The Federal Railroad Administration issues an Emergency Order (EO) when an unsafe condition or practice by a railroad causes a situation involving a hazard of death or personal injury. Also, EO's are published in the Federal Register and provide an effective date and time, as well as the parties affected by the order.

Safety Advisories are notices issued by FRA in the Federal Register providing guidance and clarification of the proper application of existing regulatory rail safety requirements or other important safety issues. Advisories usally include recommendations that should be followed by affected parties, e.g., railroad owners or operators, shippers, consignees, equipment manufacturers and suppliers.

Technical Bulletins are internal documents (usually memoranda) issued to FRA's regional personnel by the Office Director for Safety Assurance and Compliance. The bulletins provide interpretive guidance and they help clarify specific issues under the rail safety regulations and other safety issues.

When necessary, FRA will issue Interpretive Guidance to inform the regulated community of clarifications or intrepretations that may be warranted.  Often, this information will be printed in the Federal Register as a "Notice of Interpretation."