Feds Remind Railroad Workers: Check If Tracks Actually Clear
Published Date: 12/12/2025
Notice
Summary
The Federal Railroad Administration wants railroads to double-check that tracks are clear before pushing or shoving trains across crossings with only flashing lights or passive warnings. They’re urging better job briefings, visual checks, and extra training to keep workers safe and avoid accidents. These safety tips don’t cost money but should be put into action right away to protect everyone on the tracks.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Confirm ‘Track Is Clear’ Before Shoving
The FRA tells railroads and crews to make a visual ‘‘track is clear’’ determination before any shoving or pushing movement crosses a highway-rail grade crossing that has only flashing lights or passive warnings. If a complete visual assessment cannot be made (for example due to fog, heavy rain, vegetation, buildings, or obstructing vehicles), the movement must not proceed over the crossing.
Station an Employee (Stop-and-Flag) When Needed
Where it is not feasible for a riding employee to safely determine that the track is clear, FRA advises railroads to require a designated and qualified employee to be stationed at the grade crossing to provide protection (for example, stop-and-flag) and communicate with the train crew before the shove or push proceeds.
Update Job Briefings and Training
FRA recommends railroads review and update job briefings and recurrent training to ensure briefings cover communication methods between engineer and the employee directing the movement, how to verify the ‘‘track is clear’’ under 49 CFR 218.93, and special crossing layouts or weather challenges that can block visual assessments.
Evaluate Crossings and Do Operational Testing
Railroads should identify crossings equipped only with flashing lights or passive devices, prioritize ones with unique layouts or environmental challenges, and perform operational testing (per 49 CFR 217.9(e)) at varied times to check compliance with point protection and ‘‘track is clear’’ procedures.
Advisory Is Guidance; FRA May Pursue Action
The document is issued as a Safety Advisory (guidance) under DOT Order 2100.6A and does not itself have the force of law, but FRA says it may modify the advisory or take other appropriate action, including pursuing corrective measures under its rail safety authority to ensure safety.
Use Technology Only If It Works Reliably
If point protection is provided with the aid of technology, FRA advises that the technology must work as intended, malfunctions should be detectable, and use of the technology should be abandoned for point protection until malfunctions are corrected.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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