49 CFR Part 212 — State Safety Participation Regulations

PART 212—STATE SAFETY PARTICIPATION REGULATIONS Authority: 49 U.S.C. 20103, 20105, 20106, and 20113, and 49 CFR 1.89. Source: 47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982, unless otherwise noted. Subpart A—General § 212.1 Purpose and scope. This part establishes standards and procedures for State participation in investigative and surveillance activities under the Federal railroad safety laws and regulations. § 212.3 Definitions. As used in this part: (a) Administrator (b) Associate Administrator (c) FRA (d) Federal railroad safety laws (e) Manufacturer (f) Shipper [47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982, as amended at 57 FR 28115, June 24, 1992; 90 FR 28132, July 1, 2025] § 212.5 Filing. Each State agency desiring to conduct investigative and surveillance activities must submit to the Associate Administrator for Safety, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, the documentation which contains the information prescribed by §§ 212.105 and 212.107. [47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982, as amended at 74 FR 25172, May 27, 2009] Subpart B—State/Federal Roles § 212.101 Program principles. (a) The purpose of the national railroad safety program is to promote safety in all areas of railroad operations in order to reduce deaths, injuries and damage to property resulting from railroad accidents. (b)(1) The national railroad safety program is carried out in part through the issuance of mandatory Federal safety requirements and through inspection efforts designed to monitor compliance with those requirements. FRA and State inspections determine the extent to which the railroads, shippers, and manufacturers have fulfilled their obligations with respect to inspection, maintenance, training, and supervision. The FRA and participating States do not conduct inspections of track, equipment, signal systems, operating practices, and hazardous materials handling for the railroads, shippers, and manufacturers. (2) The national railroad safety program is also carried out through routine inspections, accident investigations, formal and informal educational efforts, complaint investigations, safety assessments, special inquiries, regulatory development, research and similar initiatives. (c) It is the policy of the FRA to maintain direct oversight of railroad, shipper, and manufacturer conditions and practices relevant to safety by conducting inspections and investigations in concert with participating State agencies. (d) The principal role of the State Safety Participation Program in the national railroad safety effort is to provide an enhanced investigative and surveillance capability through assumption, by participating State agencies, of responsibility for planned routine compliance inspections. The FRA encourages further State contributions to the national railroad safety program consistent with overall program needs, individual State capabilities, and the willingness of the States to undertake additional investigative and surveillance activities. (e) It is the policy of the FRA to promote the growth and vitality of the State Safety Participation Program through liaison with State government, coordination of Federal and State investigative and surveillance activities, and training of inspection personnel. [47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982, as amended at 57 FR 28115, June 24, 1992] § 212.103 Investigative and surveillance authority. (a) Subject to the requirements of this part, a State agency with jurisdiction under State law may participate in investigative and surveillance activities concerning Federal railroad safety laws and regulations by entering into an agreement under § 212.105 for the exercise of specified authority. (b) Subject to requirements of this part, a State agency with jurisdiction under State law may participate in investigative and surveillance activities with respect to particular rules, regulations, orders or standards issued under the regulatory authority of the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 by filing an annual certification under § 212.107. § 212.105 Agreements. (a) Scope. (b) Duration. (c) Amendments. (d) Common terms. (1) The State agency is delegated certain specified authority with respect to investigative and surveillance activities; (2) The delegation is effective only to the extent it is carried out through personnel recognized by the State and FRA (pursuant to subpart C of this part) to be qualified to perform the specific investigative and surveillance activities to which the personnel are assigned; and (3) The State agency agrees to provide the capability necessary to assure coverage of facilities, equipment, and operating practices through planned routine compliance inspections for all, or a specified part of, the territory of the State. (e) Request for agreement. (1) An opinion of the counsel for the State agency stating that: (i) The agency has jurisdiction over the safety practices of the facilities, equipment, rolling stock, and operations of railroads in that State and whether the agency has jurisdiction over shippers and manufacturers; and (ii) The agency has the authority and capability to conduct investigative and surveillance activities in connection with the rules, regulations, orders, and standards issued by the Administrator under the Federal railroad safety laws. (2) A statement that the State agency has been furnished a copy of each Federal safety statute, rule, regulation, order, or standard pertinent to the State's participation; (3) The names of the railroads operating in the State together with the number of miles of main and branch lines operated by each railroad in the State; (4) The name, title and telephone number of the person designated by the