2010 FRA Accident and Incident Reporting Guide

FRA Revised Accident-Incident Guide 11-4-10.pdf

Accident/Incident Reporting and Recordkeeping

2010 FRA Accident and Incident Reporting Guide

OMB: 2130-0500

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FRA Guide for Preparing
Accident/Incident Reports

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Railroad Administration

Office of Railroad Safety

DOT/FRA/RRS-22
Published: November 9, 2010
Effective: June 1, 2011

This page intentionally left blank

MAIL MONTHLY ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORTING SUBMISSIONS TO:
FRA Project Office
2600 Park Tower Drive, Suite 1000
Vienna, VA 22180
Please refer to http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety, and click on “Click Here for
Changes in Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting” for updated information.

Preface
The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) regulations on reporting railroad
accidents/incidents are found primarily in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 225.1
The purpose of the regulations in Part 225 is to provide FRA with accurate information
concerning the hazards and risks that exist on the Nation’s railroads. See § 225.1. FRA needs
this information to effectively carry out its regulatory and enforcement responsibilities under the
Federal railroad safety statutes.2 FRA also uses this information for determining comparative
trends of railroad safety and to develop hazard elimination and risk reduction programs that
focus on preventing railroad injuries and accidents.

For brevity, further references in the Guide to sections in 49 CFR Part 225 will omit “49 CFR” and include only
the section, e.g., § 225.9.
2
Title 49 U.S.C. chapters 51, 201-213.

iii

Table of Contents
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 1
1. Overview of Railroad Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements and
Miscellaneous Provisions and Information ............................................................................... 4
1.1 General ............................................................................................................................. 4
1.1.1 Purpose of the FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports........................ 4
1.1.2 Applicability .............................................................................................................. 4
1.1.3 Consolidated Reporting ............................................................................................. 4
1.2 Major Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements Under Part 225 .............................. 4
1.2.1 Telephonic Reporting................................................................................................. 4
1.2.2 Annual Reports to FRA ............................................................................................. 5
1.2.3 Monthly Reports to FRA ........................................................................................... 5
1.2.4 Late, Amended, and Updated Reports ....................................................................... 7
1.2.5 Recordkeeping ........................................................................................................... 9
1.3 Miscellaneous Provisions and Information .................................................................... 11
1.3.1 Assistance and Guidance ......................................................................................... 11
1.3.2 Copies of the Regulations ........................................................................................ 12
1.3.3 Reporting Decisions ................................................................................................. 12
1.3.4 Claimed But Not Admitted Submissions ................................................................. 12
1.3.5 Penalties ................................................................................................................... 13
1.3.6 Public Examination and Use of Reports .................................................................. 13
1.4 Questions and Answers .................................................................................................. 13
2. Definitions............................................................................................................................... 16
3. Form FRA F 6180.55 - Railroad Injury and Illness Summary ............................................... 29
3.1 Requirement ................................................................................................................... 29
3.2 General Instructions and Interpretations ........................................................................ 29
3.3 Instructions for Completing Form FRA F 6180.55 ....................................................... 29
3.4 Common Reporting Errors ............................................................................................. 34
3.5 Submission and Retention.............................................................................................. 34
4. Form FRA F 6180.98 - Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record.............................. 35
4.1 Requirement ................................................................................................................... 35
5. Form FRA F 6180.97 - Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record............................. 39
5.1 Requirement ................................................................................................................... 39
5.2 Questions and Answers .................................................................................................. 43
6. Form FRA F 6180.55a - Railroad Injury and Illness Summary (Continuation Sheet) ........... 45
6.1 Requirement ................................................................................................................... 45
6.2 Reporting Exceptions ..................................................................................................... 46
6.3 Suicide Data ................................................................................................................... 48
6.4 Covered Data ................................................................................................................. 49
6.5 Employee On-Duty Injury/Illness Reporting ................................................................. 50
6.5.1 Questions and Answers on Employee On-Duty Injury/Illness Reporting ............... 50
6.6 Determination of Work-Relatedness.............................................................................. 52
6.6.1 Interpretations on Work-Relatedness ....................................................................... 53
6.6.2 Questions and Answers on Employees—Determination of Work-Relatedness ...... 58
6.7 Determination of New Cases ......................................................................................... 63

6.7.1 Questions and Answers on New Cases .................................................................... 64
6.8 General Reporting Criteria ............................................................................................. 65
6.8.1 Questions and Answers on General Reporting Criteria ........................................... 65
6.8.2 Questions and Answers on Days Away from Work ................................................ 66
6.9 Restricted Work ............................................................................................................. 70
6.9.1 Questions and Answers on Restricted Work ........................................................... 71
6.9.2 Counting Days Away from Work and Days of Restriction ..................................... 75
6.10 Exceptions to Medical Treatment (First Aid) ................................................................ 76
6.10.1 Questions and Answers on First Aid ....................................................................... 78
6.11 Reporting Requirements for Significant Injury or Illness to Railroad Employees ........ 85
6.12 Reporting Requirements for Specific Case Criteria....................................................... 85
6.12.1 Reporting Criteria for Needlestick and Sharps Injuries ........................................... 86
6.12.2 Reporting Criteria for Cases Involving Medical Removal ...................................... 87
6.12.3 Reporting Criteria for Cases Involving Occupational Hearing Loss ....................... 88
6.12.4 Reporting Criteria for Work-Related Tuberculosis Cases ....................................... 89
6.12.5 Reporting Criteria for Cases Involving Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders 90
6.12.6 Miscellaneous Questions and Answers .................................................................... 91
6.13 Reporting of Injuries to Persons Other Than Railroad Employees................................ 98
6.13.1 Questions and Answers on Injuries to Persons Other Than Railroad Employees . 100
6.14 Miscellaneous Guidance .............................................................................................. 102
6.14.1 Coding Instructions Injuries Due to Passenger Station Platform Gap Incidents ... 103
6.15 Instructions for Completing Form FRA F 6180.55a (Continuation) ........................... 105
7. Form FRA F 6180.54 - Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report ...................................... 113
7.1 Requirement. ................................................................................................................ 113
7.1.1 Reporting Threshold .............................................................................................. 113
7.1.2 Employee Human Factor Reporting and Notification Requirements .................... 113
7.1.3 Coexistent Reporting Requirements ...................................................................... 113
7.2 General Instructions and Interpretations ...................................................................... 114
7.2.1 Identification of Train Accident/Incident .............................................................. 114
7.2.2 Classification of Train Accident/Incident .............................................................. 114
7.2.3 Calculating Costs ................................................................................................... 114
7.2.4 Joint Operations ..................................................................................................... 115
7.2.5 Responsibility for Reporting Multiple Consist Accidents ..................................... 115
7.2.6 Responsibility for Reporting Accidents on Industry Track ................................... 115
7.2.7 Reporting Exceptions ............................................................................................. 115
7.3 Instructions for Completing Form FRA F 6180.54 ..................................................... 116
7.4 Questions and Answers on Rail Equipment Accident Reporting ................................ 131
7.5 Common Reporting Errors ........................................................................................... 136
8. Form FRA F 6180.81 - Employee Human Factor Attachment ............................................. 137
8.1 Requirement ................................................................................................................. 137
8.2 General Instructions and Interpretations ...................................................................... 137
8.3 Submission ................................................................................................................... 138
9. Form FRA F 6180.78 - Notice to Railroad Employee Involved in Rail Equipment
Accident/Incident Attributed to Employee Human Factor: Employee Statement
Supplementing Railroad Accident Report ............................................................................ 139
9.1 Requirement ................................................................................................................. 139

9.1.1 Employee Action upon Receipt of Notification..................................................... 140
10. Forms FRA F 6180.57 - Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident/Incident Report & FRA F
6180.150 – Highway User Injury Inquiry Form ................................................................... 141
10.1 Requirement ................................................................................................................. 141
10.2 Additional Requirements ............................................................................................. 141
10.3 General Instructions and Interpretations ...................................................................... 142
10.4 Instructions for Completing Form FRA F 6180.57 ..................................................... 144
10.5 Questions and Answers ................................................................................................ 158
10.6 Common Reporting Errors ........................................................................................... 159
10.7 Requirements for Form FRA F 6180.150 .................................................................... 160
10.8 Instructions for Completing Form FRA F 6180.150 ................................................... 162
11. Form FRA F 6180.56 - Annual Railroad Report of Employee Hours and Casualties, by State
............................................................................................................................................... 164
11.1 Requirement ................................................................................................................. 164
11.2 General Instructions and Interpretations ...................................................................... 164
11.3 Instructions for Completing Form FRA F 6180.56 ..................................................... 164
12. Supplemental Information: Contractors; Commuter and Other Passenger Rail Operations 166
12.1 General ......................................................................................................................... 166
12.2 Contractors ................................................................................................................... 166
12.2.1 Contractors – non-railroad employees ................................................................... 166
12.2.2 Contractors – railroad employees .......................................................................... 166
12.3 Train Operations .......................................................................................................... 167
12.3.1 Performed by Railroad ........................................................................................... 167
12.3.2 Performed by Contractor........................................................................................ 167
12.3.3 Form 6180.55 ......................................................................................................... 168
12.3.4 Form 6180.55a ....................................................................................................... 169
12.3.5 Form 6180.54 ......................................................................................................... 169
12.3.6 Form 6180.57 ......................................................................................................... 169
13. Form FRA F 6180.107 - Alternative Record for Illnesses Claimed to be Work-Related .... 171
13.1 Purpose ......................................................................................................................... 171
13.2 Provision ...................................................................................................................... 171
13.3 Questions and Answers ................................................................................................ 173
Appendices
Index

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

Appendices
Appendix A

Railroad Codes

Appendix B

State Codes

Appendix C

Train Accident Cause Codes

Appendix D

Employee Job Codes

Appendix E

Injury and Illness Codes

Appendix F

Circumstance Codes

Appendix G

FRA Regional Offices and Headquarters

Appendix H

Forms

Appendix I

Model Internal Control Plans, Including Model Statement of Policy Against
Harassment and Intimidation and Model Complaint Procedures

Appendix J

Instructions for Completing “Type of Territory” (Block 30) on the Rail
Equipment Accident/Incident Report (Form FRA F 6180.54)

Appendix K

Electronic Submission of Reports to FRA

Appendix L

49 CFR Part 225

Appendix M Telephonic Reporting Chart
Appendix N

Sample Form FRA F 6180.150, “Highway User Injury Inquiry Form,” Cover
Letter

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

Executive Summary
In 1910, Congress enacted the Accident Reports Act, Public Law No. 165, recodified at
49 U.S.C. §§ 20901–20903, as amended. The Accident Reports Act, as amended, requires, in
part, that railroad carriers file with the Secretary of Transportation reports on “all accidents and
incidents resulting in injury or death to an individual or damage to equipment or a roadbed
arising from the carrier’s operations during the month” (emphasis added). The Secretary of
Transportation subsequently delegated the authority to carry out the Accident Reports Act to the
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). 49 U.S.C 103(c)(1); 49 CFR 1.49(c)(11). The
accident/incident reporting regulations at 49 CFR Part 225 were originally issued pursuant to the
Accident Reports Act of 1910.
Sixty years later, Congress enacted the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970. Public Law No. 91458, recodified primarily at 49 U.S.C. chapter 201, with penalty provisions in 49 U.S.C. chapter
213, as amended. FRA’s accident/incident reporting requirements, 49 CFR Part 225, are
currently issued under the dual statutory authority of the Accident Reports Act of 1910 and the
Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970.
On December 29, 1970, Congress enacted the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).
While the OSH Act gives the Secretary of Labor a broad, general authority to regulate working
conditions that affect the occupational safety and health of employees, it also recognizes the
existence of similar authority in other Federal agencies. Section 4(b)(1) of the OSH Act provides
that the OSH Act shall not apply to working conditions to which another Federal agency
exercises statutory authority to prescribe or enforce standards or regulations affecting
occupational safety or health. The OSH Act also requires that the Secretary of Labor issue rules
to develop and maintain an effective program of collection, compilation, and analysis of
occupational safety and health statistics. This data is compiled in a national database by the
Department of Labor (DOL) and used to chart the magnitude and nature of occupational injury
and illness problems across the country.
Because FRA exercises statutory authority to prescribe and enforce standards and regulations for
all areas of railroad safety under the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) jurisdiction may be preempted by FRA under
section 4(b)(1) of the OSH Act with regard to certain matters related to railroad safety. See
Policy Statement asserting FRA jurisdiction over matters involving the safety of railroad
operations, 43 FR 10584 (March 14, 1978). With respect to employee injury and illness
recordkeeping, however, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC)
ruled that employee injury and illness recordkeeping does not come within the purview of
section 4(b)(1) of the OSH Act and, therefore, OSHA’s jurisdiction has not been displaced by
FRA’s recordkeeping regulations. Secretary of Labor v. Conrail (OSHRC Docket No. 80-3495,
1982). Consequently, a railroad over which FRA exercises jurisdiction must comply with the
employee injury and illness recordkeeping requirements promulgated by both FRA and OSHA.

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Executive Summary

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
Nevertheless, because FRA’s employee injury and illness recordkeeping/reporting requirements
employ equivalent standards to those promulgated by OSHA, OSHA does not require railroad
carriers to maintain OSHA records in addition to FRA records. Rather, railroad carriers are only
required to record and report employee injuries and illnesses to FRA in accordance with FRA’s
regulations. See 29 CFR § 1904.3.
Consequently, FRA’s accident/incident reporting regulations that concern railroad occupational
casualties should be maintained, to the extent practicable, in general conformity with OSHA’s
recordkeeping and reporting regulations to permit comparability of data on occupational
casualties between various industries, to allow integration of railroad industry data into national
statistical databases, and to improve the quality of data available for analysis of casualties in
railroad accidents/incidents. FRA makes all employee injury and illness data available to OSHA
for use in its complementary program of regulation and provides the data to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics each year.
In order to have a database that allows accurate comparison between industries, the rules that
FRA uses must be modified whenever OSHA makes significant changes that affect the number
and types of work-related deaths, injuries, and illnesses for which records are to be maintained,
and the manner in which these are to be classified. Such a change occurred for the first time
(since OSHA’s original reporting requirements were implemented in 1971) on January 1, 2002,
when revised OSHA recordkeeping requirements became effective. In response, FRA amended
its own accident/incident reporting rules, effective May 1, 2003, to conform with OSHA’s
amended rules in addition to making other miscellaneous amendments.
FRA now finds it necessary to make appropriate changes to its regulations in response to issues
identified by FRA in its administration of the current accident/incident recordkeeping and
reporting program. Specifically, FRA is amending its accident/incident reporting regulations in
order to:
•

Better conform certain of the regulations’ definitions to those set forth in 49 U.S.C.
20102, as amended.

•

Require the reporting and recording of certain suicide data.

•

Require the reporting of longitude and latitude for trespasser casualties and reportable rail
equipment accidents.

•

Include a comprehensive list of accident/incident reporting exceptions.

•

Allow for consolidated accident/incident reporting by integrated railroad systems.

•

Add necessary definitions.

•

Set system standards for the electronic retention of accident/incident reporting records by
railroads.

•

Clarify ambiguous definitions and regulations.

•

Update regulatory text, as applicable.

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Executive Summary

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
•

Enhance the quality of information available for railroad casualty analysis.

•

Limit which highway-rail grade crossing fatalities must be telephonically reported to the
National Response Center (NRC).

•

Amend the Telephonic Reporting Chart to conform to the regulatory text.

•

Clarify and refine the requirements and criteria for using and retaining Form FRA
F6180.107, “Alternative Record for Illnesses Claimed to be Work-Related,” and the
alternative railroad-designed record.

•

Eliminate the oath and notarization requirements on Form FRA F6180.55, “Railroad
Injury and Illness Summary.”

•

Allow for the electronic submission of Form FRA F 6180.55, “Railroad Injury and Illness
Summary.” Allow for submission of Form FRA F 6180.55 and Form FRA F 6180.81 in
.pdf or .jpg format.

•

Set forth record retention requirements for certain accident/incident recordkeeping and
reporting records not previously addressed.

•

Set forth requirements for electronic accident/incident recordkeeping systems.

•

Update FRA’s address information.

•

Require railroads to try to obtain documentation regarding: cause of death for trespassers
and, in particular, suicides.

•

Require railroads to obtain information about the nature and severity of highway-rail
grade crossing casualties by contacting highway users in writing using the Form FRA F
6180.150, “Highway User Injury Inquiry Form,” and, if unsuccessful, by phone.

•

Set forth the requirements for the Form FRA F 6180.150 and the accompanying cover
letter (See sample cover letter contained in Appendix N).

In addition to amending its regulations, FRA is revising the FRA Guide for Preparing
Accident/Incident Reports (FRA Guide), certain accident/incident recordkeeping and reporting
forms, and its companion guide: Guidelines for Submitting Accident/Incident Reports by
Alternative Methods (Companion Guide).
Please refer to http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety and click on “Click Here for Changes
in Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting” for updated information regarding changes.

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Executive Summary

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

Overview of Railroad Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting
Requirements and Miscellaneous Provisions and Information

1.1

General

This chapter provides an overview of FRA’s accident/incident recordkeeping and reporting
requirements.
1.1.1

Purpose of the FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

The FRA Guide provides instructions and guidance associated with FRA’s accident/incident
recordkeeping and reporting requirements. The FRA Guide is a supplement to Part 225 and is
not a replacement for the regulatory text. Federal railroad safety regulations at § 225.11 and
§ 225.21 require that each railroad subject to Part 225 complete reports and records of
accidents/incidents in accordance with the current FRA Guide.
1.1.2

Applicability

To determine if Part 225 applies to a railroad, in whole or in part, see § 225.3, “Applicability.”
See also “Extent and Exercise of FRA’s Safety Jurisdiction,” Part 209, Appendix A, and
“Statement of Agency Policy Concerning Waivers Related to Shared Use Trackage or Rights-ofWay by Light Rail and Conventional Operations,” Part 211, Appendix A.
1.1.3

Consolidated Reporting

Under certain circumstances, a parent corporation with commonly controlled railroad carriers
that operate as a single, seamless, integrated U.S. rail system, may be considered by FRA as a
single railroad for purposes of Part 225 compliance. See § 225.6.
1.2

Major Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements Under Part 225

There are many recordkeeping and reporting requirements arising from Part 225. The following
is a summarized listing of FRA’s major recordkeeping and reporting requirements for all
railroads subject to Part 225. This listing is a summary only and does not replace the regulatory
text or requirements set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations. Narratives are included when
supplemental information, requirements, or guidance is warranted.
1.2.1 Telephonic Reporting
Railroads must make immediate telephonic notification of certain accidents/incidents. See
§ 225.9. For supplemental information, see Appendix M.

