Orami01/Test3 · Datasets at Hugging Face

text stringlengths 0 1.03k
including late reports, or records created for an accident/incident that occurred prior to June 1,
2011, are subject to the standards (and required to use the forms) that were in effect prior to the
Miscellaneous Amendment to the FRA’s Accident/Incident Reporting Requirements; Final Rule,
which became effective June 1, 2011. 75 FR 68862, November 9, 2010. When amending or
correcting a report/record after June 1, 2011, for an accident/incident that occurred prior to
June 1, 2011, a railroad should simply amend or correct the report/record that was originally
created for the accident/incident.
1.2.5 Recordkeeping
Form FRA F 6180.98 or the Alternative Railroad-Designed Record of Each Accountable and
Each Employee-Reportable Injury/Illness. Railroads must maintain a record (Form FRA
F 6180.98 or the alternative railroad-designed record) of each accountable and each employeereportable injury/illness. See §§ 225.25(a) and (b). Each railroad shall enter each reportable and
accountable injury/illness on the appropriate record as early as practicable, but no later than 7
working days after receiving information or acquiring knowledge that an employee injury or
illness has occurred. See § 225.25(f).
FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
10
Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
Note that for certain claimed occupational illness cases only, railroads may maintain an alternate
record (Form FRA F 6180.107 or the alternative railroad-designed record). See §§ 225.25(i) and
(j).
Make Available to Employees Copies of Forms or Records of Employee Injury or Illness.
Railroads must make available to an employee, upon request, a copy of the completed Railroad
Employee Injury and/or Illness Record (Form FRA F 6180.98) or the alternative railroaddesigned record, as well as a copy of forms or reports required to be maintained or filed under
Part 225 pertaining to the employee’s own work-related injury or illness. See § 225.25(c).
Form FRA F 6180.97 or the Alternative Railroad-Designed Record of Each On-Track
Accident/Incident. Railroads must maintain a record (Form FRA F 6180.97 or the alternative
railroad designed record) of each accountable and each reportable on-track accident/incident.
See §§ 225.25(d) and (e). The railroad shall enter each reportable and accountable rail
equipment accident/incident on the appropriate record as early as practicable, but no later than
7 working days after receiving information or acquiring knowledge that a rail equipment
accident/incident has occurred. See § 225.25(f).
1.2.6 Access to Records
Access to Records and Reports. Railroads must provide to FRA access to records and reports
upon request within specified time limits. See §§ 225.25(g) and 225.35.
1.2.7 Posting of Injuries and Illnesses
Post Listing of All Injuries and Occupational Illnesses Reported to FRA. Railroads must post a
listing of all injuries and occupational illnesses reported to FRA as having occurred to employees
of an establishment, in a conspicuous location at that establishment, within 30 days after the
expiration of the month during which the injuries and illnesses occurred. Each monthly posting
shall remain continuously displayed for the next 12 consecutive months. If there are no
reportable injuries or occupational illnesses associated with an establishment for that month, the
posting must make reference to that fact.
A railroad is permitted to not post information on an injury or illness only if the employee who
incurred the injury or illness makes a request, in writing, to the railroad’s reporting officer that
his or her particular injury or illness not be posted, or if an occupational injury or illness is a
privacy concern case. See § 225.25(h)(15). See also § 225.5 for definition of “privacy concern
case.”
1.2.8 Record Retention
Retain Accident/Incident Records and Duplicates of Reports for Specified Periods of Time.
Railroads must retain accident/incident records and duplicates of reports for specified periods of
FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
11
Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
time. See §§ 225.27(a)–(c). Electronic recordkeeping systems must conform to FRA’s
standards. See § 225.27(d).
1.2.9 Internal Control Plan
Adopt and Comply with an Internal Control Plan (ICP). Railroads must adopt and comply with
an ICP. See § 225.33. FRA believes that an ICP, as prescribed by § 225.33, best provides the
procedures necessary to ensure that complete, reliable, and accurate data is obtained, maintained,
and disclosed by the railroads. See Appendix I to this Guide for model ICPs. FRA
investigations have repeatedly found instances in which departments within an individual
railroad failed to provide to the railroad reporting officer information critical to determining
reportability, or information necessary for filing an accurate and complete report.
The ICP is a performance standard that ensures the accuracy of a process and, in this case, the
process is accident/incident reporting. The ICP dictates the necessity for communication within
each railroad to ensure that proper reporting will be accomplished. The ICP may vary in size,
from one that is a few pages for smaller railroads and shortlines to one of considerable size for
the major carriers.
The ICP challenges the railroads to develop a total quality management (TQM) system to ensure
that there are no errors in reporting. “No errors” means that all reportable accidents and
incidents are reported to FRA and that each report is accurately completed prior to submission to
FRA; in other words, a “zero tolerance” policy with respect to inaccurate reporting. TQM
focuses on continuous and incremental improvements of process performance.
The ICP addresses intimidation and harassment of any person calculated to prevent or discourage
such person from either receiving proper medical treatment for an injury/illness or from
reporting an accident, incident, illness, or injury. FRA is aware that many railroad employees
fail to disclose their injuries to the railroad or fail to accept reportable treatment from a physician
because they wish to avoid potential harassment from management or possible discipline that is
sometimes associated with the reporting of such injuries. FRA is also aware that in some
instances, supervisory personnel and mid-level managers are urged to engage in practices that
may undermine or circumvent the reporting of injuries and illnesses. Railroads must remain
proactive in accurate reporting of all reportable accidents, injuries, and illnesses, and must not
engage in practices that could manipulate reportability of these incidents. In some instances,
railroads report an injury or illness to FRA only after FRA inspectors make management aware
that a particular injury or illness was not reported. Many times, FRA inspectors conduct an
investigation pursuant to a complaint from an employee alleging that his or her injury/illness was
not properly reported or was not reported at all. Again, the railroad usually reports this
injury/illness to FRA only after FRA informs management of the situation. Each railroad shall
adopt and comply with a written ICP that shall be maintained at the office where the railroad’s
reporting officer conducts his or her official business. Each railroad shall amend its ICP, as
necessary, to reflect any significant changes to the railroad’s internal reporting procedures. The
ICP shall be designed to maintain absolute accuracy and shall include, at a minimum, each of the
11 components set forth in § 225.33(a)(1–11).
FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
12
Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements
1.3 Miscellaneous Provisions and Information
1.3.1 Assistance and Guidance
In deciding on the reportability of an accident/incident, or otherwise fulfilling the reporting
obligation, assistance may be obtained by contacting any of the regional offices or FRA

