t hat t he nic h es or ba ys are vis uall y i ns pecte d b y t he R WI C or a L o n e W or ker pri or 

t o use. 

Verif y t he r o a d w a y w or k er or l o ne w or k ha v e t he pr o per si g ht dista nce t o all o w t he m t o 

occ u p y t he nic h es or ba ys 1 5 sec o n ds pri or t o arri val of trai ns or o n- tr ac k e q ui p me nt. 

2 1 4 C- 5 - R M M v e m e nts o n N o n C o ntr olle d A B S Territ or y

O bjecti ve: O bser v e R oa d wa y Mai nte na n ce Mac hi ne ( R M M) o perat ors t o e ns ure t he y are 

o m pl yi n g wit h t he railr oa d’s o n-trac k saf et y pr oce d ures f or R M M m o ve me nts o n n o nc o ntr olle d trac k e q ui p pe d wit h a ut o matic bl oc k si g nal ( A B S) w her e trai ns are per mitte d t o 

e xcee d restrict e d s pee d

A p pl ic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4. 3 2 0 – R oa d wa y mai nte n a nce mac hi nes m o ve me nt o ver si g nalize d n o nc o ntr olle d trac k a n d r ailr oa d ules . 

N ote: F or t he p ur p oses of t his secti o n restricte d s p ee d is o n-trac k m o ve me nts pre pare d t o st o p 

wit hi n o ne- half t he r a n ge of visi o n, b ut n ot e xcee di n g 2 5 m p h. 

Verif y t he R M M o per at or(s) are c o m pl yi n g wit h r ailr oa d’s o n- tr ac k safet y pr oce d ur es 

re gar di n g esta blis hi n g w or ki n g li mits if railr oa ds ha ve n ot esta blis he d pr o ce d ures t hat are 

e q ui vale nt t o restricte d s pee d. 

N ote: T h e railr o a d’s pr o ce d ure m ust pr o vi de a n e q ui vale nt le vel of pr otecti o n a n d m ust be first 

a p pr o ve d i n writi n g b y F R A. 

2 1 4 C- 6 - E xcl usi ve Tr a c k Occ u p a nc y ( E T O), a n d E T O Electr o nic Dis pl a y 

O bjecti ve: O bser v e r oa d wa y w or k er(s) utilizi n g E T O, E T O be hi n d a tr ai n, a n d E T O electr o nic 

dis pla y t o e ns ure t he y are c o m pl yi n g wit h t he railr oa ds o n- trac k s afet y pr oce d ures a n d 

re g ulati o ns.

A p p lic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4. 3 2 1 – E xcl usi ve trac k o cc u pa nc y , § 2 1 4. 3 2 2 - E xcl usi ve trac k 

occ u pa n c y, electr o nic dis pla y, a n d Railr oa d R ules . 

E xcl usi ve Tr ac k Occ u p a nc y 

Verif y o nl y o ne r oa d w a y w or ker i n c h ar ge ( R WI C) has c o ntr ol of t he w or ki n g li mits. 

Verif y t he R WI C h as est a blis he d w or ki n g li mits b y o ne of t he f oll o wi n g: 

A ut h orit y iss ue d t o R WI C b y trai n dis patc her/c o ntr ol o perat or. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

1 9

Fla g me n stati o ne d at eac h p oi nt of e ntr y, wit h m o ve me nt i nstr ucti o ns as o nl y 

per mitte d b y R WI C. 

R WI C ca usi n g fi xe d si g n als dis pla yi n g “ S T O P ” at eac h p oi nt of e ntr y (l ocal 

c o ntr ol). 

A ut h orities

Verif y r o a d wa y w or ker(s) are c o m pl yi n g wit h t he railr oa d a p plica ble saf et y r ules 

g o ver ni n g t he iss ui n g of a ut h orities a n d h o w w or ki n g li mits will be defi ne d. 

Verif y t he R WI C mai ntai ns a writte n or pri nte d a ut h orit y w hile it is i n effect.

Verif y t he a ut h orit y s pecifies a u ni q ue i de ntifier ( e. g., e m pl o yee n a me or w or k gr o u p 

n u m ber). 

Verif y t he r o a d wa y w or k er(s) are c o m pl yi n g wit h t he railr oa d a p plica ble safet y r ules 

g o ver ni n g c o m m u nicati o n bet wee n tr ai ns, ot her o n-trac k e q ui p me nt a n d t h e R WI C or 

L o ne W or k er.

Verif y t hat all m o ve me nts are ma d e u n der t he directi o n of t he R WI C a n d at restricte d 

s pee d u nless a hi g her s pee d has bee n a ut h orize d b y t he R WI C. 

W he n e xcl usi ve tr ac k o cc u p a nc y w or ki n g li mits are est a blis h usi n g a n elect r o nic dis pl a y 

Verif y t he R WI C h as t he a ut h orit y rea dil y vie w a ble. 

Verif y t he R WI C is k n o wle d gea ble of t he pr o ce d ures i n t he e ve nt t he electr o nic dis pla y 

fails. 

W or ki n g li mits be hi n d a tr ai n 

Verif y t he R WI C v erifie d t he trai n(s) is past t he p oi nt t o be occ u pie d or f o ule d b y o ne of 

t he f oll o wi n g: 

Vis uall y i de ntif yi n g t he affect e d trai n(s). 

Direct r a di o c o ntact wit h a cre w me m ber of affect e d trai n(s) . 

Recei vi n g i nf or mati o n directl y fr o m tr ai n dis patc h er/c o ntr ol o per at or of t he 

affecte d trai n(s) . 

Verif y t he R WI C rec or de d o n t he a ut h orit y t he ti me of passa g e a n d e n gi ne n u m ber(s) of 

t he aff ecte d tr ai n(s). 

Se p ar ate w or k gr o u p aff or de d o n-tr ac k s af et y b y a R WI C wit h w or ki n g li mits be hi n d a 

tr ai n 

Verif y t he se p ar ate w or k gr o u p is acc o m pa ni e d b y a r oa d w a y w or k er q ualifie d as a 

R WI C o n t he railr oa d t he r oa d wa y w or ker(s) are u p o n. 

Verif y t he se p ar ate w or k gr o u p d oes n ot occ u p y or f o ul t he trac k u ntil recei vi n g 

per missi o n fr o m t he R WI C of t he w or ki n g li mits . 

Verif y t he se p ar ate w or k gr o u p q ualifie d R WI C verifie d t he trai n(s) is past t he p oi nt t o be 

occ u pie d or f o ule d b y o n e of t he f oll o wi n g. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

2 0

Vis uall y i de ntif yi n g t he affect e d trai n(s). 

Direct r a di o c o ntact wit h a cre w me m ber of affect e d trai n(s) . 

Recei vi n g i nf or mati o n directl y fr o m tr ai n dis patc h er/c o ntr ol o per at or of t he 

affecte d trai n(s) . 

Verif y t he se p ar ate w or k gr o u p q ualifie d R WI C r ec or de d o n t he a ut h orit y t he ti me of 

passa ge a n d e n gi ne n u m ber(s) of t he affect e d trai n(s) . 

N ote: Railr o a d o per ati n g r ules s hall i ncl u de pr oce d ure(s) pr o hi biti n g trai n(s) fr o m ma ki n g 

re vers e m o ve me nt i nt o or wit hi n li mits, w he n w or k li mits ha ve bee n esta blis h be hi n d a trai n. 

Fl a g m a n 

Verif y t he fl a g ma n is e q ui p pe d a n d c o m plies wit h t he railr oa d’s fla g gi n g pr oce d ures. 

L oc al C o ntr ol 

Verif y t he R WI C h as c o ntr ol of t he si g nal(s) i n acc or da nce wit h t he r ailr oa d o perati n g 

r ule(s).

2 1 4 C- 7 - F o ul Ti m e

O bjecti ve: O bser v e R WI C usi n g f o ul ti me as o n- rac k safet y ( O T S) t o e ns ure t he y are 

c o m pl yi n g wit h t he railr oa ds o n- trac k s afet y pr oce d ures.

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4. 3 2 3 – F o ul Ti me a n d Railr oa d Rules 

F o ul Ti m e ( F T)

Verif y t her e are n o ot her trai ns or o n-trac k e q ui p m e nt i n t he w or ki n g li mits. 

If F T is iss ue d or all y, verif y t he R WI C re peate d t h e trac k n u m ber or i de ntifi er, trac k 

li mits, a n d ti me li mits t o t he iss ui n g e m pl o yee f or verificati o n. 

2 1 4 C- 8 - Tr ai n C o or di n ati o n 

O bjecti ve: O bser v e R WI C usi n g trai n c o or di nati o n t o e ns ure t he y c o m pl y wit h t he railr oa d’s 

a pplica ble o n tr ac k safet y pr oce d ur es.

A p plic a ble R ul es: § 2 1 4. 3 2 5 – Trai n C o or di nati o n a n d Railr oa d R ules 

Tr ai n C o or di n ati o n ( T C) 

Verif y t hat t he w or ki n g li mits esta blis he d b y T C are wit hi n a se g me nt of trac k or trac ks 

o n w hic h o nl y o ne trai n h ol ds e xcl usi ve a ut h orit y t o m o ve. 

C o nfir m t hat t he R WI C c o m m u nicate d wit h a me m ber of t he cre w h ol di n g t he e xcl usi ve 

a ut h orit y t o m o ve. 

C o nfir m t hat t he trai n was visi ble a n d st o p pe d w he n t he R WI C esta blis he d T C. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

2 1

Verif y t he R WI C is i n c o ntr ol of all f urt her m o ve me nts . 

2 1 4 C- 9 - I n accessi ble Tr ac k

O bjecti ve: O bser v e a r o a d wa y w or k gr o u p usi n g i naccessi ble tr ac k. 

p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4. 3 2 7 – I n accessi ble trac k a n d Railr oa d R ules 

I n accessi ble Tr ac k 

Verif y t hat all e ntr y p oi nts i nt o t he w or ki n g li mits are pr ot ecte d b y o n e or m ore of t he 

f oll o wi n g ei g ht met h o ds: 

1. A fla g ma n pr ese nt at eac h p oi nt of e ntr y. 

Verif y t he fl a g ma n is e q ui p pe d a n d c o m plies wit h t he railr oa d’s fla g gi n g 

pr oce d ur es. 

Verif y it is n ot bei n g utilize d w here kic ki n g or h u m pi n g o perati o ns are 

i n effect. 

2. A s witc h or der ail ali g ne d t o pre ve nt access a n d s ec ure d wit h a n effecti ve 

sec uri n g de vice. 

3. Disc o nti n uit y i n t he rail.

4. W or ki n g li mits o n c o ntr olle d trac k t hat c o n n ects directl y t o t he i naccessi ble 

trac k.

5. A re m otel y c o ntr olle d s witc h ali g ne d t o pre ve nt access t o t he w or ki n g li mits 

a n d sec ur e d b y t he c o ntr ol o perat or b y a p plicati o n of a l oc ki n g or bl oc ki n g 

de vice.

Verif y t he c o ntr ol o per at or a p plie d t he l oc ki n g or bl oc ki n g de vice. 

Verif y t he c o ntr ol o per at or n otifie d t he R WI C t he re q uest f or pr otecti o n 

has bee n pr o vi d e d. 

6. A l oc o m oti ve wit h or wit h o ut cars place d t o pre v e nt access t o w or ki n g li mits 

(Ir o n Fla g ma n).

Verif y t he R WI C c o m m u nicate d wit h a me m ber of t he cre w assi g ne d t o 

t he l oc o m oti ve. 

Verif y t he l oc o m oti ve w as visi ble a n d st o p pe d w he n o n- trac k saf et y was 

esta blis he d.

C o nfir m all a d diti o na l m o ve me nts of t he l oc o m oti ve are m a de u n der t he 

directi o n of t he R WI C. 

C o nfir m t he cre w of t he l oc o m oti ve d o n ot lea ve or g o off- d ut y bef ore 

c o m m u nicati n g wit h t he R WI C if s o, a n ot her f or m of o n- trac k s afet y 

m ust be esta blis he d. 

f t he cars ar e c o u ple d to t he l oc o m oti ve o n t he sa me e n d of t he r o a d wa y 

w or ker(s) , verif y t he air bra ke s yste m is c o n necte d a n d c har g e d. 