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Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
Additional Telephonic Reporting Requirements Related to Accidents. There are four additional
sections in chapter II of 49 CFR that require telephonic reporting related to accidents. These
sections are listed below for informational purposes.
49 CFR 229.17 – Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards; Accident reports. Under this
section, in the case of an accident due to a failure from any cause of a locomotive or any part
or appurtenance of a locomotive, or a person coming in contact with an electrically energized
part or appurtenance, which results in serious injury (i.e., an injury that results in the
amputation of any appendage, the loss of sight in an eye, bone fracture, or confinement in a
hospital for a period of more than 24 consecutive hours) or death of one or more persons, the
railroad operating the locomotive must immediately report the accident by toll-free telephone
number: (800) 424-0201.
49 CFR 233.5 – Signal Systems Reporting Requirements; Accidents resulting from signal
failure. Under this section, a railroad must report to FRA within 24 hours, by toll-free
telephone number: (800) 424-0201, whenever it learns of the occurrence of an
accident/incident arising from the failure of an appliance, device, method, or system to
function or indicate as required by Part 236 that results in a more favorable aspect than
intended or other condition hazardous to the movement of a train.
49 CFR 234.7 – Grade Crossing Signal System Safety; Accidents involving grade crossing
signal failure. Under this section, a railroad must report to FRA every impact between ontrack railroad equipment and an automobile, bus, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, farm vehicle, or
pedestrian at a highway-rail grade crossing involving an activation failure. Notification shall
be provided to the National Response Center within 24 hours of occurrence at: (800) 4240201.
49 CFR 219.209(a) – Control of Alcohol and Drug Use; Reports of tests and refusals.
Under this section, a railroad that has experienced a qualifying accident/incident or other
event for which specimens were obtained must provide immediate telephonic notification
summarizing such events to the National Response Center at: (800) 424-8802 and to FRA’s
Office of Railroad Safety at: (202) 493-6313.
1.2.2 Annual Reports to FRA
Railroads must submit to FRA an annual report of employee hours worked and casualties by
State on Form FRA F 6180.56. The report must be included with the railroad’s monthly
submission for December. See § 225.21(d).
1.2.3 Monthly Reports to FRA
Railroads must submit to FRA monthly reports of all reportable accidents/incidents. See
§ 225.11. The railroad’s report must be submitted within 30 days following the month to which
it applies. The report shall be made on the forms prescribed in § 225.21 in hardcopy or by means

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Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
of optical media or electronic submission via the Internet in accordance with § 225.37, approved
by FRA.
The Form FRA F 6180.55 (Railroad Injury and Illness Summary) must be submitted each month,
even if there were no reportable accidents/incidents during the month. Corresponding forms
FRA F 6180.55a, FRA F 6180.54, FRA F 6180.81, and FRA F 6180.57 must also be completed
and submitted for reportable accidents/incidents occurring during the report month.
Monthly reports of accidents/incidents (which are being submitted as hardcopies) and related
correspondence, and optical media are to be addressed to:
FRA Project Office
2600 Park Tower Drive, Suite 1000
Vienna, VA 22180
Please refer to http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety and click on “Click Here for Changes
in Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting” for updated information.
Primary Groups of Reportable Accidents/Incidents. Reportable accidents/incidents are divided
into three major groups for reporting purposes. See § 225.19. These groups correspond to
different FRA forms and are as follows:
1. Group I – Highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident (Form FRA F 6180.57)
Note: For highway-rail grade crossing accidents/incidents only, railroads are required to
contact potentially injured highway users involved in a highway-rail accident/incident, by
mail, using a Highway User Injury Inquiry Form record (Form FRA F 6180.150) and, if
unsuccessful, by phone. The Form FRA F 6180.150 shall be sent with a cover letter
drafted in accordance with the requirements set forth in the FRA Guide and a
preaddressed, prepaid return envelope. Railroads are to use the information gathered to
comply with FRA’s accident/incident reporting and recording requirements.
2. Group II – Rail equipment accident/incident (Form FRA F 6180.54)
Note: Accident reports citing an employee human factor as a cause must be accompanied
by an Employee Human Factor Attachment (Form FRA F 6180.81). In addition, each
implicated employee must be provided with a Notice to Railroad Employee Involved in
Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Attributed to Employee Human Factor (Form FRA
F 6180.78).
Note: In preparing a rail equipment accident/incident report, the railroad must inquire
into the possible involvement of alcohol/drug use or impairment and report such
information to FRA as required by § 225.18.

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Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
3. Group III – Death, injury, or occupational illness (Form FRA F 6180.55a)
Note: In preparing a Form FRA F 6180.55a for a fatality involving a trespasser, the
railroad is responsible for acquiring additional documentation with regard to cause of
death.
The specific requirements for completing the various types of accident/incident forms are
described in the chapters addressing the individual forms. A single form is usually sufficient to
report most events; however, there are situations when multiple report forms are necessary. An
example is a highway-rail grade crossing collision resulting in reportable injuries. An accident
of this type would require the completion of a Form FRA F 6180.55a for each FRA reportable
injury sustained, and a Form FRA F 6180.57. In addition, if reportable on-track equipment and
track damage in this accident exceeds the current monetary threshold for train accidents, then a
Form FRA F 6180.54 must also be prepared.
Reports are to be arranged in the following order:

1.2.4

Form FRA F 6180.55

Form FRA F 6180.55a

Form FRA F 6180.54 (Attach Form FRA F 6180.81 when applicable)

Form FRA F 6180.57

Form FRA F 6180.56 (December report only)

Late, Amended, and Updated Reports

Late Reports. When a railroad finds that an accident/incident was omitted from a previous
month’s submission, a completed report and a letter explaining the reason for the late filing are
to be sent to FRA. The late report and letter are to be forwarded no later than the next monthly
filing. See § 225.13.
Late reports are not to be attached to or included in counts of reports prepared for the current
month. Any late report is to be filed for the year and month in which the original event occurred.
Take, for example, the following scenario: An employee sustains a minor injury in June, but
none of the reporting criteria are satisfied. He or she is reexamined in July because of
complications and is instructed to take prescription medication and remain off work for 3 days.
In this instance, a late report for the month of June must be prepared.
Amended Reports. When a railroad discovers that an accident/incident has been improperly
reported on a previous month’s submission, then an amended report must be submitted to FRA
with a letter of explanation. The amended report and letter are to be forwarded no later than the
next monthly filing. See § 225.13. The report should have the notation “Amended Report” at
the top of the form, and items being changed are to be circled in red.

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Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
When a railroad discovers that a report has been erroneously submitted for a non-reportable
event, a copy of the report is to be submitted with the notation “DELETE – Non-reportable” in
red. Those who submit reports electronically using Accident/Incident Report Generator (AIRG)
software provided by FRA must print out a copy of the report that is to be deleted as nonreportable, and note in red “DELETE – Non-reportable,” and submit this copy to FRA.
Close of the Calendar Year. FRA publishes final accident/incident counts following the
conclusion of a reporting year. Submission of the December report concludes the reporting year.
However, railroads are still required to provide to FRA late reports of unreported
accidents/incidents, and amended reports that correct or update earlier submissions.
FRA will receive and process late and amended reports for a period of 5 years following the
calendar year to which an amended or late report relates. This accommodation does not relieve a
railroad of its obligation to promptly file a late or amended report upon becoming aware of an
omission, mistake or otherwise, in accordance with § 225.13 and the late and amended reporting
guidance set forth in this Guide. FRA will continue to publish its Annual Report of Railroad
Safety Statistics; because the accident/incident databases will remain open for updating for a
period of 5 years, the statistics published in the Annual Report will be subject to change. The
authoritative source for rail safety statistics will now be the Office of Railroad Safety’s Web site:
http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety.
To clarify:
(1) Railroads must file amended reports with FRA (unless otherwise specified in paragraph 3
below) through December 1 of the year following the year in which the accident/incident
was initially reported.
(2) Railroads must file late reports with FRA for 5 years (following the end of the calendar
year to which the accident/incident relates) for all unreported accident/incidents.
(3) Railroads must file amended reports for 5 years after the end of the calendar year to
which they relate for the following changes:
a) Railroad Injury and Illness Summary (Continuation Sheet) (Form FRA F 6180.55a):
Change from Injury to Fatality (only if the injured person dies within 180 days from
the date of the injury).
b) Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident/Incident Report (Form FRA F 6180.57):
Change from Injury to Fatality, change in Grade Crossing ID, change in the Rail
Equipment Involved.
c) Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report (Form FRA F 6180.54): Change from
Injury to Fatality, change in Grade Crossing ID, Rail Equipment Involved, Primary
Cause Code, Contributing Cause Code, Type of Territory, Number of Cars Releasing
Hazardous Material or Evacuation.

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d) Railroad Injury and Illness Summary (Continuation Sheet) (Form FRA F 6180.55a):
A significant change in the number of reportable days away from work or days
restricted; a significant change is at least a 10% variance in the number of actual
reportable days away from work or days restricted compared to the number of days
already reported.
e) Railroad Equipment Accident/Incident Report (Form FRA F 6180.54): A significant
change in the damage costs for reportable rail equipment accidents/incidents; a
significant change is a 10% variance between the damage amount reported to FRA
and the current cost figures.
Computer Submission of Reports. In order to assist railroads in maintaining and submitting
records and reports required by this rule, FRA developed the AIRG software package for
personal computers that have Microsoft Windows-based operating systems. See 61 FR 59485
(Nov. 22, 1996). FRA will provide copies of this software free of charge upon request by the
reporting officer. You can find information on how to obtain AIRG by referring to
http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety and clicking on “Click Here for Changes in
Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting.” From that page, click on the
Forms/Publications tab and then click on the link “Current Railroad Accident/Incident
Recordkeeping and Reporting Procedures.” Finally, click the link in Answer 5 that says “Click
here for AIRG Request Form.” You can also access this information by clicking on the
Forms/Publications tab and clicking the link for FRA Forms. From the FRA Forms page, choose
Accident Incident Report Generator Request Form, then download and print. See Appendix K to
this FRA Guide.
1.2.5

Recordkeeping

Form FRA F 6180.98 or the Alternative Railroad-Designed Record of Each Accountable and
Each Employee-Reportable Injury/Illness. Railroads must maintain a record (Form FRA
F 6180.98 or the alternative railroad-designed record) of each accountable and each employeereportable injury/illness. See §§ 225.25(a) and (b). Each railroad shall enter each reportable and
accountable injury/illness on the appropriate record as early as practicable, but no later than 7
working days after receiving information or acquiring knowledge that an employee injury or
illness has occurred. See § 225.25(f).
Note that for certain claimed occupational illness cases only, railroads may maintain an alternate
record (Form FRA F 6180.107 or the alternative railroad-designed record). See §§ 225.25(i) and
(j).
Make Available to Employees Copies of Forms or Records of Employee Injury or Illness.
Railroads must make available to an employee, upon request, a copy of the completed Railroad
Employee Injury and/or Illness Record (Form FRA F 6180.98) or the alternative railroaddesigned record, as well as a copy of forms or reports required to be maintained or filed under
Part 225 pertaining to the employee’s own work-related injury or illness. See § 225.25(c).

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Form FRA F 6180.97 or the Alternative Railroad-Designed Record of Each On-Track
Accident/Incident. Railroads must maintain a record (Form FRA F 6180.97 or the alternative
railroad designed record) of each accountable and each reportable on-track accident/incident.
See §§ 225.25(d) and (e). The railroad shall enter each reportable and accountable rail
equipment accident/incident on the appropriate record as early as practicable, but no later than
7 working days after receiving information or acquiring knowledge that a rail equipment
accident/incident has occurred. See § 225.25(f).
1.2.6 Access to Records
Access to Records and Reports. Railroads must provide to FRA access to records and reports
upon request within specified time limits. See §§ 225.25(g) and 225.35.
1.2.7 Posting of Injuries and Illnesses
Post Listing of All Injuries and Occupational Illnesses Reported to FRA. Railroads must post a
listing of all injuries and occupational illnesses reported to FRA as having occurred to employees
of an establishment, in a conspicuous location at that establishment, within 30 days after the
expiration of the month during which the injuries and illnesses occurred. Each monthly posting
shall remain continuously displayed for the next 12 consecutive months. If there are no
reportable injuries or occupational illnesses associated with an establishment for that month, the
posting must make reference to that fact.
A railroad is permitted to not post information on an injury or illness only if the employee who
incurred the injury or illness makes a request, in writing, to the railroad’s reporting officer that
his or her particular injury or illness not be posted, or if an occupational injury or illness is a
privacy concern case. See § 225.25(h)(15). See also § 225.5 for definition of “privacy concern
case.”
1.2.8 Record Retention
Retain Accident/Incident Records and Duplicates of Reports for Specified Periods of Time.
Railroads must retain accident/incident records and duplicates of reports for specified periods of
time. See §§ 225.27(a)–(c). Electronic recordkeeping systems must conform to FRA’s
standards. See § 225.27(d).
1.2.9 Internal Control Plan
Adopt and Comply with an Internal Control Plan (ICP). Railroads must adopt and comply with
an ICP. See § 225.33.
FRA believes that an ICP, as prescribed by § 225.33, best provides the procedures necessary to
ensure that complete, reliable, and accurate data is obtained, maintained, and disclosed by the
railroads. See Appendix I to this Guide for model ICPs. FRA investigations have repeatedly

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found instances in which departments within an individual railroad failed to provide to the
railroad reporting officer information critical to determining reportability, or information
necessary for filing an accurate and complete report.
The ICP is a performance standard that ensures the accuracy of a process and, in this case, the
process is accident/incident reporting. The ICP dictates the necessity for communication within
each railroad to ensure that proper reporting will be accomplished. The ICP may vary in size,
from one that is a few pages for smaller railroads and shortlines to one of considerable size for
the major carriers.
The ICP challenges the railroads to develop a total quality management (TQM) system to ensure
that there are no errors in reporting. “No errors” means that all reportable accidents and
incidents are reported to FRA and that each report is accurately completed prior to submission to
FRA; in other words, a “zero tolerance” policy with respect to inaccurate reporting. TQM
focuses on continuous and incremental improvements of process performance.
The ICP addresses intimidation and harassment of any person calculated to prevent or discourage
such person from either receiving proper medical treatment for an injury/illness or from
reporting an accident, incident, illness, or injury. FRA is aware that many railroad employees
fail to disclose their injuries to the railroad or fail to accept reportable treatment from a physician
because they wish to avoid potential harassment from management or possible discipline that is
sometimes associated with the reporting of such injuries. FRA is also aware that in some
instances, supervisory personnel and mid-level managers are urged to engage in practices that
may undermine or circumvent the reporting of injuries and illnesses. Railroads must remain
proactive in accurate reporting of all reportable accidents, injuries, and illnesses, and must not
engage in practices that could manipulate reportability of these incidents. In some instances,
railroads report an injury or illness to FRA only after FRA inspectors make management aware
that a particular injury or illness was not reported. Many times, FRA inspectors conduct an
investigation pursuant to a complaint from an employee alleging that his or her injury/illness was
not properly reported or was not reported at all. Again, the railroad usually reports this
injury/illness to FRA only after FRA informs management of the situation. Each railroad shall
adopt and comply with a written ICP that shall be maintained at the office where the railroad’s
reporting officer conducts his or her official business. Each railroad shall amend its ICP, as
necessary, to reflect any significant changes to the railroad’s internal reporting procedures. The
ICP shall be designed to maintain absolute accuracy and shall include, at a minimum, each of the
11 components set forth in § 225.33(a)(1–11).
1.3

Miscellaneous Provisions and Information

1.3.1

Assistance and Guidance

In deciding on the reportability of an accident/incident, or otherwise fulfilling the reporting
obligation, assistance may be obtained by contacting any of the regional offices or FRA
Headquarters as listed in Appendix G.

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1.3.2

Copies of the Regulations

Copies of Federal regulations may be obtained by contacting the Superintendent of Documents,
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9328 (telephone: 202-512-1803;
http://www.gpo.gov).
1.3.3

Reporting Decisions

Ordinarily, the reporting officer will decide whether an accident/incident is reportable. This
decision cannot be an arbitrary one, but must be based on a thorough review of all evidence, as
opposed to speculation, related to the accident/incident in question and must be in accordance
with the requirements of the accident reports statute (49 U.S.C. §§ 20901–20903), Part 225, and
the guidelines provided in this Guide. If you are certain that a particular situation is outside the
scope of the reporting requirements, then the basis on which this determination was made must
be thoroughly documented before the case may be omitted from the monthly submission.
Neither the fact that there were no witnesses to an accident/incident nor the refusal of the railroad
to accept responsibility for an event is grounds for failing to report. A report must be made
whenever there is credible information that a reportable situation may have occurred. Later, if it
is determined that the event was not reportable, a request to delete it from FRA’s files is to be
made. If there is any uncertainty as to whether to report an accident/incident, it is recommended
that a report be made. Later, as additional information is developed, or following consultation
with FRA Office of Safety Assurance and Compliance personnel, a request may be made to
delete the incident from the file. See § 225.17.
Note that FRA cannot delegate authority to decide matters of judgment when facts are in dispute.
In such cases, FRA will make the final decision as to reportability. In arriving at this decision,
FRA will review all investigatory material associated with the case, including, but not limited to,
the following: the initial report filed by the affected person, witness statements, transcripts of
hearings, medical records, time and attendance records, and the purpose of payouts made in
connection with the accident/incident. Based upon its review, FRA will determine whether the
injury or illness is accountable or reportable.
1.3.4

Claimed But Not Admitted Submissions

When facts affecting the reportability of a case are in dispute, a report may be filed with FRA as
“Claimed But Not Admitted.” An accident/incident reported under this provision is given
special examination by FRA, but must still be recorded on the appropriate form and be included
as part of the report package for that month. A copy of all evidence relating to the event and a
letter summarizing the reasons why it should be excluded from the file must be provided. FRA
will examine all documentation. If the facts are sufficient to support the railroad’s position, the
case will not be charged against the railroad; otherwise, it will be added to the file. In either
case, FRA will advise the railroad of the agency’s determination. It is suggested that prior to
making such a filing that FRA be contacted by telephone (FRA telephone numbers are listed in
Appendix G) to discuss the overall merits of the case.

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1.3.5

Penalties

Any person (including a railroad and any manager, supervisor, official, or other employee or
agent of a railroad) who violates any requirement of Part 225 or causes the violation of any such
requirement is subject to a civil penalty. The person may also be subject to criminal penalties.
FRA may issue these civil penalties pursuant to 49 U.S.C. §§ 21301, 21302, and 21304. Also
see Appendix A to Part 209 of the CFR for other sanctions. Criminal penalties and/or
imprisonment provided for in 49 U.S.C. § 21311 may also be imposed on any individual who
knowingly and willfully makes a false entry in a record or report required by the accident
reporting regulations or other regulations issued under 49 U.S.C. chapter 201; who destroys,
mutilates, changes, or falsifies such a record or report; who does not enter required specified
facts in a such record or report; who makes or preserves such a record or report in violation of
such a regulation or order; or who files a false record or report with FRA. FRA wants to make
clear to all railroads that the agency will be diligent in its efforts to ensure that all parties adhere
to and comply with the intimidation and harassment policy in the ICP. It should be noted that
FRA will be aggressive in pursuing enforcement sanctions against any person found to be in
violation of the railroad’s harassment and intimidation policy.
1.3.6

Public Examination and Use of Reports

Accident reports may be inspected at FRA’s Office of Railroad Safety. FRA will provide copies
of accident/incident reports under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) upon written request.
Written requests for copies of accident/incident reports should be accompanied by the
appropriate fee and addressed to:
Freedom of Information Act Coordinator
Office of Chief Counsel
Federal Railroad Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
RCC-10, Mail Stop 10
West Building 3rd Floor, Room W33-437
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.
Washington, DC 20590
Each request should be clearly marked “FOIA Request for Accident/Incident Report.” See
§ 225.7.
1.4

Questions and Answers
Q1.

We are required to post a listing of all reported injuries and occupational
illnesses to employees at that establishment. Although this listing does not
contain personal identifiers, e.g., names, Social Security numbers, it may be
possible to ascertain the identity of the person, particularly in small
establishments, based on the information listed. There may be conditions

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that are reportable about which the employee or the railroad is especially
sensitive regarding the information being displayed in such a fashion. Are
there any exceptions to this requirement?
A1.

Yes. The purpose of this listing is to raise the awareness of employees at the
establishment of the hazards that exist in the workplace, and to include the
employees in the reporting process. It was neither FRA’s intent nor its desire to
have conditions that an employee would prefer to keep confidential displayed on
this listing. Section 225.25(h)(15) permits a railroad not to post information on an
occupational injury or illness case that is a “privacy concern case.” This includes
cases in which the employee independently and voluntarily requests in writing to
the railroad reporting officer that his or her injury or illness not be posted. (See
§ 225.5 for full definition of privacy concern case.)

Q2.

In a single large facility, such as a major yard, must a railroad maintain the
records and reports required by this regulation at each individual location
where the employees of that facility report to work?

A2.

No. FRA has always exercised a certain amount of flexibility concerning the
locations where these records must be kept. FRA does not require that separate
records be maintained for the various distinct activities that take place in a large
facility. Work locations that are near each other can be treated as a single
establishment when they are part of a larger facility at that location. Permanent
work sites that are physically distant from each other, e.g., in another city, are
separate establishments and are covered by the term, “single physical location,”
contained in this FRA Guide. See §§ 225.25(g), 225.27 and 225.35 for FRA’s
requirements related to record maintenance and access.

Q3.

Are there any particular forms that must be used to record injuries, illnesses,
accidents and/or incidents?

A3.

For recording an accountable or reportable injury or illness for a railroad
employee, either the Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record (Form FRA
F 6180.98), or an alternative railroad record can be used. If the alternative record
is used, the regulation states that it “shall contain all of the information required
on the Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record.” See § 225.25(b).
For initially recording an accountable or reportable rail equipment
accident/incident, either the Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record
(Form FRA F 6180.97) or an alternative railroad-designed record can be used. If
the alternative record is used, the regulation states that it “shall contain all of the
information required on the Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record.”
See § 225.25(e).

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Q4.

I currently maintain a database of all conditions reported by employees,
passengers and others, regardless of severity or consequences. A lot of these
injuries require no treatment, or only need first aid. I document every
potential case, just in case it later becomes reportable. Does the requirement
to record entries involving employees on the Form FRA F 6180.98 or an
alternative railroad-designed form make it necessary for me to have two logs,
one for “accountable” injuries to employees and a separate record for
others? If possible, I would like to consolidate all of my records into a single
file.

