Audit: WMATA's roadway worker protections are lacking

The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission's (WMSC) audit of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's roadway worker protection (RWP) program for the Metrorail system found a number of areas that need improvement, WMSC officials said in a news release.

The audit report states that Metrorail is not effectively ensuring that its personnel on and around track are consistently following RWP rules; is not providing its personnel with up-to-date and accessible information about the locations where additional RWP is required to prevent serious injuries or death; has no process to ensure that areas requiring additional RWP are accurately identified on an ongoing basis; and is not systematically identifying, tracking and mitigating hazards related to RWP as required by its safety plan.

In addition, Metrorail is training and qualifying personnel on outdated RWP-related procedures and rules, the audit found.

The audit was conducted through interviews, observations and document and data reviews in November and December 2023, with additional follow-up and document reviews completed in January and February 2024.

RWP is the primary method of protecting employees, contractors, first responders and customers who need to be on or near track. The audit found that, although Metrorail has established policies and procedures, rules, training and oversight of its RWP program, there are still deficiencies that increase worker-safety risks, the release said.

Metrorail is required to propose corrective action plans to address each finding no later than 30 days after the issuance of the report. The audit is part of the WMSC’s second three-year audit cycle.