[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 20, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60355-60360]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27272]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

49 CFR Part 243

[Docket No. FRA-2009-0033, Notice No. 5]
RIN 2130-AC70


Training, Qualification, and Oversight for Safety-Related 
Railroad Employees

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: In response to a petition for reconsideration of a final rule, 
FRA proposes to amend its regulations (Training, Qualification, and 
Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees) by delaying certain 
implementation dates an additional year. FRA previously delayed the 
regulations' implementation dates for one year in a final rule 
published May 3, 2017 (May 2017 Final Rule).

DATES: Written comments on this proposed rule must be received by 
January 19, 2018. Comments received after that date will be considered 
to the extent possible without incurring additional expense or delay.

ADDRESSES: Comments related to Docket No. FRA-2009-0033 may be 
submitted by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments;
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. DOT, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, W12-140, Washington, DC 20590;
     Hand Delivery: The Docket Management Facility is located 
in Room W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, U.S. DOT, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays; or
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket number or Regulatory Identification Number (RIN) for this 
rulemaking (2130-AC70). All comments received will be posted without 
change to http://www.regulations.gov; this includes any personal 
information. Please see the Privacy Act heading in the Supplementary 
Information section of this document for Privacy Act information 
related to any submitted comments or materials.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents, 
petitions for reconsideration, or comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for accessing 
the docket or visit the Docket Management Facility described above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert J. Castiglione, Staff 
Director--Human Performance Division, Federal Railroad Administration, 
4100 International Plaza, Suite 450, Fort Worth, TX 76109-4820 
(telephone: 817-447-2715); or Alan H. Nagler, Senior Trial Attorney, 
Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Chief Counsel, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: 202-493-6038).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 7, 2014, FRA published a final 
rule (2014 Final Rule) that established minimum training standards for 
each category and subcategory of safety-related railroad employees and 
required railroad carriers, contractors, and subcontractors to submit 
training programs to FRA for approval. See 79

[[Page 60356]]

FR 66459. The 2014 Final Rule was required by section 401(a) of the 
Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA), Public Law 110-432, 122 
Stat. 4883 (Oct. 16, 2008), codified at 49 U.S.C. 20162. The Secretary 
of Transportation delegated the authority to conduct this rulemaking 
and implement the rule to the Federal Railroad Administrator. 49 CFR 
1.89(b).
    In the preamble to the 2014 Final Rule, FRA noted the importance of 
establishing implementation dates and providing incentives for the 
early filing of model programs to improve the efficiency and 
effectiveness of the review process. FRA recognized it was paramount to 
give model program developers sufficient time to develop programs and 
receive FRA approval. FRA also recognized that employers would not use 
those model programs unless the employers were given reasonable time to 
consider those programs before the employers' deadline for 
implementation. Consequently, the 2014 Final Rule provided model 
program developers with an incentive to file all model programs by May 
1, 2017--eight months before the first employers were required to 
submit model programs and two years before smaller employers (i.e., 
those employers with less than 400,000 total employee work hours 
annually) were required to submit their model programs. See 79 FR 
66459, 66503-66504. The incentive to submit early was a guarantee from 
FRA that the model program would be considered approved so it could be 
implemented within 180 days after the date of submission unless FRA 
identified that all or part of the program did not conform to the 
rule's requirements.
    After publishing the 2014 Final Rule, FRA took significant steps to 
educate the regulated community on its requirements and assist with the 
development of model training plans. For example, on March 20, 2017, 
FRA added information to its website to more broadly disseminate 
information about the 2014 Final Rule's requirements. See https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P1023.\1\ Moreover, when ASLRRA requested FRA's 
help in developing its model programs for its members, FRA shared 
training documents it uses to train the agency's personnel on Federal 
rail safety requirements. FRA then made those same FRA training 
documents available on FRA's website because others in the regulated 
community would likely find them useful.
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    \1\ Additional details about each of those steps are contained 
in the May 2017 Final Rule. See 82 FR 20549 (May 3, 2017).
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    During FRA outreach on the 2014 Final Rule, FRA heard concerns from 
ASLRRA and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance 
Association, Inc. (NRC), which were two of the associations identified 
in the 2014 Final Rule's Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) as likely 
model program developers. These two associations represent most of the 
1,459 employers FRA projected would adopt model training programs 
rather than develop their own.\2\ Although ASLRRA had submitted several 
model training programs to FRA, and had made significant strides 
towards completing some programs, ASLRRA still had a significant number 
of training programs left to develop and submit.
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    \2\ The RIA for the 2014 Final Rule provided the estimated costs 
and benefits, and explained FRA based this analysis on the premise 
that ``most small railroads and contractors will use consortiums or 
model training programs developed by industry associations . . . 
thereby minimizing costs.'' RIA at 15. In the RIA, FRA estimated 
that 1,459 railroads and contractors would use model programs.
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    Based on ASLRRA and NRC's concerns about their ability to submit 
their model training programs by the May 1, 2017, deadline, and the 
significant impact that not meeting the deadline would have on the 
costs associated with the rule and FRA's approval process, FRA issued 
the May 2017 Final Rule extending each of the implementation dates in 
the 2014 Final Rule by one year.