A4.

No, the alternative railroad-designed record may be used to record the additional
information described. The regulation only requires that you maintain certain
information about your employees which FRA inspectors may ask to see in order
to verify compliance. For example, the regulation does not require that Form
FRA F 6180.98 contain information about contractors or volunteers. You may
include records for any class of person in your file, and you may also include
additional information beyond what is required. To avoid any confusion about
those entries that are required by the regulation and additional records you may
choose to include in your file, there must be a means of identifying the two
categories incorporated in your system design.
These same general guidelines also apply for alternative railroad-designed Initial
Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record, Form FRA F 6180.97, described in
Chapter 5.

Q5.

Does this mean we can maintain this information electronically? If so, what
are the requirements for centralized processing of this data?

A5.

Yes. FRA addresses electronic record retention at § 225.27, where FRA sets forth
minimum system requirements for the electronic retention of accident/incident
records. Note the exception, however, with respect to FRA Form F 6180.55,
“Railroad Injury and Illness Summary.” If a railroad submits FRA Form
F 6180.55 to FRA electronically, the railroad must maintain a hard copy of the
original signed form and the electronic notification of receipt of the form. See
§ 225.27(c).

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Definitions

Section 225.5 contains definitions as used in Part 225. Section 225.19 sets forth which
accidents/incidents are reportable. The definitions and guidance listed below are supplemental to
the definitions found in Part 225, and are provided to assist railroads in the context of
accident/incident reporting.
Casualty. A reportable death, injury, or illness arising from the operation of a railroad.
Casualties may be classified as either fatal or nonfatal.
Classification of Persons.
Worker on Duty–Railroad Employee (Class A). An individual who receives direct
monetary compensation from the railroad. Whether the worker is under pay will generally,
but not always, be the deciding factor for determining “on duty” status. An employee who is
not under pay, but engaged in work-related activity is “on duty.”
Note: An employee in deadhead transportation is considered an “employee on duty,”
regardless of the mode of transportation. Deadhead transportation occurs when an employee
is traveling at the direction or authorization of the carrier to or from an assignment, or the
employee is involved with a means of conveyance furnished by the carrier or compensated
for by the carrier.
Exception: If an employee is housed by the carrier in a facility such as a motel, and part of
the service provided by the motel is the transportation of the employee to and from the work
site, any reportable injury to the employee during such transit is to be recorded as that of a
Railroad Employee Not On Duty (Class B). Likewise, if the employee decides upon other
means of transportation that is not authorized or provided, and for which he would not have
been compensated by the railroad, the injury is not considered work-related.
Railroad Employee Not On Duty (Class B). An individual who receives direct monetary
compensation from the railroad and who is on railroad property for purposes connected with
his or her employment or with other railroad permission but is not “on duty.”
Worker on Duty–Contractor (Class F). An employee of a contracting agency for a
railroad who does not receive direct monetary compensation from the railroad and who,
while on railroad property, is engaged in either 1) the operation of on-track equipment, or 2)
any other safety-sensitive function for the railroad as defined in § 209.303.
Section 209.303 describes “safety-sensitive functions” as applying to the following
individuals:

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(a) Railroad employees who are assigned to perform service subject to the Hours of Service
Act (45 U.S.C. 61-64b2) during a duty tour, whether or not the person has performed or is
currently performing such service, and any person who performs such service;
(b) Railroad employees or agents who:
(1) Inspect, install, repair, or maintain track and roadbed;
(2) Inspect, repair, or maintain, locomotives, passenger cars, and freight cars;
(3) Conduct training and testing of employees when the training or testing is required by
the FRA’s safety regulations; or
(c) Railroad managers, supervisors, or agents when they:
(1) Perform the safety-sensitive functions listed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section;
(2) Supervise and otherwise direct the performance of the safety-sensitive functions listed
in paragraph (a) and (b) of this section; or
(3) Are in a position to direct the commission of violations of any of the requirements of
parts 213 through 236 of this title.
Note: There have been amendments and additions to the set of railroad safety regulations
found in the CFR; thus, the term “safety-sensitive functions” in § 209.303(c)(3) is interpreted
to include railroad managers, supervisors, etc., when they are in a position to direct the
commission of violations of any of the requirements of Parts 213 through 240 of 49 CFR.
Hours worked by persons in the Class F, G, H, and I categories are not reported on any FRA
form.
Contractor–Other (Class G). A contractor employee for a railroad who does not receive
direct monetary compensation from the railroad and who is not engaged in either 1) the
operation of on-track equipment, or 2) any other safety-sensitive function for the railroad.
Hours worked by this person are not reported on any FRA form.
Worker on Duty–Volunteer (Class H). A volunteer who does not receive direct monetary
compensation from the railroad and who is engaged in either 1) the operation of on-track
equipment, or 2) any other safety-sensitive function for the railroad as defined in § 209.303.
(See this list under “Worker on Duty–Contractor.”)
2

In 1994, the Hours of Service Act was repealed by Congress as part of a broad recodification of the Federal
transportation laws. See Act of July 5, 1994, Pub. L. No. 103-272, 108 Stat. 745. The Act, which had been in Title
45, was repealed and recodified primarily as Chapter 211 of 49 U.S.C. Congress made clear that the recodification
was not intended to make substantive changes in the affected laws, even though it altered their arrangement and
language in certain respects. See Pub. L. No. 103-272, § 6(a), 108 Stat. 1378; H.R. Rep. No. 180, 103d Cong., 1st
Sess. 1-5 (1993), reprinted in 1994 U.S. CODE CONG. & ADMIN. NEWS 818-822.

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Hours worked by a “Worker on Duty–Volunteer” (Class H) are not reported on any FRA
form.
Volunteer–Other (Class I). A volunteer who does not receive direct monetary
compensation from the railroad and who is not engaged in either 1) the operation of on-track
equipment, or 2) any other safety-sensitive function for the railroad as defined in
§ 209.303. Hours worked by this person also not reported on any FRA form.
Passengers On Trains (Class C). Persons who are on, boarding, or alighting railroad cars
for the purpose of travel.
Nontrespassers–On Railroad Property (Class D). Persons lawfully on that part of railroad
property that is used in railroad operation (other than those herein defined as employees,
passengers, trespassers, volunteers, or contractor employees), and persons adjacent to
railroad premises when they are injured as the result of the operation of a railroad. This class
also includes other persons on vessels or buses, whose use arises from the operation of a
railroad.
Nontrespassers–Off Railroad Property (Class J). An injury “off railroad property”
includes an injury resulting from an event, such as a derailment or collision, that begins on
railroad property but ends on public or private non-railroad property, so long as the injury is
incurred while the person is physically located off railroad property. Similarly, if a
derailment results in a release of hazardous materials onto public or private non-railroad
property and the hazardous material injures a “Nontrespasser” located on public or private
non-railroad property, the injury is reported as an injury to “Nontrespassers–Off Railroad
Property” (Class J). Conversely, injuries to nontrespassers occurring while on public or
private railroad property are reported as injuries to “Nontrespassers–On Railroad Property”
(Class D).
Trespassers (Class E). Persons who are on the part of railroad property used in railroad
operation and whose presence is prohibited, forbidden, or unlawful. Employees who are
trespassing on railroad property are to be reported as “Trespassers” (Class E).
Note: A person on a highway-rail grade crossing should not be classified as a Trespasser
(Class E) unless: 1) the crossing is protected by gates or other similar barriers, which were
closed when the person went on the crossing, or 2) the person attempted to pass over, under,
or between cars or locomotives of a consist occupying the crossing. A person or vehicle that
enters the crossing without a physical barrier (e.g., gates in a lowered position) is not
classified as a trespasser, even when the highway-rail grade crossing lights are activated or
other warning systems are functioning. The person would be classified as a nontrespasser.

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Closed Crossing. A closed crossing is a location where a crossing has been physically
removed, or where rail operations, pathway traffic, or highway traffic is not possible. This
does not include crossings that are temporarily closed for repairs to the track structure,
crossing surface, or roadway approaches. Examples are locations where the crossing has
been permanently barricaded and crossing surface material removed; where the railroad
tracks have been cut or barricaded or physically removed; where a connecting turnout has
been removed; or where rail operations are not possible because the railroad tracks are paved
over, etc. Crossings along such inactive railroad lines are closed.
Temporary Barricaded Crossing. A highway-rail grade crossing that is temporarily
closed to highway users by using temporary methods to block highway traffic, such as
barrels. A temporary barricaded crossing does not constitute a “closed” crossing.
Consist Responsibility. The railroad employing the crewmembers operating the consist at
the time of the accident normally determines the consist owner for reporting purposes. An
exception to this rule is when a railroad is under contract to operate another railroad on an
ongoing basis. This situation often exists in connection with commuter operations where the
entity is known to the general public as the commuter authority, not the railroad under
contract (see Chapter 12 for additional guidance).
Collision. A collision is defined as an impact between on-track equipment consists while
both are on rails and where one of the consists is operating under train movement rules or is
subject to the protection afforded to trains. This definition includes instances where a portion
of a consist occupying a siding is fouling the mainline and is struck by an approaching train.
It does not include impacts occurring while switching within yards, as in making up or
breaking up trains, shifting or setting out cars, etc. Impacts of this type are to be classified as
“Other Impacts” accidents (Code “12” in Item 7 on Form F 6180.54), when all consists
involved are part of the switching movement.
The timetable, or schedule direction, should govern the classification of collisions when
either one of the trains or the locomotives is at rest, or when its incidental movement
temporarily differs from the schedule direction.
Head-On Collision. A collision in which the trains or locomotives, or electric multipleunit (EMU) or diesel multiple-unit (DMU) trains, involved are traveling in opposite
directions on the same track, provided that both consists have a locomotive (or EMU or
DMU trains).
Rear-End Collision. A collision in which the trains or locomotives (or EMU or DMU
trains) involved are traveling in the same direction on the same track, provided that both
consists have a locomotive (or EMU or DMU trains).

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Side Collision. A collision at a turnout where one consist strikes the side of another
consist.
Raking Collision. A collision between parts or lading of a consist on an adjacent track,
or with a structure such as a bridge.
Broken Train Collision. A collision in which a moving train breaks into parts and an
impact occurs between these parts, or when a portion of the broken train collides with
another consist.
Note: The several parts of a broken train are not to be treated as separate consists for
reporting purposes. Information concerning such trains are to be reported on a
single form.
Railroad Crossing Collision. A collision between on-track railroad equipment at a point
where tracks intersect.
Costs and Reportable Damage.
Reporting Threshold. The amount of total reportable damage resulting from a train
accident which, if exceeded, requires the preparation and forwarding of Form FRA
F 6180.54 by the railroads involved. For accidents that occurred in calendar years
2002–2005, the reporting threshold was $6,700. For accidents that occurred in calendar
year 2006, the reporting threshold is $7,700; for accidents that occur in calendar year
2007, the reporting threshold is $8,200; for accidents that occur in calendar year 2008,
the reporting threshold is $8,900; and, for accidents that occur in calendar year 2010, the
reporting threshold is $9,200. Pursuant to § 225.19(e), the reporting threshold will be
revised annually according to the formula set forth in Appendix B to Part 225. Please
refer to http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety and click on “Click Here for Changes
in Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting” for updated information.
Reportable Damage. Reportable damage includes labor costs and all other costs to
repair or replace in-kind, damaged on-track equipment, signals, track, track structures, or
roadbed. Reportable damage does not include the cost of clearing a wreck; however,
additional damage to the above-listed items caused while clearing the wreck is to be
included in the damage estimate.
Examples of other costs included in reportable damage are: 1) rental and/or operation of
machinery such as cranes, bulldozers, including the services of contractors, to replace or
repair the track right-of-way and associated structures; and 2) costs associated with the

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Definitions

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repair or replacement of roller bearings on units that were derailed or submerged in
water. (Replacement costs include the labor costs resulting from a wheelset change out.)
Equipment Damage. All costs, including labor and material, associated with the repair
or replacement in-kind of on-track rail equipment. Trailers/containers on flatcars are
considered to be lading and damage to these is not to be included in on-track equipment
damage. Damage to a flatcar carrying a trailer/container is to be included in reportable
damage.
When on-track equipment is damaged beyond repair, the total reproduction cost of the
equipment, including betterments and additions, is to be calculated in accordance with
Rule 107 of the current edition of the field manual of the Association of American
Railroads (AAR) Interchange Rules. The total reproduction cost may be depreciated to
reflect the amount of usage to which the equipment has been subjected. Depreciation
percentages will be determined at 3 percent annually for a maximum of 30 years;
equipment over 30 years old will be valued at 10 percent of the total reproduction cost.
Replacement-in-kind costs for equipment damaged beyond repair is the result of these
calculations.
Track Damage. All costs, including labor and material, associated with the repair or
replacement in-kind of signals, track, track structures (including bridges or tunnels),
damaged equipment detectors (e.g., hot box detector), switches, or other electronic
equipment; or roadbeds that were damaged in a collision, derailment, or other reportable
event.
When track, signals, structures, etc., are damaged beyond repair, the current cost of new
materials is to be used. However, replacement of secondhand rail with secondhand rail
may be charged at the current cost of such rail.
When estimating damage costs, the labor costs to be reported are only the direct labor
costs to the railroad, e.g., hourly wages, transportation costs, and hotel expenses. The
cost of fringe benefits is excluded when calculating direct labor costs. Overhead is also
excluded when calculating damage costs due to the unacceptable non-uniform treatment
of overhead under the current process.
For services performed by a contractor, a direct hourly labor cost is calculated by
multiplying the contractor’s total labor hours charged to the railroad by the applicable
direct hourly wage rate for a railroad worker in that particular craft. However, if a
railroad cannot match the equivalent craft to the labor hours spent by a contractor, then
the railroad must use the loaded rate, i.e., the cost by hour for labor, fringe benefits, and

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other costs and fees for services charged by the contractor for the tasks associated with
the repair of the track, equipment, and structures due to a train accident.
Derailment. A derailment occurs when on-track equipment leaves the rail for a reason other
than a collision, explosion, highway-rail grade crossing impact, etc.
Direct Train Control. This is an FRA umbrella term and refers to modern-day derivatives of
traditional timetable/train order methodology. These methods of control have greatly
modernized and simplified train operations by eliminating timetable schedules, train registers,
superiority, and the attendant array of complicated operating rules. These systems are predicated
on the train dispatcher having direct and continuous radio contact with all trains; hence the
informal name “radio train dispatching.” In place of the train order, there is a written document
known variously as a track warrant, Direct Traffic Control (DTC) clearance, Occupancy Control
System (OCS) clearance, track permit, Form D, etc. There are two basic DTC systems presently
in use on today’s railroads: one that uses fixed blocks (i.e., the limits are constant and are
identified both in the timetable and by wayside signs); and one that uses variable blocks (i.e., the
limits are not constant and are created by the train dispatcher for each train).
These systems are variously identified in the industry as:
1. Track Warrant Control (TWC)
2. Direct Traffic Control (called Direct Train Control on some roads) (DTC)
3. Form D Control System (DCS)
4. Occupancy Control System (OCS)
5. Manual Block System (MBS)
________________
(Note: these could all be considered standalone methods of operation and may be
shown as such.)
Drug/Alcohol Test. A drug/alcohol test produces a physical or chemical reaction by which a
substance may be detected or its properties ascertained, and includes both Federal and employerauthorized tests to determine alcohol or drug usage. A test performed under FRA requirements
is considered positive when the test result has been verified as positive by a medical review
officer and reported to the employer. A test performed under other authorization is considered
positive when the employer will defend the results if legally challenged. (Refer to 49 CFR
Part 219, Control of Alcohol and Drug Use, for additional information.)
First-Aid Treatment. Treatment that is limited to simple procedures used to treat minor
conditions, such as abrasions, cuts, bruises, and splinters. First-aid treatment is typically
confined to a single treatment and does not require special skills or procedures. First aid
treatment is specifically addressed in Chapter 6 of this Guide.

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Hazardous Material. A substance or material, including a hazardous substance, which has been
determined by the Secretary of Transportation to be capable of posing an unreasonable risk to
health, safety, and property when transported in commerce, and which has been so designated.
See § 171.8.
Hazardous Material Residue. The hazardous material remaining in a packaging, including a
tank car, after its contents have been unloaded to the maximum extent practicable and before the
packaging is either refilled or cleaned of hazardous material and purged to remove any hazardous
vapors.
Additional guidance concerning Federal requirements as to the identification and shipment of
hazardous material can be found in 49 CFR Parts 100 to 180.
Miles Traveled.
Passenger-mile. The movement of a passenger for a distance of 1 mile.
Train-mile. The movement of a train for a distance of 1 mile. Mileage is not to be increased
because of the presence of multiple locomotives in the train. (See definition of “train.”)
Yard Switching Train-Mile. May be computed at the rate of 6 mph for the time actually
engaged in yard switching service (or any other method that will yield a more accurate count)
if actual mileage is not known.
Operation of a Railroad. Inclusive term used to describe all activities of a railroad related to
the performance of its rail transportation business.
Other Accidents.
Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident/Incident. Any impact between on-track railroad
equipment and a highway user at a highway-rail grade crossing. Highway-rail grade crossing
means: (1) a location where a public highway, road, or street, or a private roadway, including
associated sidewalks, crosses one or more railroad tracks at grade; or (2) a location where a
pathway explicitly authorized by a public authority or a railroad carrier that is dedicated for
the use of non-vehicular traffic, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and others, that is not
associated with a public highway, road, or street, or a private roadway, crosses one or more
railroad tracks at grade. The term “sidewalk” means that portion of a street between the curb
line, or the lateral line of a roadway, and the adjacent property line or, on easements of
private property, that portion of a street that is paved or improved and intended for use by
pedestrians. (See figure one below) The term “highway user” includes automobiles, buses,

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Definitions

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, farm vehicles, pedestrians, and all other modes of surface
transportation motorized and un-motorized. All crossing locations within industry and rail
yards, ports, and dock areas are considered highway-rail grade crossings within the meaning
of the term.
The below illustration is intended to provide additional clarification regarding sidewalks
associated with highway-rail grade crossings.

Figure 1: Illustration of sidewalks associated with highway-rail grade crossings.

Obstruction Accident. An accident/incident in which a consist strikes: 1) a bumping post
or a foreign object on the track right-of-way; 2) a highway vehicle at a location other than a
highway-rail grade crossing site; 3) derailed equipment; or 4) a track motorcar or similar
work equipment not equipped with AAR couplers and not operating under train rules.
Explosion-Detonation. An accident/incident caused by the detonation of material carried or
transported by rail. A detonation occurs when a shock wave exceeds the speed of sound.
Explosions-detonations resulting from mishaps during loading or unloading operations, and
those caused by fire aboard on-track equipment, are included in this definition.
Fire or Violent Rupture. An accident/incident caused by combustion or violent release of
material carried by or transported by rail. Examples of this type include fuel and electrical
equipment fires, crankcase explosions, and violent releases of liquefied petroleum gas or
anhydrous ammonia.

