[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 4]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 49CFR212.101]



[Page 83]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 

                             TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 212_STATE SAFETY PARTICIPATION REGULATIONS--Table of Contents

 

                      Subpart B_State/Federal Roles

 

Sec. 212.101  Program principles.





    (a) The purpose of the national railroad safety program is to 

promote safety in all areas of railroad operations in order to reduce 

deaths, injuries and damage to property resulting from railroad 

accidents.

    (b)(1) The national railroad safety program is carried out in part 

through the issuance of mandatory Federal safety requirements and 

through inspection efforts designed to monitor compliance with those 

requirements. FRA and State inspections determine the extent to which 

the railroads, shippers, and manufacturers have fulfilled their 

obligations with respect to inspection, maintenance, training, and 

supervision. The FRA and participating States do not conduct inspections 

of track, equipment, signal systems, operating practices, and hazardous 

materials handling for the railroads, shippers, and manufacturers.

    (2) The national railroad safety program is also carried out through 

routine inspections, accident investigations, formal and informal 

educational efforts, complaint investigations, safety assessments, 

special inquiries, regulatory development, research and similar 

initiatives.

    (c) It is the policy of the FRA to maintain direct oversight of 

railroad, shipper, and manufacturer conditions and practices relevant to 

safety by conducting inspections and investigations in concert with 

participating State agencies.

    (d) The principal role of the State Safety Participation Program in 

the national railroad safety effort is to provide an enhanced 

investigative and surveillance capability through assumption, by 

participating State agencies, of responsibility for planned routine 

compliance inspections. The FRA encourages further State contributions 

to the national railroad safety program consistent with overall program 

needs, individual State capabilities, and the willingness of the States 

to undertake additional investigative and surveillance activities.

    (e) It is the policy of the FRA to promote the growth and vitality 

of the State Safety Participation Program through liaison with State 

government, coordination of Federal and State investigative and 

surveillance activities, and training of inspection personnel.



[47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982, as amended at 57 FR 28115, June 24, 1992]