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10/31/2023
The Federal Transit Administration yesterday issued an advance notice of a proposed rule that would address minimum standards for transit workers' hours of service (HOS) and fatigue-risk management programs.
The FTA is considering proposing minimum safety standards designed to protect transit workers by requiring them to get adequate rest, thereby reducing the risk of fatigue-related safety incidents, according to an FTA press release.
FTA officials are seeking comments on the topic to better understand current industry practices, priorities, requirements and the costs and benefits of federal requirements. Comments are due Dec. 29.
Currently, there are no federal minimum standards for HOS or fatigue-risk management programs in the transit industry. HOS regulations reduce excessively long work hours, while fatigue-risk management programs address other workplace factors impacting fatigue, such as training and scheduling.
Public transit is the only mode of transportation without such standards for its workers, according to the FTA’s notice, published yesterday in the Federal Register.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FTA's Transit Advisory Committee for Safety have recommended regulatory action to address safety concerns associated with transit worker fatigue, according to the notice. The NTSB has found fatigue to be a cause and contributing factor for dozens of fatal transportation events dating back almost 40 years.