including late reports, or records created for an accident/incident that occurred prior to June 1,

2011, are subject to the standards (and required to use the forms) that were in effect prior to the

Miscellaneous Amendment to the FRA’s Accident/Incident Reporting Requirements; Final Rule,

which became effective June 1, 2011. 75 FR 68862, November 9, 2010. When amending or

correcting a report/record after June 1, 2011, for an accident/incident that occurred prior to

June 1, 2011, a railroad should simply amend or correct the report/record that was originally

created for the accident/incident.

1.2.5 Recordkeeping

Form FRA F 6180.98 or the Alternative Railroad-Designed Record of Each Accountable and

Each Employee-Reportable Injury/Illness. Railroads must maintain a record (Form FRA

F 6180.98 or the alternative railroad-designed record) of each accountable and each employeereportable injury/illness. See §§ 225.25(a) and (b). Each railroad shall enter each reportable and

accountable injury/illness on the appropriate record as early as practicable, but no later than 7

working days after receiving information or acquiring knowledge that an employee injury or

illness has occurred. See § 225.25(f).

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

10

Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements

Note that for certain claimed occupational illness cases only, railroads may maintain an alternate

record (Form FRA F 6180.107 or the alternative railroad-designed record). See §§ 225.25(i) and

(j).

Make Available to Employees Copies of Forms or Records of Employee Injury or Illness.

Railroads must make available to an employee, upon request, a copy of the completed Railroad

Employee Injury and/or Illness Record (Form FRA F 6180.98) or the alternative railroaddesigned record, as well as a copy of forms or reports required to be maintained or filed under

Part 225 pertaining to the employee’s own work-related injury or illness. See § 225.25(c).

Form FRA F 6180.97 or the Alternative Railroad-Designed Record of Each On-Track

Accident/Incident. Railroads must maintain a record (Form FRA F 6180.97 or the alternative

railroad designed record) of each accountable and each reportable on-track accident/incident.

See §§ 225.25(d) and (e). The railroad shall enter each reportable and accountable rail

equipment accident/incident on the appropriate record as early as practicable, but no later than

7 working days after receiving information or acquiring knowledge that a rail equipment

accident/incident has occurred. See § 225.25(f).