If t he r oa d wa y w or ker(s) are l ocate d i n fr o nt of t h e l oc o m oti ve wit h cars, 

verif y t he trai n h a ve s ufficie nt bra ki n g ca pacit y. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

2 2

7. Bl oc k re gister territ or y. 

Verif y t hat r ailr oa d has pr oce d ur es t hat pre v e nts tr ai ns a n d ot her o ntrac k e q ui p me nt fr o m occ u p yi n g t he trac k 

8. Trai n or e n gi ne or ot her o n-trac k e q ui p me nt m o ve me nts o n mai n trac k wit hi n 

yar d li mits. 

Verif y t he w or ki n g li mits are deli neate d w it h st o p si g ns (fla gs) a n d/ or 

a d va nce si g ns (fla gs), if r e q uire d. 

Verif y t hat trai ns a n d/ or R M Ms wit hi n t he i naccessi ble w or ki n g li mits are m o vi n g u n der 

t he directi o n of t he R WI C a n d d o n ot e xcee d restricte d s pee d. 

2 1 4 C- 1 0 – Tr a n A p pr o ac hi n g W ar ni n g

O bje cti ve: O bser v e r oa d wa y w or k gr o u p usi n g tr ai n a p pr oac h war ni n g ( T A W) t o e ns ur e 

c o m plia nce wit h t he r ailr oa ds o n- trac k s afet y pr oce d ures.

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4. 3 2 9 – Trai n a p pr o ac h w ar ni n g pr o vi de d b y w atc h ma n/l o o k o ut, a n d 

Railr oa d R ules 

Tr ai n A p pr o ac h W ar ni n g 

Verif y t hat t he w atc h ma n/l o o k o ut has s ufficie nt si g ht dista nce t o clear all r oa d wa y 

w or kers fr o m t he trac k a n d occ u p y t he pr e deter mi ne d place of saf et y ( P P O S) n ot less 

t ha n 1 5 sec o n ds bef ore a trai n or o n-trac k e q ui p me nt arri ves at t he w or k l ocati o n 

tra veli n g at t he ma x a ut h orize d ti meta ble s pee d.

Verif y t hat t he w atc h ma n/l o o k o ut war ni n g pr o vi des s ufficie nt ti me t o all o w r oa d wa y 

w or kers t o occ u p y P P O S n ot less t ha n 1 5 sec o n ds bef ore a trai n or o n-trac k e q ui p me nt 

arri ves at t he w or k l ocati o n. 

If t he P P O S is l ocate d o n a n ot her trac k, e ns ur e t hat w or ki n g li mits are esta blis he d o n t hat 

trac k. 

C o nfir m t hat t he watc h m e n/l o o k o ut is de v oti n g f ull atte nti o n t o t he detecti o n of trai ns or 

o n- trac k e q ui p me nt. 

C o nfir m t hat t he watc h m a n/l o o k o ut’s war ni n g met h o d is disti nct a n d clear t o all 

reci pie nts a n d d etecta ble re gar dl ess of n oise or distracti o n of w or k. 

C o nfir m t hat t he r oa d wa y w or kers d o n ot nee d t o l o o k i n a partic ular dir ecti o n t o recei ve 

t he war ni n g. 

Verif y t hat t he r o a d wa y w or ker(s) ar e i n a p ositi o n t hat e na bles t he m t o recei ve t he 

war ni n g. 

C o nfir m t hat t he watc h m a n/l o o k o ut has t he necess ar y e q ui p me nt t o pr o vi de t he war ni n g. 

2 1 4 C- 1 1 – A dj ace nt C o nt r olle d Tr ac ks

O bjecti ve: Obser v e r oa d wa y w or k gr o u ps w or ki n g near a dj ace nt c o ntr olle d trac ks ar e 

c o m pl yi n g wit h railr oa d’s o n- trac k safet y pr o ce d ures.
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

2 3

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4. 3 3 6 – O n -trac k s afet y pr oce d ures f or certai n r o a d wa y w or k gr o u ps a n d 

djace nt tr ac k , a n d Railr oa d R ules 

S peci al Circ u mst a nce (t hree tr a c ks if t he occ u pie d tr ac k is t he mi d dle tr ac k) 

If t he occ u pie d trac k is bet wee n t w o a djace nt c o ntr olle d trac ks, c o nfir m t he R WI C is 

usi n g t heir m ost restricti ve pr oce d ure(s) g o ver n e d w he n o ne or m or e c o n c urre nt 

m o ve me nts are p er mitte d o ver 2 5 m p h/ 4 0 m p h passe n ger. 

M o ve m e nts o ver 2 5 m p h/ 4 0 m p h p asse n ger 

Verif y t he R WI C n otifies t he w or k gr o u p w h e n he/s he i nte n ds t o per mit o ne or m ore 

trai ns or ot her o n-tr ac k e q ui p me nt m o ve me nts t hr o u g h t he w or ki n g li mits o n t he a djace nt 

c o ntr olle d trac k. 

C o nfir m w he n m o ve me nts are all o we d w or k ceas es. 

C o nfir m affecte d r o a d wa y w or ker(s) occ u p y a pr e deter mi ne d place of safet y u p o n 

n otificati o n of a p pr oac hi n g m o ve me nt o n a djace nt trac k. 

M o ve m e nts less th a n 2 5 m p h/ 4 0 m p h p asse n ger 

Verif y t he R WI C n otifies w or k gr o u p w he n h e/s he i nte n ds t o per mit o ne or m ore trai ns or 

ot her o n-trac k e q ui p me nt m o ve me nts t hr o u g h t he w or ki n g li mits o n t he a djace nt 

c o ntr olle d trac k. 

Verif y w h e n m o ve me nts are all o w e d o n a djace nt trac k, w or k is o nl y per mitte d i n t he 

ga ge of t he o cc u pie d tr ac k, or t he fiel d si de o p p osite t he a djace nt trac k. 

Verif y t hat r o a d wa y w or ker(s) o n t he gr o u n d mai ntai n a dista nce of at least 2 5 feet i n 

fr o nt or be hi n d r o a d wa y mai nte na nce mac hi nes w he n m o ve me nts ar e all o we d o n 

a djace nt tr ac k. 

Res u mi n g W or k 

C o nfir m w or k d oes n ot r es u me u ntil t he traili n g-e n d of t he a ut h orize d m o ve me nt has 

passe d a n d r e mai ns a hea d of t he r oa d w a y w or k gr o u p. 

If a n a ut h ori ze d m o ve me nt st o ps bef ore t he traili n g e n d has passe d a n d w or k res u mes, 

verif y t he R WI C est a blis hes o n-trac k s afet y t hr o u g h trai n a p pr oac h war ni n g, or 

C o m m u nicates wit h t he trai n cr e w or o perat or t o esta blis h f urt her m o ve me nts will o nl y 

be pe r mitte d b y t he R WI C.

E xce pti o ns All o we d 

If usi n g, verif y t he r oa d w a y w or ker(s) are c o m pl yi n g wit h t he e xce pti o n(s) all o we d 

p urs ua nt t o a djace nt c o ntr olle d trac k r e g ulati o n. See A p pe n di x F t o this d oc u me nt . 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

2 4

C o m p o ne nts of R M M 

Ve rif y t hat c o m p o n e nts of r oa d w a y mai nte na n ce mac hi ne ar e n ot f o uli n g a n a djace nt 

c o ntr olle d trac k, u nl ess w or ki n g li mits ha ve bee n esta blis he d o n t he a djace nt-c o ntr olle dtrac k wit h n o m o ve me nts per mitte d. 

2 1 4 C- 1 2 – L o ne W or ker 

O bjecti ve: O bser v e l o ne w or ker f o uli n g a trac k w hile perf or mi n g r o uti ne i ns pecti o ns or mi n or 

e pairs. 

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4. 3 3 7 – O n -trac k s afet y pr oce d ures f or l o ne w or kers a n d Railr oa d R ules

I n di vi d u al Tr ai n Detecti o n (I T D) 

Verif y t he l o ne w or ker is o nl y perf or mi n g r o uti ne i ns pecti o n or mi n or c orr ecti o n o utsi de 

a ma n ual i nterl oc ki n g, c o ntr ol p oi nt, or re m otel y c o ntr olle d h u m p yar d facilit y. 

C o nfir m t he l o ne w or ker ha d a j o b briefi n g wit h a s u per vis or or desi g nat e d e m pl o yee at 

be gi n ni n g of t heir s hift. 

Ver if y t he l o ne w or ker h a ve access t o t he c urr e nt O n- Trac k Ma n ual. 

C o nfir m t he l o ne w or ker pre par e d a v ali d State me nt of O n- Trac k Saf et y bef ore e n g a gi n g 

i n a n y i ns pecti o n or mi n or c orr ecti o n. 

Verif y t he l o ne w or ker h as t he re q uir e d si g ht dista nce. 

Verif y t h at t he l o ne w or k er a bilit y t o hear a n d see a p pr oac hi n g tr ai ns ar e n ot i m paire d b y 

a n y p o wer- o per ate d t o ols or r oa d w a y mai nte na n ce mac hi nes i n use, bac k gr o u n d n oise, 

li g hts, preci pitati o n, f o g, passi n g trai ns, or a n y ot h er p h ysical c o n diti o ns. 

Verif y a l o n e w or k er d oes n ot occ u p y a p ositi o n or e n ga ge i n a n y acti vit y t hat w o ul d 

i nterfer e wit h a w or k er's a bilit y t o mai ntai n a vi gila nt l o o k o ut f or, a n d detect t he 

a p pr oac h of, a tr ai n m o vi n g i n eit her directi o n. 

Verif y t he l o ne w or ker is n ot usi n g a r oa d wa y mai nte na nce m ac hi ne, e q ui p me nt, or 

ha n dli n g material t hat ca n n ot be rea dil y r e m o ve d. 

2 1 4 C- 1 3 – R o a d w a y M ai nte n a nce M ac hi nes ( R M M) 

O bjecti ve: O bser v e r oa d wa y w or k ers w h o o perat e or w or k n ear w or ki n g r oa d wa y m ainte n a nce 

ac hi nes ( R M M).

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4. 3 4 1 – R oa d wa y mai nte n a nce mac hi nes a n d Railr oa d R ules

N ote: E m pl o yers s hall pr o vi de s pecific pr o visi o ns f or t he saf et y of r o a d wa y w or kers w h o 

o perate or w or k n ear R M M s. T hese pr oce d ures m ust be s u p ple me nte d w he ne ver necessar y b y 

a n y s pecific re q uir e me nts ass ociate d wit h a partic ular t y pes or m o dels of mac hi ne s. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

2 5

W or ki n g wit h R M Ms 

C o nfir m r oa d wa y w or kers are c o m pl yi n g wit h t he r ules f or c o m m u nicati o n bet wee n 

mac hi ne o per at ors a n d r o a d wa y w or kers assi g ne d t o w or k near or o n r oa d w a y 

ai nte na nce mac hi nes.

Verif y R M M o per at ors are mai ntai n pr o per s paci n g bet wee n mac hi nes t o pr e ve nt 

c ollisi o ns . 

Verif y b ot h R M M o perat ors a n d r oa d wa y w or k er(s) mai ntai n pr o per s paci n g bet wee n 

mac hi nes a n d r o a d wa y w or ker(s) t o pre ve nt p ers o nal i nj ur y. 

C o nfir m R M M o perat ors c o m pl y wit h t he w or ki n g a n d tra vel s pee ds f or t h e R M M, 

de pe n de nt u p o n w eat her, visi bilit y, a n d st o p pi n g ca pa bilities. 

Verif y R M M o per at ors are c o m pl yi n g wit h t he o perati n g r ules f or ma ki n g m o ve me nts 

o utsi de of w or ki n g li mits (tra m mi n g).

C o nfir m t he R M M c o ntai ns t he safe o perati n g i nstr ucti o ns. 

If t he R M M has bee n a da pte d f or s pecific railr o a d use, verif y t he o p erati n g i nstr ucti o n 

reflect t he a da ptati o n. 

Verif y if a d ef ecti ve c o n diti o n is f o u n d t he R M M o perat or r ec or ds a n d ta g t he defecti ve 

mac hi ne i n acc or da n ce wit h t he o n-trac k safet y pr oce d ures of t he r ailr oa d. 

N ote: Ba n n er or St o p Test is a n acce pt a ble met h o d f or testi n g R M M o perat ors w he n a p pr o priate. 

