Rule2026-08255

Allowing for the Electronic Posting of Reportable Injuries and Occupational Illnesses

Primary source

Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.

Published
April 28, 2026
Effective
May 28, 2026

Issuing agencies

Transportation DepartmentFederal Railroad Administration

Abstract

This rule allows railroads to satisfy the requirement to post a listing of all injuries and occupational illnesses at an establishment electronically. This rule also removes the requirement that these postings be signed by the preparer of the listing.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 81 (Tuesday, April 28, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 81 (Tuesday, April 28, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22740-22745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08255]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

49 CFR Part 225

[Docket No. FRA-2025-0122; Notice No. 2]
RIN 2130-AD57


Allowing for the Electronic Posting of Reportable Injuries and 
Occupational Illnesses

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule allows railroads to satisfy the requirement to post 
a listing of all injuries and occupational illnesses at an 
establishment electronically. This rule also removes the requirement 
that these postings be signed by the preparer of the listing.

DATES: This rule is effective May 28, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Wissman, Railroad Safety 
Specialist, Part 225, FRA, telephone: 610-314-5729, email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#acc1c5cfc4cdc9c082dbc5dfdfc1cdc2ecc8c3d882cbc3da"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e38e8a808b82868fcd948a90908e828da3878c97cd848c95">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>; or Michael C. Spinnicchia, Attorney Adviser, 
FRA, telephone: 202-713-7671, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a6cbcfc5cec7c3ca88d5d6cfc8c8cfc5c5cecfc7e6c2c9d288c1c9d0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d4b9bdb7bcb5b1b8faa7a4bdbababdb7b7bcbdb594b0bba0fab3bba2">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Consistent with Executive Order (E.O.) 14192, Unleashing Prosperity 
Through Deregulation (90 FR 9065, Feb. 6, 2025), and E.O. 14219, 
Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's 
``Department of Government Efficiency'' Deregulatory Initiative (90 FR 
10583, Feb. 25, 2025), FRA is reviewing its regulatory requirements in 
49 CFR parts 200 through 299 and updating requirements that are 
outdated.
    On July 1, 2025, FRA published a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) that proposed allowing railroads to satisfy the requirement to 
post a listing of all injuries and occupational illnesses at an 
establishment through electronic means. The NPRM also proposed removing 
some requirements of what must be included in these listings.\1\
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    \1\ 90 FR 28648 (July 1, 2025).
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    FRA received four comments. The Association of American Railroads 
(AAR) and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association 
(ASLRRA) (collectively, ``the associations'') submitted a joint comment 
in support of the NPRM. AAR and ASLRRA contended that allowing 
railroads to post their injuries and occupational illnesses 
electronically uses technological innovation to advance safety and 
efficiency while reducing costs for railroads. The Brotherhood of 
Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), the International Association 
of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers--Transportation 
Division (SMART-TD), and the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO 
(TTD) (collectively, ``the labor organizations'') each submitted a 
comment opposing the NPRM. The labor organizations asserted that 
allowing electronic posting in lieu of paper posting will have an 
adverse safety impact as it will reduce the number of important 
conversations that occur due to the physical posting of workplace 
injuries and illnesses. The labor organizations also questioned whether 
it is a burden for railroads to post this information physically.
    After considering comments, FRA is proceeding to revise part 225 to 
allow railroads to post the information required under 49 CFR 225.25(h) 
electronically in lieu of paper posting and to remove the requirement 
that these postings be signed by the preparer. However, in 
consideration of BLET's comment, explained in more detail below, FRA 
has decided to retain the requirement that these postings include the 
annual average number of railroad employees reporting to an 
establishment.
    For more information, please review the Discussion of Comments and 
FRA's Responses and the Section-by-Section Analysis, below.

II. Discussion of Comments and FRA's Responses

A. Comment Supporting the NPRM

    In their joint comment, AAR and ASLRRA stated that allowing the 
electronic posting of injuries and