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Other Impacts. An accident/incident, not classified as a collision, that involves contact
between on-track equipment. Generally, these involve single cars or cuts of cars that are
damaged during switching, train makeup, setting out, etc., operations. If both consists
contain a locomotive, an EMU locomotive, or a DMU locomotive, the event should be
classified as a collision between trains.
Other Accidents/Incidents. Events not classified as one of the preceding types.
On-Track Rail Equipment.
Equipment Consist. An equipment consist is a train, locomotive(s), cut of cars, or a single
car not coupled to another car or locomotive.
Car. A car is:
(1) Any unit of on-track equipment designed to be hauled by
locomotives, or
(2) Any unit of on-track work equipment such as a track motorcar, highway-rail vehicle,
push car, crane, or ballast tamping machine.
Locomotive. A locomotive is a piece of on-track equipment other than hi-rail, specialized
maintenance, or other similar equipment:
(1) With one or more propelling motors designed for moving other equipment;
(2) With one or more propelling motors designed to carry freight or passenger traffic or
both; or
(3) Without propelling motors but with one or more control stands.
Control Cab Locomotive. A locomotive without propelling motors but with one or more
control stands. Note: A control [cab] car locomotive is to be counted as a car and not as a
locomotive unit in the Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report.
DMU Locomotive. A diesel-powered multiple-unit operated locomotive with one or more
propelling motors designed to carry passenger traffic. Note: A DMU locomotive is to be
counted as a car and not as a locomotive unit in the Rail Equipment Accident/Incident
Report.
EMU Locomotive. An electric multiple-unit operated locomotive:

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FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
(1) With one or more propelling motors designed to carry freight or passenger traffic or
both; or
(2) Without propelling motors but with one or more control stands.
Note: An EMU locomotive is to be counted as a car and not as a locomotive unit in the Rail
Equipment Accident/Incident Report.
See special instructions in Chapter 7 when reporting DMUs, EMUs, or cab car locomotives.
Motorcar. A self-propelled unit of equipment designed to carry freight or passenger traffic.
(Does not include track motor cars or similar work equipment.)
Train. For purposes of accident/incident reporting, a train is a locomotive or locomotives
coupled with or without cars, and with or without markers displayed. This definition
includes trains consisting entirely of self-propelled units designed to carry passengers, freight
traffic, or both.
Yard Switching Trains. Trains operated primarily within yards for the purpose of switching
other equipment. Examples include the making up or breaking up of trains, service industrial
tracks within yard limits, storing or classifying cars, and other similar operations.
Note: Switching performed by a road crew that is incidental to the road operation is not
included.
Work train. Work trains are non-revenue trains used for the administration and upkeep
service of the railroad. Examples are: official trains, inspection trains, special trains running
with a company fire apparatus to save the railroad’s property from destruction, trains that
transport the railroad’s employees to and from work when no transportation charge is made,
construction and upkeep trains run in connection with maintenance and improvement work,
and material and supply trains run in connection with operations.
Passenger Station Platform Gap. The horizontal space between the edge of the passenger
boarding platform and the edge of the rail car door threshold plate, and the vertical difference
from the top of the passenger boarding platform and the top of the rail car threshold.
Passenger Station Platform Gap Incident. A reportable injury involving a person who, while
involved in the process of boarding or alighting a passenger train at a rail car door threshold plate
at a high-level passenger boarding platform (i.e., a platform that is 48" or more above the top of
the rail), has one or more body parts enter the area between the carbody and the edge of the
platform or traveling between passenger cars. The following are examples of a Passenger
Station Platform Gap Incident:

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Definitions

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

•

While boarding or alighting a passenger train at a high-level passenger boarding platform
a person misjudges the passenger station platform gap, resulting in the person’s leg
entering the passenger station platform gap.

•

While boarding or alighting a passenger train at a high-level passenger boarding
platform, a person is struck by a closing door, resulting in the person’s leg entering the
passenger station platform gap.

The following are not examples of a passenger station platform gap incident:
•

While boarding or alighting a passenger train at a high-level passenger boarding
platform, a person misjudges the gap and falls into the vestibule or platform, without a
body part entering the gap.

•

While walking on a passenger station at a high-level passenger boarding platform, a
person slips on the platform, at a location other than the rail car door threshold, resulting
in the person’s leg entering the gap.

Passenger station platform gap injuries usually occur when the high-level platform station is
concave, convex, or there is misalignment between the platform and passenger car, or when a
person is traveling between cars and has one or more body parts enter the area between the cars.
Person. Includes all categories of entities covered under 1 U.S.C. § 1, including, but not limited
to a railroad; any manager, supervisor, official, or other employee or agent of a railroad; any
owner, manufacturer, lessor, or lessee of railroad equipment, track, or facilities; any passenger;
any trespasser or nontrespasser; any independent contractor providing goods or services to a
railroad; any volunteer providing goods or services to a railroad; and any employee of such
owner, manufacturer, lessor, lessee, or independent contractor.
Prescription Medication. Substances whose availability and distribution are controlled by
registered medical professionals such as doctors, pharmacists, or nurses, and that are
manufactured and packaged with the legend: “Caution–Federal Law Prohibits Dispensing
Without Prescription,” or a similar warning.
Physician or Other Licensed Health Care Professional (PLHCP). A healthcare professional
operating within the scope of his or her license, registration, or certification. In addition to
licensed physicians, the term “Other Licensed Health Care Professional” includes members of
other occupations associated with patient care and treatment, such as chiropractors, podiatrists,
physician’s assistants, psychologists, and dentists.

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FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
Remote Controlled Locomotive (RCL). This term refers to on-track rail equipment that is
controlled by an employee or contractor using a remote transmitter/receiver designed to control
the locomotive, maintenance machine, or other type of self-propelled on-track rail equipment.
Special coding instructions are to be used when casualties to persons, rail equipment
accidents/incidents, and highway-rail grade crossing accidents/incidents occur when an RCL is
in use.
Tracks and Types of Tracks.
Main Track. A track, other than an auxiliary track, extending through yards or between
stations, upon which trains are operated by timetable or train order or both, or the use of
which is governed by a signal system.
Industry Track. A switching track, or series of tracks, serving the needs of a commercial
industry other than a railroad.
Siding. A track auxiliary to the main track used for meeting or passing trains.
Yard Track. A system of tracks within defined limits used for the making up or breaking up
of trains, for the storage of cars, and for other purposes over which movements not
authorized by timetable or by train order may be made, subject to prescribed signals, rules or
other special instructions. Sidings and industry tracks are not included, nor is main line
within yard limits.
Vehicle. Includes automobiles, buses, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, farm vehicles, and all other
modes of surface transportation, motorized and unmotorized.

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Form FRA F 6180.55 - Railroad Injury and Illness Summary

3.1

Requirement

Form FRA F 6180.55, titled “Railroad Injury and Illness Summary,” is used to summarize a
railroad’s accident/incident data for a given month. A report must be filed each month, even
when no accidents/incidents occurred during the reporting month. See § 225.21(b).
3.2

General Instructions and Interpretations

If there were no accidents/incidents for the month being reported, this fact must be noted on the
form.
If actual operational data (mileage, hours worked, etc.) are not available when the report is due,
then an estimate must be provided. An amended report must be sent when actual figures are
known. See § 225.13.
If there are substantial fluctuations in month-to-month operational data, the reason for such
variations (seasonal operation, strikes, consolidation, line abandonment, etc.) are to be explained.
A late or amended report is not to be included in the counts for the current month. If such a
report is forwarded with the regular submission, it must have a separate cover letter indicating
that it is an amended report, or, for late submissions, explaining why the report is being filed late.
See § 225.13. Entries changed on amended reports should be circled in red.
If an Item, such as “Passenger-Miles Operated,” does not apply to your railroad, enter “N/A.”
Fractions and decimals are to be rounded to the nearest whole number.
3.3

Instructions for Completing Form FRA F 6180.55
Item Instruction
1.

Name of Reporting Railroad
Enter the full name of the reporting railroad.

Alphabetic Code
Enter the reporting railroad’s code, found in Appendix A.

Report Month & Year
Enter the month and year covered by the report.

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4.

State Alphabetic Code
Enter the code for the State in which the report was signed, found in Appendix B.

County
Enter the name of the county or parish in which the report was signed.

Name of Reporting Officer
Enter the reporting officer’s name.

Official Title
Enter the reporting officer’s official title.

Address
Enter the reporting officer’s mailing address.

Telephone
Enter the reporting officer’s telephone number.

10.

Date and sign as directed (notarization no longer required).

Operational Data and Accident/Incident Counts for Report Month. In Items 11–14, do not
duplicate mileage in more than one block. For example, do not include yard switching train
miles in the total for either freight or passenger train-miles. For Items 11–17, report only the
miles and hours associated with your operations.
******************************************************************************
Example for calculating Items 12 (Passenger Train Miles), 16 (Passenger Miles Operated), and
17 (Number of Passengers Transported):
Enter miles and passengers into a spreadsheet, listed by date of each trip, and then enter totals
into correct items in the FRA Form F 6180.55. Note: Be sure to first multiply each separate
trip’s “Passengers Transported” by each separate trip’s “Passenger Train-Miles” to get each
separate trip’s “Passenger-Miles Operated,” and then sum each of these results to get the total.
For the case of having multiple trips, DO NOT multiply “Total” “Passengers Transported” by
“Total” “Passenger Train-Miles” to find total “Passenger-Miles Operated.”

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See example below:
Date
07/01/2006
07/15/2006
07/21/2006
07/23/2006
Total

Item 17:
Pass. Transp.
85
121
217
177
600

x
x
x
x
x

Item 12:
Pass. Train Miles
12
8
8
8
36

=
=
=
=
=

Item 16:
Pass. Miles Oper.
1,020
968
1,736
1,416
5,140

In this example, 600 would be entered into Item 17, 36 into Item 12, and 5140 into Item 16.
******************************************************************************
11.

Freight Train-Miles
Enter the number of train-miles, in freight service, run during the month.
Note: Be careful not to report freight train-miles that are being reported by
another railroad. This may occur if one railroad’s equipment is being operated
over the track by a different railroad’s crew. In this case, the railroad of the crew
operating the equipment will enter the freight train-miles on their FRA Form

12.

Passenger Train-Miles
Enter the number of train-miles, in passenger service, run during the month.

13.

Yard Switching Train-Miles
Enter the number of yard switching miles run during the month.

14.

Other Train-Miles
Enter any other train-miles run that are not included in freight, passenger, or yard
switching train-miles.

15.

Railroad Worker [Employee] Hours
Enter the number of hours worked by all railroad employees during the month.
Include all employees in the occupation categories shown in Appendix D. Do not
include time paid, but not actually worked, such as holidays or vacations. Only
those hours worked by employees defined as “Class A” are to be counted. Hours
worked by volunteers, contractors, etc., are excluded.

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16.

Passenger-Miles Operated
If your railroad operates a rail passenger service, enter the number of passengermiles run during the month. If passenger-miles are shown, the number of
passengers transported must be entered in Item 17.
Please take special care when recording information on passenger service. Our
data verification procedures examine the relationship among the number of
passenger train-miles reported in Item 12, the number of passenger miles reported
in Item 16, and the number of passengers transported as reported in Item 17. If
any of these items contains an entry greater than 0, then it is generally assumed
that all three items must have a count. A simple example of a single train
movement can demonstrate this: A passenger train containing 250 passengers
traveled from point A to point B for a distance of 100 miles. This would be
recorded as 100 passenger train-miles; 25,000 passenger miles (250 passengers x
100 miles); and 250 passengers transported.

17.

Number of Passengers Transported
Enter the number of passengers transported by rail for the month being reported.

18.

Reported Casualties
Reportable casualties to all types of persons are to be reported on this form and
are to be categorized according to the type of person. All fatalities, including
those due to illness, are to be recorded in the appropriate blocks under the “Fatal”
column. All remaining cases, including nonfatal occupational illnesses, are to be
shown under the “Nonfatal” column. If no reportable casualties occurred during
the report month, enter the word “None” for the “Grand Total.” All casualties
shown must also be reported individually on Form FRA F 6180.55a.
Each person is to be classified as one of the following:
a. Worker on Duty–Railroad Employee (Class A),
b. Railroad Employee Not On Duty (Class B),
c. Passengers on Trains (Class C),
d. Nontrespassers–On Railroad Property (Class D),
e. Trespassers (Class E),
f. Worker on Duty–Contractor (Class F),
g. Contractor–Other (Class G),
h. Worker on Duty–Volunteer (Class H),

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i. Volunteer–Other (Class I), and
j. Nontrespassers–Off Railroad Property (Class J).
Casualties, due to suicides and attempted suicides, that meet the general reporting criteria
shall also be included in the casualty count. There is no special category for reporting suicide or
attempted suicide counts. A casualty due to a suicide or attempted suicide is an incident that
happens to a person. The injury to an employee on duty that attempts suicide should be counted
as a Worker on Duty–Railroad Employee (Class A). The fatality to a trespasser that commits
suicide should be counted as a Trespasser (Class E).
19.

20.

Number of FRA Forms Attached
List the number of FRA report forms completed during the month:
F 6180.54

Enter the number of forms used to report collisions, derailments,
and similar events when a rail equipment accident/incident is being
reported.

F 6180.55a

Enter the number of forms used to record reportable casualties. If,
during the report month, a person is injured and dies on the
following day, or on any day prior to the end of the month, this
should be reported as a fatality on Form FRA F 6180.55a.

F 6180.56

Enter the number of forms used to report employee hours and
casualties. This is usually “0”for each month, except for
December, where “1” is normally entered.

F 6180.57

Enter the number of forms used to report impacts between railroad
and highway users at crossings.

F 6180.81

Enter the number of Employee Human Factor Attachments which
are attached.

Remarks Section
Enter any remarks, including explanations for unusual fluctuations in train-miles
operated; employee hours; passenger counts, etc.; or operational characteristics
that result in contradictory or confusing counts (for example, train-miles are
reported, but there are no railroad worker [employee] hours).

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3.4

Common Reporting Errors

Missing Data. If the information required for an item is not available at the time a report is to be
filed, an estimate should be used. Later, if it is determined that the actual value was substantially
different from the estimated value, an amended report must be forwarded.
Math Errors. The total number and distribution of casualties reported must agree with the sum
of the individual casualties on Form FRA F 6180.55a.
Contradictory Information. If employee casualties are reported, the number of railroad worker
hours cannot be “0.”
If Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Reports (Form FRA F 6180.54) or Highway-Rail
Grade Crossing Accident/Incident Reports (Form FRA F 6180.57) were prepared for
accidents/incidents involving moving trains, the total number of miles run during the month
cannot be “0.”
If the entry in “Passenger-Miles Operated” is greater than “0,” the entry in “Number of
Passengers Transported” cannot be “0,” and vice versa.
If passenger casualties are reported, the entry in “Number of Passengers Transported” cannot be
“0.”
3.5

Submission and Retention

Railroads must submit a hardcopy of the Railroad Injury and Illness Summary (Form FRA
F 6180.55), signed under penalty of perjury by the railroad’s reporting officer. In lieu of
the hardcopy, a railroad may submit to FRA, via email at [email protected], an
electronic image of the completed and signed hardcopy form, in .pdf or .jpg formats only. See
§ 225.37(b)(3). If a railroad submits the form(s) to FRA electronically, via the Internet, the
railroad must retain the original signed hardcopy submission for at least 5 years after the
calendar year to which it pertains. See § 225.27. If the submission is made using the Internet,
the railroad must also retain a hardcopy of FRA’s acknowledgement of receipt for a period of
5 years.

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Form FRA F 6180.98 - Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record

4.1

Requirement

Each railroad shall maintain either the Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record (Form
FRA F 6180.98) or an alternative railroad-designed record of all reportable and all accountable
injuries and illnesses of its employees. Include reportable and accountable injuries and illnesses
of railroad employees (that is, Worker on Duty–Railroad Employee (Class A) or Railroad
Employee Not On Duty (Class B)). See §§ 225.25(a)–(b). Do not include injuries or illnesses of
volunteers or contractors. See also § 225.3 regarding certain railroads exempted from the duty to
record “accountables.”
Accountable injury or illness means any abnormal condition or disorder of a railroad employee
regardless of whether it meets the general reporting criteria listed in § 225.119(d)(1) through
(d)(6), when such injury or illness causes or requires the railroad employee to be examined or
treated by a qualified healthcare professional, and the railroad employee claims that, or the
railroad otherwise has knowledge that, the abnormal condition or disorder is work-related.
The alternative railroad-designed record may be used in lieu of the Railroad Employee Injury
and/or Illness Record (Form FRA F 6180.98). Any such alternative record shall contain all of
the information required on the Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record. Although this
information may be displayed in a different order from that on the Railroad Employee Injury
and/or Illness Record, the order of the information shall be consistent from one such record to
another such record. The order chosen by the railroad shall be consistent for each of the
railroad’s reporting establishments. Railroads may list additional information on the alternative
record, beyond the information required on the Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record.
Furthermore, railroads may use their alternative record to collect information on conditions that
do not meet the “accountable” or “reportable” definitions, or to make entries for individuals
other than employees of the railroad. (See question Q4 and corresponding answer in Chapter 1
for additional guidance.)
It would be difficult, if not impossible, for a railroad to monitor self-treatment of minor injuries.
Thus, the type of injuries that are generally expected to be recorded on the Railroad Employee
Injury and/or Illness Record (Form FRA F 6180.98) are those that create a “documentation trail.”
This documentation could include records such as incident reports, healthcare provider records,
or any other records that may identify the fact that an employee has sustained physical harm
while in the work environment that required examination or treatment by a qualified healthcare
professional. See § 225.5, definition of “accountable injury or illness.” This broad scope is
necessary since all conditions, regardless of severity, must be evaluated to determine if the
requirements necessary for reporting the injury/illness have been met.

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A primary purpose for the recording of accountable cases is to establish a standardized set of
data that the reporting officer will use in deciding whether to report a case. It also serves as a
tool for FRA Safety Assurance and Compliance officers to use during reviews to determine if
proper reporting decisions are being made. Once it has been determined that a particular case is
reportable and has been forwarded on Form FRA F 6180.55a, it is no longer necessary to
continue to update this record; however, the railroad should update “Was the case reported?” on
Form FRA F 6180.98 (or update, in the alternative railroad-designed record, if a Form FRA
F 6180.55a has been filed with FRA). Changes to counts of days absent or restricted duty are to
be made on Form FRA F 6180.55a, not Form FRA F 6180.98.
Each railroad shall enter each reportable and each accountable injury and illness on the
appropriate record as early as practicable, but no later than 7 working days after receiving
information or acquiring knowledge that an injury or illness has occurred. See § 225.25(f).
Railroads must create a Form FRA F 6180.98 for employee fatalities and injuries due to suicides
and attempted suicides that are accountable or reportable.
The records described above may be maintained at the local establishment or, alternatively, at a
centralized location. If the records are maintained at a centralized location, but not through
electronic means, then a paper copy of the records that is current within 35 days of the month to
which it applies shall be available for that establishment. If the records are maintained at a
centralized location through electronic means, then the records for that establishment shall be
available for review in a hardcopy format within 4 business hours of FRA’s request. FRA
recognizes that circumstances outside the railroad’s control may preclude it from fulfilling the
4 business-hour time limit. In these circumstances, FRA will not assess a monetary penalty
against the railroad for its failure to provide the requested documentation provided the railroad
makes a reasonable effort to correct the problem. See § 225.25(g).
Do not submit this form or an alternate railroad-designed record. If a case is determined to be
reportable, it must be recorded on Form FRA F 6180.55a and included with the reports filed for
that month.
The information required to be recorded on Form FRA F 6180.98 is self-explanatory; therefore,
specific instructions for completion are not needed. However, it is important to note that the
“Case/Incident Number” identified in Block 2 must be used on Form FRA F 6180.55a for any
case determined to be reportable.
The alternative record shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
1. Name of railroad.
2. Case/incident number.
3. Full name of railroad employee.

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4. Date of birth of railroad employee.
5. Gender of railroad employee.
6. Railroad employee identification (ID) number.
7. Date the railroad employee was hired.
8. Home address of railroad employee, including the street address, city, State, zip code, and
home telephone number with area code.
9. Name of facility where railroad employee normally reports to work.
10. Address of facility where railroad employee normally reports to work, including the
street address, city, State, and zip code.
11. Job title of railroad employee.
12. Department assigned.
13. Specific site where accident/incident/exposure occurred, including the city, county, State,
and zip code.
14. Date and time of occurrence, indicated using military time or a.m./p.m..
15. Time employee’s shift began, indicated using military time or a.m./p.m..
16. Whether employee was on premises when injury occurred.
17. Whether employee was on or off duty.
18. Date and time when employee notified company personnel of condition, indicated using
military time or a.m./p.m..
19. Name and title of railroad official notified.
20. Description of the general activity this employee was engaged in prior to the
injury/illness/condition.
21. Description of all factors associated with the case that are pertinent to an understanding
of how it occurred. Include a discussion of the sequence of events leading up to it, and
the tools, machinery, processes, material, environmental conditions, etc., involved (When
appropriate, a railroad must indicate that an employee fatality or injury is considered
“suicide data” in this the narrative section).
22. Description, in detail, of the injury/illness/condition that the employee sustained,
including the body parts affected. If a recurrence, list the date of the last occurrence.
23. Identification of all persons and organizations used to evaluate or treat the condition, or
both. Include the facility, provider, and complete address.
24. Description of all procedures, medications, therapy, etc., used or recommended for the
treatment of the condition.
25. Extent and outcome of injury or illness to show the following, as applicable:

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a. Fatality–enter date of death.
b. Restricted work, number of days, beginning date.
c. Occupational illness, date of initial diagnosis.
d. Instructions to obtain prescription medication, or receipt of prescription medication.
e. If missed 1 or more days of work or next shift, provide number of work days and
beginning date.
f. Medical treatment beyond “first aid”.
g. Hospitalization for treatment as an inpatient.
h. Multiple treatments or therapy sessions.
i. Loss of consciousness.
j. Transfer to another job or termination of employment.
k. Significant injury/illness, one meeting specific case criteria, or a covered data case.
26. Each railroad shall indicate if the Railroad Injury and Illness Summary (Continuation
Sheet) (FRA Form F 6180.55a) has been filed with FRA for the injury or illness. If FRA
Form F 6180.55a was not filed with FRA, then the railroad shall provide an explanation
of the basis for its decision.
27. The railroad shall indicate if the injured or ill railroad employee was provided an
opportunity to review his or her file.
28. The railroad shall identify the preparer’s name, title, telephone number with area code,
and the date the record was initially signed/completed.

