Railroad Accident Reporting

On June 18, November 22, and November 29, 1996, FRA published final rules amending the railroad accident reporting regulations at 49 CFR Part 225. 61 FR 30940, 61 FR 59368, 61 FR 60632, respectively. These final rules aim to minimize underreporting and inaccurate reporting of those railroad injuries, illnesses, and accidents meeting FRA reportability requirements; respond to some of the issues raised in petitions for reconsideration of the final rule published June 18; and also increase from $6,300 to $6,500 the monetary threshold for reporting rail equipment accidents/incidents involving property damage that occur on or after January 1, 1997. FRA now responds to the remaining issues raised in the petitions for reconsideration, issues amendments addressing some of those concerns, and makes minor technical amendments. The primary changes involve the granting of partial relief to small railroads. In particular, railroads that operate or own track on the general railroad system of transportation but that have 15 or fewer employees covered by the hours of service law and tourist railroads that operate or own track only off the general system are excepted from the requirements to record ``accountable'' injuries, illnesses, and rail equipment accident/incidents and to adopt and comply with a complete Internal Control Plan. (The excepted railroads must, however, have a harassment and intimidation policy.) In addition, tourist railroads that operate or own track only off the general system are excepted from part 225 requirements regarding most ``non-train incidents.''