agency to coordinate the program; and (5) A description of the organization, programs, and functions of the agency with respect to railroad safety. (f) Developmental agreement. (g) Action on request. (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 2130-0509) [47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982, as amended at 57 FR 28115, June 24, 1992; 90 FR 28132, July 1, 2025] § 212.107 Certification. (a) Scope. (b) Content. (1) The State agency has the authority and capability to conduct investigative and surveillance activities under the requirements of this part with respect to each rule, regulation, order or standard for which certification is submitted; and (2) The State agency will, at a minimum, conduct planned compliance inspections meeting the level of effort prescribed in the applicable appendix to this part. (c) Action on certification. (d) Delegation of authority. (Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 2130-0509) § 212.109 [Reserved] § 212.111 Monitoring and other inspections. (a) It is the policy of the FRA to monitor State investigative and surveillance practices at the program level. (b) It is the policy of the FRA to coordinate its direct inspection and investigative functions in participating States with the responsible State agency, providing prior advice to the States whenever practicable. (c) The FRA may conduct such monitoring of State investigative and surveillance practices and such other inspection and investigation as may be necessary to aid in the enforcement of the Federal railroad safety laws. § 212.113 Program termination. (a) A State agency participating in investigative and surveillance activities by agreement or certification shall provide 30-days' notice of its intent to terminate its participation. (b) The Administrator may, on his or her own initiative, terminate the participation of a State agency if, after at least 30-days' notice and an opportunity for oral hearing under section 553 of title 5 U.S.C., the State does not establish that it has complied and is complying with: (1) The requirements of this part; (2) Relevant directives, enforcement manuals, and written interpretations of law and regulations provided by the FRA for guidance of the program; and (3) The rule of national uniformity of laws, rules, regulations, orders, and standards relating to railroad safety as expressed in section 205 of the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 (45 U.S.C. 434). [47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982, as amended at 90 FR 28132, July 1, 2025] § 212.115 Enforcement actions. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the FRA reserves exclusive authority to assess and compromise penalties, to issue emergency orders and compliance orders, institute or cause to be instituted actions for collection of civil penalties or for injunctive relief, and to commence any and all other enforcement actions under the Federal railroad safety laws. (b)(1) Section 207(a) of the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970, as amended (45 U.S.C. 436(a)), authorizes a participating State to bring an action for assessment and collection of a civil penalty in a Federal district court of proper venue, if the FRA has not acted on a request for civil penalty assessment originated by the State, within sixty (60) days of receipt, by assessing the penalty or by determining in writing that no violation occurred. (2) Section 207(b) of the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970, as amended (45 U.S.C. 436(b)), authorizes a participating State to bring an action for injunctive relief in a Federal district court of proper venue, if the FRA has not acted on a request to initiate such an action within fifteen (15) days of receipt, by referring the matter to the Attorney General for litigation, by undertaking other enforcement action, or by determining in writing that no violation has occurred. (3) For purposes of this paragraph, a request for legal action is deemed to be received when a legally sufficient investigative report specifying the action requested is received by the designated FRA offices. (c)(1) Requests for civil penalty assessments and other administrative actions shall be submitted to the FRA Staff Director for the relevant technical discipline. (2) Requests for the institution of injunctive actions shall be submitted simultaneously to— (i) The FRA Staff Director for the relevant technical discipline; and (ii) The Office of the Chief Counsel, FRA, FRALegal@dot.gov. [47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982, as amended at 90 FR 28132, July 1, 2025] Subpart C—State Inspection Personnel § 212.201 General qualifications of State inspection personnel. (a) This subpart prescribes the minimum qualification requirements for State railroad safety inspectors, including journeyman and inspector apprentices. A State may establish more stringent or additional requirements for its employees. (b) An inspector shall be recognized as qualified under this part by the State agency and the Associate Administrator prior to assuming the responsibilities of the position. (c) Each inspector shall be a bona fide employee of the State agency. (d) Each inspector shall demonstrate: (1) The ability to read and comprehend written materials such as training and enforcement manuals, regulations, operating and safety rules of the railroad, and similar materials; (2) The ability to compose narrative reports of investigative findings that are clear, complete, and grammatically acceptable; (3) The ability to record data on standard report forms with a high degree of accuracy; (4) The ability to communicate orally; and (5) Basic knowledge of rail transportation functions, the organization of railroad, shipper, and manufacturer companies, and standard industry