Washington — As part of a settlement agreement, OSHA has issued a proposed rule that would grant exemptions to its Cranes and Derricks in Construction Standard for work on or along railroad tracks.
The proposed rulemaking, published in the July 19 Federal Register, includes exempting railroad equipment operators from certification requirements in the standard and full exemption of certain railroad “roadway maintenance machines.”
The proposed rule also would provide exemptions for “other equipment used by railroads for track-related construction activities,” with the exception of bridge construction.
“This proposal, if promulgated, would maintain safety and health protections for workers while reducing employers’ compliance burdens,” the notice states.
After settling a lawsuit brought by the Association of American Railroads, OSHA agreed to the changes on Sept. 2, 2014, four years after publishing the Cranes and Derricks in Construction final rule.
The agency will accept comments on the proposed rule until Sept. 17.
