Hours of Service for Rail Workers Under the Spotlight
While proposed changes in trucking’s hours of service are under an intense spotlight, the work conditions of railroad personnel responsible for the movement of trains also have been targeted for reform.Among the 200,000 workers in the rail freight industry, the on-duty time of those involved in operating, dispatching and signaling a train is guided by the Hours of Service Act, which was amended in 1969, 1976 and 1988. Further changes were proposed in 1999, but the legislation remains stuck in committee in both the House and Senate.A spokesman for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee told Transport Topics that no action on the House side is expected any time soon.
The changes would not be as extensive as the complete overhaul of truck driver hours of service now under consideration. The Federal Railroad Safety Enhancement Act would touch on the following:
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- Hours of service regarding dual employment by rail carriers or contractors of a train crew member.
- Monitoring of radio communications for investigative and compliance purposes.
- Requiring the secretary of transportation to receive a quarterly report on all accidents and incidents resulting in death, injury or equipment damage.