rules for personal safety. (e) Each inspector shall demonstrate a thorough knowledge of: (1) Railroad rules, practices, record systems, and terminology common to operating and maintenance functions; and (2) The scope and major requirements of all of the Federal railroad safety laws and regulations. (f) In addition to meeting the requirements of this section, each inspector and apprentice inspector shall meet the applicable requirements of §§ 212.203 through 212.229 of this subpart. [47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982, as amended at 57 FR 28115, June 24, 1992; 90 FR 28132, July 1, 2025; 91 FR 22733, Apr. 28, 2026] § 212.203 Track inspector. (a) The track inspector is required, at a minimum, to be able to conduct independent inspections of track structures for the purpose of determining compliance with the Track Safety Standards (49 CFR part 213), to make reports of those inspections, and to recommend enforcement actions when appropriate. (b) The track inspector is required, at a minimum, to have at least four years of recent experience in track construction or maintenance. A bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical specialization may be substituted for two of the four years of this experience requirement. Successful completion of the apprentice training program may be substituted for the four years of this experience requirement. (c) The track inspector shall demonstrate the following specific qualifications: (1) A comprehensive knowledge of track nomenclature, track inspection techniques, track maintenance methods, and track equipment; (2) The ability to understand and detect deviations from: (i) Track maintenance standards accepted in the industry; (ii) The Track Safety Standards (49 CFR part 213); and (iii) Railroad Workplace Safety Standards (49 CFR part 214). (3) Knowledge of operating practices and vehicle/track interaction sufficient to understand the safety significance of deviations and combinations of deviations; and (4) Specialized knowledge of the requirements of the Track Safety Standards, including the remedial action required to bring defective track into compliance with the standards. [47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982, as amended at 90 FR 28132, July 1, 2025] § 212.205 Apprentice track inspector. (a) The apprentice track inspector must be enrolled in a program of training prescribed by the Associate Administrator leading to qualification as a track inspector. The apprentice track inspector may not participate in investigative and surveillance activities, except as an assistant to a qualified State or FRA inspector while accompanying that qualified inspector. (b) An apprentice track inspector shall demonstrate basic knowledge of track inspection techniques, track maintenance methods, and track equipment prior to being enrolled in the program. § 212.207 Signal and train control (S&TC) inspector. (a) The S&TC inspector is required, at a minimum, to be able to conduct independent inspections of all types of signal and train control systems for the purpose of determining compliance with the Rules, Standards, and Instructions for Railroad Signal Systems (49 CFR part 236), to make reports of those inspections, and to recommend enforcement actions when appropriate. (b) The S&TC inspector is required, at a minimum, to have at least four years of recent experience in signal construction or maintenance. A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related technical specialization may be substituted for two of the four years of this experience requirement and successful completion of the apprentice training program may be substituted for the four years of this requirement. (c) The S&TC inspector shall demonstrate the following specific qualifications: (1) A comprehensive knowledge of S&TC systems, maintenance practices, test and inspection techniques; (2) The ability to understand and detect deviations from: (i) S&TC maintenance standards accepted in the industry; and (ii) The Rules, Standards and Instructions for Railroad Signal Systems (49 CFR part 236). (3) The ability to examine plans and records, to make inspections of S&TC systems and to determine adequacy of stopping distances from prescribed speeds; (4) Knowledge of operating practices and signal systems sufficient to understand the safety significance of deviations and combination of deviations; and (5) Specialized knowledge of the requirements of the Rules, Standards and Instructions for Railroad Signal Systems, including the remedial action required to bring S&TC systems into compliance with the standards. [90 FR 28133, July 1, 2025] § 212.209 [Reserved] § 212.211 Apprentice S&TC inspector. (a) The apprentice S&TC inspector must be enrolled in a program of training prescribed by the Associate Administrator leading to qualification as a S&TC inspector. The apprentice inspector may not participate in the investigative and surveillance activities, except as an assistant to a qualified State or FRA inspector while accompanying that qualified inspector. (b) Prior to being enrolled in the program the apprentice inspector shall demonstrate: (1) Working knowledge of basic electricity and the ability to use electrical test equipment in direct current and alternating current circuits; and (2) A basic knowledge of S&TC inspection and maintenance methods and procedures. [90 FR 28133, July 1, 2025] § 212.213 Motive power and equipment (MP&E) inspector. (a) The MP&E inspector is required, at a minimum, to be able to conduct independent inspections of railroad equipment for the purpose of determining compliance with all sections of the Freight Car Safety Standards (49 CFR part 215), Safety Glazing Standards (49 CFR part 223), Reflectorization of Rail Freight Rolling Stock (49 CFR part 224), Locomotive Safety Standards (49 CFR part 