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Form FRA F 6180.97 - Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record

5.1

Requirement

Each railroad shall maintain an Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record (Form FRA
F 6180.97) or an alternative railroad-designed record as described in the following section, of all
reportable and accountable rail equipment accidents/incidents. An accountable rail equipment
accident/incident means (1) any derailment regardless of whether it causes any damage or
(2) any collision, highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident, obstruction accident, other
impact, fire or violent rupture, explosion-detonation, act of God, or other accident/incident
involving the operation of railroad on-track equipment (standing or moving) that results in
damage to the railroad on-track equipment (standing or moving), signals, track, track structures
or roadbed and that damage impairs the functioning or safety of the railroad on-track equipment
(standing or moving), signals, track, track structures or roadbed. See §§ 225.21(i) and
225.25(d)–(g). See also § 225.3 regarding certain railroads exempted from recording
“accountables.”
The alternative railroad-designed record may be used in lieu of the Initial Rail Equipment
Accident/Incident Record (Form FRA F 6180.97). Any such alternative record shall contain all
of the information required on the Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record. Although
this information may be displayed in a different order from that on the Initial Rail Equipment
Accident/Incident Record, the order of the information shall be consistent from one such record
to another such record. The order chosen by the railroad shall be consistent for each of the
railroad’s reporting establishments. Railroads may list additional information in the alternative
record beyond the information required on the Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record.
Where there are joint operations, each railroad involved must contact all parties involved to
determine the extent of the damages for determining reportability. If the property of more than
one railroad is involved in an accident/incident, the reporting threshold is calculated by
including the damages sustained by all of the railroads involved. When total reportable damage
to all railroads directly involved in an accident/incident exceeds the reporting threshold, the
railroad must make a report even though its damages were below the threshold.
Any railroad indicating the involvement of another railroad in the accident on its Initial Rail
Equipment Accident/Incident Record must promptly notify the other carrier (FRA may be
contacted to obtain telephone numbers) and exchange information concerning the accident and
obtain the other carriers’ reportable damage.

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The alternative record shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
1.

Date and time of accident.

Reporting railroad, and accident/incident number.

Other railroad, if applicable, and other railroad’s accident/incident number.

Railroad responsible for track maintenance, and that railroad’s incident number.

The classification of a rail equipment accident/incident by type, which is
determined by the first event in the accident/incident sequence. For example, if,
following a derailment, a derailed car or locomotive strikes a consist on an
adjacent track, the accident/incident would be classified as a derailment, not a
collision or other impact. The valid classification of accidents/incidents are as
follows:
Derailment

Highway-rail crossing collision

Head-on collision

Railroad grade crossing collision

Rear-end collision

Obstruction

Side collision

Explosion-detonation

Raking collision

Fire/violent rupture

Broken train collision

Other impacts
Other (describe in narrative)

Number of cars carrying hazardous materials that derailed or were damaged, and
number of cars carrying hazardous materials that released product.

Subdivision:
The full name of the subdivision on which the accident occurred, i.e. the track
owner’s subdivision name. If the railroad is not so divided, enter the word
“system.” In the event of a joint accident involving Amtrak, the host railroad’s
subdivision will apply.
Note: If the accident occurred in a major terminal and subdivision is not
applicable, enter “Terminal/Yard Name.”

Nearest city or town.

County (added in 2003).

10.

State.

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11.

Milepost (to the nearest tenth).

12.

Specific site.

13.

Speed (indicate if actual or estimate).

14.

Train number or job number.

15.

Type of equipment (freight, passenger, yard switching, etc.).

16.

Type of track (main, yard, siding, industry).

17.

Total number of locomotives in train.

18.

Total number of locomotives that derailed.

19.

Total number of cars in train.

20.

Total number of cars that derailed.

21.

Total amount of damage in dollars to equipment for this accident/incident-based
on computations as described in this Guide:
Enter the total amount of damage to all of the consists involved in this
accident/incident, and if there are other railroads involved in this accident/incident
that have equipment damages, add this to the total.
Then, in the narrative provide a breakdown of the damages by each railroad.
Note: For railroads that are using the AIRG software application to maintain
their accident/incident data, AIRG will be modified to accept both sets of
information (i.e., the total amount of damage to the railroad’s equipment,
and the total amount of damage to the railroad’s equipment added to all
other of the railroad’s equipment damage).

22.

Total amount of damage in dollars to track, signal, way, and structures based on
computations as described in this Guide.
Enter the total amount of damage, in dollars, to the track, signal, way, and
structures for the accident/incident. If another railroad is responsible for
maintaining the track on which the accident/incident occurred, contact this carrier
to obtain the cost of damages to the track, signals, roadbed, track structures, etc.,
then keep this amount for the Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record.

23.

Primary cause. Enter into this field the most applicable cause code that describes
the cause of the accident from Appendix C, “Train Accident Cause Codes.” The
instructions for entry into this field are the same as for Item 38 of FRA Form
F 6180.54, as shown in Chapter 7.

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24.

Contributing cause. Enter into this field the most applicable cause code that
describes the contributing cause of the accident from Appendix C, “Train
Accident Cause Codes.” The instructions for entry into this field are the same as
for Item 39 of FRA Form F 6180.54, as shown in Chapter 7.

25.

Number of persons injured and persons killed, broken down into the following
classifications: worker on duty–railroad employee, railroad employee not on
duty, passenger on train, nontrespasser–on railroad property, trespasser, worker
on duty–contractor, contractor–other, worker on duty–volunteer, volunteer–other,
and nontrespasser—off railroad property.
Note: Injuries and fatalities, due to suicides and attempted suicides, that meet the
general reporting criteria shall also be included in this field.

26.

Narrative description of the accident:
Enter a description of the accident, including a list of the breakdown of the
equipment damages incurred by each railroad for the accident/incident, and
specify which consist this specific Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident
Record is for. The breakdown is as follows:
Railroad (Enter Code) - Each consist’s equipment damages (e.g., Consist A
equipment damage, Consist B equipment damage, etc.), and all other railroads
(Enter Codes) and their equipment damages.
Note: Where an accountable or reportable rail equipment accident/incident is
caused by a suicide or attempted suicide, the railroad shall indicate that fact in this
field.

27.

Whether the accident/incident was reported to FRA: If the rail equipment
accident/incident exceeds the current threshold limit and a Form FRA F 6180.54
is being submitted, specify “Yes.” For highway-rail grade crossing
accidents/incidents (which are always reportable), and other non-reportable rail
equipment accidents/incidents, specify “No”; however, if a highway-rail grade
crossing accident/incident’s damages exceed the current threshold, then specify
“Yes.”

28.

Preparer’s name, title, telephone number with area code, and signature.

29.

Date the record was initially signed/completed.

Each railroad shall enter each reportable and accountable rail equipment accident/incident on the
appropriate record as early as practicable, but no later than 7 working days after receiving
information or acquiring knowledge that a rail equipment accident/incident has occurred. See
§ 225.25(f).

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The records described above may be maintained at the local establishment or, alternatively, at a
centralized location. If the records are maintained at a centralized location, but not through
electronic means, then a paper copy of the records that is current, within 35 days of the month to
which it applies, shall be available for that establishment. If the records are maintained at a
centralized location through electronic means, then the records for that establishment shall be
available for review in a hardcopy format within 4 business hours of FRA’s request. FRA
recognizes that circumstances outside the railroad’s control may preclude it from fulfilling the
4-business-hour time limit. In these circumstances, FRA will not assess a monetary penalty
against the railroad for its failure to provide the requested documentation, provided the railroad
makes a reasonable effort to correct the problem. See § 225.25(g).
Do not submit this form or an alternate railroad-designed record. If an incident is determined to
be reportable, it must be recorded on Form FRA F 6180.54 and must be included with the reports
filed for that month. If there are any reportable casualties, they must be reported on Form FRA
F 6180.55a. Once a determination has been made that the rail equipment accident/incident has
become reportable, any further updating should be done on the Form FRA F 6180.54, and you
need not update Form FRA F 6180.97; however, you should go back and check off “Yes” for
Item 32 (or equivalent item on alternative railroad-designed record) of Form FRA F 6180.97
“Was this accident reported to FRA?”
It is important to note that the “Case/Incident Number” identified in Block 4 must be used on
Form FRA F 6180.54 and/or Form FRA F 6180.57 for any case determined to be reportable.
5.2

Questions and Answers
Q1.

A coupler broke during a switching operation, and the cars behind the
broken coupler hit the train it separated from. Would this event mean that
the railroad should complete the Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident
Record?

A1.

This event would qualify as a broken train collision. As this is a collision, if there
is damage and that damage impairs the functioning or safety of the railroad ontrack equipment (standing or moving), signals, track, track structures, or roadbed
involved, then the railroad would be required to complete an Initial Rail
Equipment Accident/Incident Record, Form FRA F 6180.97. If the reportable
damages exceed the annual reporting threshold, then Rail Equipment
Accident/Incident Report Form FRA F 6180.54 must also be completed and
submitted to FRA.

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Q2.

A2.

Our switch crew had a minor derailment involving one set of wheels of
one car. Would this event qualify for the Initial Rail Equipment
Accident/Incident Record?
This event would qualify as a derailment and, as such, it is an accountable rail
equipment accident/incident. Therefore, an Initial Rail Equipment
Accident/Incident Record, Form FRA F 6180.97, must be completed. If the
reportable damages exceed the annual reporting threshold, then the Rail
Equipment Accident/Incident Report Form FRA F 6180.54 must be completed
and submitted to FRA.

Q3.

What about highway-rail grade crossing accidents? Would these events
qualify for the Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record?

A3.

All highway-rail grade crossing accidents/incidents must be reported to FRA on
Form FRA F 6180.57. An Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record,
Form FRA F 6180.97, must be completed if the highway-rail grade crossing
accident/incident also results in an accountable or reportable rail equipment
accident/incident. If the reportable damages exceed the annual reporting
threshold, then the Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report Form FRA
F 6180.54 must also be completed and submitted to FRA.

Q4.

Our mechanical department personnel reported that they fixed a broken
trainline bracket on a box car. It appears that the bracket broke because of
normal wear and tear, and was not the result of an accident. Would events
like this qualify for an Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record?

A4.

No, if there is no evidence of an accident/incident, e.g., collision, derailment, fire,
explosion/detonation, obstruction incident, other impact, etc., and the damage
resulted from normal wear and tear, then an Initial Rail Equipment
Accident/Incident Record, Form FRA F 6180.97, is not required.

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Form FRA F 6180.55a - Railroad Injury and Illness Summary
(Continuation Sheet)

6.1

Requirement

As set forth in § 225.11 and § 225.19(d), each death, injury, or occupational illness that is a new
case and meets the general reporting criteria listed in paragraphs (d)(1) through (d)(6) of this
Section shall be reported to FRA on Form FRA F 6180.55a, Railroad Injury and Illness
Summary (Continuation Sheet), if an event or exposure arising from the operation of a railroad is
a discernable cause of the resulting condition or a discernable cause of a significant aggravation
to a preexisting injury or illness. The event or exposure arising from the operation of a railroad
need only be one of the discernable causes; it need not be the sole or predominant cause. A new
case is presumed work-related if an event or exposure arising from the operation of a railroad is a
contributing factor to the injury, illness, or significant aggravation of a preexisting condition. If
it is not obvious whether the precipitating event or exposure arose from the operation of a
railroad or elsewhere, the railroad must evaluate the circumstances surrounding the injury or
illness (e.g., work duties, environment, etc.) to decide whether it is more likely than not that one
or more events or exposures arising from the operation of a railroad contributed to the resulting
condition or significantly aggravated a preexisting condition. The general injury/illness
reporting criteria are as follows:
(1) Death to any person;
(2) Injury to any person that results in:
(i) Medical treatment;
(ii) Significant injury diagnosed by a physician or other licensed health care professional
even if it does not result in death, medical treatment or loss of consciousness of any person; or
(iii) Loss of consciousness;
(3) Injury to a railroad employee that results in:
(i) A day away from work;
(ii) Restricted work activity or job transfer; or
(iii) Significant injury diagnosed by a physician or other licensed health care professional
even if it does not result in death, medical treatment, loss of consciousness, a day away from
work, restricted work activity or job transfer of a railroad employee;
(4) Occupational illness of a railroad employee that results in:
(i) A day away from work;
(ii) Restricted work activity or job transfer;
(iii) Loss of consciousness; or
(iv) Medical treatment;

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(5) Significant illness of a railroad employee diagnosed by a physician or other licensed
health care professional even if it does not result in death, a day away from work, restricted work
activity or job transfer, medical treatment, or loss of consciousness;
(6) Illness or injury that:
(i) Meets the application of any of the following specific case criteria:
(A) Needlestick or sharps injury to a railroad employee;
(B) Medical removal of a railroad employee;
(C) Occupational hearing loss of a railroad employee;
(D) Occupational tuberculosis of a railroad employee;
(E) Musculoskeletal disorder of a railroad employee if this disorder is reportable under one or
more of the general reporting criteria; or
(ii) Is a covered data case.
6.2

Reporting Exceptions

In accordance with § 225.15(a), the following accidents/incidents are not reportable:
(a) Persons other than railroad employees. A railroad is not to report injuries that occur
at highway-rail grade crossings that do not involve the presence or operation of on-track
equipment, or the presence of railroad employees then engaged in the operation of a railroad;
(b) Employees on Duty. A railroad is not to report the following injuries to or illnesses of
a railroad employee as Worker on Duty – Employee (Class A), if any of the following conditions
in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this section are met. This exception does not affect a
railroad’s obligation to report these injuries as other types of persons (i.e. Employee Not On
Duty (Class B); Passengers On Trains (Class C); Nontresspassers – On Railroad Property (Class
D)), or a railroad’s obligation to maintain a “Railroad Employee Injury/Illness Record” (Form
FRA F 6180.98 or alternative railroad-designed form).
(1) The injury or illness occurred in or about living quarters not arising from the
operation of a railroad;
(2) At the time of the injury or illness, the employee was present in the work environment
as a member of the general public rather than as an employee; or
(3) The injury or illness is caused by a motor vehicle accident and occurs on a company
parking lot or company access road while the employee is commuting to or from work.
(c) Employees on or off Duty. A railroad is not to report the following injuries to or
illnesses of a railroad employee, Worker on Duty – Employee (Class A) or Employee Not On
Duty (Class B), if any of the following conditions in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(7) of this
section are met.
(1) The injury or illness involves signs or symptoms that surface at work but result solely
from a non-work-related event or exposure that occurs outside the work environment;

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(2) The injury or illness results solely from voluntary participation in a wellness program
or in a medical, fitness, or recreational activity such as blood donation, physical examination, flu
vaccination shot, exercise class, racquetball, or baseball;
(3) The injury or illness is solely the result of an employee eating, drinking, or preparing
food or drink for personal consumption. Note: However, if the employee is made ill by ingesting
food contaminated by workplace contaminants (such as lead), or gets food poisoning from food
supplied by the employer, the case would be considered reportable if the case meets the general
reporting criteria set forth at §225.19(d)(1)-(d)(6), and reported as either a Worker on Duty –
Employee (Class A) or Employee not on Duty (Class B) depending on the employee’s duty
status;
(4) The injury or illness is solely the result of an employee doing personal tasks
(unrelated to their employment) at the establishment outside of the employee’s assigned working
hours;
(5) The injury or illness is solely the result of personal grooming, self medication for a
non-work-related condition, or is intentionally self-inflicted (except that for FRA reporting
purposes a railroad shall not exclude an accountable or reportable injury or illness that is the
result of a suicide or attempted suicide);
(6) The illness is the common cold or flu (Note: contagious diseases such as tuberculosis,
brucellosis, hepatitis A, or plague are considered work-related if the employee is infected at
work); or
(7) The illness is a mental illness. Mental illness will not be considered work-related
unless the employee voluntarily provides the employer with an opinion from a physician or other
licensed health care professional with appropriate training and experience (psychiatrist,
psychologist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, etc.) stating that the employee has a mental illness
that is work-related.
(d) Contractors and volunteers. A railroad is not to report injuries to contractors and
volunteers that are listed in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. For purposes of this paragraph
only, an exception listed in paragraphs (b) and (c) referencing “work environment” is construed
to mean for contractors and volunteers only, on property owned, leased, operated over or
maintained by the railroad for railroad operations.
(e) Rail equipment accident/incidents. The following exceptions do not impact the
railroad’s obligation to maintain records of accidents/incidents as required by § 225.25 (Form
FRA F 6180.97, “Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record”), as applicable. A railroad is
not to report the following rail equipment accidents/incidents:
(1) Cars derailed on industry tracks by non-railroad employees or non-railroad employee
vandalism, providing there is no involvement of railroad employees; and
(2) Damage to out of service cars resulting from high water or flooding (e.g., empties
placed on a storage or repair track). This exception does not apply if such cars are placed into a
moving consist and as a result of this damage a reportable rail equipment accident results.

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6.3

Suicide Data

Suicides and attempted suicides are no longer exceptions to FRA’s reporting requirements and
must be reported to FRA as “suicide data” on Form FRA 6180.55a when the casualty meets the
general reporting criteria. Therefore, a railroad must evaluate the injury or fatality to determine
whether it needs to create a report. Although self-inflicted wounds not inflicted for the purpose
of committing suicide are still excluded (i.e., an employee intentionally cuts his hand without
intending to kill himself). See § 225.15(c)(5).
Suicide data is data regarding the death of an individual due to that individual’s commission of
suicide as determined by a coroner, public police officer or other public authority; or injury to an
individual due to that individual’s attempted commission of suicide as determined by a public
police officer or other public authority. A railroad police officer is not considered a public police
officer within the meaning of the term. A public authority is a Federal, State, or local
governmental agency with the legal authority to declare a casualty a suicide or an attempted
suicide. Only the death of or injury to the individual who committed the suicidal act is
considered to be suicide data. Therefore, an injury or fatality caused to a person by another
person who committed suicide or attempted to commit suicide is not suicide data. For example,
if the impact between the railroad on-track equipment and a highway user occurred because the
highway user committed or attempted to commit suicide (as determined by a coroner, public
police officer, or other public authority), the death of or injury to that highway user must be
reported to FRA.
A railroad may accept verbal confirmation from the coroner, public police officer, or other public
authority of the cause of the fatality or injury. Where a railroad receives verbal confirmation, it
must document that confirmation in writing and create an audit trail so that FRA may confirm
the cause of the casualty at a later time. The audit trail should include, but is not limited to,
documentation of the name of the public police officer, coroner, or other public authority
determining cause of death, his or her title, the date of confirmation, for whom the individual
works, and the individual’s telephone number and mailing address.
When appropriate, railroads must report suicide data on Forms FRA F 6180.55a, FRA F
6180.54, and FRA F 6180.57, as follows:
1. Form FRA F 6180.55a–Place an “X” representative of “suicide or attempted suicide” in
Block 5r.
2. Form FRA F 6180.54–Place the following Miscellaneous Cause Codes, as applicable, in
Block 38: (a) Code M309 “Suicide (Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident)”; (b) Code
M310 “Attempted Suicide (Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident)”; (c) Code M509
“Suicide (Other Misc.)”; and (d) Code M510 “Attempted Suicide (Other Misc.).” These
codes can be found in Appendix C, “Train Accident Cause Codes” to this Guide.

