The Interim Final Rule revising the Worker Visibility rule (23CFR 634) (published in the Federal Register November 21, 2008 and went into effect on November 24, 2008) was issued to create an exemption for the firefighting community. This interim Final rule allowed firefighters or other emergency responders working within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway and engaged in emergency operations that directly expose them to flame, fire, heat, and/or hazardous materials to wear. The FHWA decided to issue this interim final rule to address safety concerns raised by fire fighting community. Three comments were submitted to the Interim Final Rule. Those have been addressed and it was issued as a Final Rule on June 15, 2009. (Federal Register Notice, June 15, 2009 - Worker Visibility - Final Rule)