[[Page 22741]]

occupational illnesses is preferable for various reasons.\2\ First, 
electronic posting allows railroads to provide the same information 
that is currently provided through paper posting except in a portable 
format that is searchable and can be accessed at any time by employees. 
This use of technology gives railroads greater flexibility while also 
promoting safety and efficiency through technology, as some railroads 
have developed a single portal that employees can use to access injury 
and occupational illness data, along with other types of safety-related 
information, such as rule books, manuals, and guides.
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    \2\ FRA-2025-0122-0005.
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    The associations also support the reduction of costs that would 
result from electronic posting. Specifically, the associations noted 
that the rule would lower costs associated with purchasing and 
maintaining printers and supplying the printers with paper and ink. In 
addition, the associations mentioned that several railroads have 
submitted waivers requesting permission to use electronic posting in 
lieu of paper posting. This amendment to part 225 would eliminate the 
need for railroads to submit such waiver petitions approximately every 
five years, which would eliminate costs for both the railroads and for 
FRA in processing waiver petitions.
    Lastly, the associations pointed to the success of the current 
waivers that have been in place for several years. For example, BNSF 
Railway Company noted its employees ran at least 655 reports in 2024, 
and the railroad has not received any negative feedback or complaints 
about its paperless injury log process. This suggests that employees 
are actively engaged in accessing this information electronically.
FRA's Response
    The joint comment from the associations largely corroborates FRA's 
rationale for proposing this change. By allowing railroads to post 
injury and illness data electronically, FRA is permitting technological 
advances that allow railroads to operate more efficiently without 
having an adverse impact on safety. As the associations noted, 
electronic posting of injury and illness data is beneficial to railroad 
safety as it provides railroad employees with greater access to this 
data. This rule also eliminates the unnecessary costs associated with 
the antiquated requirement that this data be physically posted at work 
establishments.

B. Comments Opposing the NPRM

    BLET, SMART-TD, and TTD all submitted comments opposing this NPRM. 
TTD also endorsed the comments submitted by BLET and SMART-TD. These 
comments contained various arguments in opposition to the NPRM.
1. Employee Access to Injury and Illness Data
    One of the labor organizations' primary concerns is that allowing 
railroads to post injury and illness data electronically may make this 
information less accessible to railroad employees. BLET stated it can 
be time-consuming for employees to navigate railroads' complex computer 
systems.\3\ Further, BLET asserted that this problem is exacerbated by 
Precision Scheduled Railroading, as employees are often under pressure 
from their managers to start their assigned duties immediately, and 
thus, they may not have time to view this information electronically. 
BLET also suggested that this proposed change would not improve safety 
and could lead to railroads concealing important information from their 
employees.
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    \3\ FRA-2025-0122-0002.
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    SMART-TD's comment similarly asserted that the proposed rule would 
have a negative safety impact that degraded safety culture because it 
could lead to railroad employees not having reliable access to 
information about the hazards where they work.\4\ This may inhibit the 
ability of employees to learn from past accidents and prevent future 
accidents. SMART-TD also alleged that supervisors and employees have 
unequal access to the data, contending that supervisors have higher 
system access and greater familiarity with company technology than 
employees. SMART-TD encouraged FRA to consult with employee 
representatives on ways to make this safety information more readily 
available and to ensure it is being discussed in job briefings.
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    \4\ FRA-2025-0122-0004.
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    TTD argued that requiring physical posting of injury and illness 
data provides necessary transparency to workers of their railroad's 
safety culture.\5\ Because employees may work in different places 
within a yard or facility, the physical posting allows them to be 
informed of safety issues affecting various crafts, locations, or 
shifts. TTD also noted that employees may work multiple shifts without 
having the time or ability to access this injury data electronically, 
which means they could be unaware of existing safety concerns.
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    \5\ FRA-2025-0122-0003.
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FRA's Response
    Though FRA agrees that employee access to injury and illness data 
is important to railroad safety, FRA disagrees with the contention that 
allowing electronic posting to fulfill the requirement in 49 CFR 
225.25(h) would limit employees' access to this information. TTD noted 
that railroad employees may work in different places within a yard or 
facility that inhibit their ability to view the posting electronically 
for multiple shifts. However, employees could also work multiple shifts 
without passing the physical posting. Thus, FRA fails to see how 
electronic posting would be harmful to safety. To the contrary, 
electronic posting provides employees with greater access to this 
information, as they can access injury and illness data at any time. 
Therefore, even if an employee does not have time to view the railroad 
portal during their workday, they will still have access to this 
information. Further, since the electronic dissemination of information 
is faster than physically posting such information, railroads will be 
better equipped to ensure the injury and illness data they are posting 
is accurate and up to date. This should enhance railroad safety, as it 
will allow employees to obtain reliable information more efficiently.
    FRA is also unpersuaded by the labor organizations' contention that 
railroad computer systems are too complex and time-consuming for 
employees to navigate. Computers have been omnipresent in society for 
decades, and most railroad employees should have the requisite computer 
skills to access this injury and illness data upon receiving the 
instructions or training that the railroad is required to provide under 
section 225.25(h)(4)(i) of this final rule. For those employees who 
lack the requisite skills to find this information on their own, 
section 225.25(h)(4)(iii) requires supervisors to show an employee 
these postings upon request, thus ensuring employee access to this 
information. Therefore, even if supervisors have ``higher system 
access'' and ``greater familiarity with company technology,'' as SMART-
TD alleges, this final rule requires railroads to ensure that all 
employees have access to this data.
    BLET expressed concerns that adopting this final rule could lead to 
railroads concealing important information from their employees, but it 
did not provide a rationale for this concern. This final rule simply 
allows