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3. Form FRA F 6180.57–Mark in Block 41, “Driver Action,” the selection for “Suicide or
Attempted Suicide.” Include the suicides and attempted suicides in the casualty counts in
Blocks 46, 49, and 52, as applicable.
When applicable, railroads must record/report suicide data on the below forms as follows:
1. Form FRA F 6180.97: A railroad shall include casualties that result from suicides and
attempted suicides in the casualty count. In addition, where an accountable or reportable
rail equipment accident/incident is caused by a suicide or attempted suicide, the railroad
shall indicate that fact in the narrative field.
2. Form FRA F 6180.98: A railroad must indicate in the narrative section that the
accountable or reportable injury or fatality resulted from the person’s suicidal act.
In addition, railroads must include suicide data in the casualty count on Form FRA F 6180.55.
FRA will maintain suicide data in a database that is not publically accessible. FRA will
not include suicide data (as defined in § 225.5) in its periodic summaries of data on the
number injuries and illnesses associated with railroad operations. See § 225.41, Suicide
Data. Suicide data will not be available on FRA’s Web site for individual reports or
downloads. Suicide data will, however, be available to the public in aggregate format on
FRA's website and via requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). For
additional information on FOIA requests, see FRA’s Web site at
http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/foia. FRA will not report suicide data to DOL. Suicide data
will also be available to FRA inspectors and State agencies participating in investigative
activities under part 212. See § 225.31. States will also be able to obtain individual
reports directly from the railroads pursuant to § 225.1. See § 225.1.
6.4

Covered Data

Covered data is information that must be reported to FRA so that FRA’s reporting requirements
remain consistent with OSHA. Covered data concerns railroad employee injuries or illnesses
that are reportable exclusively because a physician or other licensed health care professional:
1. Recommends in writing that:
a. The employee take 1 or more days away from work when the employee instead
reports to work (or would have reported had he or she been scheduled) and takes no
days away from work in connection with the injury or illness and returns to full duty
(no restricted days);
b. The employee work restricted duty for 1 or more days when the employee instead
works unrestricted (or would have worked unrestricted had he or she been scheduled)
and takes no days of restricted work activity in connection with the injury or illness;

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c. The employee take over-the-counter (OTC) medication at a dosage equal to or greater
than the minimum prescription strength, whether or not the employee actually takes
the medication; or
2. Makes a one-time topical application of a prescription-strength medication to the
employee’s injury.
Although “covered data” cases will be retained in the files and will be accessible on FRA’s Web
site, these cases will not be included in the casualty counts found in FRA’s regular publications,
e.g., Annual Report of Railroad Safety Statistics.
6.5

Employee On-Duty Injury/Illness Reporting

Basic Requirement. See Chapter 6.1 of this Guide. See also § 225.11 and § 225.19(d),
6.5.1 Questions and Answers on Employee On-Duty Injury/Illness Reporting
Q1.

What if the injury was caused by the employee’s own negligence or was a
result of events beyond the railroad’s control, e.g., an employee was assaulted
by a trespasser, or two employees were engaged in horseplay. Would this
make a difference in terms of whether the injury or illness must be reported?

A1.

No. Responsibility or fault is not a consideration when deciding whether to
report. FRA notes that many circumstances that lead to a reportable work-related
injury or illness are “beyond the employer’s control,” at least as that phrase is
commonly interpreted. Nevertheless, because such an injury or illness was
caused, contributed to, or significantly aggravated by an event or exposure arising
from the operation of the railroad, it must be reported (assuming that it meets one
or more of the reporting criteria and does not qualify for a reporting exception
under § 225.15.) This approach is consistent with the no-fault reporting system
FRA has adopted, which includes work-related injuries and illnesses, regardless
of the level of employer control involved.
The following do not affect reportability if there is evidence an employee was
injured or made ill while in the work environment:
1. The event or exposure was not witnessed.
2. The employee did not immediately notify a supervisor.
3. The employee did not require medical treatment at the time of the
condition.
4. The condition was the result of an employee’s error.

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5. The condition was caused by outside factors, e.g., assault on an employee,
an insect or animal bite, lightening strike, other act of nature.
6. The condition did not meet all the necessary conditions for reporting at the
time of the initial event, activity, or exposure.
7. The condition was the culmination of a series of activities.
8. The employee cannot specifically identify when or how he or she was
injured.
Q2.

How do I decide whether a particular injury or illness of an employee on
duty is reportable?

A2.

The following decision tree shows the basic steps involved in making this
determination:

Did the employee experience
an injury or illness?

Yes

Is the injury or illness workrelated?
Yes
Is the injury or illness a new case?

Update the previously
reported injury or
illness entry if
necessary.

Yes
No

Does the injury or illness meet the
general reporting criteria or the
application to specific cases?

Do not report the
injury or illness (may
require Form FRA
F 6180.98).

Yes

Report the injury or
illness on form FRA
F 6180.55a.

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6.6

Determination of Work-Relatedness

You must consider an injury or illness to be work-related if an event or exposure in the work
environment discernibly caused or contributed to the resulting condition, or if an event or
exposure occurring in the work environment is a discernable cause of a significant aggravation to
a preexisting injury or illness. The work event or exposure need only be one of the causes of, or
contributors to, the resulting injury or illness; it need not be the sole or predominant cause or
contributor. Work-relatedness is presumed for injuries and illnesses resulting from events or
exposures occurring in the work environment, even if the injury or illness does not have a clear
connection to a specific work activity or is not occupational in nature.
Injuries and illnesses that occur at work may not have a clear connection to a specific work
activity, condition, or substance that is peculiar to the employment environment. For example,
an employee may trip for no apparent reason while walking across a level factory floor; be
sexually assaulted by a co-worker; or be injured accidentally as a result of an act of violence
perpetrated by one co-worker against a third party. In these and similar cases, the employee’s
job-related tasks or exposures did not create or contribute to the risk that such an injury would
occur. Nevertheless, these cases are work-related. The causal connection is established by the
fact that the injury would not have occurred but for the conditions and obligations of
employment that placed the employee in the position in which he or she was injured or made ill.
An injury or illness is not reportable if the injury or illness involves signs or symptoms that
manifest themselves at work but result solely from a non-work-related event or exposure that
occurs outside the work environment. See reporting exceptions listed at § 225.15.
If it is not obvious whether the precipitating event or exposure that caused or contributed to an
injury or illness occurred in the work environment or elsewhere, the employer must evaluate the
employee’s work duties and environment to decide whether one or more events or exposures in
the work environment caused or contributed to the resulting condition, or significantly
aggravated a preexisting condition. As long as the event or exposure occurred at work and is a
discernable cause of the injury or illness or is a discernable cause of a significant aggravation to
a preexisting injury or illness, the injury or illness is work-related. If an injury is within the
presumption of work-relatedness, the employer can rebut work-relatedness only by showing that
the case falls within an exception listed in § 225.15. This means that the employer must make a
determination as to whether it is more likely than not that work events or exposures were a
discernable cause of the injury or illness, or a discernable cause of a significant aggravation to a
preexisting condition. The evaluation might include consultation with an ergonomics expert as
well as a PLHCP. A review of the job description, alone, is not sufficient without reviewing all
of the employee’s collateral duties. If the employer decides the case is not work-related, and
FRA subsequently issues a citation for failure to report, the Government would have the burden
of proving that the injury or illness was work-related.

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6.6.1

Interpretations on Work-Relatedness

Scenario 1:
An employer asks if an injury or illness sustained by an on-duty employee while he or she is
engaged in an activity, such as walking or bending, is considered work-related. The employer
notes that a case is presumed to be work-related if an event or exposure in the work environment
discernibly caused or contributed to the injury or illness. The work event or exposure need only
be one of the causes or contributions to the injury or illness; it need not be the sole or
predominant cause.
Response 1:
The question employers must answer is whether there is an identifiable event or exposure that
occurred in the work environment and resulted in the injury or illness. Thus, if an employee trips
while walking across a level shop floor, the resulting injury is considered work-related because
the precipitating event—the tripping accident—occurred in the workplace. The case is workrelated even if the employer cannot determine why the employee tripped, or whether any
particular workplace hazard caused the accident to occur.
The activity engaged in by the employee at the time of the injury—walking—is an “event” that
would trigger application of the presumption. Other examples of events include sneezing,
climbing, tripping, and bending down. In the absence of evidence to overcome the presumption,
the injury is work-related. Thus, in the absence of evidence to overcome the presumption, an
ankle injury caused by a trip that occurred while the employee was walking down a level
seamless hallway at work is work-related, regardless of whether the accident is attributable to a
defect in the hall. By the same reasoning, if the activity of walking down a hallway caused the
employee’s knee to buckle or to sprain the ankle, the injury is work-related. If an injury or
illness did not result from an identifiable event or exposure in the work environment, but only
manifested itself during work, the injury is not work-related. For example, if the employee had a
non-occupational event or exposure, and there is no evidence of a work-related event or exposure
that caused or contributed to the injury or illness, the injury should not be reported.
There is also the issue of whether the determination of work-relatedness is affected by an
employee’s preexisting condition. For reporting purposes, a preexisting condition is an injury or
illness resulting solely from a non-work-related event or exposure. If an employee’s preexisting
condition is worsened as a result of an event or exposure at work, the case is work-related if the
work event or exposure “significantly aggravated” the preexisting condition (i.e., discernibly
caused the case to meet any of the general criteria).
If an employee with a previous work-related injury to a body part suffers a subsequent workrelated injury of the same type to the same body part, the subsequent injury is reportable
(assuming the general reporting criteria are met) if it is a “new case” as described in this chapter.

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If the subsequent injury is not a “new case,” then the railroad is required to update the previously
submitted injury or illness report if necessary.
Scenario 2:
An employee reported to work at 7:00 a.m. At 12:15 p.m., the employee reported that his toes
on his left foot started swelling and his foot started hurting. The employee wanted to go to a
doctor for evaluation.
On the first report of injury that the employee completed before he went to the doctor,
the employee indicated that the cause of the illness was “unknown.”
When answering the doctor’s question: “How did the injury occur?,” the employee answered
that the only thing he could think of was that his feet were wet all the previous day due to work
in the morning at a cooling tower. The cooling tower water is treated to remove bacteria and
then used in process operations in the plant.
The doctor described the illness/injury as foot edema/cellulitis. The doctor also diagnosed the
injury as an occupational disease, prescribed an antibiotic, and the employee missed 1 day of
work. The company sent the employee to a second doctor who said to continue using the
antibiotic. Neither doctor could state conclusively that the foot edema/cellulitis was or was not
due to the employee’s feet being wet due to work at the cooling tower. Neither doctor is a
specialist in skin disorders.
During an incident review at the site, the employee again said he did not know if his feet being
wet all day the previous day caused the injury/illness. The employee also stated that he had not
worn the personal protective equipment—rubber boots—prescribed for this task.
The company determined that this injury/illness was not work-related (did not occur in the
course of or as a result of employment), since neither physician nor the employee could state
with certainty that the injury/illness was caused by the employee’s feet being wet all day due to
work at the cooling tower. Since the injury/illness was determined to not be work-related, the
company deemed the incident non-reportable.
Response 2:
A case is work-related if it is more likely than not that an identifiable event or exposure in the
work environment was a discernable cause of the injury or illness. The work event or exposure
need only be one of the causes; it need not to be the sole or predominant cause. In this case, the
fact that neither the physician nor the employee could state with absolute certainty that the
employee’s edema was caused by working with wet feet is not dispositive. In these situations,
the railroad should evaluate the surrounding circumstances and relevant information (i.e., the

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physician’s description of the edema as an “occupational disease,” the employee’s statement that
working with wet feet was “the only thing he could of” as the cause, the employee’s medical
history and events surrounding the injury/illness) to determine whether it is more likely that the
identifiable event (working with wet feet) was a cause. The fact that the employee did not wear
proper protective equipment is irrelevant for reporting purposes. If the railroad determines that
the case it reportable, the case must be recorded on the Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness
Record, Form FRA F 6180.98, and reported to FRA on Form FRA F 6180.55a.
Scenario 3:
An employee was to report to work by 8:00 a.m. The employee drove into the company parking
lot at 7:30 a.m. and parked the car. The employee exited the car and proceeded to the office to
report to work. The parking lot and sidewalks are privately owned by the facility and both are
within the property line, but not the controlled access points (i.e., fence, guards). The employee
stepped onto the sidewalk and slipped on the snow and ice. The employee suffered a back injury
and missed multiple days of work. The company believes that the employee was still in the
process of the commute to work since the employee had not yet checked in at the office. Since a
work task was not being performed, the site personnel deemed the incident not work-related and
therefore not reportable.
Response 3:
Company parking lots and sidewalks are part of the employer’s establishment for injury/illness
reporting purposes. In this case, the employee slipped on an icy sidewalk while walking to the
office to report for work. In addition, the event or exposure that occurred does not meet any of
the work-related exceptions. The employee was on the sidewalk because of work not because
the employee was a member of the general public or a trespasser. The event or exposure
occurred in the work environment and caused or contributed to the resultant injury. Therefore,
the case is work-related, regardless of the fact that he had not actually checked in, and must be
reported as a case involving a Railroad Employee Not On Duty (Class B). See reporting
exceptions listed at § 225.15.
Scenario 4:
An employee reports to work. Several hours later, the employee goes outside for a “smoke break
and to get a pair of sunglasses from his truck.” The employee slips on ice and injures his back.
Since the employee was not performing tasks related to the employee’s work, the company has
deemed this incident non-work-related and therefore not reportable.

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Response 4:
An injury or illness is not work-related if it is solely the result of an employee doing personal
tasks (unrelated to their employment) at the establishment outside of the employee’s assigned
working hours. See reporting exceptions listed at § 225.15. In order for this exception to apply,
the case must meet both of the stated conditions. The exception does not apply here because the
injury or illness occurred within normal working hours as “breaks” during normal working hours
are considered within assigned working hours. Therefore, this case is work-related, and must be
recorded on the Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record, Form FRA F 6180.98, and
reported on Form FRA F 6180.55a.
Scenario 5:
An employee drove into the company parking lot at 7:30 a.m., exited his car, and proceeded to
cross the parking lot to clock in to work. A second employee, also on the way to work,
approached the first employee, and the two individuals got into a physical altercation in the
parking lot. The first employee broke an arm during the altercation. The employee went to the
doctor and received medical treatment for his injury.
The company deemed this a non-work-related incident, and therefore non-reportable, since the
employees had not yet reported to work and a work task was not being performed at the time of
the altercation.
Response 5:
The reporting requirements contain no general exception for purposes of determining workrelatedness for cases involving acts of violence in the work environment. Company parking
lots/access roads are part of the employer’s premises and therefore part of the employer’s
establishment. Whether the employee had not clocked in to work does not affect the outcome for
determining work-relatedness. Therefore, this case is work-related and must be recorded on the
Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record, Form FRA F 6180.98, and reported on Form
FRA F 6180.55a.
Scenario 6:
An employee injured a knee performing work-related activities in 2005. The accident was
FRA-reportable. The employee had arthroscopic knee surgery 11 months later and was released
to full duty a month and a half after the arthroscopic surgery.
The employee had a second knee injury 3 months after the return to work release (after the first
surgery). After the second surgery, the doctor prescribed Vioxx® as an anti-inflammatory drug.

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Approximately 1½ months after the second knee surgery, the employee was given another full
release to return to work full duty, and returned to work. However, the doctor told the employee
to continue to take Vioxx® as prescribed (as needed) and to return to the doctor as needed. The
employee scheduled a followup appointment with the doctor. The day before the appointment,
the employee bumped his knee at work. During his scheduled doctor’s appointment (which was
to be the last followup visit), the employee mentioned the latest incident (bumping the knee) to
the doctor and showed him where the pain was occurring due to bumping his knee. The doctor
stated that the employee had an inflamed tendon (Grade 1 lateral collateral ligament sprain) that
was not part of the initial surgery (patellar tendonitis). The doctor stated in the diagnosis that the
original injury that required knee surgery was resolved. The doctor told the employee to
continue taking Vioxx® for the inflamed tendon. Since the employee was already taking the
medication prescribed (Vioxx®), the railroad does not believe this is reportable as a second
incident.
Response 6:
In the accident/incident regulation and reporting guidelines, the employer is required to follow
any determination a physician or other licensed healthcare professional has made about the status
of a new case. The inflamed tendon is a new case because the employee had completely
recovered from the previous injury and illness and a new event or exposure had occurred in the
work environment.
Scenario 7:
An employee knits a sweater for her daughter during a lunch break. She lacerates her hand and
needs sutures. She is engaged in a personal task. Are lunch breaks or other breaks considered
“assigned working hours?” Is the case reportable?
Response 7:
This case must be reported because it does not meet the exception to work-relatedness for
injuries that occur in the work environment but are solely due to personal tasks. For the
“personal tasks” exception to apply, the injury or illness must: 1) be solely the result of the
employee doing personal tasks (unrelated to their employment) and 2) occur outside of the
employee’s assigned working hours. The exception does not apply to injuries and illnesses that
occur during breaks in the normal work schedule. Here, the exception does not apply because
the injury occurred during the employee’s lunch break.
Scenario 8:
Does an employee become a part of the general public once they have timed out? Or, are they
considered part of the workforce from the time they get out of their car coming in to work to the
time they step into their car to go home at the end of their work day?

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Response 8:
For purposes of FRA recordkeeping, injuries, and illnesses occurring in the work environment
are considered work-related. Punching in and out with a time clock (or signing in and out) does
not affect the outcome for determining work-relatedness. If the employee experienced a workrelated injury or illness that meets the requirement for recording on a Form FRA F 6180.98
record, then the paperwork must be retained on file. If it satisfies one or more of the general
reporting criteria, it must be reported on Form FRA F 6180.55a. The only distinction is whether
to report it as a Railroad Employee On Duty (Class A) or Railroad Employee Not On Duty
(Class B). Employees are considered members of the general public when they are present in the
work environment for reasons solely unconnected with their employment or without their
employer’s permission. Again, an employee does not become a member of the general public
solely by being present in the work environment outside of assigned work hours. For example,
an employee of a passenger railroad maybe considered a member of the general public in the
work environment when they are a passenger on the train for personal reason unconnected to
work (i.e., personal vacation).
Scenario 9:
An employee times out and chooses to linger in the plant. Then, she goes to her locker to lock up
her personal items, and falls. Is the injury work-related?
Response 9:
Since the resultant injury occurred in the work environment, it is work-related, unless a specific
exception applies. There are not enough factual details provided in the scenario for FRA to fully
evaluate whether an exception under § 225.15 applies in the circumstances described. However,
if employees normally keep personal items in a locker at the plant, FRA would not consider the
employee’s actions in going to her locker before leaving the plant to be a personal task, unrelated
to employment, for purposes of the exception.
6.6.2 Questions and Answers on Employees—Determination of Work-Relatedness
Q3.

Are there situations in which an injury or illness occurs to an employee while
in the work environment, but would not be reported as an injury to, or
illness of, an employee on duty?

A3.

Yes. An injury or illness occurring in the work environment that falls under one
of the reporting exceptions set forth at § 225.15(b) would not be reported as one
to an employee on duty. These situations must be evaluated to determine if the
employee’s condition is reportable using the criteria for individuals who are not
employees on duty, e.g., employee not on duty, nontrespasser.

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Q4.

What activities are considered “personal grooming” for purposes of the
exception to the geographic presumption of work-relatedness for employees
on duty?

A4.

Personal grooming activities are activities directly related to personal hygiene,
such as combing and drying hair, brushing teeth, clipping fingernails, and the like.
Bathing or showering at the workplace, when necessary, because of an exposure
to a substance at work, is not within the personal grooming exception. Thus, if an
employee slips and falls while showering at work to remove a contaminant to
which he has been exposed at work, and sustains an injury that meets one of the
general reporting criteria, the case is reportable.

Q5.

What are “personal tasks” for purposes of the reporting exception under
§ 225.15?

A5.

“Personal tasks” are tasks that are unrelated to the employee’s job. For example,
if an employee uses a company break to perform work on his or her personal
automobile that is not part of his or her job duties, he or she is engaged in a
personal task. However, this example would still be reportable as the employee is
performing a personal task during a lunch break, which is within assigned work
hours. Note that a case is reportable unless it meets both prongs of the exception
under § 225.15: the case must involve first, personal tasks at the establishment;
and second, must have occurred outside of the employee’s assigned working
hours. See Q7 and A7, below.

Q6.

If an employee stays at work after normal work hours to prepare for the next
day’s tasks and is injured, is the worker considered to be an employee on
duty? For example, if an employee stays after work to prepare equipment
and is injured, is the case work-related?

A6.

Yes. This individual’s injury is considered to be work-related. A case is workrelated any time an event or exposure in the work environment either causes or
contributes to an injury or illness, or significantly aggravates a preexisting injury
or illness, unless one of the specific exceptions in this section applies. The work
environment includes the establishment and other locations where one or more
employees are working or are present as a condition of their employment. The
case in question would be work-related if the employee was injured as a result of
an event or exposure at work, regardless of whether the injury occurred after
normal work hours and regardless of whether the employee was in pay status.

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Q7.

An employee was injured in the workplace while performing a personal task
(unrelated to their employment) outside of the employee’s assigned working
hours; is the injury reportable?

A7.

In order to correctly apply the reporting exception, the case must meet both of the
following conditions. The case must involve first, personal tasks at the
establishment; and second, must have occurred outside of the employee’s
assigned working hours. In this case, the conditions are met. Thus, this case
would not be reportable as an injury to a Railroad Employee On Duty (Class A).

Q8.

How do I handle a case if it is not obvious whether the precipitating event or
exposure occurred in the work environment or occurred away from work?

A8.

