First, in response to a congressional mandate, FRA is expanding those regulations to

1. require that railroads provide an appropriate atmosphere-supplying emergency escape breathing apparatus EEBA to every train crew member and certain other employees while they are occupying a locomotive cab of a freight train transporting a hazardous material that would pose an inhalation hazard in the event of release during an accident.
2. This final rule is effective March 26, 2024.

SAFTENG members can read what this entails below.

Second, FRA is changing the name of this part of its regulations from

“Occupational Noise Exposure” to “Occupational Safety and Health in the Locomotive Cab”

to reflect the additional subject matter of this final rule and to make other conforming amendments.

Third, FRA is removing the provision stating the preemptive effect of this part of FRA's regulations because it is unnecessary.