General Information
Rail labor groups seek federal oversight on temporary waivers
(Source: Freight Waves, April 13, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Transportation Trades Department (TTD) of the AFL-CIO is asking Administrator Ron Batory of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to ensure that the freight railroads are using furloughed workers first before seeking a waiver to be exempt from safety-related regulations. Full story: Freight Waves Tuesday, April 14,…
Read MoreShort-line railroaders’ views vary on how PSR has impacted their operations
(Source: Progressive Railroading April 2020) By Julie Sneider, Senior Associate Editor The 603 short lines operating in the United States play a critical role in the nation’s freight transportation network. They operate over 47,500 route miles — or 29 percent of the U.S. freight-rail system — and move one in five carloads annually, according to the American…
Read MorePort of Long Beach obtains federal grant for Terminal Island rail project
(Source: Progressive Railroading 04/13/2020) The Port of Long Beach has been awarded a $14.5 million federal grant to help fund the Terminal Island Wye Track Realignment Rail Project, which when completed will move trains in and out of the port faster, reduce locomotive idling and improve safety, port officials announced late last week. The project will “dramatically”…
Read More10,000 railroad ties set ablaze in Pueblo County in suspected arson
(Source: Denver Post, April 12, 2020) DENVER, Colo. — Approximately 10,000 railroad ties were set on fire at two separate locations in Pueblo County on Saturday night in what sheriff’s officials say is a suspected arson. The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office said in a tweet that deputies and emergency services teams responded to the fire…
Read MoreU.S. Department of Labor issues enforcement guidance for recording cases of COVID-19
(Source: U.S. Department of Labor press release, April 10, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued interim guidance for enforcing OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements (29 CFR Part 1904) as it relates to recording cases of COVID-19. Under OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements, COVID-19 is a recordable illness, and employers…
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