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Track Inspection Qualifications

Q. How does a person become qualified to inspect railroad track?

A. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulates the safety of railroad, track throughout the Nation
that is a part of the general system of transportation. Railroads are required to comply with FRA's Track
Safety Standards (Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 213). Regarding track inspections
under this regulation, railroads are required to designate qualified persons to supervise certain renewals
and inspect track. Briefly, employees who inspect track are required to have the minimum experience
and/or training specified in the Track Safety Standards. Railroads are also required to maintain
records of the employees qualified under this section. As such, the FRA does not currently have a track
inspection "certification" process for individuals, but they must be qualified by the railroad under the
specific requirements of §213.7 or §213.305 of the Track Safety Standards.
Safety / Q&A's

Last Updated: Oct. 30, 2008
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