[[Page 22742]]

railroads to disseminate information in a manner that is more 
consistent with 21st century technological advances. Any efforts by a 
railroad to conceal information that it is required to post would be in 
violation of part 225.
    Finally, in response to SMART-TD's comment that FRA should work 
with employee representatives on ways to make this safety information 
more available to railroad employees, FRA welcomes these interactions 
and is always interested in learning how to make the U.S. rail system 
safer. FRA believes that this final rule promotes rail safety by making 
injury and illness data more easily accessible to employees, who can 
review this data anywhere, at any time, as opposed to being able to 
view this information only at a single location within a work 
establishment.
2. Injury and Illness Data Promoting Important Safety Conversations 
Among Employees
    All three labor organization comments referenced how physical 
postings encourage conversations among employees that promote a safer 
work environment. SMART-TD described these physical postings as a 
``critical learning tool'' that leads to the sharing of best practices 
and safety hazards. Both BLET and SMART-TD argued that checking for 
injury and illness data electronically would not facilitate these 
spontaneous conversations that promote a strong safety culture and 
peer-to-peer accountability.
FRA's Response
    FRA supports in-person conversations regarding accidents at a work 
establishment and agrees that such conversations are beneficial to 
worker safety. However, the suggestion that physical postings promote 
more conversations than electronic postings is not supported. None of 
the comments provided any data or evidence in support of this argument.
    FRA notes that these conversations cannot occur without employee 
knowledge and awareness of these accidents. Therefore, accessibility to 
this information is vital to ensuring these conversations take place. 
FRA contends that permitting railroads to post this data electronically 
will increase access to this information by allowing employees to 
access it from various locations at any time. Electronic posting also 
allows employees to review employee injury data at other 
establishments, which provides greater awareness of on-the-job safety 
hazards, and can prompt additional conversations.
3. Cost Savings for Railroads
    The labor organizations questioned whether the proposed rule would 
reduce costs for railroads. BLET asserted that posting injury data in a 
physical location is not a burden for railroads. SMART-TD referred to 
the physical posting requirement as a ``simple act of placing a sheet 
of paper on a crew room wall'' and that any ``miniscule cost savings'' 
would be outweighed by losses to worker safety. TTD noted that other 
Federal agencies require employers to post physical notices regarding 
employee rights and employer responsibilities. For example, as TTD 
explained, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) 
requires private employers engaged in commerce to post a physical copy 
of a job safety poster in their establishments. OSHA also requires many 
employers to post its Form 300A in a visible location, so employees are 
aware of injuries and illnesses that have occurred in the workplace. 
TTD suggested the posting of this information is important, especially 
for dangerous occupations such as railroading.
FRA's Response
    As AAR and ASLRRA noted in their joint comment, this rule will 
reduce costs with respect to printing while also eliminating the need 
for railroads to request a waiver. These waiver petitions require time 
and effort on the part of the railroad submitting the petition, as well 
as FRA in its review of these petitions. Thus, FRA finds that this 
final rule will result in some cost savings.
    With respect to TTD's contention that other Federal agencies still 
require some employers to post certain information regarding employee 
rights and employer responsibilities physically, FRA is not bound by 
other agencies' requirements. Also, the examples of physical posting 
TTD cited have material differences from the posting requirements in 49 
CFR 225.25(h). Most notably, unlike the posting requirement in section 
225.25(h), these examples do not require monthly updates on the part of 
the employer. The OSHA Form 300A is an annual form, so any burden 
associated with posting this form in a physical location only occurs 
once a year,\6\ and posting the OSHA job safety poster is a one-time 
burden.\7\ Therefore, maintaining the physical posting requirement in 
section 225.25(h) would be considerably more burdensome than the 
examples TTD provided.
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    \6\ 29 CFR 1904.32.
    \7\ 29 CFR 1903.2.
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4. FRA's Reliance on Its Waiver Experience
    SMART-TD raised concerns with FRA's statement in the NPRM that the 
agency was unaware of any issues caused from granting waivers allowing 
certain Class I railroads to use electronic posting in lieu of paper 
posting. SMART-TD asserted that railroads are not going to volunteer 
information to their regulator about how waivers led to workplace 
injuries or fatalities. The comment also cited specific examples in 
support, such as CSX Transportation Inc. (CSX) not complying with its 
waiver conditions; requirements that SMART-TD described as ``very 
basic'' to meet. SMART-TD also mentioned that since the Union Pacific 
Railroad Company (UP) received a waiver allowing it to post injury and 
illness data electronically, it was found to have tampered with FRA's 
safety culture assessment and contends that UP unjustly punished an 
employee who reported an injury. In addition, UP is currently seeking a 
``high-stakes merger'' which will allegedly further disincentivize the 
railroad from reporting to FRA any safety issues that have arisen from 
this waiver voluntarily.
FRA's Response
    Regardless of whether railroads are likely to report safety issues 
that result from these waivers voluntarily, railroad employees, or the 
labor organizations that represent them, are not prevented from 
reporting any such issues. However, SMART-TD's comment provides no 
examples of situations where a waiver allowing electronic posting has 
resulted in a workplace injury or has been otherwise harmful to safety. 
Regarding SMART-TD's comment about the CSX waiver, the non-compliance 
was identified at only certain CSX establishments and CSX corrected the 
issue upon notification of the non-compliance.
    FRA acknowledges that railroads may not report problems with 
electronic posting or their own non-compliance with the regulation 
(just as railroads may not report problems with physical postings or 
their own non-compliance with the existing regulation). The agency will 
continue to perform inspections of railroads' electronic posting 
systems, and if they do not meet the requirements of this final rule, 
FRA will take appropriate action. Based on the available evidence, FRA 
finds that there have been no reported instances where waivers allowing 
railroads to post injury and illness data electronically, in lieu of 
paper posting, reduced railroad