2 1 4 D- 1 – R M M G o o d F ait h C h alle n ge 

O bjecti ve: Ens ure R M M o perat ors u n d ersta n d t he pr oce d ur es f or i nitiati n g a g o o d fait h 

c halle n ge. 

A p plic a ble R ule: § 2 1 4. 5 0 3 - G o o d-f ait h c halle n ges; pr oce d ur es f or n otifi cati o n a n d res ol uti o n 

G o o d- F ait h C h alle n ges; R o a d w a y M ai nte n a nce M ac hi nes 

Verif y t he R M M o per at or u n dersta n ds t heir ri g ht t o ref use t o o p erate a n u nsafe R M M.

Verif y t he R M M o per at or u n dersta n ds t he pr oce d ures t o f oll o w t o i nitiate a g o o d fait h 

c halle n ge.

2 1 4 D- 2 – R M M O per at ors Ne w Hi R a il

O bjecti ve: Ens ure R M M o perat ors are c hec ki n g n e w hi-rail f or c o m plia nce pri or t o use. 

A p plic a ble R ule: § 2 1 4. 3 4 1 R oa d wa y mai nte na n ce mac hi n es, § 2 1 4. 5 2 1 Fla g gi n g e q ui p me nt f or 

o n- trac k r o a d wa y m ai nte na nce mac hi nes a n d hi rail ve hicles, § 2 1 4. 5 2 3 Hi- rail ve hicles a nd 

§ 2 1 4. 5 3 3 Sc he d ule of r e pairs s u bject t o a vaila bilit y of parts. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

2 6

Verif y hi -r ail ( N e w) o r dere d aft er 1 2/ 2 6/ 0 3 or c o m plete d after 9/ 2 7/ 0 4 c o m pl y wit h t he 

f oll o wi n g: 

Hi rail gear i ns pecti o n

Rec or d of Hi- rail I ns pecti o n

O perati o n Ma n u al ( Safet y I nstr u cti o ns) 

Dail y I ns p ecti o n 

Rec or d of D efect

Ta g Def ecti ve It e m

Fla g gi n g Kit 

C ha n ge of Dir ecti o n Alar m 

Beac o n/ 3 6 0 

N ote: W he n defecti ve c o n diti o ns are f o u n d e ns ur e c o m plia nce p urs u a nt t o § 2 1 4. 5 2 3 Hi-rail 

ve hicles, § 2 1 4. 5 3 1 Sc he d ule of re p airs; ge ner al a n d § 2 1 4. 5 3 3 Sc he d ule of re pairs s u bject t o 

a vaila bilit y of parts. See R MM q uic k refer e nce ta ble i n A p pe n di x , an d Sc he d ule of Re p airs 

Fl o w C hart i n A p pe n di x C t o this d oc u me nt . 

2 1 4 D- 3 – R M M O per at ors E xisti n g Hi R ail

O bjecti ve: Ens ure R M M o perat ors are c hec ki n g e xisti n g hi-rail f or c o m plia nce pri or t o use. 

A p plic a ble R ule: § 2 1 4. 3 4 1 R oa d wa y mai nte na n ce mac hi n es, § 2 1 4. 5 2 1 Fla g gi n g e q ui p me nt f or 

o n- trac k r o a d wa y m ai nte na nce mac hi nes a n d hi rail ve hicles, § 2 1 4. 5 2 3 Hi- rail ve hicles a n d § 

2 1 4. 5 3 3 Sc he d ule of r e pairs s u bject t o a vaila bilit y of parts. 

Verif y hi r ail ( E xisti n g – a n y hi-r ail n ot defi ne d as ne w) 

Hi rail gear i ns pecti o n

Rec or d of Hi- rail I ns pecti o n 

O perati o n Ma n u al ( Safet y 

I nstr u cti o ns)

Dail y I ns p ecti o n

Rec or d of D e fect

Ta g Def ecti ve It e m 

Fla g gi n g Kit 

N ote: W he n defecti ve c o n diti o ns are f o u n d e ns ur e c o m plia nce p urs u a nt t o § 2 1 4. 5 2 3 Hi-rail 

ve hicles, § 2 1 4. 5 3 1 Sc he d ule of re p airs; ge ner al a n d § 2 1 4. 5 3 3 Sc he d ule of re pairs s u bject t o 

a vaila bilit y of parts. See R MM q uic k refer e nce ta ble i n A p pe n di x , an d Sc he d ule of Re p airs 

Fl o w C hart i n A p pe n di x C t o this d oc u me nt . 

2 1 4 D- 4 – R M M O per at ors O T E N E W

O bjecti ve: Ens ure R M M o perat ors are c hec ki n g n e w O T E f or c o m plia nce pri or t o use. 

A p plic a ble R ule: § 2 1 4. 3 4 1 R oa d wa y mai nte na n ce mac hi n es, § 2 1 4. 5 0 5 Re q uire d 

e n vir o n me ntal c o ntr ol a n d pr otecti o n s yste ms f or ne w o n- trac k r oa d wa y m ai nte na nce mac hi nes 

wit h e ncl ose d ca bs, § 2 1 4. 5 0 7 Re q uire d saf et y e q ui p me nt f or ne w o n- tr ac k r oa d wa y mai nte n a nce 

mac hi nes, § 2 1 4. 5 0 9 Re q uire d vis ual ill u mi nati o n a n d refl ecti ve de vices f or ne w o n- trac k 

r oa d wa y mai nte n a nce mac hi nes, § 2 1 4. 5 1 1 Re q uir e d a u di ble war ni n g de vices f or ne w o n- trac k 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

2 7

r oa d wa y mai nte n a nce mac hi nes, § 2 1 4. 5 1 5 O ver h ea d c o v ers f or e xisti n g o n- trac k r o a d wa y 

mai nte na nce mac hi nes, § 2 1 4. 5 1 8 Safe a n d sec ur e p ositi o ns f or ri ders, § 2 1 4. 5 1 9 Fl o ors, dec ks, 

stairs, a n d la d ders f or o n-trac k r o a d wa y mai nte n a n ce mac hi n es, § 2 1 4. 5 2 7 O n- trac k r oa d w a y 

mai nte na nce mac hi nes; i ns pecti o n f or c o m plia nce a n d sc he d ule f or r e pairs, § 2 1 4. 5 2 9 I n- ser vice 

fail ure of pri mar y br a ki n g s yste m a n d § 2 1 4. 5 3 3 Sc he d ule of r e pairs s u bject t o a vaila bilit y of 

parts

Verif y O T E ( Ne w) or dere d after Dece m ber 2 6, 2 0 0 3 a n d c o m plete d aft er Se pte m ber 2 7, 

2 0 0 4. 

O perati o n Ma n u al ( Safet y I nstr u cti o ns)

Dail y I ns p ecti o n

Rec or d of D efect

Ta g Def ecti ve It e m

O perat or Seat

Heati n g

Fla g gi n g Kit 

First Ai d Kit

Fire E xti n g uis her

E n vir o n me ntal C o ntr ol 

Safe a n d Sec ure P ositi o n f or Ri ders

Safe a n d Sec ure P ositi o n wit h Seat f or 

W or kers

S pee d I n dicat or

Rear war d Vie wi n g D e vice

Safet y Glass a n d Wi pers

Sec ure F o oti n g Fl o or, Ste ps, Wal k wa ys 

a n d La d ders

C ha n ge of Dir ecti o n Alar m

Hea d Li g ht

Beac o n / 3 6 0

Bra ke Li g ht

Li g ht Wei g ht Dis pla y

H or n

T ur nta ble Sec ur e me nt

W or k li g hts

Bra ke S yste m - E ns ure u n dersta n di n g of 

i n ser vice bra ke s yste m f ail ure

O ver hea d O utsi de Mai n Ca b

O ver hea d C o ver O p erat or 

 

N ote: W he n defecti ve c o n diti o ns are f o u n d e ns ur e c o m plia nce p urs u a nt t o § 2 1 4. 5 2 7 O n-trac k 

r oa d wa y mai nte n a nce mac hi nes; i ns pecti o n f or c o m plia nce a n d sc h e d ule f or re pairs, § 2 1 4. 5 2 9 

I n-ser vice fail ur e of pri m ar y bra ki n g s yste m, § 2 1 4. 5 3 1 Sc he d ule of r e pairs; ge neral a n d § 

2 1 4. 5 3 3 Sc he d ule of r e pairs s u bject t o a vaila bilit y of parts. See R MM q uic k refere nce ta ble i n 

A p pe n di x , a n d Sc he d ule of Re pairs Fl o w C hart i n A p pe n di x C t o this d oc u me nt . 

2 1 4 D- 5 – R M M O per at ors O T E E xisti n g 

O bjecti ve: Ens ure R M M o perat ors are c hec ki n g e xisti n g O T E f or c o m plia nce pri or t o use. 

A p plic a ble R ule: § 2 1 4. 3 4 1 R oa d wa y mai nte na n ce mac hi n es, § 2 1 4. 5 1 3 Retr ofitti n g of e xisti n g 

o n- trac k r o a d wa y m ai nte na nce mac hi nes; ge neral, § 2 1 4. 5 1 5 O ver hea d c o v ers f or e xisti n g o ntrac k r o a d wa y mai nte n a n ce mac hi n es, 2 1 4. 5 1 7 Retr ofitti n g of e xisti n g o n-trac k r o a d wa y 

mai nte na nce mac hi nes m a n ufact ure d o n or after J a n uar y 1, 1 9 9 1, § 2 1 4. 5 1 8 Safe a n d sec ure 

p ositi o ns f or ri ders, § 2 1 4. 5 1 9 Fl o ors, dec ks, stairs, a n d la d ders f or o n-tr ac k r oa d wa y 

mai nte na nce mac hi nes, § 2 1 4. 5 2 7 O n-trac k r oa d w a y mai nte na nce mac hi nes; i ns pecti o n f or 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

2 8

c o m plia nce a n d s c he d ule f or re p airs § 2 1 4. 5 2 9 I n -ser vice f ail ure of pri mar y bra ki n g s yste m a n d 

§ 2 1 4. 5 3 3 Sc he d ule of r e pairs s u bject t o a vaila bilit y of parts. 

Verif y O T E (e xi sti n g) p ost J a n u ar y 1, 1 9 9 1 

O perati o n Ma n u al ( Safet y I nstr u cti o ns)

Dail y I ns p ecti o n 

Rec or d of D efect 

Ta g Def ecti ve It e m 

Safe a n d Sec ure P ositi o n f or Ri ders 

Safe a n d Sec ure P ositi o n wit h Seat f or 

W or kers 

O perat or Seat 

Heati n g less t ha n 5 0 de gr ees a n d e q ui p p e d 

Fla g gi n g Kit 

Safet y Glass a n d Wi pers 

Sec ure F o oti n g Fl o or, Ste ps, Wal k wa ys 

a n d La d ders 

C ha n ge of Dir ecti o n Alar m 

Hea d Li g ht 

Bra ke Li g ht or Reflecti ve Material or 

De vice 

Li g ht Wei g ht Dis pla y 

H or n Per ma ne nt or P orta ble 

O ver hea d C o ver O p erat or

E ns ure u n derst a n di n g of i n- ser vice bra ke 

s yste m fail ure

N ote: W he n defecti ve c o n diti o ns are f o u n d e ns ur e c o m plia nce p urs u a nt t o § 2 1 4. 5 2 7 O n-trac k 

r oa d wa y mai nte n a nce mac hi nes; i ns pecti o n f or c o m plia nce a n d sc h e d ule f or re pairs, § 2 1 4. 5 3 1 

Sc he d ule of r e pairs; ge n eral a n d § 2 1 4. 5 3 3 Sc he d ule of re p airs s u bject t o a v aila bilit y of parts. 

See R MM q uic k ref ere n ce ta ble i n A p pe n di x , an d Sc he d ule of Re pairs Fl o w C hart i n

A p pe n di x C t o this d oc u me nt . 

2 1 4 D- 6 – R M M O per at ors O T E Pre

O bjecti ve: Ens ure R M M o perat ors are c hec ki n g pre O T E f or c o m plia nce pri or t o use. 

