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[CNJRoss]

ProgressiveRailroading.com, 3/31:

New FRA rule requires railroads to adopt a 'critical incident stress' plan

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) last week announced a new final rule that requires each Class I, intercity passenger railroad and commuter railroad to establish and implement a plan for employees who are under stress after being directly involved in, or a witness or responder to, a "critical incident."

To take effect on June 23, the rule responds to a Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 mandate that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) establish regulations to define a critical incident and require certain railroads to develop and implement critical incident stress plans, FRA officials said in a news brief.

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[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading, April, 2015:

 

Railroads tweak critical-incident stress plans to meet new FRA rules

Starting in June, all U.S. Class Is, commuter railroads and Amtrak will have to tell the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) what their plans are to assist employees who experience "critical incident stress" on the job.

 

A new FRA rule requires railroads to have critical incident stress plans, outlines what the plans should cover in terms of counseling or other assistance when employees experience such events, and defines which employees — those who are directly involved or witness an incident — should be covered. A "critical incident" is defined as an accident or incident that results in a fatality, loss of limb or similarly serious bodily injury; or is a "catastrophic" accident or incident that could impair the employee's ability to perform his or her job safely.

 

Railroads also must inform employees involved in such events that they can be relieved of their job duties for the day, if not longer, to receive assistance, and to be informed of the counseling services available if they're struggling with the psychological effects the incidents cause.

 

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