Title 49 — TransportationRelease 119-73

§20166 Emergency escape breathing apparatus

Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE V— - RAIL PROGRAMS › Part PART A— - SAFETY › Chapter CHAPTER 201— - GENERAL › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - PARTICULAR ASPECTS OF SAFETY › § 20166

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Within 18 months after the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 became law, the Transportation Secretary must make rules requiring freight railroads that carry materials that could harm people if inhaled to have emergency breathing gear that covers the head and neck in each locomotive. The railroads must store the gear where crew can get it quickly, keep it working, and train crew members how to use it.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §20166

Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, the Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe regulations that require railroad carriers—

(1)to provide emergency escape breathing apparatus suitable to provide head and neck coverage with respiratory protection for all crewmembers in locomotive cabs on freight trains carrying hazardous materials that would pose an inhalation hazard in the event of release;

(2)to provide convenient storage in each freight train locomotive to enable crewmembers to access such apparatus quickly;

(3)to maintain such equipment in proper working condition; and

(4)to provide their crewmembers with appropriate training for using the breathing apparatus.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of enactment of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, referred to in text, is the date of enactment of div. A. of Pub. L. 110–432, which was approved Oct. 16, 2008.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 20166

Title 49 — Transportation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73