FRA Scraps Antiquated Safety Rules to Streamline Railroad Worker Training
Published Date: 7/1/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FRA is scrapping old railroad safety rules that no longer make sense and adding a new way for companies to get special approval for safer bridge work. They’re also making sure workers who operate cranes on maintenance machines get the right training to keep things safe. These changes help rail workers stay safe without slowing down work or adding extra costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Repeal of Obsolete Track Safety Rules
The FRA proposes to repeal several roadway workplace safety requirements that it says are obsolete. If you work on or around railroad roadways, this rule change removes those outdated requirements while the FRA intends to keep safety protections in place.
New Special Approval for Bridge Safety Approaches
The FRA proposes a new special approval procedure that lets regulated entities use an alternative approach to bridge worker safety after public notice and FRA approval, as long as it provides equivalent or better safety. If you operate a regulated railroad entity, this creates a formal route to get FRA approval for alternative bridge-safety methods.
Clarified Crane Operator Training Requirement
The FRA proposes to clarify that required training for operators of roadway maintenance machines with a crane includes specific topics such as maintaining vertical clearance. If you operate those machines, your required training would explicitly cover vertical-clearance safety.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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