A p plic a ble R ule: § 2 1 4. 3 4 1 R oa d wa y mai nte na n ce mac hi n es, § 2 1 4. 5 1 3 Retr ofitti n g of e xisti n g 

o n- trac k r o a d wa y m ai nte na nce mac hi nes; ge neral, § 2 1 4. 5 1 5 O ver hea d c o v ers f or e xisti n g o ntrac k r o a d wa y mai nte n a n ce mac hi n es, § 2 1 4. 5 1 8 Safe a n d s ec ur e p ositi o ns f or ri ders, § 2 1 4. 5 1 9 

Fl o ors, dec ks, stairs, a n d la d ders f or o n- trac k r oa d wa y mai nte na n ce mac hi nes, § 2 1 4. 5 2 7 O ntrac k r o a d wa y mai nte n a n ce mac hi n es; i ns pecti o n f or c o m plia nce a n d sc he d ule f or re p airs, § 

2 1 4. 5 2 9 I n-ser vice f ail ure of pri mar y bra ki n g s yste m a n d § 2 1 4. 5 3 3 Sc he d ule of re p airs s u bject 

t o a vaila bilit y of parts. 

Verif y O T E pri or t o J a n u ar y 1, 1 9 9 1 

O perati o n Ma n u al ( Safet y I nstr u cti o ns)

Dail y I ns p ecti o n 

Rec or d of D efect 

Ta g Def ecti ve It e m 

Safet y Glass a n d Wi pers

Sec ure F o oti n g Fl o or, Ste ps, Wal k wa ys 

a n d La d ders

Safe a n d Sec ure P ositi o n wit h Seat f or 

W or kers

O perat or Seat 

Fla g gi n g Kit 

Hea d Li g ht 

H or n Per ma ne nt or P orta ble 

O ver hea d C o ver O p erat or 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

2 9

Safe a n d Sec ure P ositi o n f or Ri ders E ns ure u n derst a n di n g of i n ser vice bra ke 

s yste m fail ure

N ote: W he n defecti ve c o n diti o ns are f o u n d e ns ur e c o m plia nce p urs u a nt t o § 2 1 4. 5 2 7 O n- trac k 

r oa d wa y mai nte n a nce mac hi nes; i ns pectio n f or c o m plia nce a n d sc h e d ule f or re pairs, § 2 1 4. 5 3 1 

Sc he d ule of r e pairs; ge n eral a n d § 2 1 4. 5 3 3 Sc he d ule of re p airs s u bject t o a v aila bilit y of parts. 

See R MM q uic k ref ere n ce ta ble i n A p pe n di x , an d Sc he d ule of Re pairs Fl o w C hart i n 

A p pe n di x C t o this d oc u me nt . 

2 1 4 D- 7 – R M M O per at ors T o wi n g E q ui p m e nt 

O bjecti ve : E ns ure R M M o perat ors are c o m pl yi n g wit h a p plica ble r ules w h e n t o wi n g e q ui p me nt 

p plic a ble R ule : § 2 1 4. 5 2 5 T o wi n g wit h o n- trac k r oa d wa y mai nte n a nce mac hi nes or hi r ail 

ve hicles . 

T o wi n g wit h R M M 

Verif y t o wi n g bars or c o u pli n g de vice pr o vi de f or a safe a n d sec ure attac h me nt. 

Verif y t he t o wi n g R M M bra ki n g ca p a bilities are n ot e xcee d e d . 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

3 0

2 1 8- 1 – Utilit y E m pl o yee

bjecti ve : O bser v e utilit y e m pl o yee i n perf or ma n ce of d uties. 

p plic a ble Rules : § 2 1 8. 2 2 – Utilit y E m pl o yee a n d Railr oa d R ules

Utilit y E m pl o yee

Verif y utilit y e m pl o yee is ass ociate d wit h o nl y o ne trai n or yar d cr e w at a n y gi ve n 

ti me. 

Verif y t he l oc o m oti ve e n gi neer or me m b er of assi g ne d cre w is prese nt i n t he 

c o ntr olli n g l oc o m oti ve. 

Verif y u tilit y e m pl o yee use d direct ver bal c o ntact or ra di o c o m m u nicati o n t o 

esta blis h c o m m u nicati o ns wit h t he desi g nate d cr e w me m ber bef ore b e gi n ni n g w or k 

wit h attac hi n g t o cre w. 

Verif y d esi g n ate d cr e w me m ber i nf or ms all ot her cre w me m b ers, r ecei v es 

ac k n o wle d g me nts fr o m cre w, a n d i nf or ms utilit y e m pl o yee t hat he/s he is a ut h orize d 

t o w or k. 

Verif y utilit y e m pl o yee d uties are li mite d t o: 

Set or releas e ha n d br a kes . 

C o u ple or u nc o u ple air h oses a n d ot her electrical or mec ha nical c o n necti o ns. 

re pare rail cars f or co u pli n g. 

et w heel bl oc ks or w h eel c hai ns . 

C o n d uct air bra ke t est t o i ncl u de c utti n g air bra k e c o m p o ne nts i n or o ut a n d 

p ositi o n retai ni n g val ves. 

ns p ect, test, i nstall, re m o ve, or re pl ace a rear e n d mar ki n g de vice or e n d of 

trai n de vice. 

C ha n ge batteries o n t he r ear e n d m ar ki n g de vice or t he e n d of tr ai n de vice if 

t he c ha n ge m a y be acc o m plis he d wit h o ut t he use of t o ols. 

Verif y c o m m u nicati o ns are mai ntai ne d s o t hat cre w u n dersta n ds t he w or k t o be d o ne 

a n d w het her a n y cre w m e m ber is o n, u n der or bet wee n r olli n g e q ui p me nt. 

Verif y u tilit y e m pl o yee a d vises desi g nate d cr e w me m ber t hat he/s he h as cease d w or k 

wit h t he cre w a n d is n o l o n ger o n, u n der or bet w ee n r olli n g e q ui p me nt. 

Verif y desi g n ate d cr e w me m ber n otifies cr e w, r ecei ves ac k n o wle d g me nt , releas es t he 

utilit y e m pl o yee , a n d detac hes fr o m cr e w

2 1 8- 2 – Bl ue Si g n al Dis pl a y

N ote: Bl ue Si g nal dis pla y d oes n ot a p pl y t o railr o a d c o ntract ors w or ki n g o n, u n der, or bet w ee n 

r olli n g e q ui p me nt. 

bjecti ve : O bser v e bl ue si g nal dis pla y o n t he mai n trac k. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

3 1

p plic a ble Rules : § 2 1 8. 2 3 – Bl ue Si g nal Dis pla y, § 2 1 8. 2 5 – W or kers o n Mai n Trac k a n d 

Railr oa d ules . 

Bl ue Si g n al Dis pl a y o n M ai n Tr ac k

Verif y t he pr ese n ce of a bl ue si g nal at eac h e n d of t he e q ui p me nt. 

If a p plica bl e, verif y a bl u e si g nal is dis pla ye d o n t he c o ntr olli n g l oc o m oti ve , at t he 

l ocati o n w here it is rea dil y visi ble t o t he o perat or of t he l oc o m oti ve. 

2 1 8- 3 – Bl ue Si g n al Dis pl a y o n Ot her t h a n M ai n Tr ac k

bjecti ve : O bser v e bl ue si g nal dis pla y o n ot her t ha n mai n trac k. 

p plic a ble Rules : § 2 1 8. 2 7 – W or kers o n Ot her T ha n Mai n Trac k , a n d R ailr oa d R ules . 

Bl ue Si g n al Dis pl a y o n Ot her T h a n M ai n Tr ac k

Verif y bl ue si g nal at or n ear eac h s witc h pr o vi di n g e ntra nce. 

Verif y t hat t he e m pl o yee has ma n uall y o per ate d s witc hes li ne d a gai nst m o ve me nt a n d 

sec ure d wit h a n effecti ve l oc ki n g de vice. 

If a p plica bl e, verif y a bl u e si g nal is dis pla ye d o n t he c o ntr olli n g l oc o m oti ve, at t he 

l ocati o n w here it is rea dil y visi ble t o t he o perat or of t he l oc o m oti ve. 

Verif y eac h cr oss o ver s witc h is li ne d a gai nst m o ve me nt, l oc ke d, a n d fla g g e d w he n 

re q uire d. 

2 1 8- 4 – Bl ue Si g n al Dis pl a y L oc o m oti ve a n d C ar Ser vice Are as

bjecti ve : O bser v e e m pl o yee c o m plia nce wit h bl ue si g nal pr otecti o n i n car re pair a n d 

l oc o m oti ve ser vici n g ar eas. 

p plic a ble Rules : § 2 1 8. 2 9 – Alter nate Met h o ds of Pr otecti o n a n d Railr oa d R ules. 

Bl ue Si g n al Dis pl a ye d i n a L oc o m oti ve Ser vici n g Are a 

Verif y t he bl ue si g nal is dis pla ye d at or near eac h s witc h pr o vi di n g e ntra nce t o or 

de part ur e fr o m t he area . 

C o nfir m eac h s witc h pr o vi di n g e ntra nce t o or d e p art ure fr o m t he ar ea is li n e d a gai nst 

m o ve me nt t o t he area a n d l oc ke d wit h a n effecti ve l oc ki n g de vice. 

Verif y t he bl ue si g nal is attac he d t o eac h c o ntr olli n g l oc o m oti ve w here it is rea dil y 

visi ble t o t he e n gi ne ma n at t he c o ntr ols of t hat l oc o m oti ve. 

N ote: If s pee d is restricte d t o less t ha n 5 m p h, a derail wit h bl ue si g nal dis pla ye d ma y be 

use d i n lie u of l oc ki n g a n d li ni n g s witc hes pr o vi di n g t he d erail is l oc ke d wit h a n eff ecti ve 

l oc ki n g de vice a n d n o cl oser t ha n 5 0 f eet fr o m e q ui p me nt bei n g pr otecte d. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

3 2

If l oc o m oti ves ar e m o ve d o nt o a l oc o m oti ve ser vi ce ar ea, v erif y bl ue si g nal is re m o ve d 

fr o m t he e ntra n ce s witc h a n d t he l oc o m oti ve(s) m ust st o p s h ort of c o u pli n g t o a n ot her 

l oc o m oti ve. 

Verif y b l ue si g nal pr ot ecti o n is rest ore d i m me diatel y. 

Verif y t hat t he p ers o n i n c har ge of t he w or kers pr o vi des pr o per n otificati o n t o w or kers 

w he n l oc o m oti ves ar e re p ositi o ne d wit hi n t he ser vice ar ea. 

Bl ue Si g n al D is pl a ye d i n a C ar S h o p Re p air Tr ac k Are a

Verif y t he bl ue si g nal is dis pla ye d at or near eac h s witc h pr o vi di n g e ntra nce t o or 

de part ur e fr o m t he area . 

C o nfir m eac h s witc h pr o vi di n g e ntra nce t o or d e p art ure fr o m t he ar ea is li n e d a gai nst 

m o ve me nt t o t he area a n d l oc ke d wit h a n effecti ve l oc ki n g de vice. 

W he n use d, v erif y derail c o m plies wit h § 2 1 8. 2 9. 

Verif y t hat t he p ers o n i n c har ge of t he w or kers pr o vi des pr o per n otificati o n t o w or kers 

w he n car m o ver is use d t o re p ositi o n r olli n g e q ui p me nt wit hi n t h is area. 

2 1 8- 5 – Bl ue Si g n al Dis pl a y Re m ote C o ntr olle d S witc hes

bjecti ve : O bser v e e m pl o yee c o m plia nce wit h pr oce d ures l o c ki n g o ut re m ote-c o ntr olle d 

s witc hes.

p plic a ble Rules : § 2 1 8. 3 0 a n d Railr oa d R ules . 

Re m ote C o ntr ol S wit c hes 

Verif y , after t he o p erat or of t he re m otel y c o ntr olle d s witc hes has recei ve d t he n otificati o n 

re q uire d b y § 2 1 8. 2 7(c), he/s he m ust li ne eac h r e m otel y c o ntr olle d s witc h a gai nst 

m o ve me nt t o t hat trac k a n d a p pl y a n effecti ve l o c ki n g de vice t o t he le ver, b utt o n, or 

ot her de vice c o ntr olli n g t he s witc h bef ore he/s he ma y i nf or m t he e m pl o yee i n c har g e 

of t he w or kers t hat pr otecti o n has bee n pr o vi d e d. 

Verif y t he o p erat or di d n ot re m o ve t he l oc ki n g de vice u nless he has b ee n i nf or me d b y t he 

pers o n i n c har ge of t he w or kers t hat it is safe t o d o s o.

