The Charlotte office is normally staffed by a full complement of inspectors which includes one track inspector, two motive power and equipment inspectors, one operating practices inspector, one signal systems inspector, and one hazardous materials inspector. The territory assigned to Federal inspectors includes not only both Carolinas but also parts of northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee. Considering the size of their territories, it is evident that the state inspectors carry a substantial burden in providing adequate inspection coverage for North Carolina. State and Federal personnel often join as a team during inspections, accident investigations, implementation of assessments, and enforcement actions. Independent routine inspections are coordinated so as not to duplicate effort or conflict in schedules.
Inspection is one of the key components of railroad safety.
With both empirical and research information existing as to conditions that give rise to accidents, inspection by knowledgeable individuals will give sufficient warning when such conditions are developing, or have developed, to allow preventive or corrective actions to be taken. An Inspection Program that depends upon the interlocking efforts of the FRA, the States, and the railroads is now in place. It is the railroads who are responsible for ensuring compliance with the regulations. In most cases, the railroad employees responsible for the various inspections are also directly or indirectly responsible for the repairs of any defective conditions. These variables affecting inspections conducted by railroad employees do not always have a positive influence on safety.