You must evaluate the employee’s work duties and environment to decide
whether it is more likely than not that one or more events or exposures in the
work environment either caused or contributed to the resulting condition or
significantly aggravated a preexisting condition. The evaluation might include
consultation with an ergonomics expert as well as a PLHCP. A review of the job
description alone is not sufficient without reviewing all of the employee’s
collateral duties.

Q9.

How do I know if an event or exposure in the work environment
“significantly aggravated” a preexisting injury or illness?

A9.

A preexisting injury or illness has been significantly aggravated, for purposes of
FRA injury and illness recordkeeping, when:
With respect to any person:
(1) Death, provided that the preexisting injury or illness would likely not have
resulted in death but for the occupational event or exposure.
(2) Loss of consciousness, provided that the preexisting injury or illness would
likely not have resulted in loss of consciousness but for the occupational event
or exposure.
(3) Medical treatment in a case where no medical treatment was needed for the
injury or illness before the workplace event or exposure, or a change in
medical treatment was necessitated by the workplace event or exposure.
With respect to a railroad employee:
(1) One or more days away from work, days of restricted work, or days of job
transfer that otherwise would not have occurred but for the occupational event
or exposure.

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Q10. Which injuries and illnesses are considered preexisting conditions?
A10.

An injury or illness is a preexisting condition if it resulted solely from a nonwork-related event or exposure that occurred outside the work environment, e.g.,
diabetes.

Q11. An employee-on-duty was injured at work and received medical treatment.
The employee was also tested for alcohol and drugs. The test was positive for
alcohol. The employee admitted that he had been previously treated for
alcohol abuse. An investigation determined that this event or exposure
would not have occurred except for the alcohol impairment. Since the
employee already had an existing problem with alcohol abuse, would this
injury meet the reporting exception that the injury or illness involves signs or
symptoms that manifest themselves at work but result solely from a nonwork-related event or exposure that occurs outside the work environment?
A11.

The positive drug/alcohol history is not a qualifying reporting exception. There
are some medical conditions, such as epilepsy, that cannot be controlled by the
employee. The Americans with Disabilities Act, Public Law 101-336, prohibits
discrimination on the basis of epilepsy in employment. That is why OSHA has
excluded injuries occurring as a result of epilepsy from injury reporting with the
revised regulation, if the workplace environment did not trigger the epileptic
seizure. This exception allows the employer to exclude cases where a loss of
consciousness is due solely to a personal health condition, such as epilepsy,
diabetes, or narcolepsy.
This concept cannot be extended to alcohol dependency or the use of legal or
illegal drugs. Impairment by drugs or alcohol is a serious problem in the
workplace; however, it is not classified as a preexisting condition for purposes of
reporting injuries. The employer is expected to keep the workplace drug-free and
to report all injuries that meet FRA’s reporting criteria, including those that are
associated with a positive drug/alcohol test result.

Q12. How do I decide whether an injury or illness is work-related if the employee
is on travel status at the time the injury or illness occurs?
A12.

Injuries and illnesses that occur while an employee is on travel status are workrelated if, at the time of the injury or illness, the employee was engaged in work
activities “in the interest of the employer.” Examples of such activities include
travel to and from customer contacts, conducting job tasks, and entertaining or
being entertained to transact, discuss, or promote business (work-related

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entertainment includes only entertainment activities being engaged in at the
direction of the employer).
Injuries or illnesses that occur when the employee is on travel status should be
evaluated as follows:
(1) An employee checks into a hotel or motel for 1 or more days. When a
traveling employee checks into a hotel, motel, or other temporary residence,
he or she establishes a “home away from home.” You must evaluate the
employee’s activities after he or she checks into the hotel, motel, or other
temporary residence for their work-relatedness in the same manner as you
evaluate the activities of a non-traveling employee. When the employee
checks into the temporary residence, he or she is considered to have left the
work environment. When the employee begins work each day, he or she reenters the work environment. If the employee has established a “home away
from home” and is reporting to a fixed worksite each day, you also do not
consider injuries or illnesses work-related if they occur while the employee is
commuting between the temporary residence and the job location.
Note:

An employee in deadhead transportation is considered an
“employee on duty” regardless of the mode of transportation.
Deadhead transportation occurs when an employee is traveling at
the direction or authorization of the carrier to or from an
assignment, or the employee is involved with a means of
conveyance furnished by the carrier or compensated by the carrier.

Exception:

If an employee is housed by the carrier in a facility such as a
motel, and part of the service provided by the motel is the
transportation of the employee to and from the worksite, any
reportable injury to the employee during such transit is to be
reported as that to a Railroad Employee Not On Duty (Class B). If
the employee had decided upon other means of transportation that
had not been authorized or provided, such as a ride from a friend,
and for which he would not have been compensated by the
railroad, the injury is not considered work-related.

(2) An employee takes a detour for personal reasons. Injuries or illnesses are not
considered work-related if they occur while the employee is on a personal
detour from a reasonably direct route of travel (e.g., has taken a side trip for
personal reasons).
Q13. This question involves the following sequence of events: Employee A drives
to work, parks her car in the company parking lot, and is walking across the

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lot, when she is struck by a car driven by Employee B, who is commuting to
work. Both employees are seriously injured in the accident. Is either worker
considered to be an employee on duty?
A13.

Neither employees’ injuries are reportable as occurring to a Railroad Employee
On Duty (Class A). While the employee parking lot is part of the work
environment, injuries occurring there would be classified as injuries to Railroad
Employees Not On Duty (Class B).

Q14. How do I decide if a case is work-related when the employee is working at
home or telecommuting from another location?
A14.

Injuries and illnesses that occur while an employee is working at home, including
work in a home office, will be considered work-related if the injury or illness
occurs while the employee is performing work for pay or compensation in the
home, and the injury or illness is directly related to the performance of work
rather than to the general home environment or setting. For example, if an
employee drops a box of work documents and injures his or her foot, the case is
considered work-related. If an employee is injured because he or she trips on the
family dog while rushing to answer a work phone call, the case is not considered
work-related. If an employee working at home is electrocuted because of faulty
home wiring, the injury is not considered work-related.

Q15. If an employee voluntarily takes work home and is injured while working at
home, is the case reportable?
A15.

6.7

No. Injuries and illnesses occurring in the home environment are only considered
work-related if the employee is being paid or compensated for working at home
and the injury or illness is directly related to the performance of the work rather
than to the general home environment.

Determination of New Cases

You must consider an injury or illness to be a “new case” if:
1. The person has not previously experienced a reported injury or illness of the same type
that affects the same part of the body; or
2. The person previously experienced a reported injury or illness of the same type that
affected the same part of the body but had recovered completely (all signs and symptoms
had disappeared) from the previous injury or illness; and an event or exposure in the
work environment discernibly caused the signs or symptoms to reappear.

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The following criteria are used for determining whether any injury or illness, including a
musculoskeletal disorder, is to be treated as a new case or as the continuation of an “old” injury
or illness. First, if the employee has never had a reported injury or illness of the same type and
affecting the same part of the body, the case is automatically considered a new case and must be
evaluated for reportability. This provision will handle the vast majority of injury and illness
cases, which are new cases rather than recurrences or case continuations. Second, if the
employee has previously had a reported injury or illness of the same type and affecting the same
body part, but the employee has completely recovered from the previous injury or illness, and a
new workplace event or exposure causes the injury or illness (or its signs or symptoms) to
reappear, the case is a recurrence that the employer must evaluate for reportability.
When an employer has determined that an employee injury or illness is an old case, the employer
should review any additional or new information and amend the old records or reports when
appropriate. If it is a new case, it must be reviewed for reportability.
6.7.1 Questions and Answers on New Cases
Q16. How is an employer to determine whether an employee has “recovered
completely” from a previous injury or illness such that a later injury or
illness of the same type affecting the same part of the body resulting from an
event or exposure at work is a new case? If an employee’s signs and
symptoms disappear for a day and then resurface the next day, should the
employer conclude that the later signs and symptoms represent a new case?
A16.

An employee has recovered completely from a previous injury or illness, for
purposes of this section, when he or she is fully healed or cured. The employer
must use his best judgment based on factors such as the passage of time since the
symptoms last occurred and the physical appearance of the affected part of the
body. If the signs and symptoms of a previous injury disappear for a day only to
reappear the following day, that is strong evidence the injury has not properly
healed. The employer may, but is not required to, consult a PLHCP. Where the
employer does consult a PLHCP to determine whether an employee has recovered
completely from a prior injury or illness, it must follow the PLHCP’s
recommendation. In the event the employer receives recommendations from two
or more PLHCPs, the employer may decide which recommendation is the most
authoritative and report the case based on that recommendation.

Q17. When an employee experiences the signs or symptoms of a chronic workrelated illness, do I need to consider each recurrence of signs or symptoms to
be a new case?
A17.

No. For occupational illnesses where the signs or symptoms may recur or
continue in the absence of an exposure in the workplace, the case must only be

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reported once. Examples may include occupational cancer, asbestosis, byssinosis,
and silicosis.
Q18. When an employee experiences the signs or symptoms of an injury or illness
as a result of an event or exposure in the workplace, such as an episode of
occupational asthma, must I treat the episode as a new case?
A18.

Yes. Since the episode or recurrence was caused by an event or exposure in the
workplace, the incident must be treated as a new case.

Q19. May I rely on a PLHCP to determine whether a case is a new case or a
recurrence of an old case?
A19.

6.8

You are not required to seek the advice of a PLHCP to determine whether a case
is new or a recurrence of an old one. However, if you do seek such advice, you
must follow the PLHCP’s recommendation about whether the case is a new case
or a recurrence. If you receive recommendations from two or more PLHCPs, you
must make a decision as to which recommendation is the most authoritative (best
documented, best reasoned, or most persuasive), and report the case based upon
that recommendation. If a subsequent physician determines that the condition
does not exist or is not work-related following a review of the examining
physician’s tests, notes, diagnosis, etc., then it must be clearly documented why
the subsequent physician’s findings differ from the original physician.

General Reporting Criteria

FRA’s general reporting criteria for death, injury, or occupational illness is set forth in Chapter
6.1 of this Guide.
6.8.1 Questions and Answers on General Reporting Criteria
Q20. How do I decide if a case meets one or more of the general reporting criteria?
A20.

A work-related injury or illness must be reported if it results in one or more of the
following:
1. Death.
2. Days away from work.
3. Restricted work or transfer to another job.
4. Medical treatment beyond first aid.
5. Loss of consciousness.

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6. A significant injury or illness diagnosed by a PLHCP.
7. Needlestick or sharps injury.
8. Medical removal.
9. Occupational hearing loss.
10. Occupational tuberculosis.
11. Musculoskeletal disorder if this disorder is reportable under one or more of
the general reporting criteria.
12. Covered data case.
6.8.2

Questions and Answers on Days Away from Work
Q21. How do I report a work-related injury or illness that results in day(s) away
from work?
A21.

When an injury or illness involves 1 or more days away from work, you must
report the injury or illness on Form FRA F 6180.55a and report the number of
calendar days away from work in Column 5o. (See definition of “day away from
work” and the section on counting days away from work and days of restriction.)
If the employee is out for an extended period of time, you must enter a best faith
estimate of the day(s) that the employee will be away, and update the day count
when the actual number of days is known.

Q22. Do I count the day on which the injury occurred or the illness began?
A22.

No. You begin counting days away from work on the day after the injury
occurred or the illness began.

Q23. How do I report an injury or illness when a PLHCP recommends that the
worker stay at home, but the employee comes to work anyway?
A23.

You must report these injuries and illnesses on Form FRA F 6180.55a. If a
PLHCP recommends days away, you should encourage your employee to follow
that recommendation. However, a minimum of 1 day away from work must be
reported when the injured or ill employee does not follow the PLHCP’s
recommendation and returns to work. If you receive recommendations from two
or more PLHCPs, you may make a decision as to which recommendation is the
most authoritative, and report the case based upon that recommendation.

Q24. How do I handle a case when a PLHCP recommends that the worker return
to work, but the employee stays at home for a day anyway?

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A24.

A decision by an employee concerning the care or treatment of his or her own
condition is not to be considered when deciding to report. If an employee has an
injury that meets none of the standard criteria for reporting, then an employee’s
action, e.g., taking OTC medication at prescription strength without proper
authorization, would not make the injury reportable even if he or she informed his
or her employer that this level of dosage was used.
In the situation described, a report would not be made unless the day absent from
work was approved by the employer as necessary for recovery from an otherwise
reportable injury, e.g., prescription medication was recommended by a PLHCP.
If the employee contacted the appropriate official in the company and this official
authorized the time off because of the injury, then a day away from work is to be
counted. Authorization may also come from a PLHCP, e.g., he sees his own
physician the day after the injury and the employer is aware that the doctor
recommends that the employee take time off to recover.

Q25. An employee who sustained a work-related bruise on his knee was told by a
physician not to return to work until undergoing a magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI). The employee remained off work for some days before the
procedure could be performed. The MRI showed that no FRA-reportable
injury occurred. Since no injury occurred, should this case be reported to
FRA?
A25.

Results of an MRI do not negate the reportability of a physician’s
recommendation. The case is FRA-reportable based on the physician’s
recommendation that the employee not return to work before undergoing an MRI
for his bruised knee. Railroads are instructed on how to record days-away cases
when a physician or PLHCP recommends that the injured or ill worker stay at
home or return to work but the employee chooses not to do so. FRA requires
employers to follow the physician’s or PLHCP’s recommendation when reporting
a case. For purposes of FRA recordkeeping, the case met the criteria for reporting
because the employee had sustained a work-related injury—a bruised knee—
involving 1 or more days away from work. The subsequent MRI results do not
change these facts. Accordingly, the negative results from the MRI results do not
change the fact that the employee was instructed not to return to work.

Q26. If an employee who sustains a work-related injury requiring days away from
work is terminated for drug use based on the results of a post-accident drug
test, how is the case reported? May the employer stop the day count upon
termination of the employee for drug use?
For another injury, it was later established during a hearing that the injury
was the result of a rules violation on the part of the employee. The employee

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was terminated because of the rules violation. When do we discontinue the
counting of days away from work?
A26.

The purpose of counting days away from work is to provide an additional
measure of the severity of an injury. The employer may stop counting days away
from work if an employee who is away from work because of an injury or illness
leaves the company for some reason unrelated to the injury or illness, such as
retirement or scheduled seasonal layoff. However, when the employer conducts a
drug test based on the occurrence of an accident resulting in an injury at work and
subsequently terminates the injured employee, the termination is related to the
injury. The same is true for discipline involving suspension of duty for a rule
violation that is imposed following an injury.
Therefore, you must estimate the number of days in cases such as these where the
employee would have otherwise been away from work due to the injury, and enter
that number on Form FRA F 6180.55a.

Q27. Once I have reported a case involving days away from work, restricted work,
or medical treatment and the employee has returned to his or her regular
work or has received the course of recommended medical treatment, is it
permissible for the me to delete the case based on a company physician’s
recommendation that the days away from work, work restriction or medical
treatment were not necessary?
A27.

The initial decision about the need for days away from work, a work restriction,
or medical treatment is based on the information available, including any
recommendation by a physician or other licensed health care professional at the
time the employee is examined or treated. At this time, if you receive
contemporaneous recommendations from two or more physicians or other
licensed health care professionals about the need for days away, a work
restriction, or medical treatment, the employer may decide which
recommendation is the most authoritative and report the case based on that
recommendation. However, once the days away from work or work restriction
has occurred or medical treatment has been given, the employer may not delete
the case because of a later physician’s conclusion that the days away, restriction
or treatment was unnecessary.

Q28. How long must a modification to a job last before it can be considered a
permanent modification?
A28.

You may stop counting days of restricted work or transfer to another job if the
restriction or transfer is made permanent. A permanent restriction or transfer is
one that is expected to last for the remainder of the employee’s career. Where the

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restriction or transfer is determined to be permanent at the time it is ordered, you
must count at least 1 day of the restriction and enter “Y” for termination or
permanent transfer on Form FRA F 6180.55a in Block 5r. If the employee whose
work is restricted, or who is transferred to another job, is expected to return to his
or her former job duties at a later date, the restriction or transfer is considered
temporary rather than permanent.
Q29. If an employee loses his arm in a work-related accident and can never return
to his job, how is the case reported? Is the day count capped at 180 days?
A29.

If an employee never returns to work following a work-related injury, the
employer must enter an estimate of the number of days the employee would have
required to recuperate from the injury, up to 180 days.

Q30. How do I count weekends, holidays, or other days the employee would not
have worked anyway?
A30.

You must count the number of calendar days the employee was unable to work as
a result of the injury or illness, regardless of whether the employee was scheduled
to work on those day(s). Weekend days, holidays, vacation days or other days off
are included in the total number of days reported if the employee would not have
been able to work on those days because of a work-related injury or illness.

Q31. How do I report a case in which a worker is injured or becomes ill on a
Friday and reports to work on a Monday, and was not scheduled to work on
the weekend?
A31.

You need to report this case only if you receive information from a PLHCP
indicating that the employee should not have worked, or should have performed
only restricted work, during the weekend. If so, you must report the injury or
illness as a case with days away from work or restricted work, and enter the day
counts, as appropriate.

Q32. How do I report a case in which a worker is injured or becomes ill on the day
before scheduled time off such as a holiday, a planned vacation, or a
temporary plant closing?
A32.

You need to report a case of this type only if you receive information from a
PLHCP indicating that the employee should not have worked, or should have
performed only restricted work, during the scheduled time off. If so, you must
report the injury or illness as a case with days away from work or restricted work,
and enter the day counts, as appropriate.

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Q33. Is there a limit to the number of days away from work I must count?
A33.

Yes. You may “cap” the total days away at 180 calendar days. You are not
required to keep track of the number of calendar days away from work if the
injury or illness resulted in more than 180 calendar days away from work and/or
days of job transfer or restriction. In such a case, entering 180 in the total days
away column will be considered adequate.

Q34. May I stop counting days if an employee who is away from work because of
an injury or illness retires or leaves my company?
A34.

Yes. If the employee leaves your company for some reason unrelated to the
injury or illness, such as retirement, a plant closing, or to take another job, you
may stop counting days away from work or days of restriction/job transfer. If the
employee leaves your company because of the injury or illness, you must estimate
the total number of days away or days of restriction or job transfer and enter the
day count on Form FRA F 6180.55a.

Q35. If a case occurs during 1 year but results in days away during the next
calendar year, do I report the case in both years?
A35.

6.9

No. You only report the injury or illness once. You must enter the number of
calendar days away for the injury or illness on Form FRA F 6180.55a for the year
in which the injury or illness occurred. If the employee is still away from work
because of the injury or illness at the time you are doing your initial closing out of
the calendar year (by April 15), you must provide a best faith estimate of the total
number of calendar days you expect the employee to be away from work, and file
a corrected copy of Form FRA F 6180.55a if the 180-day cap has not been
reached.

Restricted Work

An employee’s work is considered restricted when, as a result of a work-related injury or illness,
1) a PLHCP recommends that the employee not perform one or more of the routine functions of
his or her job (job functions that the employee regularly performs at least once per week), or not
work the full workday that he or she would otherwise have been scheduled to work; or 2) the
employer keeps the employee from performing one or more of the routine functions of his or her
job, or from working the full workday that he or she would otherwise have been scheduled to
work.

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6.9.1 Questions and Answers on Restricted Work
Q36. How do I report a work-related injury or illness that results in restricted
work or job transfer?
A36.

When an injury or illness involves restriction of routine work functions as a
described in (1) of the first paragraph of this section, the case is reportable as one
resulting in restriction, and a count of restricted days must be maintained. If the
injury or illness was not reportable under (1), but met any other reporting criteria,
i.e., medical treatment; then, any restricted days that result as described in (2)
must be recorded, unless the count of these days is subject to other limitations,
e.g., see Q42 and A42 in this section. You must report the number of qualifying
restricted or transferred days in the restricted workdays, Column 5p.

Q37. How do I decide if the injury or illness resulted in restricted work?
A37.

Restricted work occurs when, as the result of a work-related injury or illness:
1. You keep the employee from performing one or more of the routine functions
of his or her job, or from working the full workday that he or she would
otherwise have been scheduled to work; or
2. A PLHCP recommends that the employee not perform one or more of the
routine functions of his or her job, or not work the full workday that he or she
would otherwise have been scheduled to work.
An employee’s routine functions are those work activities the employee regularly
performs at least once per week.

Q38. An employee hurts his or her left arm and is told by the doctor not to use the
left arm for a week. The employee is able to perform all of his or her routine
job functions using only the right arm (though at a slower pace and the
employee is never required to use both arms to perform his or her job
functions). Would this be considered restricted work?
A38.