Petition for Reconsideration

    On May 22, 2017, ASLRRA filed a petition for reconsideration of the 
May 2017 Final Rule. ASLRRA's petition was the only petition FRA 
received, and FRA did not receive any comments on the May 2017 Final 
Rule or ASLRRA's petition.
    In the petition, ASLRRA stated that the association will need more 
than a one-year delay on each of the implementation dates in the 2014 
Final Rule and requested that the one-year extension be extended 
further by another year. In the petition, ASLRRA stated that it 
represents over 500 Class II and III railroads and has assumed the 
responsibility for preparing model training programs for its member 
railroads' use. ASLRRA asserts that it still has a significant number 
of model programs left to develop and submit.
    ASLRRA states in its petition that it is utilizing a large group of 
volunteer safety professionals from the ranks of its Safety and 
Training Committee to develop the model programs. ASLRRA is using these 
volunteers because the association asserts it would not otherwise have 
the resources to complete the task. With the commitments it received 
from volunteers, ASLRRA has mapped out a schedule to complete the model 
training programs by fall 2018.\3\ ASLRRA's estimated completion date 
would mean that many of its model programs would likely not be 
completed by the May 1, 2018, deadline afforded by the May 2017 Final 
Rule.
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    \3\ Interested parties can view that schedule at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FRA-2009-0033-0039.
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    Further, ASLRRA's petition states that extending the one-year delay 
will allow adequate time to comply with FRA's review and approval 
process and thereby assure its members that its model programs have 
been approved by FRA. According to ASLRRA the additional one-year 
extension will also allow each railroad adequate time to consider how 
it will implement each of the model programs it will adopt and whether 
it will need to adapt the programs to address any unique aspects of its 
operations.

FRA's Response

    FRA delayed each of the implementation dates in the 2014 Final Rule 
by one year largely because if both ASLRRA and NRC cannot submit most 
or all of their model training programs by the model program developer 
deadline, there would be significant cost impacts associated with the 
rule and it would complicate the approval process. Indeed, even if the 
ASLRRA alone were unable to submit its model programs for its more than 
500 member railroads, the cost impacts would still be substantial.
    The 500 or more railroad employers that rely on ASLRRA to produce 
model programs would bear significantly higher costs developing 
personalized training programs, rather than adopting model programs 
that are generic enough to apply to the gamut of railroads. Further, 
FRA's resources would be stretched thin reviewing potentially 500 or 
more individual Class II and Class III railroad employer programs, 
rather than a relatively small number of model programs. Moreover, by 
providing ASLRRA additional time to produce model programs, FRA expects 
the quality of those model programs will be much better than those 
separately prepared by a large number of individual small or medium-
sized railroads. Of course, FRA does not see the value in limiting the 
extension only to ASLRRA and its member railroads. FRA believes all 
regulated entities can

[[Page 60357]]

benefit from having additional time to implement the rule's 
requirements.
    Overall, the additional one-year delay of the implementation dates 
should allow all model training program developers and other regulated 
entities to meet the rule's deadlines. FRA understands that many 
regulated entities were on schedule to meet the original deadlines in 
the 2014 Final Rule, or were preparing to meet the deadlines delayed by 
the May 2017 Final Rule. For those regulated entities that are prepared 
to move forward in advance of any deadline, there is certainly no 
prohibition against doing so and implementing a more robust training 
program should benefit the overall safety of those employers who are 
early adopters.
    In consideration of the foregoing, FRA proposes to delay each of 
the implementation dates in the May 2017 Final Rule by an additional 
year, thereby delaying each of the implementation dates in the 2014 
Final Rule by a total of two years.

