[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 111 (Friday, June 9, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30468-30469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-13981]



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[[Page 30469]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

49 CFR Part 218

[FRA Docket Number RSOR-11, Notice No. 5]
RIN 2130-AA77


Protection of Utility Employees

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Suspension of amendment to final rule; extension of comment 
period.

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SUMMARY: On March 1, 1995, FRA published an amendment (49 CFR 218.24) 
to the final rule on safety standards for utility employees working as 
temporary members of train and yard crews. The amendment, which 
permitted one-person crews to work within the protections provided for 
train and yard crews, became effective on May 15th and is hereby 
suspended as of May 15. FRA also reopens the comment period.

DATES: The amendment to Sec. 218.24 published on March 1, 1995 (60 FR 
11047) is suspended as of May 15, 1995. Comments on the amendment (49 
CFR 218.24) will be accepted and reviewed until FRA publishes further 
notice.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the amendment should be submitted to the Docket 
Clerk, Office of Chief Counsel, RCC-30, Federal Railroad 
Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room 8201, Washington, DC 
20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James T. Schultz, Chief, Operating 
Practices Division, Office of Safety, FRA, RRS-11, Washington, DC 20590 
(telephone: 202-366-9252), or Kyle M. Mulhall, Trial Attorney, Office 
of Chief Counsel, FRA, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: 202-366-0443).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 1, 1995, FRA published an amendment 
to the final rule on utility employees. 60 FR 11047. The utility 
employee rule set safety standards for temporary members of train or 
yard crews to join these crews and work with alternative protection to 
blue signals. The amendment (49 CFR 218.24) permitted one-person crews 
to work within the crew exclusion from the blue signal rule.
    In response to comments and petitions received, FRA suspends the 
effect of 49 CFR 218.24 until further notice. By this notice, FRA also 
reopens the comment period on this amendment regarding only the issue 
of one-person crews, until further notice. All other amendments and 
corrections made in the March 1st publication took effect on May 15th 
and remain in effect.
Jolene M. Molitoris,
Federal Railroad Administrator.
[FR Doc. 95-13981 Filed 6-8-95; 8:45 am]
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