Verif y t he o p erat or m ai ntai n s a rec or d f or 1 5 da ys of eac h n otifi cati o n w hic h 

 c o ntai ns t he f oll o wi n g i nf or mati o n: 

T he na me a n d cr aft of t h e e m pl o yee i n c h ar ge w h o pr o vi de d t he n otificati o n. 

T he n u m ber or ot her desi g nati o n of t he trac k i n v ol ve d. 

T he date a n d ti me t he o p erat or n otifie d t he e m pl o yee i n c har ge t hat pr ot ecti o n ha d 

bee n pr o vi de d; a n d 

T he date a n d ti me t he o p erat or w as i nf or me d t hat t he w or k ha d b ee n c o m pl ete d, 

a n d t he na me a n d cr aft of t he e m pl o yee i n c h ar ge w h o pr o vi de d t his i nf or mati o n. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

3 3

2 1 8- 6 – O per ati n g H a n d- O per ate d S witc hes, I ncl u di n g Cr oss o ver S witc he s 

bjecti ve : O bser v e e m pl o yee c o m plia nce wit h pr o ce d ures l o c ki n g o ut re m ote-c o ntr olle d 

s witc hes i n a h u m p o perati o n. 

p plic a ble Rules : § 2 1 8. 3 9 – H u m p O perati o ns a n d Railr oa d R ules . 

H u m p O per ati o ns

Verif y t he o p erat or of a n y re m otel y c o ntr olle d s witc h t hat pr o vi des access fr o m t he a pe x 

of t he h u m p t o t he trac k o n w hic h t he r olli n g e q ui p me nt is l ocate d s hall be n otifie d. 

Verif y u p o n s uc h n otificati o n, t he o perat or of s uc h re m otel y c o ntr olle d s witc h s hall li ne it 

a gai nst m o ve me nt t o t he affecte d b o wl trac k a n d s hall a p pl y a l oc ki n g or bl oc ki n g de vice 

t o t he c o ntr ol f or t hat s witc h. 

Verif y t he o p erat or n otifi e d t he e m pl o yee t h at t he re q ueste d pr ot ecti o n has bee n pr o vi de d 

a n d s hall re m o ve t he l o c ki n g or bl oc ki n g de vice o nl y after bei n g n otifie d b y t he 

e m pl o yee t h at pr otecti o n is n o l o n ger re q uire d o n t hat trac k.

2 1 8- 7 – S h o vi n g a n d P us hi n g M o ve m e nts

bjecti ve : O bser v e e m pl o yee c o m plia nce wit h pr oce d ures us e d d uri n g s h o vi n g a n d p us hi n g 

m o ve me nts. 

p plic a ble Rules : § 2 1 8. 9 9 - S h o vi n g or P us hi n g M o ve me nts a n d Railr oa d O perati n g R ules . 

E ns ure e m pl o yees c o m pl y wit h t he r ailr o a d o per ati n g r ules pert ai ni n g t o t his secti o n. 

Verif y j o b briefi n g was c o m plete d. 

Verif y e m pl o yees ar e n ot e n ga ge d i n a n y u nrelate d tas ks . 

Verif y t hat e m pl o yees ar e pr o vi di n g pr o per p oi nt p r otecti o n. 

Verif y t hat e m pl o yee(s) pr o perl y deter mi ne d trac k was clear. 

A d diti o n al re q uire m e nts f or re m ote c o ntr ol m o ve m e nts.

W he n o bser vi n g a re m ot e c o ntr ol s h o vi n g or p us hi n g m o ve me nt: 

Verif y t he r e m ote - c o ntr ol o perat or ca n vis uall y deter mi ne t he directi o n t he 

e q ui p me nt m o ves; or 

Verif y a m e m ber of t h e cre w ca n vis uall y deter mi ne t he directi o n t he e q ui p me nt 

m o ves a n d c o nfir m t he directi o n wi t h t he re m ote-c o ntr ol o perat or. 

Verif y t he r e m ote c o ntr ol cre w s w e pt t he z o ne a n d if relie vi n g a cre w, e ns ure a p ositi ve 

ha n d- off h as occ urre d. 

Verif y t he r e m ote - c o ntr ol z o ne is n ot j oi ntl y occ u pie d. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

3 4

E xce pti o ns All o we d 

If usi n g, verif y t he e m pl o yee(s) are c o m pl yi n g wit h t he e xce pti o n(s) all o we d p urs ua nt t o 

§ 2 1 8. 9 9( d)(e). See A p p e n di x F t o t his d oc u me nt f or e xce pti o ns t o 2 1 8 s u b part F. 

2 1 8- 8 – H a n d- per ate d Cr oss o ver S wit c hes

bjecti ve : O bser v e e m pl o yee c o m plia nce wit h lea vi n g r olli n g a n d mai nte na nce-of wa y 

e q ui p me nt left i n t he f o ul. 

p plic a ble Rules : § 2 1 8. 1 0 1 - Lea vi n g R olli n g a n d O n- Trac k Mai nte na n ce - of- Wa y E q ui p me nt 

i n the lear a n d Railr oa d R ules . 

E ns ure e m pl o yees c o m pl y wit h t he r ailr o a d o per ati n g r ules pert ai ni n g t o t his secti o n. 

Le a vi n g R olli n g a n d O n- Tr ac k M ai nte n a nce of W a y E q ui p m e nt i n T he Cle ar

Verif y r olli n g a n d o n- tr ac k mai nte na nce- of-wa y e q ui p me nt was n ot left w h ere it will f o ul 

a c o n necti n g trac k. See A p pe n di x E f or e xce pti o ns t o 2 1 8 s u b part F. 

Verif y e m pl o yees ca n i d e ntif y cleara nce p oi nts a n d l ocati o ns w here cleara nce p oi nts will 

n ot per mit a pers o n t o saf el y ri de o n t he si de of a car. 

2 1 8- 9 – H a n d- O per ate d S witc hes, I ncl u di n g Cr oss o ver S witc hes

bjecti ve : O bser v e e m pl o yee c o m plia nce wit h o perati n g ha n d- o p erat e d s witc hes.

p plic a ble Rules : § 2 1 8. 1 0 3 – Ha n d - O p erate d S witc hes, I ncl u di n g Cr oss o ver S witc hes a n d 

Railr oa d r ules . 

E ns ure e m pl o yees c o m pl y wit h t he r ailr o a d o per ati n g r ules pert ai ni n g t o t his secti o n. 

H a n d- O per ate d S witc hes 

Verif y j o b briefi n g was c o n d ucte d bef ore w or k is be g u n, eac h ti me a w or k pla n is 

c ha n ge d, a n d at c o m pleti o n of t he w or k. 

Verif y t he e m pl o yee v is u all y deter mi nes t hat s witc hes ar e pr o perl y li ne d f or t he i nte n de d 

r o ute a n d t hat n o e q ui p m e nt is f o uli n g t he s witc hes. 

Verif y t he e m pl o yee is u all y deter mi nes t hat t he p oi nts fit pr o perl y a n d t he tar get, if s o 

e q ui p pe d, c orres p o n ds wit h t he s witc h's p ositi o n. 

Verif y t he e m pl o yee a fter o perati n g a s witc h a n d bef ore m a ki n g m o ve me nts i n eit her 

directi o n o ver t he s witc h, e ns ure d t hat t he s witc h is secure d fr o m u ni nte nti o nal 

m o ve me nt of t he s witc h p oi nts. 

Verif y t hat a s witc h is n ot o perate d w hile r olli n g a n d o n-trac k mai nte n a nce- of-wa y 

e q ui p me nt is f o uli n g t he s witc h or sta n di n g or m o vi n g o ver t he s witc h. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

3 5

Verif y t he e m pl o yee after o perati n g a s witc h, e ns ures t hat w he n n ot i n use, eac h s witc h is 

l oc ke d, h o o ke d, or lat c he d, if s o e q ui p pe d. 

2 1 8- 1 0 – H a n d- per ate d M ai n Tr ac k S witc hes i n N o n Si g n ale d Territ or y

bjecti ve : O bser v e e m pl o yee c o m plia nce wit h ha n d- o per ate d mai n trac k s witc hes i n n o nsi g nale d territ ory. 

p plic a ble Rules : § 2 1 8. 1 0 5 – A d diti o nal O perati o nal Re q uire me nts f or H a n d O perate d Mai n 

Trac k S witc hes a n d Railr oa d Rules . 

E ns ure e m pl o yees c o m pl y wit h t he r ailr o a d o per ati n g r ules pert ai ni n g t o t his secti o n.

Desi g n ati n g S witc h P ositi o n 

Verif y t hat t he h a n d - o per ate d mai n trac k s witc h w as left i n t he p ositi o n desi g nate d i n 

writi n g b y t he railr oa d. 

A d diti o n al j o b briefi n g re q uire m e nts f or h a n d o per ate d m ai n tr ac k s witc hes

Verif y bef ore a trai n or tr ai n cre w l ea ves t h e l ocati o n, all cre w me m b ers s hall ha ve ver b al 

c o m m u nicati o n t o c o nfir m t he p ositi o n of t he s witc h. 

If r oa d wa y w or k ers o per ate a s witc h i n e x cl usi ve trac k occ u pa nc y, f o ul ti me or trai n 

c o or di nati o n, verif y t he p ositi o n of t he s witc h was c o m m u nicate d t o t he R WI C pri or t o 

releasi n g t he a ut h orit y. 

Rele asi n g a ut h orit y li mits

Verif y e m pl o yee re p orte d t o t he dis patc her t hat m ai n trac k s witc h es ha ve b ee n rest or e d t o 

n or mal p ositi o n a n d l oc ke d be f or e rel easi n g li mits i n n o n-si g nale d territ or y. 

Verif y w h e n releasi n g t he li mits, t he e m pl o yee re p orts t o t he trai n dis patc h er t hat t he 

ha n d- o per ate d mai n trac k s witc h has bee n rest ore d t o its n or mal p ositi o n a n d l oc ke d. 

nless t he trai n dis p atc h er directs t hat t he ha n d o perate d mai n tr ac k s witc h be left 

li ne d a n d l oc ke d i n t he r e verse p ositi o n a n d t he necessar y pr otecti o n is pr o vi de d. 

Verif y t he tr ai n dis patc her re peats t he re p orte d s witc h p ositi o n i nf or mati o n t o t he 

e m pl o yee rel easi n g t he li mits a n d as k e d w het her t hat is c orrect . 

Verif y t he e m pl o yee r eleasi n g t he li mits c o nfir me d t o t he trai n dis patc her t hat t his 

i nf or mati o n is c orrect.
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

3 6

2 1 8- 1 1 – H a n d- O per ate d Cr oss o ver S witc hes

bjecti ve : O bser v e e m pl o yee c o m plia nce wit h ha n d- o per ate d cr oss o ver s witc hes. 

p plic a ble Rules : § 2 1 8. 1 0 7 – A d diti o nal O perati o nal Re q uire me nts f or H a n d O perate d 

Cr oss o ver S witc hes a n d Railr oa d ules

E ns ure e m pl o yees c o m pl y wit h t he r ailr o a d o per ati n g r ules pert ai ni n g t o t his secti o n.

H a n d- o per ate d cr oss o v er s witc hes

Verif y b ot h ha n d- o per ate d s witc hes of a cr oss o ver s hall be pr o perl y li ne d b ef ore r olli n g 

a n d o n-trac k mai nte na n ce- of- wa y e q ui p me nt be gi ns a cr oss o ver m o ve me nt. 

Verif y a cr oss o ver m o ve me nt is c o m plete d bef or e ha n d- o per ate d cr oss o ver s witc h es are 

rest ore d t o n or mal p ositi o n. 

Verif y e m pl o yees lea v e ha n d- o per ate d cr oss o ver s witc hes i n c orr es p o n di n g p ositi o n. See 

A p pe n di x E f or e xce pti o ns t o 2 1 8 s u b part F. 

2 1 8- 1 2 – H a n d- per ate d Fi xe d Der ails

bjecti ve : O bser v e e m pl o yee c o m plia nce wit h ha n d- o per ate d fi xe d d er ails. 

p plic a ble Rules : 4 9 C F R § 2 1 8. 1 0 9 – Ha n d O perate d Fi x e d Derails a n d Railr oa d R ules 

E ns ure e m pl o yees c o m pl y wit h t he r ailr o a d o per ati n g r ules pert ai ni n g t o t his secti o n.

