Crew Management & Fatigue Rules Flashcards

Under 49 CFR Part 228, which of the following constitutes an 'interim release' for a train employee?

Answer: A break of at least 4 hours at a designated rest facility that does not reset the 12-hour clock

An interim release is a break of at least 4 hours at a designated facility that provides a partial relief but does not reset the 12-hour on-duty period.

Which FRA Hours of Service provision applies specifically to railroad employees who both operate trains AND perform dispatching duties during the same tour?

Answer: The stricter 12-hour limit and associated rest requirements govern the entire period

When an employee performs duties subject to different HOS categories in the same tour, the stricter (most protective) limit governs the entire on-duty period.

What is the penalty structure the FRA can impose on a railroad for each Hours of Service violation under 49 U.S.C. § 21303?

Answer: A civil penalty of up to $27,904 per violation

FRA may assess civil penalties (adjusted periodically for inflation, generally in the range of $27,000+ per violation) for Hours of Service violations under 49 U.S.C. § 21303.

A signal employee who is called to perform emergency restoration work has already worked 12 hours. Under which FRA provision can additional work time be authorized?

Answer: Emergency extension under 49 CFR Part 228 allowing up to 4 additional hours

49 CFR Part 228 contains an emergency provision allowing signal employees to continue beyond 12 hours (up to a total of 16 hours in certain emergency circumstances) to restore service safety.

Under FRA fatigue countermeasure guidance, which strategy is considered most effective for night-shift workers to improve alertness during duty?

Answer: Strategic napping before the shift combined with exposure to bright light

FRA and sleep science research endorse pre-shift napping combined with bright light exposure as the most evidence-based strategy for sustaining night-shift alertness.

Which FRA rule requires railroads to provide adequate sleeping accommodations for train crews held at away-from-home terminals?

Answer: 49 CFR Part 228 — Hours of Service

49 CFR Part 228 includes provisions addressing the quality of off-duty rest facilities railroads must provide to crews held at away-from-home locations.

A crew caller contacts a train employee 6 hours into a required 10-hour off-duty period to ask if the employee is available to come in early. Under FRA rules, this contact is:

Answer: A violation because the carrier may not contact the employee during mandatory rest

FRA regulations prohibit railroad carriers from contacting or requiring a response from employees during a mandatory off-duty rest period, as such contact disrupts sleep and undermines the purpose of the rest requirement.