WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration has issued an emergency order requiring train crews to wear face masks, effective Monday, March 1.
The order, to be published in Monday’s Federal Register, is to bring employees into compliance with an executive order requiring masks to be worn on trains and most other forms of transportation, as well as mask requirements ordered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [see “Digest: Biden executive order requires masks on trains …,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 22, 2021]. The order also reports the rule is being issued because FRA inspectors have observed inconsistent use of masks among rail personnel, and inconsistent rules among railroads regarding mask use in a locomotive cab and other rail facilities.
Railroads will be required to establish procedures for those who do not comply with the mask requirement, and says that at a minimum, those procedures should include removing the individual from performing his or her duties and removing the person from the facility as soon as possible. Those individuals are also subject to FRA enforcement actions. Railroads failing to comply with the order are subject to a penalty of up to $118,826 per day, with personnel also subject to civil penalties.
Trains News Wire has asked the Association of American Railroads, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, and SMART-TD union for comment and will update this article as their reactions become available.