H a n d o per ati n g fi xe d der ails 

Verif y e m pl o yees c o n d u ct e d j o b briefi n g bef ore w or k is be g u n, eac h ti me a w or k pla n is 

c ha n ge d, a n d at c o m pleti o n of t he w or k. 

Verif y e m pl o yee ke pt derails i n deraili n g p ositi o n w het her n ot e q ui p me nt is o n t he trac k 

t he y pr otect u nless all o w e d b y F R A r e g ulati o n, o perati n g r ule, or s p ecial i nstr ucti o n.

Verif y e m pl o yee d eter mi ned t hat t he tar get, if s o e q ui p pe d, c orr es p o n ds wit h t he derail's 

p ositi o n. 

Verif y e m pl o yee d eter mi ned t hat t he der ail is sec ure d b y:

Placi n g t he t hr o w le ver i n t he latc h sta n d, if s o e q ui p pe d; 

Placi n g t he l oc k or h o o k i n t he has p, if s o e q ui p pe d; a n d 

Testi n g s uc h latc hes, l oc ks, or h o o ks 

Verif y e m pl o yee e ns ur es w he n n ot i n use, der ails are l oc k e d, h o o ke d, or l atc he d i n t he 

n or mal p ositi o n if s o e q ui p pe d.
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

3 7

2 2 0- 1 – Pr o per R a di o P r oce d ures

O bjecti ve: D eter mi ne t h at a n y e m pl o yee w h o c o m m u nicates via ra di o or ot her wireless mea ns 

of c o m m u nicati o n iss ue a n d/ or re p eats i nf or mati o n usi n g t he re q uire d f or mat. 

A p plic a ble R ules: 4 9 C F R § § 2 2 0. 2 7, 2 9, 3 1, 3 3, 3 5, 3 7 a n d railr oa d o p er ati n g r ules. 

 

I de ntific ati o n § 2 2 0. 2 7 

Verif y e m pl o yee(s) usi n g eac h w a ysi de, bas e or yar d stati o n states na me of railr oa d or 

a b bre viati o n, na me a n d l ocati o n of office, or u ni q ue desi g nati o n. 

St ate m e nt of lett ers a n d n u m bers i n r a di o c o m m u nic ati o ns § 2 2 0. 2 9 

Verif y a p h o n etic al p ha b et is bei n g use d t o pr o n o u nce a n y letter use d as a n i nitial, e xce pt 

i nitial letters of railr oa ds, if necessar y f or clarit y. 

I niti ati n g a r a di o tr a ns missi o n § 2 2 0. 3 1 

Verif y bef ore tr a ns mitti n g b y ra di o, t he e m pl o yee:

ali dates t he c h a n nel is n ot i n use, 

d e ntif ies t he e m pl o yee’s stati o n

erifies r a di o c o ntact is ma de wit h t he pers o n or stati o n b y liste ni n g f or 

ac k n o wle d g me nt. 

Recei vi n g a r a di o tr a ns missi o n § 2 2 0. 3 3 

Verif y t he e m pl o yee r ecei vi n g a ra di o call pr o m ptl y ac k n o wle d g es t he call, i de ntifies t he 

e m pl o yee’s stati o n, a n d sta n ds b y t o recei v e. 

Verif y t he e m pl o yee w h o recei v es a tra ns missi o n r e peat s t he tr a ns missi o n t o t he part y 

u nless t he c o m m u nicati o n: 

elates t o yar d s witc hi n g o perati o ns. 

s a rec or de d m essa ge fr o m a n a ut o matic alar m d e vice. 

Is g e ner al i n nat ure a n d d oes n ot c o ntai n a n y i nf or mati o n, i nstr ucti o n or a d vice 

w hic h c o ul d affect t he s afet y of a r ailr oa d o p erati o n.

E n di n g a r a di o tr a ns missi o n § 2 2 0. 3 5 

E xce pt f or tr a ns missi o n relate d t o yar d s witc hi n g o perati o ns: 

Verif y t he tr a ns mitti n g e m pl o yee sa ys “ o ver” t o i n dicate t o t he recei vi n g e m pl o yee 

t hat t he tra ns missi o n is e n de d a n d sa ys “ o ut ” w he n t he tra ns missi o n is c o m plete. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

3 8

Testi n g of r a di o a n d wireless § 2 2 0. 3 7 

Verif y e m pl o yee(s) test t he c o m m u nicati o n e q ui p me nt bei n g use d pri or t o t he 

c o m me nce me nt of t h e w or k assi g n me nt. 

2 2 0- 2 – R a di o M o nit ori n g

O bjecti ve: D eter mi ne t h at a n y e m pl o yee w h o c o m m u nicates via ra di o is m o nit ori n g c orrect 

c ha n nel f or railr o a d o per ati o ns. 

A p plic a ble R ules : 4 9 C F R § 2 2 0. 3 9 a n d railr o a d o perati n g r ules. 

 

Verif y e m pl o yee m o nit ors c orrect railr oa d ra di o c ha n nel f or r ailr oa d o p erati o ns. 

2 2 0- 3 – E m er ge nc y R a di o Tr a ns missi o ns

O bjecti ve: D eter mi ne t h at a n y e m pl o yee w h o uses a railr oa d ra di o k n o ws pr oce d ur es t o 

a n n o u nce a n e mer g e nc y o ver ra di o. 

A p plic a ble R ules: 4 9 C F R § 2 2 0. 4 7 a n d railr o a d o perati n g r ules. 

 

Verif y e m pl o yee pr o perl y de m o nstrates tra ns missi o n of e mer ge n c y o ver ra di o. 

Re peat “e m er ge n c y ” t hr ee ti mes. 

2 2 0- 4 – R a di o C o m m u nic ati o n i n S h o vi n g, B ac ki n g or P us hi n g M o ve m e nts

O bjecti ve: T o e ns ure t h at e m pl o yee(s) are pr o p erl y pr otecti n g s h o vi n g, bac ki n g, or p us hi n g 

m o ve me nts as re q uir e d b y railr oa d r ule. 

A p plic a ble R ules: 4 9 C F R § 2 2 0. 4 9 a n d Railr oa d o perati n g r ules. 

Vali date w he n ra di o c o m m u nicati o n is use d i n c o n necti o n wit h t he s h o vi n g, bac ki n g or 

p us hi n g of a trai n, l oc o m oti ve, car, or o n-trac k e q ui p me nt : 

T he e m pl o yee dir ecti n g t he m o ve me nt s pecifi es t he dista nce of t h e m o ve me nt. 

T he m o ve me nt st o ps i n o ne- half t he re mai ni n g dista nce u nless a d diti o nal 

i nstr ucti o ns are recei ve d. 

If t he i nstr ucti o ns ar e n ot u n derst o o d, t he m o ve me nt st o ps i m me diatel y a n d d oes n ot 

res u me u ntil t he mis u n dersta n di n g has bee n res ol v e d, ra di o c o ntact has bee n 

rest ore d, or c o m m u nicati o n has bee n ac hie ve d b y ha n d si g nals or ot her pr o ce d ures i n 

acc or d a nce w it h t he o per ati n g r ules of t he r ailr oa d.

2 2 0- 5 – R a di o Tr a ns missi o n of M a n d at or y Directi ves 

O bjecti ve: D eter mi ne if e m pl o yee is f oll o wi n g c orrect pr o ce d ures t o o btai n ma n dat or y directi ve 

a n d use pr o per c o m m u nicati o n. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

3 9

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 2 0. 6 1 Ra di o tra ns missi o n of ma n dat or y directi ves a n d railr oa d o perati n g 

r ules. 

 

E m pl o yees s h all pr o perl y de m o nstr ate tr a ns missi o n of m a n d at or y directi ve o ver r a di o. 

Verif y t he tr ai n dis patc her or o per at or s hall call t h e a d dress ees of t h e ma n d at or y directi ve 

a n d state t he i nte nti o n t o tra ns mit t he ma n dat or y directi ve.

Vali date bef ore t he ma n d at or y directi ve is tr a ns mitte d, t he e m pl o yee t o recei ve a n d c o p y 

s hall state t he e m pl o yee's na me, i de ntificati o n, l ocati o n, a n d rea di n ess t o recei ve a n d 

c o p y. 

Verif y a m a n dat or y dir ecti ve s hall n ot be tra ns mitte d t o e m pl o yees o n m o vi n g 

e q ui p me nt, if s uc h directi ve ca n n ot be recei ve d a n d c o pie d wit h o ut i m pairi n g safe 

o perati o n of t he e q ui p me nt. 

C o nfir m a ma n dat or y dir ecti ve s hall be c o pi e d i n writi n g b y t he recei vi n g e m pl o yee i n 

t he f or mat pres cri be d i n t he railr oa d’s o per ati n g r ules. 

Verif y a fter t he m a n dat or y directi ve has b ee n r ecei ve d a n d c o pie d, it s hall b e 

i m me diatel y re peat e d i n its e ntiret y.

C o nfir m a fter verif yi n g t he acc urac y of t he r e peate d ma n dat or y dir ecti ve, t he trai n 

dis patc her or o p erat or s h all t he n state t he ti me a n d na me of t he e m pl o yee desi g nate d b y 

t he railr oa d w h o is a ut h orize d t o iss ue ma n dat or y directi ves. 

C o nfir m a n e m pl o yee c o p yi n g a ma n dat or y directi ve s hall t he n ac k n o wle d ge b y 

re peati n g t he ti me a n d n a me of t he e m pl o yee s o d esi g nate d b y t he r ailr oa d. 

Verif y f or o n -trac k e q ui p me nt, bef ore a ma n dat or y directi ve is acte d u p o n, t he e m pl o yee 

res p o nsi ble f or o n-trac k s afet y s hall ha v e a writte n c o p y of t he ma n dat or y directi ve a n d 

ma ke certai n t hat t he ma n dat or y directi ve is ac k n o wle d ge d b y all e m pl o yees w h o ar e 

res p o nsi ble f or e xec uti n g t hat ma n dat or y directi ve. T he e m pl o yee res p o nsi ble f or o ntrac k saf et y s hall retai n a c o p y of t he ma n dat or y directi ve w hile it is i n effect.
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees 

Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

4 0

O P - 1 – A u di ble W ar ni n g fr o m Tr ai ns 

O bjecti ve: O bser v e trai ns or l oc o m oti ve a p pr oac hi n g/ passi n g r oa d wa y w or kers pr o vi di n g 

u di ble war ni n g. 

A p plic a ble R ules: § 2 1 4. 3 3 9 – A u di ble war ni n g fr o m trai ns a n d Railr oa d R ules. 

A u di ble w ar ni n g 

Verif y t hat t her e is a n i nitial h or n war ni n g. 

C o nfir m t he s u bse q ue nt war ni n g(s) are pr o vi de d. 

C o nfir m t here was a n alt er nati ve w ar ni n g if s o u n di n g t he h or n w o ul d a d versel y aff ect t he 

r oa d wa y w or kers (e. g., i n t u n nels a n d ter mi nals). 

If re q uir e d b y railr o a d r ul e, c o nfir m t he r o a d wa y w or ker(s) ar e weari n g t h eir hi g hl y 

visi ble reflecti ve cl ot hi n g a n d pers o nal pr otecti ve e q ui p me nt t o hel p pr o vi de clear 

i n dicati o n t o l oc o m oti ve e n gi neers a n d trai n o perat ors t hat r oa d wa y w or ker(s) ar e pres e nt 

i n t he vici nit y of railr oa d trac ks. 
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

4 1

A p pe n di x B – R M M Q uic k Refere n ce

Re q uire m e nt

4 9 C F R 2 1 4:

O n tr ac k R M M n o n hi g h w a y a n d li g ht wei g ht gre ater t h a n 7, 5 0 0 l bs. 

a n d n ot use d e xcl usi vel y f or i ns pecti o n of tr ac k

Hi r ail hi g h w a y ve hicles meeti n g Fe der al M ot or Ve hicle 

S afet y St a n d ar ds

Pre 1/ 1/ 9 1 E xisti n g 

o n or after 1/ 1/ 9 1

Ne w or dere d after 1 2/ 2 6/ 0 3 

a n d c o m plete d after 9/ 2 7/ 0 4 E xisti n g Ne w or dere d after 1 2/ 2 6/ 0 3 or c o m plete d after 9/ 2 7/ 0 4

Beac o n ( 3 6 0 de gree 

war ni n g li g ht)

N ot Re q uire d * N ot Re q uire d * 5 0 9(c) ( R M M wit h o ut fi xe d 

r o of a n d less t ha n 1 7, 5 0 0 l bs. 

e xe m pt)

[ M ot or Ve hicle] 5 2 3(c)( 2)

Bra ke li g ht ( or 

reflecti ve material, or 

reflecti ve de vice)

N ot Re q uire d * 5 1 7( d) retr ofit bra ke 

li g ht or reflecti ve 

material, or reflecti ve 

de vice

5 0 9 ( d) bra ke li g ht [ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

Bra ki n g s yste m N ot Re q uire d * N ot Re q uire d * 5 0 7(a)( 5) [ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

C ha n ge of directi o n 

alar m ( or bac k u p 

alar m f or ne w hi rails)

N ot Re q uire d * 5 1 7(a) retr ofit 5 1 1( b) N ot Re q uire d * 5 2 3(c)( 1)

Dail y i ns pecti o n 5 2 7(a) 5 2 7(a) 5 2 7(a) 5 2 3( d)( 1) 5 2 3( d)( 1)

E n vir o n me ntal c o ntr ol 

a n d pr otecti o n

5 0 5( d) esi g nate d 

o nl y - ot her wise 

O S H A]

5 0 5( d) [ desi g nate d o nl y 

ot her wise O S H A]

5 0 5(a) ( b) re g ulat ors, ta m pers, 

etc.