[[Page 22743]]

safety. If new information comes to light which suggests that allowing 
railroads to meet the requirements in section 225.25(h) through 
electronic posting reduces railroad safety, FRA may reconsider this 
issue.
5. Requirement That Postings Include the Average Annual Number of 
Employees Reporting to the Establishment
    BLET disagreed with FRA's proposal in the NPRM to remove the 
requirement that railroads include the annual average number of 
railroad employees reporting to the establishment in the posting 
requirement under section 225.25(h). Specifically, BLET noted that this 
data is helpful in allowing employees to determine the frequency of 
accidents at their establishment and to compare this data with accident 
data at other establishments. For example, if 100 employees work at a 
particular location where there had been multiple injuries in the past 
30 days, whereas another location with a similar number of employees 
had only had one injury during the same time period, that would give 
workers a better understanding of the safety conditions at their work 
establishment.
FRA's Response
    FRA found BLET's argument compelling for why it should keep the 
requirement that the annual average number of railroad employees at an 
establishment be included in these postings. As BLET asserted in its 
comment, this information provides railroad employees with important 
context for the safety conditions where they work, including the 
ability to compare injury statistics at locations with similar numbers 
of employees. FRA did not receive any comments in support of removing 
this requirement. Therefore, FRA has determined to keep this 
requirement in the final rule.

III. Section-by-Section Analysis

Section 225.25 Recordkeeping

    Except as otherwise noted below, FRA has adopted the rule text as 
proposed, and readers may refer to the NPRM's Section-by-Section 
Analysis for discussion of FRA's rationale for the revisions. FRA will 
revise the FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports in 
accordance with the changes to part 225 finalized in this rulemaking.
    In the NPRM, FRA proposed eliminating the requirement that the 
postings required by paragraph (h) of this section include the annual 
average number of railroad employees reporting to the establishment. 
However, because FRA has decided to keep this requirement, FRA inserted 
the language as paragraph (h)(3)(ii). Proposed paragraphs (h)(3)(ii) 
through (xiii) in the NPRM have been renumbered in this final rule as 
paragraphs (h)(3)(iii) through (xiv), respectively.

