Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Code of Federal Regulations Title 49. Transportation § 49.271.103 Risk-based hazard management program

Current as of January 02, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) General.

(1) An RRP shall include an integrated, system-wide, and ongoing risk-based HMP that proactively identifies hazards and mitigates the risks resulting from those hazards.

(2) A risk-based HMP shall be fully implemented (i.e., activities initiated) within 36 months after FRA approves a railroad's RRP plan pursuant to § 271.301(d).

(b) Risk-based hazard analysis. As part of its risk-based HMP, a railroad shall conduct a risk-based hazard analysis that addresses, at a minimum, the following aspects of a railroad's system:  Infrastructure;  equipment;  employee levels and work schedules;  operating rules and practices;  management structure;  employee training;  and other areas impacting railroad safety that are not covered by railroad safety laws or regulations or other Federal laws or regulations. A railroad shall make the results of its risk-based hazard analysis available to FRA upon request. At a minimum, a risk-based hazard analysis shall:

(1) Identify hazards by analyzing:

(i) Aspects of the railroad's system, including any operational changes, system extensions, or system modifications;  and

(ii) Accidents/incidents, injuries, fatalities, and other known indicators of hazards;

(2) Calculate risk by determining and analyzing the likelihood and severity of potential events associated with identified risk-based hazards;  and

(3) Compare and prioritize the identified risks for mitigation purposes.

(c) Mitigation strategies.

(1) As part of its risk-based HMP, a railroad shall design and implement mitigation strategies that improve safety by:

(i) Mitigating or eliminating aspects of a railroad's system that increase risks identified in the risk-based hazard analysis;  and

(ii) Enhancing aspects of a railroad's system that decrease risks identified in the risk-based hazard analysis.

(2) A railroad may use pilot projects, including pilot projects conducted by other railroads, to determine whether quantitative data suggests that a particular mitigation strategy has potential to succeed on a full-scale basis.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Code of Federal Regulations Title 49. Transportation § 49.271.103 Risk-based hazard management program - last updated January 02, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/cfr/title-49-transportation/cfr-sect-49-271-103/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard