[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 7]
[Revised as of October 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR659.19]

[Page 75-76]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
CHAPTER VI--FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 659_RAIL FIXED GUIDEWAY SYSTEMS; STATE SAFETY OVERSIGHT--Table 
of Contents
 
              Subpart C_Role of the State Oversight Agency
 
Sec. 659.19  System safety program plan: contents.

    The system safety plan shall include, at a minimum:
    (a) A policy statement signed by the agency's chief executive that 
endorses the safety program and describes the authority that establishes 
the system safety program plan.
    (b) A clear definition of the goals and objectives for the safety 
program and stated management responsibilities to ensure they are 
achieved.
    (c) An overview of the management structure of the rail transit 
agency, including:
    (1) An organization chart;
    (2) A description of how the safety function is integrated into the 
rest of the rail transit organization; and
    (3) Clear identification of the lines of authority used by the rail 
transit agency to manage safety issues.
    (d) The process used to control changes to the system safety program 
plan, including:
    (1) Specifying an annual assessment of whether the system safety 
program plan should be updated; and
    (2) Required coordination with the oversight agency, including 
timeframes for submission, revision, and approval.
    (e) A description of the specific activities required to implement 
the system safety program, including:
    (1) Tasks to be performed by the rail transit safety function, by 
position and management accountability, specified in matrices and/or 
narrative format; and
    (2) Safety-related tasks to be performed by other rail transit 
departments, by position and management accountability, specified in 
matrices and/or narrative format.
    (f) A description of the process used by the rail transit agency to 
implement its hazard management program, including activities for:
    (1) Hazard identification;
    (2) Hazard investigation, evaluation and analysis;
    (3) Hazard control and elimination;
    (4) Hazard tracking; and
    (5) Requirements for on-going reporting to the oversight agency 
relating to hazard management activities and status.
    (g) A description of the process used by the rail transit agency to 
ensure that safety concerns are addressed in modifications to existing 
systems, vehicles, and equipment, which do not require formal safety 
certification but which may have safety impacts.
    (h) A description of the safety certification process required by 
the rail transit agency to ensure that safety concerns and hazards are 
adequately addressed prior to the initiation of passenger operations for 
New Starts and subsequent major projects to extend, rehabilitate, or 
modify an existing system, or to replace vehicles and equipment.
    (i) A description of the process used to collect, maintain, analyze, 
and distribute safety data, to ensure that the safety function within 
the rail transit organization receives the necessary information to 
support implementation of the system safety program.
    (j) A description of the process used by the rail transit agency to 
perform accident notification, investigation and reporting, including:
    (1) Notification thresholds for internal and external organizations;
    (2) Accident investigation process and references to procedures;
    (3) The process used to develop, implement, and track corrective 
actions that address investigation findings;
    (4) Reporting to internal and external organizations; and
    (5) Coordination with the oversight agency.
    (k) A description of the process used by the rail transit agency to 
develop an approved, coordinated schedule for all emergency management 
program activities, which include:
    (1) Meetings with external agencies;
    (2) Emergency planning responsibilities and requirements;
    (3) Process used to evaluate emergency preparedness, such as annual 
emergency field exercises;

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    (4) After action reports and implementation of findings;
    (5) Revision and distribution of emergency response procedures;
    (6) Familiarization training for public safety organizations; and
    (7) Employee training.
    (l) A description of the process used by the rail transit agency to 
ensure that planned and scheduled internal safety reviews are performed 
to evaluate compliance with the system safety program plan, including:
    (1) Identification of departments and functions subject to review;
    (2) Responsibility for scheduling reviews;
    (3) Process for conducting reviews, including the development of 
checklists and procedures and the issuing of findings;
    (4) Review of reporting requirements;
    (5) Tracking the status of implemented recommendations; and
    (6) Coordination with the oversight agency.
    (m) A description of the process used by the rail transit agency to 
develop, maintain, and ensure compliance with rules and procedures 
having a safety impact, including:
    (1) Identification of operating and maintenance rules and procedures 
subject to review;
    (2) Techniques used to assess the implementation of operating and 
maintenance rules and procedures by employees, such as performance 
testing;
    (3) Techniques used to assess the effectiveness of supervision 
relating to the implementation of operating and maintenance rules; and
    (4) Process for documenting results and incorporating them into the 
hazard management program.
    (n) A description of the process used for facilities and equipment 
safety inspections, including:
    (1) Identification of the facilities and equipment subject to 
regular safety-related inspection and testing;
    (2) Techniques used to conduct inspections and testing;
    (3) Inspection schedules and procedures; and
    (4) Description of how results are entered into the hazard 
management process.
    (o) A description of the maintenance audits and inspections program, 
including identification of the affected facilities and equipment, 
maintenance cycles, documentation required, and the process for 
integrating identified problems into the hazard management process.
    (p) A description of the training and certification program for 
employees and contractors, including:
    (1) Categories of safety-related work requiring training and 
certification;
    (2) A description of the training and certification program for 
employees and contractors in safety-related positions;
    (3) Process used to maintain and access employee and contractor 
training records; and
    (4) Process used to assess compliance with training and 
certification requirements.
    (q) A description of the configuration management control process, 
including:
    (1) The authority to make configuration changes;
    (2) Process for making changes; and
    (3) Assurances necessary for formally notifying all involved 
departments.
    (r) A description of the safety program for employees and 
contractors that incorporates the applicable local, state, and federal 
requirements, including:
    (1) Safety requirements that employees and contractors must follow 
when working on, or in close proximity to, rail transit agency property; 
and
    (2) Processes for ensuring the employees and contractors know and 
follow the requirements.
    (s) A description of the hazardous materials program, including the 
process used to ensure knowledge of and compliance with program 
requirements.
    (t) A description of the drug and alcohol program and the process 
used to ensure knowledge of and compliance with program requirements.
    (u) A description of the measures, controls, and assurances in place 
to ensure that safety principles, requirements and representatives are 
included in the rail transit agency's procurement process.

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