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Railroad Safety: FRA Needs to Correct Deficiencies in Reporting Injuries and Accidents

RCED-89-109 Published: Apr 05, 1989. Publicly Released: May 01, 1989.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO assessed: (1) the reliability and accuracy of injury and accident data railroads reported to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA); and (2) FRA efforts to ensure data accuracy.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Transportation The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FRA, to require railroads to establish injury and accident reporting internal control procedures.
Closed – Implemented
FRA inspectors are now required to spend 10 percent more time reviewing railroad accident reporting records in the course of normal inspection and assessment activity. The inspectors are taking more action against violators.
Department of Transportation The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FRA, to include an analysis of railroads' internal control procedures for reporting in FRA safety record inspections.
Closed – Implemented
FRA held a hearing with carriers on May 17, 1990, on ways to improve the accuracy of FRA accident and injury reporting systems.
Department of Transportation The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FRA, to provide inspectors with the authority to take enforcement actions against railroads with deficient internal control procedures.
Closed – Implemented
FRA has sent letters to all railroads asking them to review their reporting procedures for reporting accidents and injuries.
Department of Transportation The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FRA, to require railroads to update reports on workdays lost due to injuries.
Closed – Implemented
FRA held a public hearing on May 18, 1990, concerning railroad reporting requirements. FRA is in the process of finalizing a rule to implement the provision under the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 1988, allowing employee supplements to railroad accident reports as a way for employees to list reasons why an accident/injury occurred.
Department of Transportation The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FRA, to clarify the FRA requirement for railroads to update accident reports when significant changes occur.
Closed – Implemented
On March 6, 1990, FRA issued an ANPRM regarding methods of improving the FRA injury and accident reporting system. A public hearing was held on May 17, 1990.

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Topics

Data collectionInspectionInternal controlsOccupational safetyRailroad accidentsRailroad regulationRailroad safetyReporting requirementsSafety regulationStatistical methodsRailroad yards