Oil Train Safety Megathread. Updated July 30, 2023

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32. FRA Announces Final Rule to Prevent Unattended Trains from Rolling Away

FRA Announces Final Rule to Prevent Unattended Trains from Rolling Away

PRESS RELEASE NUMBER: FRA 14-15
CONTACT: FRA Public Affairs
PHONE: [phone]
KEYWORDS: Securement final rule
ABSTRACT: Adds securement verification requirements to provide greater safety

WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today issued a final rule to prevent unattended trains that carry crude, ethanol, poisonous by inhalation (PIH), toxic by inhalation (TIH), and other highly flammable contents from rolling away. Railroad employees who are responsible for securing a train will now be permanently required to communicate with another qualified individual trained on the railroad’s securement requirements to verify that trains and equipment are properly secured.

“Today’s rule is part of the Department of Transportation’s comprehensive effort to bolster the safety of trains transporting crude oil and other highly flammable contents,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Verifying that a train has been properly secured is a common sense solution to prevent accidents.”

The final rule will go into effect 60 days from publication in the Federal Register. Exterior locks on locomotives will also be required by March 1, 2017, and must be utilized when a locomotive has been left unattended.

Today’s rule requirements include:

•A qualified and trained railroad employee to properly secure the equipment and verification of the securement with a second trained and qualified employee;
•Additional communication, including job briefings among crew members responsible for the train securement;
•Properly installed and utilized exterior locks on locomotives;
•The setting of sufficient handbrakes;
•Removal of the train reverser; and
•The proper use of train air brakes.
....

To view a copy of the Final Rule, click HERE.

Federal Register Pages 47349 - 47386 {FR DOC # 2015-19002} Securement of Unattended Equipment