Chlorine-related deaths prompt FRA to expand crew-safety rule

Washington — Railroads must provide atmosphere-supplying emergency escape breathing apparatus to all rail crew members who spend time in the cab of a train carrying hazardous materials, the Federal Railroad Administration says. 

A final rule published Jan. 26 adds the requirement to FRA’s rules on occupational noise exposure. The agency is changing that portion of the regulation’s name to “Occupational Safety and Health in the Locomotive Cab” to reflect the expanded subject matter.

Workers covered by the final rule – set to go into effect March 26 – include train employees, their supervisors, deadheading employees and any other workers who may be in the cab of the locomotive.

The breathing apparatus provision resulted from the Congressional passage of the Rail Safety and Improvement Act of 2008 and a recommendation from the National Transportation Safety Board in the wake of railroad worker deaths in 2004 and 2005. The deaths occurred when workers inhaled chlorine gas after separate rail incidents.