IV. Regulatory Impact and Notices

A. Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and 
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    FRA has considered the impact of this final rule under E.O. 12866 
(58 FR 51735, Oct. 4, 1993), Regulatory Planning and Review, and DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures. The Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
determined that this final rule is not a significant regulatory action 
under section 3(f) of E.O. 12866.
    FRA analyzed the potential costs and benefits of this final rule. 
Railroads will avoid costs associated with physically printing, 
posting, and signing documents, including the time and expense required 
to do so. Employees will benefit from more convenient access to safety 
information. Those railroads currently submitting waiver petitions to 
post information electronically will avoid the costs of submitting 
waiver petitions, including the time and expense required to do so. The 
government will avoid the costs of processing and reviewing waiver 
requests, including the time and expense required to do so.

B. Executive Order 14192 (Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation)

    E.O. 14192, Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation, requires 
that for ``each new [E.O. 14192 regulatory action] issued, at least ten 
prior regulations be identified for elimination.'' \8\ Implementation 
guidance for E.O. 14192 issued by OMB (Memorandum M-25-20, Mar. 26, 
2025) defines two different types of E.O. 14192 actions: an E.O. 14192 
deregulatory action, and an E.O. 14192 regulatory action.\9\
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    \8\ Executive Office of the President, Executive Order 14192 of 
January 31, 2025, Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation, 90 FR 
9065-9067 (Feb. 6, 2025).
    \9\ Executive Office of the President, OMB, Guidance 
Implementing Section 3 of Executive Order 14192, Titled ``Unleashing 
Prosperity Through Deregulation,'' Memorandum M-25-20, (Mar. 26, 
2025).
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    An E.O. 14192 deregulatory action is defined as ``an action that 
has been finalized and has total costs less than zero.'' This final 
rule will have total costs less than zero, and therefore it will be 
considered an E.O. 14192 deregulatory action upon issuance of this 
final rule.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 13272

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), as amended 
by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996,\10\ 
requires Federal agencies to consider the effects of the regulatory 
action on small businesses and other small entities, and to minimize 
any significant economic impact. Accordingly, DOT policy requires an 
analysis of the impact of all regulations on small entities and 
mandates that agencies strive to lessen any adverse effects on these 
businesses. The term small entities comprises small businesses and not-
for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and 
are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with 
populations of less than 50,000 (5 U.S.C. 601(6)).
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    \10\ Public Law 104-121, 110 Stat. 857 (Mar. 29, 1996).
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    No regulatory flexibility analysis is required, however, if the 
head of an Agency, or an appropriate designee, certifies that the rule 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities. The regulatory relief provided by this rule will result 
in cost savings for many regulated entities, including small entities. 
However, the impact to small entities is not expected to be 
significant. Consequently, FRA certifies that this final rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final rule offers regulatory flexibilities, and it does not 
impose any new information collection requirements or modify any 
existing information collection requirements. Therefore, an information 
collection submission to OMB is not required under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). The existing recordkeeping 
and reporting requirements already contained in part 225 were approved 
by OMB on December 5, 2023, and the information collection requirements 
thereby became effective when they were approved by OMB. The OMB 
approval number is OMB No. 2130-0500, and OMB approval expires on 
December 31, 2026.

E. Environmental Assessment

    FRA has analyzed this rule for the purposes of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). In

[[Page 22744]]

accordance with 42 U.S.C. 4336 and DOT NEPA Order 5610.1D, FRA has 
determined that this rule is categorically excluded pursuant to 23 CFR 
771.116(c)(15). This rulemaking is not anticipated to result in any 
environmental impacts, and there are no unusual or extraordinary 
circumstances present in connection with this rulemaking.

F. Federalism Implications

    This final rule will not have a substantial effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government. Thus, in accordance with E.O. 13132, Federalism 
(64 FR 43255, Aug. 10, 1999), preparation of a Federalism Assessment is 
not warranted.

G. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This final rule will not result in the expenditure, in the 
aggregate, of $100,000,000 or more, adjusted for inflation, in any one 
year by State, local, or Indian Tribal governments, or the private 
sector. Thus, consistent with section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4, 2 U.S.C. 1532), FRA is not required 
to prepare a written statement detailing the effect of such an 
expenditure.

H. Energy Impact

    E.O. 13211 requires Federal agencies to prepare a Statement of 
Energy Effects for any ``significant energy action.'' \11\ FRA has 
evaluated this final rule in accordance with E.O. 13211 and determined 
that this final rule is not a ``significant energy action'' within the 
meaning of E.O. 13211.
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    \11\ 66 FR 28355 (May 22, 2001).
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I. Executive Order 13175 (Tribal Consultation)

    FRA has evaluated this final rule in accordance with the principles 
and criteria contained in E.O. 13175, Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments (65 FR 67249, Nov. 6, 2000). The final 
rule will not have a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian 
tribes, will not impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian 
tribal governments, and will not preempt tribal laws. Therefore, the 
funding and consultation requirements of E.O. 13175 do not apply, and a 
tribal summary impact statement is not required.