1.2.6 Access to Records

Access to Records and Reports. Railroads must provide to FRA access to records and reports

upon request within specified time limits. See §§ 225.25(g) and 225.35.

1.2.7 Posting of Injuries and Illnesses

Post Listing of All Injuries and Occupational Illnesses Reported to FRA. Railroads must post a

listing of all injuries and occupational illnesses reported to FRA as having occurred to employees

of an establishment, in a conspicuous location at that establishment, within 30 days after the

expiration of the month during which the injuries and illnesses occurred. Each monthly posting

shall remain continuously displayed for the next 12 consecutive months. If there are no

reportable injuries or occupational illnesses associated with an establishment for that month, the

posting must make reference to that fact.

A railroad is permitted to not post information on an injury or illness only if the employee who

incurred the injury or illness makes a request, in writing, to the railroad’s reporting officer that

his or her particular injury or illness not be posted, or if an occupational injury or illness is a

privacy concern case. See § 225.25(h)(15). See also § 225.5 for definition of “privacy concern

case.”

1.2.8 Record Retention

Retain Accident/Incident Records and Duplicates of Reports for Specified Periods of Time.

Railroads must retain accident/incident records and duplicates of reports for specified periods of

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

11

Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements

time. See §§ 225.27(a)–(c). Electronic recordkeeping systems must conform to FRA’s

standards. See § 225.27(d).

1.2.9 Internal Control Plan

Adopt and Comply with an Internal Control Plan (ICP). Railroads must adopt and comply with

an ICP. See § 225.33. FRA believes that an ICP, as prescribed by § 225.33, best provides the

procedures necessary to ensure that complete, reliable, and accurate data is obtained, maintained,

and disclosed by the railroads. See Appendix I to this Guide for model ICPs. FRA

investigations have repeatedly found instances in which departments within an individual

railroad failed to provide to the railroad reporting officer information critical to determining

reportability, or information necessary for filing an accurate and complete report.

The ICP is a performance standard that ensures the accuracy of a process and, in this case, the

process is accident/incident reporting. The ICP dictates the necessity for communication within

each railroad to ensure that proper reporting will be accomplished. The ICP may vary in size,

from one that is a few pages for smaller railroads and shortlines to one of considerable size for

the major carriers.

The ICP challenges the railroads to develop a total quality management (TQM) system to ensure

that there are no errors in reporting. “No errors” means that all reportable accidents and

incidents are reported to FRA and that each report is accurately completed prior to submission to

FRA; in other words, a “zero tolerance” policy with respect to inaccurate reporting. TQM

focuses on continuous and incremental improvements of process performance.

The ICP addresses intimidation and harassment of any person calculated to prevent or discourage

such person from either receiving proper medical treatment for an injury/illness or from

reporting an accident, incident, illness, or injury. FRA is aware that many railroad employees

fail to disclose their injuries to the railroad or fail to accept reportable treatment from a physician

because they wish to avoid potential harassment from management or possible discipline that is

sometimes associated with the reporting of such injuries. FRA is also aware that in some

instances, supervisory personnel and mid-level managers are urged to engage in practices that

may undermine or circumvent the reporting of injuries and illnesses. Railroads must remain

proactive in accurate reporting of all reportable accidents, injuries, and illnesses, and must not

engage in practices that could manipulate reportability of these incidents. In some instances,

railroads report an injury or illness to FRA only after FRA inspectors make management aware

that a particular injury or illness was not reported. Many times, FRA inspectors conduct an

investigation pursuant to a complaint from an employee alleging that his or her injury/illness was

not properly reported or was not reported at all. Again, the railroad usually reports this

injury/illness to FRA only after FRA informs management of the situation. Each railroad shall

adopt and comply with a written ICP that shall be maintained at the office where the railroad’s

reporting officer conducts his or her official business. Each railroad shall amend its ICP, as

necessary, to reflect any significant changes to the railroad’s internal reporting procedures. The

ICP shall be designed to maintain absolute accuracy and shall include, at a minimum, each of the

11 components set forth in § 225.33(a)(1–11).

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

12

Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements

1.3 Miscellaneous Provisions and Information

1.3.1 Assistance and Guidance

In deciding on the reportability of an accident/incident, or otherwise fulfilling the reporting

obligation, assistance may be obtained by contacting any of the regional offices or FRA