Section-by-Section Analysis

Subpart B--Program Components and Approval Process

Section 243.101 Employer Program Required
    The implementation dates in this proposed section would be 
cumulatively delayed by two years from the 2014 Final Rule so all 
employers have additional time to develop and submit training programs. 
Specifically, as previously amended by the May 2017 Final Rule, in 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (b) the January 1, 2019, implementation dates 
would be changed to January 1, 2020. Likewise, in paragraph (a)(2) the 
May 1, 2020, implementation date, as previously amended by the May 2017 
Final Rule, would be changed to May 1, 2021.
Section 243.105 Optional Model Program Development
    The implementation date in proposed paragraph (a)(3) of this 
section would be cumulatively delayed by two years from the 2014 Final 
Rule so that all model program developers have additional time to 
submit model programs, while also potentially benefiting from an 
expedited FRA review process. Under the May 2017 Final Rule, each model 
program submitted to FRA before May 1, 2018, would be considered 
approved and may be implemented 180 days after the date of the 
submission, unless FRA otherwise advises that all or part of the 
program does not conform to the rule's requirements. This NPRM proposes 
to extend that date until May 1, 2019.
Section 243.111 Approval of Programs Filed by Training Organizations or 
Learning Institutions
    FRA proposes that each training organization or learning 
institution that has provided training services to employers covered by 
this part would cumulatively have an additional two years from the 2014 
Final Rule to continue to offer such training services without FRA 
approval. As previously amended by the May 2017 Final Rule, a training 
organization or learning institution that has provided training 
services to employers covered by this part before January 1, 2018, may 
continue to offer such training services without FRA approval until 
January 1, 2019. FRA proposes to amend paragraph (b) of this section so 
that both dates are delayed by an additional year. Accordingly, the 
proposed requirement states that a training organization or learning 
institution that has provided training services to employers covered by 
this part before January 1, 2019, may continue to offer such training 
services without FRA approval until January 1, 2020.

Subpart C--Program Implementation and Oversight Requirements

Section 243.201 Employee Qualification Requirements
    The implementation dates in this section would be cumulatively 
delayed by two years from the 2014 Final Rule so all employers have 
additional time to designate each of their existing safety-related 
railroad employees by occupational category or subcategory, and only 
permit designated employees to perform safety-related service in such 
occupational category or subcategory. In paragraph (a)(1), the 
September 1, 2019, implementation date, as previously amended by the 
May 2017 Final Rule, would be changed to September 1, 2020. Likewise, 
in paragraph (a)(2) the January 1, 2021, implementation date, as 
previously amended by the May 2017 Final Rule, would be changed to 
January 1, 2022.\4\ Further, the dates used for referencing total 
employee work hours for purposes of applying both paragraphs would be 
modified accordingly.
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    \4\ FRA notes that while the May 2017 Final Rule correctly 
amended the implementation date in paragraph (a)(2), the section-by-
section analysis contained an incorrect statement that the paragraph 
(a)(2) deadline in the 2014 Final Rule was May 1, 2019; that date 
was January 1, 2020, calculated as four years and eight months from 
the date of issuance of FRA's Interim Final Compliance Guide.
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    In proposed paragraph (b), the January 1, 2019, implementation 
date, as previously amended by the May 2017 Final Rule, would change to 
January 1, 2020.
    In proposed paragraphs (e)(1) and (2), the implementation dates for 
refresher training would also be cumulatively delayed by two years from 
the 2014 Final Rule. Thus, the January 1, 2021, implementation date in 
paragraph (e)(1), as previously amended by the May 2017 Final Rule, 
would change to January 1, 2022, and the proposed completion of that 
refresher training for each employee would be required no later than 
December 31, 2024, instead of the previously amended date of December 
31, 2023. In proposed paragraph (e)(2), each employer with less than 
400,000 total employee work hours annually would be required to 
implement a refresher training program by May 1, 2023, rather than the 
previously amended date of May 1, 2022, and complete that refresher 
training for each employee by no later than December 31, 2025, instead 
of the previously amended date of December 31, 2024.