229), Safety Appliance Standards (49 CFR part 231), and Power Brake Standards (49 CFR part 232), to make reports of those inspections and to recommend enforcement actions when appropriate. (b) The MP&E inspector is required, at a minimum, to have at least four years of recent experience in the construction or maintenance of railroad rolling equipment. A bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical specialization may be substituted for two of the four years of this experience requirement and successful completion of the apprentice training program may be substituted for the four year experience requirement. (c) The MP&E inspector shall demonstrate the following qualifications: (1) A comprehensive knowledge of construction, testing, inspecting and repair of railroad freight cars, passenger cars, locomotives and air brakes; (2) The ability to understand and detect deviations from: (i) Railroad equipment maintenance standards accepted in the industry; and (ii) The Freight Car Safety Standards, Safety Glazing Standards, Locomotive Safety Standards, Safety Appliance Standards and Power Brake Standards. (3) The knowledge of railroad operating procedures associated with the operation of freight cars, passenger cars, locomotives and air brakes sufficient to understand the safety significance of deviations and combinations of deviations; and (4) Specialized knowledge of proper remedial action to be taken in order to bring defective freight cars, passenger cars, locomotives, and air brakes into compliance with applicable Federal standards. [47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982, as amended at 90 FR 28133, July 1, 2025] § 212.215 [Reserved] § 212.217 [Reserved] § 212.219 Apprentice MP&E inspector. (a) The apprentice MP&E inspector must be enrolled in a program of training prescribed by the Associate Administrator leading to qualification as an MP&E inspector. The apprentice may not participate in investigative and surveillance activities, except as an assistant to a qualified State or FRA inspector while accompanying that qualified inspector. (b) An apprentice MP&E inspector shall demonstrate basic knowledge of railroad equipment and air brake inspection, testing and maintenance, prior to being enrolled in the program. § 212.221 Operating practices inspector. (a) The operating practices inspector is required, at a minimum, to be able to conduct independent inspections for the purposes of determining compliance with all sections of the Federal operating practice regulations (49 CFR parts 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 225, 228, 240, and 242) and the Hours of Service Act (45 U.S.C. 61-64b), to make reports of those inspections, and to recommend enforcement actions when appropriate. (b) The operating practices inspector is required at a minimum to have at least four years of recent experience in developing or administering railroad operating rules. Successful completion of the apprentice training program may be substituted for this four year experience requirement. (c) The operating practices inspector shall demonstrate the following specific qualifications: (1) A comprehensive knowledge of railroad operating practices, railroad operating rules, duties of railroad employees, and general railroad nomenclature; (2) The ability to understand and detect deviations from: (i) Railroad operating rules accepted in the industry; and (ii) Federal operating practice regulations; (3) Knowledge of operating practices and rules sufficient to understand the safety significance of deviations; and (4) Specialized knowledge of the requirements of the Federal operating practices regulations listed in paragraph (a) of this section, including the remedial action required to bring railroad operations into compliance with the regulations. [47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982, as amended at 50 FR 31578, Aug. 2, 1985; 90 FR 28133, July 1, 2025] § 212.223 [Reserved] § 212.225 Apprentice operating practices inspector. (a) The apprentice operating practices inspector must be enrolled in a program of training prescribed by the Associate Administrator leading to qualification as an inspector. The apprentice inspector may not participate in investigative and surveillance activities, except as an assistant to a qualified State or FRA inspector while accompanying that qualified inspector. (b) An apprentice operating practices inspector shall demonstrate basic knowledge of railroad operating practices, railroad operating rules and general duties of railroad employees prior to being enrolled in the program. § 212.227 Hazardous materials inspector. (a) The hazardous materials inspector is required, at a minimum, to be able to conduct independent inspections to determine compliance with all pertinent sections of the Federal hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR parts 171 through 174, and 179), to make reports of those inspections and findings, and to recommend enforcement actions when appropriate. (b) The hazardous materials inspector is required, at a minimum, to have at least two years of recent experience in developing, administering, or performing managerial functions related to compliance with the hazardous materials regulations; four years of recent experience in performing functions related to compliance with the hazardous materials regulations; or a bachelor's degree in a related technical specialization. Successful completion of the apprentice training program may be substituted for this requirement. (c) The hazardous materials inspector shall demonstrate the following specific qualifications: (1) A comprehensive knowledge of the transportation and operating procedures employed in the railroad, shipping, or manufacturing industries associated with the transportation of hazardous materials; (2) Knowledge