J. International Trade Impact Assessment

    The Trade Agreement Act of 1979 prohibits Federal agencies from 
engaging in any standards or related activities that create unnecessary 
obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States. Legitimate 
domestic objectives, such as safety, are not considered unnecessary 
obstacles. The statute also requires consideration of international 
standards and, where appropriate, that they be the basis for U.S. 
standards. This final rule is purely domestic in nature and is not 
expected to affect trade opportunities for U.S. firms doing business 
overseas or for foreign firms doing business in the United States.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 225

    Investigations, Penalties, Railroad safety, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

The Final Rule

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, FRA amends part 225 of 
chapter II, subtitle B of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations as 
follows:

PART 225--RAILROAD ACCIDENTS/INCIDENTS: REPORTS CLASSIFICATION AND 
INVESTIGATIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 225 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 103, 322(a), 20103, 20107, 20901-20902, 
21301, 21302, 21311; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; and 49 CFR 1.89.


0
2. Revise Sec.  225.25(h) to read as follows:


Sec.  225.25  Recordkeeping.

* * * * *
    (h) Except as provided in paragraph (h)(2) of this section, a 
listing of all injuries and occupational illnesses reported to FRA as 
having occurred at an establishment shall be posted in a conspicuous 
location at that establishment, within 30 days after the expiration of 
the month during which the injuries and illnesses occurred, if the 
establishment has been in continual operation for a minimum of 90 
calendar days. If the establishment has not been in continual operation 
for a minimum of 90 calendar days, the listing of all injuries and 
occupational illnesses reported to FRA as having occurred at the 
establishment shall be posted, within 30 days after the expiration of 
the month during which the injuries and illnesses occurred, in a 
conspicuous location at the next higher organizational level 
establishment, such as one of the following: an operating division 
headquarters; a major classification yard or terminal headquarters; a 
major equipment maintenance or repair installation, e.g., a locomotive 
or rail car repair or construction facility; a railroad signal and 
maintenance-of-way division headquarters; or a central location where 
track or signal maintenance employees are assigned as a headquarters or 
receive work assignments. These examples include facilities that are 
generally major facilities of a permanent nature where the railroad 
generally posts or disseminates company informational notices and 
policies, e.g., the policy statement in the internal control plan 
required by Sec.  225.33 concerning harassment and intimidation. At a 
minimum, ``establishment'' posting is required and shall include 
locations where a railroad reasonably expects its employees to report 
during a 12-month period and to have the opportunity to observe the 
posted list containing any reportable injuries or illnesses they have 
suffered during the applicable period.
    (1) This listing shall be posted and shall remain continuously 
displayed for the next 12 consecutive months. Incidents reported for 
employees at that establishment shall be displayed in date sequence.
    (2) Railroads do not have to post information on an occupational 
injury or illness that is a privacy concern case.
    (3) The listing shall contain all of the following information:
    (i) Name and address of the establishment.
    (ii) Annual average number of railroad employees reporting to the 
establishment.
    (iii) Calendar year of the cases being displayed.
    (iv) Incident number used to report case.
    (v) Date of the injury or illness.
    (vi) Location of incident.
    (vii) Regular job title of employee injured or ill.
    (viii) Description of the injury or condition.
    (ix) Number of days employee was absent from work at time of 
posting.
    (x) Number of days of work restriction for employee at time of 
posting.
    (xi) If the employee died, include the date of death.
    (xii) The preparer's name, title, and telephone number (including 
the area code).
    (xiii) The date the record was completed.
    (xiv) When there are no reportable injuries or occupational 
illnesses associated with an establishment for a month, the listing 
shall reference this fact.

[[Page 22745]]

    (4) A railroad may maintain the posting required under this 
paragraph (h) in electronic format if:
    (i) Employees are provided instructions or training on how properly 
to access the electronic posting;
    (ii) There is a device at the facility which employees may use to 
access the posting or employees are issued a device that can access the 
posting; and
    (iii) Supervisors at the establishment can show the posting to 
employees or an FRA representative upon request.
* * * * *

    Issued in Washington, DC, under authority delegated in 49 CFR 
1.89.
David A. Fink,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2026-08255 Filed 4-27-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P


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Indexed from Federal Register on April 28, 2026.

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.