Regulatory Impact and Notices

Executive Orders 12866, 13563, 13771, and DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures

    This proposed rule is a non-significant regulatory action within 
the meaning of Executive Order 12866 and DOT policies and procedures. 
See 44 FR 11034 (Feb. 26, 1979). The proposed rule also follows the 
direction of Executive Order 13563 which emphasizes the importance of 
quantifying both costs and benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, 
and promoting flexibility. Finally, the proposed rule follows the 
guidance of Executive Order 13771 (``Reducing Regulation and 
Controlling Regulatory Costs'') which directs agencies to reduce 
regulation and control regulatory costs and provides that ``for every 
one new regulation issued, at least two prior regulations be identified 
for elimination, and that the cost of planned regulations be prudently 
managed and controlled through a budgeting process.'' FRA identified 
this proposed rule as a deregulatory effort to comply with E.O. 13771. 
For more information on Executive Order 13771, see OMB's April 5, 2017 
``Memorandum: Implementing Executive Order 13771, Titled `Reducing 
Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs.' ''
    In 2014, FRA published a Final Rule which established minimum 
training standards for each category and subcategory of safety-related 
railroad employee, as required by section 401(a) of the RSIA. FRA 
believes that this proposed rule will reduce the regulatory

[[Page 60358]]

burden on the railroad industry by delaying the implementation dates of 
the 2014 Final Rule. In May 2017, FRA issued a Final Rule which delayed 
each of the implementation dates in the 2014 Final Rule by one year. 
This proposed rule will extend the implementation deadlines by a total 
of two years from the 2014 Final Rule, one year of which has already 
been granted in the May 2017 Final Rule. This proposed rule would be 
beneficial for regulated entities by adding time to comply with the 
2014 Final Rule.
    The costs arising from part 243 over the 20-year period include: 
The costs of revising training programs to include ``hands-on'' 
training where appropriate, as well as the costs of creating entirely 
new training programs for any employer that does not have one already; 
the costs of customizing model training programs for those employers 
that choose to adopt a model program rather than create a new program; 
the costs of annual data review and analysis required in order to 
refine training programs; the costs of revising programs in later 
years; the costs of additional time new employees may have to spend in 
initial training; the costs of additional periodic oversight tests and 
inspections; the costs of additional qualification tests; and the costs 
of additional time all safety-related railroad employees may have to 
spend in refresher training.
    FRA believes that additional hands-on and refresher training found 
in the 2014 Final Rule will reduce the frequency and severity of some 
future accidents and incidents. Expected safety benefits were 
calculated using full accident costs, which are based on past accident 
history, the values of preventing future fatalities and injuries 
sustained, and the cost of property damage. (Full accident costs are 
determined by the number of fatalities and injuries multiplied by their 
respective prevention valuations, and the cost of property damage.)
    By delaying the implementation dates of the 2014 Final Rule, 
railroads will realize a cost savings. Railroads will not incur costs 
during the first two years of this analysis. Also, costs incurred in 
future years will be discounted an extra two years, which will decrease 
the present value burden. The present value of costs would be less than 
if the original implementation dates were adhered to. FRA has estimated 
this cost savings to be approximately $40.6 million, at a 3% discount 
rate, and $37.2 million, at a 7% discount rate. The table below shows 
the costs estimated at the final rule stage as well as the costs with 
the two-year implementation delay.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Present       Present
                                               value (3%)    value (7%)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total costs (2-year delay)..................  $250,309,438  $169,902,295
Final rule costs............................   290,932,418   207,068,184
Two-year-delay cost savings.................    40,622,980    37,165,889
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 13272; Initial 
Regulatory Flexibility Assessment

    FRA has determined and certifies that this proposed rule is not 
expected to have a significant impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The requirements of this proposed rule would apply to 
employers of safety-related railroad employees, whether the employers 
are railroads, contractors, or subcontractors. Although a substantial 
number of small entities would be subject to this proposed rule, it 
would provide relief by extending all of the implementation dates in 
the 2014 Final Rule, as amended by the May 2017 Final Rule. Thus, the 
economic impact of this proposed rule would not be significant because 
it would only provide additional time for all entities to comply with 
the 2014 Final Rule.
    This proposed rule would have no direct impact on small units of 
government, businesses, or other organizations. State rail agencies are 
not required to participate in this program. State owned railroads 
would receive a positive impact by having additional time to comply.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    There are no new collection of information requirements contained 
in this proposed rule and, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., the record keeping and reporting 
requirements already contained in the 2014 Final Rule have been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget. The OMB approval 
number is OMB No. 2130-0597. Thus, FRA is not required to seek 
additional OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Federalism Implications

    This proposed rule would not have a substantial effect on the 
states, on the relationship between the national government and the 
states, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government. Thus in accordance with Executive Order 
13132, ``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, Aug. 10, 1999), preparation of a 
Federalism Assessment is not warranted.