N ot Re q uire d * N ot Re q uire d *

E n vir o n me ntal 

pers o nal pr otecti ve 

res pirat or y e q ui p me nt

5 0 5(e) o nl y w he n 

e n vir o n me ntal 

c o ntr ol is n ot 

w or ki n g o n 

desi g nate d 

e q ui p me nt

5 0 5(e) o nl y w he n 

e n vir o n me ntal c o ntr ol is 

n ot w or ki n g o n 

desi g nate d e q ui p me nt

5 0 5(e) o nl y w he n 

e n vir o n me ntal c o ntr ol is n ot 

w or ki n g (a)( 1) ( 5) t y pe 

e q ui p me n t 

[ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

Fire e xti n g uis her N ot Re q uire d * N ot Re q uire d * 5 0 7(a)( 7) [ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

4 2

Re q uire m e nt

4 9 C F R 2 1 4:

O n tr ac k R M M n o n hi g h w a y a n d li g ht wei g ht gre ater t h a n 7, 5 0 0 l bs. 

a n d n ot use d e xcl usi vel y f or i ns pecti o n of tr ac k

Hi r ail hi g h w a y ve hicles meeti n g Fe der al M ot or Ve hicle 

S afet y St a n d ar ds

Pre 1/ 1/ 9 1 E xisti n g 

o n or after 1/ 1/ 9 1

Ne w or dere d after 1 2/ 2 6/ 0 3 

a n d c o m plete d after 9/ 2 7/ 0 4 E xisti n g Ne w or dere d after 1 2/ 2 6/ 0 3 or c o m plete d after 9/ 2 7/ 0 4

First ai d kit N ot Re q uire d * N ot Re q uire d * 5 0 7(a)( 6) [ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

Fla g gi n g e q ui p me nt 5 2 1 (l o ne, or lea d 

a n d traili n g piece i n 

r oa d wa y gr o u p if 

R R r ules re q uire 

fla g gi n g 

e q ui p me nt)

5 2 1 (l o ne, or lea d a n d 

traili n g piece i n 

r oa d wa y gr o u p if R R 

r ules re q uire fla g gi n g 

e q ui p me nt)

5 2 1 (l o ne, or lea d a n d traili n g 

piece i n r oa d wa y gr o u p if R R 

r ules re q uire fla g gi n g 

e q ui p me nt)

5 2 1 (l o ne, or lea d a n d 

traili n g piece i n r oa d wa y 

gr o u p if R R r ules re q uire 

fla g gi n g e q ui p me nt)

5 2 1 (l o ne, or lea d a n d traili n g 

piece i n r oa d wa y gr o u p if R R 

r ules re q uire fla g gi n g 

e q ui p me nt)

Hea dli g ht 5 1 3(c) 5 1 3(c) 5 0 9(a) [ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

Heati n g a n d 

ve ntilati o n

N ot Re q uire d * 5 1 7( b) retr ofit 

(re q uire d if o perate d at 

te m p. less t ha n 5 0 de g. 

a n d e q ui p pe d or has 

bee n e q ui p pe d)

5 0 ( g) f or R M M ot her t ha n 

5 0 5(a)( 1) ( 5), re g ulat ors, etc. 

wit h e ncl ose d ca bs

[ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

Hi rail gear i ns pecti o n N ot A p plica ble N ot A p plica ble N ot A p plica ble 5 2 3(a) A n n uall y 5 2 3(a) A n n uall y

H or n 5 1 3( b) per ma ne nt 

or p orta ble

5 1 3( b) per ma ne nt or 

p orta ble

5 1 1(a) per ma ne nt [ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

Li g ht wei g ht dis pla y N ot Re q uire d * 5 1 7(c) retr ofit 5 0 7( d) [ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

O perat or seat 5 2 7(c)( 5) 5 2 7(c)( 5) 5 0 7(a)( 1) e xce pt as re q uire d 

u n der ( b); o perat or sta n di n g

[ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

O ver hea d c o ver f or 

o perat or

5 1 5(a) 

missi n g/re pair; ( b) 

feasi bilit y

5 1 5(a) issi n g/re pair; 

( b) feasi bilit y

5 1 5 a p plies if n o ca b (i.e., 

R M M n ot re q uiri n g 

e n vir o n me ntal ca b)

[ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

O ver hea d f or n o n

e ncl ose d stati o ns 

o utsi de mai n ca b

N ot Re q uire d * N ot Re q uire d * 5 0 5( h) w here feasi ble [ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]
Trai ni n g, Q ualificati o n, a n d O versi g ht f or Safet y Relate d Railr oa d E m pl o yees Peri o dic O versi g ht J o b Ai d 

4 3

Re q uire m e nt

4 9 C F R 2 1 4:

O n tr ac k R M M n o n hi g h w a y a n d li g ht wei g ht gre ater t h a n 7, 5 0 0 l bs. 

a n d n ot use d e xcl usi vel y f or i ns pecti o n of tr ac k

Hi r ail hi g h w a y ve hicles meeti n g Fe der al M ot or Ve hicle 

S afet y St a n d ar ds

Pre 1/ 1/ 9 1 E xisti n g 

o n or after 1/ 1/ 9 1

Ne w or dere d after 1 2/ 2 6/ 0 3 

a n d c o m plete d after 9/ 2 7/ 0 4 E xisti n g Ne w or dere d after 1 2/ 2 6/ 0 3 or c o m plete d after 9/ 2 7/ 0 4

Rec or d of defecti ve 

c o n diti o ns

5 3 3( d) 5 3 3( d) 5 3 3( d) 5 3 3( d) 5 3 3( d)

Rec or d of hi rail 

i ns pecti o n

N ot A p plica ble N ot A p plica ble N ot A p plica ble 5 2 3( b) 5 2 3( b)

Rear war d vie wi n g 

de vices

N ot Re q uire d * N ot Re q uire d * 5 0 9(e) [ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

Safe a n d sec ure 

p ositi o n wit h seat f or 

w or kers tra ns p orte d o n 

mac hi ne

5 1 3(a) retr ofit 5 1 3(a) retr ofit 5 0 7(a)( 2) [ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

Safe a n d sec ure 

p ositi o n f or ri ders - 

i de ntificati o n b y 

ste ncili n g or ot her 

writte n n otice (if use d)

5 1 8 5 1 8 5 1 8 [ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

Safet y glass & wi pers N ot Re q uire d * 5 1 7(e) retr ofit/re place 5 0 7(a)( 4) [ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

Sec ure f o oti n g f or 

fl o ors, dec ks, stairs, 

a n d

la d ders

5 1 9 5 1 9 5 1 9 [ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

S pee d i n dicat or N ot Re q uire d * N ot Re q uire d * 5 0 7(c) m ore t ha n 3 2, 5 0 0 l bs

a n d s pee d greater t ha n 2 0 m p h

[ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]
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4 4

Re q uire m e nt

4 9 C F R 2 1 4:

O n tr ac k R M M n o n hi g h w a y a n d li g ht wei g ht gre ater t h a n 7, 5 0 0 l bs. 

a n d n ot use d e xcl usi vel y f or i ns pecti o n of tr ac k

Hi r ail hi g h w a y ve hicles meeti n g Fe der al M ot or Ve hicle 

S afet y St a n d ar ds

Pre 1/ 1/ 9 1 E xisti n g 

o n or after 1/ 1/ 9 1

Ne w or dere d after 1 2/ 2 6/ 0 3 

a n d c o m plete d after 9/ 2 7/ 0 4 E xisti n g Ne w or dere d after 1 2/ 2 6/ 0 3 or c o m plete d after 9/ 2 7/ 0 4

Ta g defecti ve ite m(s)

* Refer t o 2 1 4. 5 2 7(c), 

2 1 4. 5 3 1 & 2 1 4. 5 3 3 f or 

o perati o n of n o n

c o m plia nt R M M(s) 

a n d hi rails 

5 2 7( b) 5 2 7( b) 5 2 7( b) 5 2 3( d)( 2) 5 2 3( d)( 2)

T o wi n g 5 2 5 5 2 5 5 2 5 5 2 5 5 2 5

T ur nta ble sec ure me nt N ot Re q uire d * 5 1 7(f) retr ofit; l oc k or 

war ni n g li g ht

5 0 7(a)( 3) l oc k [ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

W or k li g hts N ot Re q uire d * N ot Re q uire d * 5 0 9( b) [ M ot or Ve hicle] [ M ot or Ve hicle]

N otes:

O n “ n ot re q uire d”: If a n e xisti n g o n trac k R M M is e q ui p pe d wit h a de vice o nl y re q uire d o n ne w e q ui p me nt, t he de vice s h o ul d be i n pr o per w or ki n g 

c o n diti o n. A n i n o pera ble “ n ot re q uire d” de vice is s u bject t o a g o o d fait h c halle n ge es peciall y w here r oa d wa y w or kers are w or ki n g o n or near t he 

mac hi ne t hat ma y be rel yi n g i n part o n s uc h a de vice t o alert t he m t o a mac hi ne’s prese nce or pr o xi mit y. At t he mi ni m u m, a n y s uc h i n o pera ble de vice 

s hall be disc usse d i n t he j o b briefi n g.

O perati o n of n o n c o m plia nt R M M or hi rail m ust c o m pl y wit h § 2 1 4. 5 2 7, O n trac k r oa d wa y mai nte na nce mac hi nes; i ns pecti o n f or c o m plia nce a n d 

sc he d ule f or re pairs, § 2 1 4. 5 3 1, Sc he d ule of re pairs; ge neral a n d § 2 1 4. 5 3 3, Sc he d ule of re pairs s u bject t o a vaila bilit y of parts.

§ 2 1 4. 5 2 9 – I n ser vice fail ure of pri mar y bra ki n g s yste m. I n t he e ve nt of a t otal i n ser vice fail ure of its pri mar y bra ki n g s yste m, a n o n trac k R M M ma y 

be o perate d f or t he re mai n der of its t o ur of d ut y wit h t he use of a sec o n dar y bra ki n g s yste m or b y c o u pli n g t o a n ot her mac hi n e, if s uc h o perati o ns ma y 

be d o ne safel y. If t he t otal i n ser vice fail ure of a n o n trac k R M M’s pri mar y bra ki n g s yste m occ urs w here ot her e q ui p me nt is n ot a vaila ble f or c o u pli n g, 

t he mac hi ne ma y, if it is safe t o d o s o, tra vel t o a cleara nce or re pair p oi nt w here it s hall be place d o ut of ser vice u ntil re paire d.
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A p pe n di x C – Sc he d ule of Re p air s Fl o w C h art
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A p pe n di x D – E x a m ple of a Peri o dic O versi g ht Test/I ns pecti o n Rec or d

N a m e T est /I ns p ecti o n

N o. D at e Ti m e Pl ac e C o m pli a nt Y/ N F e e d b ac k/ C o m m e nts O bs er v er
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A p pe n di x E – P art 2 1 4 S u b p art C A dj ace nt C o ntr olle d Tr ac k E xce pti o ns

O n - gr o u n d w or k p erf or me d o n a si de of t he o cc u pi e d trac k meeti n g t he f oll o wi n g 

s pecifie d c o n diti o ns: 

W or ki n g fr o m t he si de wit h n o a djace nt trac k. 

