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Frequently Asked Questions
- Who requires track safety standards?
- Am I required to have a track inspection program
in effect?
- Why have we not been notified of this by our railroad
provider?
- Does the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
require all properties to follow their standards?
- Are there special circumstances pertaining to hazardous
materials?
- Are there special qualifications required to offer
inspection services?
- Are records kept and who is informed of my track
conditions after my inspection is completed?
- Am I required to repair all FRA defects found at
time of inspection?
- Can USRS perform the required repairs?
- What if we already have an emergency on-call maintenance
provider?
- Why choose USRS for your railroad needs?
- If I do not have inspections and an emergency
situation arises (derailment/fatality), are there any consequences?
Q: Who requires
track safety standards? top
A: The Federal Railroad Administration
(FRA), Public Utilities Commissions (PUC), & Occupational Safety &
Health Administration (OSHA)*
Q: Am I required
to have a track inspection program in effect? top
A: YES- To detect deviation from the
standards as prescribed in part 213 of the FRA track safety standards.
Q: Why have
we not been notified of this by our railroad provider? top
A: Due to the downsizing of the railroads,
some industry tracks have been neglected. The railroad is legally
responsible only for their right of way.
Q: Does the
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) require all properties to follow
their standards?
A: NO- This part does not apply to track
which is not part of the general railroad system of transportation or
exclusively used for rapid transit operations. Example: trolley systems,
mines, amusement parks, and other tracks which a Class 1 rail service,
such as Union Pacific or Burlington Northern Santa Fe never enter. top
Q: Are there
special circumstances pertaining to hazardous materials? top
A: YES - State Public Utilities Commission
(PUC) have established additional requirements and more stringent regulations
to eliminate or reduce an essentially local safety hazard.
Q: Are there
special qualifications required to offer inspection services? top
A: YES - Each track owner shall designate
only qualified persons to inspect track for defects.
Q: Are records
kept and who is informed of my track conditions after my inspection is
completed? top
A: YES - USRS and our clients each
receive a copy and are required to make those records available for inspection
and copying by the FRA if so requested.
Q: Am I required
to repair all FRA defects found at time of inspection? top
A: YES - if a segment of track does
not meet all of the requirements for its intended class it is reclassified
to the next lowest class of track for which it does not at least meet
the requirements for Class I track, operations may continue at Class I
speeds for a period of not more than 30 days without bringing the track
into compliance.
Q: Can USRS
perform the required repairs? top
A: YES - Upon your company approval
and reittance of purchase orders, work will be scheduled.
Q: What if we
already have an emergency on-call maintenance provider? top
A: USRS is more than an emergency response
contractor. If you choose to have USRS as your inspection service
we will work closely with your current contractor and ensure quality control
and compliance.
Q: Why choose
USRS for your railroad needs? top
A: Qualified, Proven, Experienced.
Protecting your assets, employee safety, and watching your bottom line.
Q: If I do
not have inspections and an emergency situation arises (derailment/fatality),
are there any consequences? top
A: YES - Any person who violates any
requirement or causes the violation of any such requirement is subject
to a civil penalty of at least $500.00 and not more than $11,000 per violation,
except that: Penalties may be assessed against inividuals only for wilful
violations, and where a grossly negligent violation or a pattern of repeated
violation has created an imminent hazard of death or injury to persons
or have caused death or injury, a penalty not to exceed $22,000 per violation
may be assessed. Each day a violation continues shall constitute
a seperate offense. (Agencies possibly involved: FRA, PUC,
OSHA, NTSB)
*OSHA does not require inspections, however they do require employers
to maintain a safe and healthful work environment at all times.
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