International Trade Impact Assessment

    The Trade Agreement Act of 1979 prohibits Federal agencies from 
engaging in any standards or related activities that create unnecessary 
obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States. Legitimate 
domestic objectives, such as safety, are not considered unnecessary 
obstacles. The statute also requires consideration of international 
standards and where appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S. 
standards.
    This proposed rule is purely domestic in nature and is not expected 
to affect trade opportunities for U.S. firms doing business overseas or 
for foreign firms doing business in the United States.

Environmental Impact

    FRA has evaluated this proposed rule in accordance with its 
``Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts'' (FRA's Procedures) 
(64 FR 28545, May 26, 1999) as required by the National Environmental 
Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), other environmental statutes, 
Executive Orders, and related regulatory requirements. FRA has 
determined that this proposed rule is not a major FRA action, requiring 
the preparation of an environmental impact statement or environmental 
assessment, because it is categorically excluded from detailed 
environmental review pursuant to section 4(c)(20) of FRA's Procedures. 
See 64 FR 28547 (May 26, 1999).
    In accordance with section 4(c) and (e) of FRA's Procedures, the 
agency has further concluded that no extraordinary circumstances exist 
with respect to this proposed rule that might trigger the need for a 
more detailed environmental review. As a result, FRA finds that this 
proposed rule is not a major Federal action significantly affecting the 
quality of the human environment.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    Pursuant to section 201 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
(Pub. L. 104-4, 2 U.S.C. 1531), each Federal agency shall, unless 
otherwise prohibited by law, assess the effects of Federal regulatory 
actions on State, local, and tribal governments, and the private sector 
(other than to the extent that such regulations incorporate 
requirements specifically set forth in law). Section 202 of the Act (2 
U.S.C. 1532) further requires that before promulgating any general 
notice of proposed rulemaking that is likely to result in the 
promulgation of any rule that includes any Federal mandate that may 
result in expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the 
aggregate, or by the private sector, of

[[Page 60359]]

$100,000,000 or more (adjusted annually for inflation) in any 1 year, 
and before promulgating any final rule for which a general notice of 
proposed rulemaking was published, the agency shall prepare a written 
statement detailing the effect on State, local, and tribal governments 
and the private sector. This proposed rule would not result in such an 
expenditure, and thus preparation of such a statement is not required.

Energy Impact

    Executive Order 13211 requires Federal agencies to prepare a 
Statement of Energy Effects for any ``significant energy action.'' 66 
FR 28355 (May 22, 2001). FRA evaluated this proposed rule in accordance 
with Executive Order 13211, and determined that this regulatory action 
is not a ``significant energy action'' within the meaning of the 
Executive Order.
    Executive Order 13783, ``Promoting Energy Independence and Economic 
Growth,'' requires Federal agencies to review regulations to determine 
whether they potentially burden the development or use of domestically 
produced energy resources, with particular attention to oil, natural 
gas, coal, and nuclear energy resources. 82 FR 16093 (March 31, 2017). 
FRA determined this proposed rule would not burden the development or 
use of domestically produced energy resources.

Privacy Act

    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the 
public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT posts these 
comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 243

    Administrative practice and procedure, Penalties, Railroad 
employees, Railroad safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

The Proposed Rule

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, FRA proposes to amend 
chapter II, subtitle B of title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
as follows:

PART 243--TRAINING, QUALIFICATION, AND OVERSIGHT FOR SAFETY-RELATED 
RAILROAD EMPLOYEES

0
1. The authority citation for part 243 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 20103, 20107, 20131-20155, 20162, 20301-
20306, 20701-20702, 21301-21304, 21311; 28 U.S.C. 2461, note; and 49 
CFR 1.89.

Subpart B--Program Components and Approval Process

0
2. Revise Sec.  243.101(a) and (b) to read as follows:


Sec.  243.101  Employer program required.