W or ki n g fr o m t he si de wit h o ne or m ore a djace nt trac ks, t he cl osest of w hic h has 

w or ki n g li mits o n it a n d n o m o ve me nts per mitte d wit hi n s uc h w or ki n g li mits b y 

t hi n t he f oll o wi n g e r oa d wa y w or k er i n c har ge; or 

T he si de wit h o ne or m or e a djace nt trac ks pr o vi de d t hat it has a n i nter- trac k 

barrier b et wee n t he occ u pie d trac k a n d t h e cl osest a djace nt tr ac k o n t hat si de.

Mai nte na nce or Re p airs Acti vities s u bject t o t he f oll o wi n g: 

Perf or mi n g mai nte na nce or re pairs al o n gsi de a r o a d wa y mai nte na n ce mac hi ne or 

c o u ple d e q ui p me nt, pr o vi de d t hat s uc h mac hi ne or e q ui p me nt w o ul d eff ecti vel y 

pre ve nt t he w or ker fr o m f o uli n g t he a djace nt c o ntr olle d trac k o n t he ot h er si de of 

s uc h e q ui p me nt, a n d t hat s uc h mai nte na nce or r e p airs are p erf or me d w hile 

p ositi o ne d o n a si de of t he occ u pie d tr ac k as descri be d a b o ve. 

O n or u n der a r oa d wa y mai nte na nce mac hi ne or c o u ple d e q ui p me nt perf or mi n g 

mai nte na nce or re p air s wit hi n t he peri meter of t he mac hi ne or e q ui p me nt, 

pr o vi de d t hat n o part of t heir pers o n br ea ks t he pl a ne of t he rail of t he occ u pie d 

trac k. 

W or k acti vities i n v ol vi n g certai n e q ui p me nt a n d p ur p ose (e x ce pte d gr o u ps) s u bject t o t he 

f oll o wi n g: 

he e xce pte d gr o u p p artici pate d wit h t he R WI C of t he w or ki n g li mits a n d 

deter mi ne d a djace nt - c o ntr olle d-trac k o n trac k saf et y is n ot necessar y f or t he 

e xce pte d gr o u p. 

If t he e x ce pte d gr o u p is w or ki n g near t h e n o n-e x ce pte d gr o u p a n d t he a bilit y t o 

detect a p pr o ac hi n g trai ns or o n-trac k e q ui p me nt is i m paire d b y a n y wa y a dj ace ntc o ntr olle d-trac k o n- trac k safet y m ust be esta blis he d. 

A hi rail ve hicle or ot her rail- b o u n d ve hicle b ei n g use d f or i ns pecti o n or mi n or 

c orrecti o n p ur p oses, pr o vi de d t hat s uc h ve hicle is n ot c o u ple d t o o ne or m ore 

railr oa d cars. 

W here m ulti ple hi r ail or rail- b o u n d ve hicles b ei n g use d f or i ns pecti o n or mi n or 

c orrecti o n are e n ga g e d i n a c o m m o n tas k, t he o n-tr ac k saf et y j o b briefi n g s h all 

i ncl u de disc ussi o n of t he nat ure of t he w or k t o be perf orme d t o d eter mi ne if 

a djace nt - c o ntr olle d-tr ac k o n trac k safet y is necess ar y.

A n a ut o mate d i ns pecti o n car bei n g us e d f or i ns pecti o n or mi n or c orr ecti o n 

p ur p oses. 

A cate n ar y mai nte na n ce t o wer car or v e hicle, if all of t he o n - gr o u n d w or kers 

e n ga ge d i n t he c o m m o n tas k are p ositi o ne d wit hi n t he ga ge of t he o cc u pie d trac k 

f or t he s ole p ur p os e of a p pl yi n g or re m o vi n g gr o u n ds. 
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A p pe n di x F – P art 2 1 8 S u b p art F E xce pti o ns

Re m ote c o ntr ol z o ne, e x ce pti o n t o tr a c k is cle ar re q uire m e nts.

After a n i nitial trac k is clear det er mi nati o n has bee n ma de i n a n acti vate d r e m ote -c o ntr ol 

z o ne, it is n ot necessar y t o ma ke a ne w deter mi nati o n pri or t o eac h s u bse q u e nt s h o vi n g or 

p us hi n g m o ve me nt pr o vi de d t hat:

T he c o ntr olli n g l oc o m oti ve of t he r e m ote-c o ntr ol m o ve me nt is o n t he lea di n g e n d i n 

t he directi o n of m o ve me nt, i.e., t he m o ve me nt occ urs o n t he p ull- o ut e n d. 

he re m ote - c o ntr ol z o n e is n ot j oi ntl y occ u pie d; a n d 

T he i nitial deter mi nati o n was ma de b y a cr e w me m ber of eit her,

T he re m ote c o ntr ol cr e w,

A relie ve d re m ote c o ntr ol cre w w h o h as tra nsf err e d t he re m ote - c o ntr ol z o n e directl y 

t o t he relie vi n g cr e w; or 

T he last j oi ntl y occ u p yi n g cre w w h o directl y c o m m u nicates, i.e., n ot t hr o u g h a t hir d 

part y, t o a re m ote- c o ntr ol cre w me m b er t hat t he r e m ote -c o ntr ol z o ne is n o l o n ger 

j oi ntl y occ u pie d a n d meets t he re q uire me nts f or tr ac k is clear.

O per ati o n al e xce pti o ns . 

P us h- p ull o perati o ns w he n o perate d fr o m t he lea di n g e n d i n t he directi o n of m o ve me nt, i.e., 

p us h m o de.

S h o vi n g or p us hi n g o perati o ns wit h ma n ne d hel per l oc o m oti ves or distri b ute d p o wer 

l oc o m oti ves assisti n g a trai n w he n t he trai n is bei n g o perate d fr o m t he lea di n g e n d i n t he 

directi o n of m o ve me nt. 

D uri n g t he perf or ma nce of r oa d w a y mai nte na n ce acti vit y u n der t he direct c o ntr ol of a 

r oa d wa y w or ker perf or mi n g w or k i n acc or da nce wit h railr oa d o per ati n g r ules s pecific t o 

r oa d wa y w or kers; or 

W he n t he lea di n g e n d of a s h o vi n g m o ve me nt is o n a mai n trac k or si g nale d si di n g, u n der t he 

f oll o wi n g c o n diti o ns: 

T he trai n dis patc her gi ves a ut h orit y or per missi o n t o ma ke t he m o ve me nt a n d verifies 

t hat a n ot her m o ve me nt or w or k a ut h orit y is n ot i n effect wit hi n t he sa me or 

o verla p pi n g li mits u nless c o nflicti n g m o ve me nts are pr otecte d; a n d 

A mai n trac k is n ot re m o ve d fr o m ser vi ce b y a w or k a ut h orit y wit hi n t he sa me or 

o verla p pi n g li mits.

M o ve me nt is li mite d t o t he trai n's a ut h orit y.

M o ve me nt s hall n ot be ma de i nt o or wit hi n yar d li mits, restricte d li mits, dra w bri d ges, 

or w or k a ut h orit y li mits.

M o ve me nt s hall n ot e nter or f o ul a hi g h w a y-r ail gra de cr ossi n g or pe d estria n cr ossi n g e x ce pt 

w he n: 

Cr ossi n g gates are i n t he f ull y l o were d p ositi o n; or 

A desi g nate d a n d q u alifie d e m pl o yee is stati o ne d at t he cr ossi n g a n d has t h e a bilit y t o 

c o m m u nicate wit h trai ns; or
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At cr ossi n gs e q ui p pe d o nl y wit h flas hi n g li g hts or passi ve war ni n g d e vices, w he n it is 

clearl y see n t hat n o traffi c is a p pr oac hi n g or st o p pe d at t he cr ossi n g a n d t h e lea di n g 

e n d of t he m o ve me nt o ver t he cr ossi n g d oes n ot e x cee d 1 5 miles per h o ur; a n d 

o ve me nt s hall n ot be ma de i nt o or wit hi n i nterl oc ki n g li mits or c o ntr olle d p oi nt li mits 

u nless t he f oll o wi n g c o n diti o ns are met: 

T he si g nal g o ver ni n g m o ve me nt is m ore fa v ora ble t ha n restricti n g as pect. 

Eac h si g nal g o ver ni n g m o ve me nt i nt o a n d t hr o u g h i nterl oc ki n g li mits or c o ntr olle d 

p oi nt li mits s hall be c o nti n u o usl y o bser ve d b y a m e m ber of t hat cre w w h o is i n a 

p ositi o n t o deter mi ne t hat t he trai n's m o ve me nt has occ u pie d t he circ uit c o ntr olli n g 

t hat si g nal as e vi de nce d b y t hat si g nal ass u mi n g its m ost restricti ve as pect; a n d

T he m o ve me nt d oes n ot e xcee d t he trai n's le n gt h. 

S h o vi n g or p us hi n g m o ve me nts ma de i n t he directi o n of t he circ uite d e n d of a desi g nate d 

de part ur e trac k e q ui p pe d wit h a s h o ve li g ht s yste m, if all of t he f oll o wi n g c o n diti o ns are met: 

T he s h o ve li g ht s yste m is de m o nstrate d t o be f ailsafe. 

T he s h o ve li g ht s yste m is arra n g e d t o dis pla y a less fa v ora ble as pect w he n t he 

circ uite d secti o n of t he tr ac k is occ u pie d. 

Writte n pr oce d ures are a d o pte d a n d c o m plie d wit h t hat pr o vi de f or a relia ble mea ns 

of deter mi ni n g trac k o cc u pa nc y pri or t o c o m me n ci n g a s h o vi n g or p us hi n g 

m o ve me nt. 

T he trac k is desi g n ate d i n writi n g. 

T he trac k is u n der t he e x cl usi ve a n d c o nti n u o us c o ntr ol of a yar d mast er or ot her 

q ualifie d e m pl o yee. 

T he trai n cr e w me m ber or ot her q ualifie d e m pl o yee directi n g t he s h o vi n g or p us hi n g 

m o ve me nt c o m plies wit h t he ge ner al m o ve me nt re q uire me nts.

All re m ote c o ntr ol s h o vi n g or p us hi n g m o ve me nts c o m pl y wit h t he re q uire me nts. 

T he s h o ve li g ht s yste m is c o nti n u o usl y ill u mi nate d w he n t he cir c uite d secti o n of t he 

trac k is u n occ u pi e d. 

H a n d- O per ate d S witc h E xce pti o ns

Verif y w h e n r olli n g a n d o n- trac k mai nte n a nce- of- wa y e q ui p me nt s hall n ot be left w here it 

will f o ul a c o n necti n g trac k u nless: 

T he mai n trac k s witc h m ust be li ne d f or t he mai n trac k w he n t h e e q ui p me nt sta n di n g 

o n t he mai n trac k is f o uli n g a si di n g trac k s witc h. 

T h e si di n g trac k s witc h m ust be li ne d f or t he si di n g trac k w he n t he e q ui p me nt 

sta n di n g o n t he si di n g trac k is f o uli n g a mai n trac k s witc h. 

W he n e q ui p me nt is sta n di n g o n a yar d s witc hi n g l ea d trac k, t he yar d trac k s witc h t hat 

t he e q ui p me nt is f o uli n g is li ne d f or t he yar d s witc hi n g lea d trac k o n w hi c h t he 

e q ui p me nt is sta n di n g. 

E q ui p me nt left sta n di n g o n a n i n d ustr y trac k is left be y o n d t he cleara nce p oi nt of t he 

s witc h lea di n g t o t he i n d ustr y. 
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5 0

H a n d- o per ate d Cr oss o v er S witc hes E xce pti o ns

E m pl o yees lea ves s witc h es i n c orres p o n di n g p ositi o n e xce pt w he n: 

Use d t o pr o vi de bl ue si g nal pr otecti o n; or 

Use d f or i naccessi ble tr ac k pr otecti o n; or 

Perf or mi n g mai nte na nce, testi n g or i ns pecti o n of cr oss o ver s witc hes i n tr affic c o ntr ol 

s yste m ( T C S) territ or y; or 

O ne cr e w is usi n g b ot h trac ks c o n necte d b y t he cr oss o ver d uri n g c o nti n u o us 

s witc hi n g o perati o ns. 
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5 1

Q uesti o ns ? 

Part 2 4 3 Q uesti o ns @ d ot. g o v