and ability to understand and detect deviations from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Materials Regulations, including Federal requirements and industry standards for the manufacturing of bulk packaging used in the transportation of hazardous materials by railroad; (3) Knowledge of the physical and chemical properties and chemical hazards associated with hazardous materials that are transported by railroad; (4) Knowledge of the proper remedial actions required to bring railroad, shipper, and/or manufacturing facilities into compliance with the Federal regulations; and (5) Knowledge of the proper remedial actions required when a hazardous materials transportation accident or incident occurs. [57 FR 28115, June 24, 1992, as amended at 90 FR 28133, July 1, 2025] § 212.229 Apprentice hazardous materials inspector. (a) The apprentice hazardous materials inspector must be enrolled in a program of training prescribed by the Associate Administrator for Safety leading to qualification as a hazardous materials inspector. The apprentice may not participate in investigative and surveillance activities, except as an assistant to a qualified State or FRA inspector while accompanying that qualified inspector. (b) An apprentice hazardous materials inspector shall demonstrate a basic knowledge of the chemical hazards associated with hazardous materials that are transported by railroad, including requirements such as shipping papers, marking, labeling, placarding, and the manufacturing and maintenance of packagings associated with these shipments. [57 FR 28116, June 24, 1992] § 212.231 Grade crossing and trespasser outreach inspector. (a) The grade crossing and trespasser outreach inspector is required, at a minimum, to be able to conduct independent inspections of all types of highway-rail grade crossing warning systems for the purpose of determining compliance with Grade Crossing Signal System Safety Rules (49 CFR part 234), to make reports of those inspections, and to recommend enforcement actions when appropriate. (b) The grade crossing and trespasser outreach inspector is required, at a minimum, to have at least four years of recent experience in highway-rail grade crossing construction or maintenance. A bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical specialization may be substituted for two of the four years of this experience requirement. Successful completion of an apprentice training program under § 212.233 may be substituted for the four years of this experience requirement. (c) The grade crossing and trespasser outreach inspector shall demonstrate the following specific qualifications: (1) A comprehensive knowledge of highway-rail grade crossing nomenclature, inspection techniques, maintenance requirements, and methods; (2) The ability to understand and detect deviations from: (i) Grade crossing signal system maintenance, inspection and testing standards accepted in the industry; and (ii) The Grade Crossing Signal System Safety Rules (49 CFR part 234); (3) Knowledge of operating practices and highway-rail grade crossing systems sufficient to understand the safety significance of deviations and combinations of deviations from § 212.231(c)(2) (i) and (ii); (4) Specialized knowledge of the requirements of the Grade Crossing Signal System Safety Rules (49 CFR part 234), including the remedial action required to bring highway-rail grade crossing signal systems into compliance with those Rules; (5) Specialized knowledge of highway-rail grade crossing standards contained in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices; and (6) Knowledge of railroad signal systems sufficient to ensure that highway-rail grade crossing warning systems and inspections of those systems do not adversely affect the safety of railroad signal systems. (d) A State S&TC inspector qualified under this part and who has demonstrated the ability to understand and detect deviations from the Grade Crossing Signal System Safety Rules (49 CFR part 234) is deemed to meet all requirements of this section and is qualified to conduct independent inspections of all types of highway-rail grade crossing warning systems for the purpose of determining compliance with Grade Crossing Signal System Safety Rules (49 CFR part 234), to make reports of those inspections, and to recommend enforcement actions when appropriate. [59 FR 50104, Sept. 30, 1994, as amended at 90 FR 28133, July 1, 2025] § 212.233 Apprentice grade crossing and trespasser inspector. (a) An apprentice grade crossing and trespasser inspector shall be enrolled in a program of training prescribed by the Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety leading to qualification as a grade crossing and trespasser inspector. The apprentice inspector may not participate in investigative and surveillance activities, except as an assistant to a qualified State or FRA inspector while accompanying that qualified inspector. (b) Prior to being enrolled in the program the apprentice inspector shall demonstrate: (1) Working basic knowledge of electricity; (2) The ability to use electrical test equipment in direct current and alternating current circuits; and (3) A basic knowledge of highway-rail grade crossing inspection and maintenance methods and procedures. [59 FR 50104, Sept. 30, 1994, as amended at 90 FR 28134, July 1, 2025] § 212.235 Inapplicable qualification requirements. The Associate Administrator may determine that a specific requirement of this subpart is inapplicable to an identified position created by a State agency if it is not relevant to the actual duties of the position. The determination is made in writing. [47 FR 41051, Sept. 16, 1982. Redesignated at 57 FR 28115, June 24, 1992. Further redesignated at 59 FR 50104, Sept. 30, 1994]

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