FRA has determined that public safety compels issuance of Emergency Order (E.O.) No. 26 to restrict the use of cell phones and other electronic/electrical devices by railroad operating employees while on-duty. The proposed collection of information will be used by FRA to ensure that railroads and their operating employees fulfill the requirements set out in E.O. 26 and thus enforce compliance.
Due to the circumstances cited in E.O. 26 and in answer to question number one of this Supporting Justification relating to numerous accidents/incidents and accompanying injuries and fatalities caused by railroad operating employees' inappropriate use of cell phones and other electronic/electrical devices while on-duty, FRA cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures specified in 5 CFR 1320 (regarding the two Federal Register Notices and normal clearance timeframes) because public harm -- in the form of additional accidents/incidents and corresponding injuries and fatalities -- is likely to result if normal clearance procedures are followed. Consequently, FRA asks OMB to waive the requirements regarding these normal procedures.
US Code:
49 USC 20104
Name of Law: Railroad Safety Authorization Act of 1994
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.