Railroads Ditch Paper for Online Injury Reports
Published Date: 4/28/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting May 28, 2026, railroads can post their injury and illness reports online instead of on paper, making it easier and faster to share safety info. They no longer need to have these reports signed by the person who prepared them, cutting red tape and saving time. This change helps railroads use technology to boost safety and cut costs without extra expenses.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Employees get broader electronic access to safety data
Employees at railroad establishments can access posted injury and occupational illness listings electronically at any time, and FRA says electronic posting can make information more accessible and up to date. The rule requires that postings be available within 30 days after the month in which the incidents occurred and remain displayed for 12 months.
Railroads may post injury logs electronically
Starting May 28, 2026, railroads may satisfy the requirement to post listings of all injuries and occupational illnesses at an establishment by maintaining those postings electronically instead of on paper. FRA says this change avoids costs for printing and ink and eliminates the need for railroads to submit recurring waiver petitions to use electronic posting.
Railroads must ensure employees can access postings
If a railroad maintains the injury/illness posting electronically, the railroad must provide employees instructions or training to access it, provide a device at the facility or issue employees a device that can access the posting, and supervisors must be able to show the posting to employees or an FRA representative upon request.
Postings must include establishment staffing number
Postings (paper or electronic) must include the annual average number of railroad employees reporting to the establishment, along with case details such as date, job title, location, and days absent; listings must remain displayed for 12 consecutive months. FRA retained this requirement so employees have context to compare injury frequency across locations.
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