Repealing Outdated Railroad Workplace Safety Requirements and Making Other Improvements
Topic: Safety; Bridges; Occupational Safety and Health; Penalties; Railroad Safety; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements
Agency: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
Action: Final rule.
Title: Repealing Outdated Railroad Workplace Safety Requirements and Making Other Improvements
Published Date: August 31, 2026
Dates: The effective date is September 30, 2026.
Summary: This rule repeals several roadway workplace safety requirements that have become obsolete. In addition, FRA establishes a new special approval procedure to enable regulated entities, after public notice and FRA approval, to utilize an alternative approach to bridge worker safety that provides for an equivalent or better level of safety. Also, this rule clarifies that the required training for operators of roadway maintenance machines equipped with a crane includes specific aspects such as maintaining vertical clearance.
Staff Advisor: Taria Barron, General Counsel, tbarron@apta.com