FRA's required RWP Training

cjvrr · **Posted:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:03 pm

Group,

I have a few questions on Roadway Worker Protection training as mandated by the FRA.

1) I belong to a volunteer group that cuts brush on one, and soon possibly two different railroad lines. As I understand the regs, our volunteers will need RWP training and certification from Both railroads. Is that correct? Or is the certification transferable?

2) The FRA's list of items in the RWP training is fairly straightforward and simple, how long (length of time) is your training program? This is annual training, so do you hold class on Jan 1 of each year, or are the training and cert good until the railroad offers the training again?

3) The RWP training is for all employees and volunteers working on railroads connected to the general system, so as I understand it, most of us will need to offer, or take training to obtain the necessary certifications.

What are your thoughts and comments?

Chris

John Bohon · **Joined:** Sun Aug 29, 2004 1:04 pm **Posts:** 625

If the railroads you are working on are regulated by the FRA and you are working within 4 feet of the outside edge of the rail on either side of the track then you will need to be protected. This includes getting to and from the job site. If you and your equipment or tools are outside the 4 foot box then no protection is required. This means everyone will be required to undergo the class and testing before working. How long the class and test will take depends on the operating and roadway rules of the railroad involved. If the railroads are not under the same corporate flag and operationg rules then you will need to be trained and tested by both railroads.

Each railroad has it's own rules based on the FRA regulations and approved by the FRA. The FRA requires us to train and test workers annually. After the training one of the workers on site will have to be the roadway worker in charge (rwic) and depending on the rules of the railroad, the work you are performing, and if you are using equipment that worker may not be allowed to do anything but provide protection. Since the rules on each operation are different it is difficult to give you any more details than this.

Good luck surfing this pain in the backside.

John Bohon