    (a)(1) Effective January 1, 2020, each employer conducting 
operations subject to this part with 400,000 total employee work hours 
annually or more shall submit, adopt, and comply with a training 
program for its safety-related railroad employees.
    (2) Effective May 1, 2021, each employer conducting operations 
subject to this part with less than 400,000 total employee work hours 
annually shall submit, adopt, and comply with a training program for 
its safety-related railroad employees.
    (b) Except for an employer subject to the requirement in paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section, an employer commencing operations subject to 
this part after January 1, 2020, shall submit a training program for 
its safety-related railroad employees before commencing operations. 
Upon commencing operations, the employer shall adopt and comply with 
the training program.
* * * * *
0
3. Revise Sec.  243.105(a)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  243.105  Optional model program development.

    (a) * * *
    (3) Each model training program submitted to FRA before May 1, 
2019, is considered approved and may be implemented 180 days after the 
date of submission unless the Associate Administrator advises the 
organization, business, or association that developed and submitted the 
program that all or part of the program does not conform.
* * * * *
0
4. Revise Sec.  243.111(b) to read as follows:


Sec.  243.111  Approval of programs filed by training organizations or 
learning institutions.

* * * * *
    (b) A training organization or learning institution that has 
provided training services to employers covered by this part before 
January 1, 2019, may continue to offer such training services without 
FRA approval until January 1, 2020. The Associate Administrator may 
extend this period at any time based on a written request. Such written 
requests for an extension of time to submit a program should contain 
any factors the training organization or learning institution wants the 
Associate Administrator to consider before approving or disapproving 
the extension.
* * * * *

Subpart C--Program Implementation and Oversight Requirements

0
5. Revise Sec.  243.201(a)(1) and (2), (b), and (e)(1) and (2) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  243.201  Employee qualification requirements.

    (a) * * *
    (1) By no later than September 1, 2020, each employer with 400,000 
total employee work hours annually or more in operation as of January 
1, 2020, shall declare the designation of each of its existing safety-
related railroad employees by occupational category or subcategory, and 
only permit designated employees to perform safety-related service in 
that occupational category or subcategory. The Associate Administrator 
may extend this period based on a written request.
    (2) By no later than January 1, 2022, each employer with less than 
400,000 total employee work hours annually in operation as of January 
1, 2021, shall declare the designation of each of its existing safety-
related railroad employees by occupational category or subcategory, and 
only permit designated employees to perform safety-related service in 
that occupational category or subcategory. The Associate Administrator 
may extend this period based on a written request.
    (b) Except for an employer subject to the requirement in paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section, an employer commencing operations after January 
1, 2020, shall declare the designation of each of its existing safety-
related railroad employees by occupational category or subcategory 
before beginning operations, and only permit designated employees to 
perform safety-related service in that category or subcategory. Any 
person designated shall have met the requirements for newly hired 
employees or those assigned new safety-related duties in accordance 
with paragraph (c) of this section.
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (1) Beginning January 1, 2022, each employer with 400,000 total 
employee work hours annually or more shall deliver refresher training 
at an interval not to exceed 3 calendar years from the date of an 
employee's last training event, except where refresher training is 
specifically required more frequently in

[[Page 60360]]

accordance with this chapter. If the last training event occurs before 
FRA's approval of the employer's training program, the employer shall 
provide refresher training either within 3 calendar years from that 
prior training event or no later than December 31, 2024. Each employer 
shall ensure that, as part of each employee's refresher training, the 
employee is trained and qualified on the application of any Federal 
railroad safety laws, regulations, and orders the person is required to 
comply with, as well as any relevant railroad rules and procedures 
promulgated to implement those Federal railroad safety laws, 
regulations, and orders.
    (2) Beginning May 1, 2023, each employer with less than 400,000 
total employee work hours annually shall deliver refresher training at 
an interval not to exceed 3 calendar years from the date of an 
employee's last training event, except where refresher training is 
specifically required more frequently in accordance with this chapter. 
If the last training event occurs before FRA's approval of the 
employer's training program, the employer shall provide refresher 
training either within 3 calendar years from that prior training event 
or no later than December 31, 2025. Each employer shall ensure that, as 
part of each employee's refresher training, the employee is trained and 
qualified on the application of any Federal railroad safety laws, 
regulations, and orders the person is required to comply with, as well 
as any relevant railroad rules and procedures promulgated to implement 
those Federal railroad safety laws, regulations, and orders.

Juan D. Reyes III,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2017-27272 Filed 12-19-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P