No. If the employee is able to perform all of his or her routine job functions
(activities the employee regularly performs at least once per week), the case does
not involve restricted work. Loss of productivity is not considered restricted work
for FRA’s reporting purposes.

Q39. Do I have to report restricted work or job transfer if it applies only to the
day on which the injury occurred or the illness began?

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A39.

No. You do not have to report restricted work or job transfers if you, or the
PLHCP, imposes the restriction or transfer only for the day on which the injury
occurred or the illness began.

Q40. If the railroad or a PLHCP recommends a work restriction, is the injury or
illness automatically reportable as a “restricted work” case?
A40.

No. A recommended work restriction is reportable only if it affects one or more
of the employee’s routine job functions. To determine whether this is the case,
the employer must evaluate the restriction in light of the routine functions of the
injured or ill employee’s job. If the restriction from you or the PLHCP keeps the
employee from performing one or more of his or her routine job functions, or
from working the full workday that the injured or ill employee would otherwise
have worked, the employee’s work has been restricted and the employer must
report the case. For example, if the PLHCP restricts the employee from lifting
heavy objects, but the employee’s job never requires the lifting of heavy objects,
then there has been no restriction imposed that involves the employee’s routine
job functions. (An employee’s routine functions are those work activities the
employee regularly performs at least once per week.)

Q41. What do I do if a PLHCP recommends a job restriction meeting FRA’s
definition, i.e., limits routine job functions, but the employee does all of his or
her routine job functions anyway?
A41.

You must report the injury or illness on Form FRA F 6180.55a as a restricted
work case. If a PLHCP recommends a job restriction, you should ensure that the
employee complies with that restriction. (This language is purely advisory and
does not impose an enforceable duty upon employers to ensure that employees
comply with the recommended restriction.) If you receive recommendations from
two or more PLHCPs, you may make a decision as to which recommendation is
the most authoritative, and report the case based upon that recommendation. In
the absence of conflicting opinions from two or more health care professionals,
the employer ordinarily must record the case if a health care professional
recommends a work restriction involving the employee’s routine job functions.
See Section 6.4, of this Guide, on Covered Data.

Q42. One of our employees experienced minor musculoskeletal discomfort. The
health care professional who examined the employee only provided first aid
treatment. In addition, it was determined that the employee is fully able to
perform all of her routine job functions. When the employee returned to
work, we decided to limit the duties of the employee for the purpose of
preventing a more serious condition from developing. Is this a restricted
work case?

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A42.

No. Since the minor musculoskeletal discomfort has not met any of the general
criteria, e.g., medical treatment; the employer’s decision to impose a work
restriction following such minor musculoskeletal discomfort would not make this
a restricted work case.

Q43. Will the determination of whether or not a case involves restriction always be
made by the medical professional who examines an employee?
A43.

No. Day(s) of restriction also occur if the employer restricts one or more of the
employee’s routine job functions in connection with an otherwise reportable case.
For example, an employee sustains an injury and is given a prescription to take
for a few days. The doctor tells the employee that he can return to work. The
employee’s routine job duties involve operating equipment. The employer does
not allow the employee to operate the machinery he normally would because of
concerns about the effects of the medication, and instead has the employee
perform an inventory. This would be a restricted work case.

Q44. Do I have to report a day of restriction if an employee fails to follow a
PLHCP’s recommended work restriction?
A44.

You should ensure that the employee complies with the recommended restriction.
In the absence of conflicting opinions from two or more health care professionals,
the employer must report 1 day of restriction if a professional recommends a work
restriction involving the employee’s routine job functions, and if a day away from
work has not already occurred. See Section 6.4, of this Guide, on Covered Data.

Q45. How do I report a case where the worker works only for a partial work shift
because of a work-related injury or illness?
A45.

A partial day of work is reported as a day of job transfer or restriction for
recordkeeping purposes, except for the day on which the injury occurred or the
illness began.

Q46. If the injured or ill worker produces fewer goods or services than he or she
would have produced prior to the injury or illness, but otherwise performs
all of the routine functions of his or her work, is the case considered a
restricted work case?
A46.

No. The case is considered restricted work only if the worker does not perform
all of the routine functions of his or her job or does not work the full shift that he
or she would otherwise have worked.

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Q47. How do I handle vague restrictions from a PLHCP, such as that the
employee engage only in “light duty” or “take it easy for a week?”
A47.

If you are not clear about the PLHCP’s recommendation, you may ask that person
whether the employee can do all of his or her routine job functions and work all of
his or her normally assigned work shift. If the answer to both of these questions
is “Yes,” then the case does not involve a work restriction and does not have to be
reported as such. If the answer to one or both of these questions is “No,” the case
involves restricted work and must be reported as a restricted work case. If you are
unable to obtain this additional information from the PLHCP who recommended
the restriction, report the injury or illness as a case involving restricted work.

Q48. If an employee who routinely works 10 hours a day is restricted from
working more than 8 hours following a work-related injury, is the case
reportable?
A48.

Generally, the employer must report any case in which an employee’s work is
restricted because of a work-related injury. A work restriction occurs when the
employer keeps the employee from performing one or more routine functions of
the job, or from working the full workday the employee would otherwise have
been scheduled to work. The case in question is reportable if the employee
presumably would have worked 10 hours had he or she not been injured.

Q49. An employee was injured at work and work-relatedness is established for
reporting purposes. The employee was not able to drive himself to work.
The employee may have had a cast or splint on, arm in a sling, using
crutches, or leg immobilized, etc. The railroad had work the employee could
have done, if the employee could have gotten to work. The employee stated
he was not able to drive. Prior to the injury, the employee drove himself to
work every day. He was not in a car pool and didn’t catch a ride with coworkers, etc. Would this case be a days-away-from-work case or a restricted
work activity case? If the railroad provided transportation (even though not
required by the regulation to do so), could the company count the days as
restricted or must they still count the days as days away from work? Would
the answer be the same if the employee’s doctor wrote a restriction of “no
driving” but the company says “the employee can get a ride with someone
else; we have work available”?
What if an employee is injured and is placed under a work restriction by a
physician; however, the railroad does not have any available restricted work
for a period of time?

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A49.

If the employee does not make it to work, the case must be reported as a case
involving days away from work. If the employee is driven to work by the
railroad, or anyone else, and the employee performs restricted work, the case must
be reported as a case involving restricted work activity. If a PLHCP places the
employee under a work restriction, but the employer has no available restricted
work, then this would be reported as a case involving days away from work.

Q50. How do I decide if an injury or illness involved a transfer to another job?
A50.

If you assign an injured or ill employee to a job other than his or her regular job
for part of the day, the case involves transfer to another job.
Note: This does not include the day on which the injury or illness occurred.

Q51. Are transfers to another job reported in the same way as restricted work
cases?
A51.

Yes. Both job transfers and restricted work cases are reported on Form FRA
F 6180.55a. For example, if you assign, or a PLHCP recommends that you
assign, an injured or ill worker to his or her routine job duties for part of the day
and to another job for the rest of the day, the injury or illness involves a job
transfer. You must report an injury or illness that involves a job transfer by
placing a “Y” (for yes) in the box for job transfer, 5r.

Q52. How do I count days of job transfer or restriction?
A52.

6.9.2

You count days of job transfer or restriction in the same way you count days away
from work. The only difference is that if you permanently assign the injured or ill
employee to a job that has been modified or permanently changed in a manner
that eliminates the routine functions the employee was restricted from performing,
you may stop the day count when the modification or change is made permanent.
You must count at least 1 day of restricted work or job transfer for such cases.

Counting Days Away from Work and Days of Restriction

FRA needs a count of the days an employee is away from work and/or restricted while at work
because of an injury or occupational illness for classification of the severity of the injury/illness
and for other purposes.
Day away from work is defined at § 225.5.
Day of restricted work activity is defined at § 225.5.

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Frequently, an employee’s condition is such that it will result in lost or restricted days extending
beyond the 30-day filing deadline. If this occurs, you must make a good faith estimate of the
additional number of days that may accrue for the case and record this on the initial Form FRA
F 6180.55a. A record of the actual count of these days must be maintained for the affected
employee. After the employee returns to work at full capacity, or the actual days exceeds the
original estimate, a corrected report must be submitted that shows the actual count of days if
these are significantly different from the original estimate. A significant difference in this
context is a variance of 10 percent or more between the number of days that has been reported
and the count that you maintain in your records.
When reporting the count of days, the following guidelines are to be followed:
1. The day of the accident/incident is not to be included in either count.
2. If it is necessary, during a workday, for an employee to have a followup
examination or receive additional medical care, etc., the time spent going to and coming
from such an appointment is not considered restricted time. If the employee was not
already on restricted duty prior to going to or upon returning from such visits a day of
restriction need not be charged. If the employee does not report to work at all on such
days, a day away from work has occurred.
3. If an employee takes off to see a physician for an initial evaluation after the day of an
injury/illness, and provided that none of the reportability criteria is met, a day away from
work is not to be charged, since there has not been a reportable condition.
4. Damage to an employee’s personal effects, such as eye glasses, hearing aids, or dentures,
is not by itself reportable. If a reportable injury did not also occur, the work days lost
while awaiting repair or replacement of these articles are not to be charged.
6.10

Exceptions to Medical Treatment (First Aid)

“Medical treatment” is the management and care of a patient to combat disease or a disorder.
For the purposes of Part 225, medical treatment does not include:
1. Visits to a PLHCP solely for observation or counseling;
2. The conduction of diagnostic procedures, such as x-rays and blood tests, including the
administration of prescription medications used solely for diagnostic purposes (e.g., eye
drops to dilate pupils); or
3. “First aid treatment.” The following is a comprehensive list of first aid treatment.” If the
treatment given is not on this list, it is considered to be “medical treatment.” For the
purposes of Part 225, “First aid” means the following:

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a. Using a nonprescription medication at nonprescription strength. (For medications
available in both prescription and non-prescription form, a recommendation by a
PLHCP to use a non-prescription medication at prescription strength is considered
medical treatment for recordkeeping and reporting purposes.)
b. Administering tetanus immunizations. (Other immunizations, such as Hepatitis B
vaccine or rabies vaccine, are considered medical treatment.)
c. Cleaning, flushing, or soaking wounds on the surface of the skin.
d. Using wound coverings such as bandages, Band-Aids™, gauze pads, etc.; or using
butterfly bandages or Steri-Strips™. (Other wound-closing devices, such as sutures,
staples, or surgical glues, are considered medical treatment.)
e. Using hot or cold therapy, e.g., heating pads or ice packs.
f. Using any non-rigid means of support such as elastic bandages, wraps, non-rigid back
belts, etc. (Devices with rigid stays or other systems designed to immobilize parts of
the body are considered medical treatment for recordkeeping and reporting purposes.)
g. Using temporary immobilization devices while transporting an accident victim (e.g.,
splints, slings, neck collars, back boards, etc.).
h. Drilling of a fingernail or toenail to relieve pressure, or draining fluid from a blister.
i. Using eye patches.
j. Removing foreign bodies from the eye using only irrigation or a cotton swab.
k. Removing splinters or foreign material from areas other than the eye by irrigation,
tweezers, cotton swabs, or other simple means.
l. Using finger guards.
m. Using massages. (Any other physical therapy, other than that identified as first aid,
provided by a PLHCP or administered under the supervision of a PLHCP, and
chiropractic treatment are considered medical treatment for recordkeeping and
reporting purposes. Examples include acupuncture and electronic stimulation.)
n. Drinking non-prescription fluids for relief of heat-related conditions.
o. Pre-hospital protocol. (During transport, the injured person may be restrained with a
body board or neck brace, they may receive oxygen, or they may have an IV needle
inserted. These pre-hospital protocol procedures are generally considered to be first
aid as long as they are performed without symptoms being exhibited that would
specifically require such treatment. See “Q&A” 65 and 66, below, for additional
guidance.)
Note: A case involving first-aid treatment must be further evaluated to determine if
any of the other reporting criteria are met. For example, for some employees,
the application of an eye patch may restrict the employees’ ability to perform

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their routine job functions. The case then becomes reportable on the basis of
restriction of work or transfer to another job.
6.10.1 Questions and Answers on First Aid
Q53. Is a physical therapist considered a “health care professional” under the
definition of health care professional?
A53.

Yes. A physical therapist’s license allows him or her to independently perform,
or be delegated the responsibility to perform, physical therapy.

Q54. Are any other procedures included in first aid?
A54.

No. This Guide has provided a complete list of all treatments considered to be
first aid for Part 225 purposes.

Q55. An extra gang laborer was clearing an overgrown area of soil, gravel, and
weeds. In doing so, he disrupted a yellow jacket nest, receiving multiple
stings to the hand, arm, ear, neck, and back areas. The employee was
immediately driven to a local clinic and seen by a physician. The employee
received injections of Benadryl™ and Kenalog and was advised to apply ice
packs, drink fluids, and rest.
In two separate communications, a second physician, while admitting that
the treating physicians’ use of Benadryl™ and Kenalog injections was
“within the standard of care” for the injury suffered, went on to state that
“many providers would have instead offered oral diphenhydramine
(Benadryl™) and topical triamcinalone (Kenalog).” In other words, the
second physician stated that the injury could have been treated by
administering first aid, and, therefore could have resulted in a nonreportable injury.
Since the second physician said the employee could have been effectively
treated by first aid treatment, do we need to report?
In addition, some of our employees carry a bee-sting kit and do their own
injections. When this occurs, do we need to report?
A55.

A work-related injury or illness must be recorded on the Railroad Employee
Injury and/or Illness Record, Form FRA F 6180.98, and reported on Form FRA F
6180.55a, if it results in death, days away from work, restricted work or transfer
to another job, medical treatment beyond first aid, loss of consciousness, or
diagnosis of a serious injury or illness. Medical treatment is generally recognized

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to be “the management and care of a patient to combat disease or disorder.” First
aid (see section, of this FRA Guide, on First Aid and Medical Treatment) does not
fall within the definition of medical treatment. However, all prescription
medications, even those given as a single dose, are medical treatment.
In certain circumstances, FRA’s requirements permit a railroad to choose between
two conflicting or differing medical recommendations. When employees receive
contemporaneous recommendations (at the same time) from two or more PLHCPs
about the need for medical treatment, employers may decide which
recommendation is the most authoritative and report the case based on that
recommendation. However, once medical treatment is provided for a workrelated injury or illness, the case is reportable.
In regard to the question of self-injection, the answer is “Yes,” this must be
reported. If prescription medication is authorized for use by a PLHCP, it makes
no difference who administers the medication.
Q56. Are surgical glues used to treat lacerations considered “first aid?”
A56.

No. Surgical glue is a wound-closing device. All wound-closing devices, except
for butterfly bandages and Steri-Strips™, are by definition “medical treatment”
because they are not included on the first-aid list.

Q57. The PLHCP used liquid bandages on a wound; is this medical treatment or
first aid?
A57.

The concept that underlies the medical treatment vs. first aid distinction made
between this type of treatment centers around the basic difference between wound
coverings and wound closures using OTC vs. wound closures that are typically
performed by a PLHCP. Using wound coverings, such as bandages (including
liquid bandages), Band-Aids™, gauze pads, butterfly bandages or Steri-Strips™
are deemed to be first aid treatment. The use of sutures, staples, and special
bonding glues used by a PLHCP are considered medical treatment.

Q58. Is the use of a rigid finger guard considered first aid?
A58.

Yes. The use of finger guards is always first aid.

Q59. If prescription medications are prescribed as “PRN” (per required need), is
it reportable if the patient does not take or use the prescribed medicine?
A59.

FRA has decided to retain its longstanding policy of requiring the reporting of
cases in which a healthcare professional issues a prescription, regardless of

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whether that prescription is filled or actually taken by the employee. A patient’s
refusal of the medication does not alter the fact that, in the healthcare
professional’s judgment, the case warrants medical treatment. In addition, a rule
that relied on whether a prescription is filled or taken, rather than on whether the
medicine was prescribed, would create administrative difficulties for employers,
because such a rule would mean that the employer would have to investigate
whether a given prescription had been filled or whether the medicine had actually
been used. Also, many employers and employees may consider an employer’s
inquiry about the filling or taking of a prescription to be an invasion of the
employee’s privacy.
Q60. The employee visited a PLHCP due to an on-the-job injury. The PLHCP
issued a single dose medication and no prescription was written. The
medication was to be taken only if needed (PRN). The employee chose not to
take the medication. Is this case FRA-reportable?
A60.

Prescription medications, whether given once or over a longer period of time, are
not included in the list of first-aid treatments. FRA believes that the use of
prescription medications is not first aid, because prescription medications are
powerful substances that can only be prescribed by a PLHCP. The availability of
these substances is carefully controlled and limited, because they must be
prescribed and administered by a highly trained and knowledgeable professional.
Medications classified as first aid are only when employees use a nonprescription
medication at nonprescription strength. (For medications available in both
prescription and non-prescription form, a recommendation by a PLHCP to use a
non-prescription medication at prescription strength is considered medical
treatment for recordkeeping purposes).
FRA maintains its longstanding policy of requiring the reporting of cases in which
a healthcare professional issues a prescription or dispenses a single dose, whether
that prescription is filled or not. Medical treatment includes treatment that is used
as well as those that should have been used. The patient’s acceptance or refusal
of the treatment does not alter the fact that, in the healthcare professional’s
judgment, the case warranted a script for the issuance of prescription medicine.
For these reasons, the new recordkeeping rule continues FRA’s longstanding
policy of considering the recommendation of prescription medication as medical
treatment, regardless of the reason it is prescribed.

Q61. For medications such as Ibuprofen that are available in both prescription
and non-prescription form, what is considered to be prescription strength?
How is an employer to determine whether a non-prescription medication has
been recommended at prescription strength?

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A61.

The prescription strength of such medications is determined by the measured
quantity of the therapeutic agent to be taken at one time, i.e., a single dose. The
single dosages that are considered prescription strength for four common OTC
drugs are:
•

Ibuprofen (such as Advil™) - Greater than 467 mg

•

Diphenhydramine (such as Benadryl™) - Greater than 50 mg

•

Naproxen Sodium (such as Aleve™) - Greater than 220 mg

•

Ketoprofen (such as Orudus KT™) - Greater than 25 mg

To determine the prescription-strength dosages for other drugs that are available
in prescription and non-prescription formulations, the employer should contact the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a local pharmacist, or a physician.
Q62. “Removing splinters or foreign material from areas other than the eye by
irrigation, tweezers, cotton swabs, or other simple means...” What are
“other simple means” of removing splinters that are considered first aid?
A62.

“Other simple means” of removing splinters, for purposes of the definition of
“first aid,” means methods that are reasonably comparable to the listed methods.
Using needles, pins, or small tools, e.g., nail clippers or manicure scissors, to
extract splinters would generally be included.

Q63. Does the professional status of the person providing the treatment have any
effect on what is considered first aid or medical treatment?
A63.

No. FRA considers the treatments listed above to be first aid regardless of the
professional status of the person providing the treatment. Even when these
treatments are provided by a PLHCP, they are considered first aid for the
purposes of Part 225. Similarly, FRA considers treatment beyond first aid to be
medical treatment even when it is provided by someone other than a PLHCP.

Q64. If an employee is exposed to chlorine or some other substance at work and
oxygen is administered as a precautionary measure, is the case reportable?
A64.

It is often a standard procedure of emergency rescue teams to administer
preventive treatment, such as oxygen, or apply an intravenous (IV) saline solution
while a patient is being transported to a medical facility for further evaluation.
Such preventive treatment does not make the incident reportable. If oxygen is
administered as a purely precautionary measure to an employee who does not
exhibit any signs or symptoms of an injury or illness, the case is not reportable. If

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the employee exposed to a substance exhibits symptoms of an injury or illness,
the administration of oxygen makes the case reportable.
Q65. During transport to the hospital, the Emergency Medical Team may perform
some precautionary procedures that could be considered beyond first aid. Is
this reportable?
A65.

Emergency transport is considered first aid. During transport, the injured person
may be restrained with a body board, neck brace, receive oxygen, or have an IV
needle inserted. These pre-hospital protocol procedures are generally considered
to be first aid as long as they are performed without signs or symptoms being
exhibited that would specifically require such treatment. As in the previous
question, if the person is not being treated for dehydration or some other condition
that requires a saline IV, then simply receiving a saline IV as a precautionary
measure is considered to be first aid.
The use of casts, splints, or orthopedic devices designed to immobilize an injured
body part to permit it to rest and recover is considered medical treatment. The use
of temporary immobilization devices while transporting an accident victim (e.g.,
splints, slings, neck collars, back boards) is precautionary in nature, and their use
is to avoid exacerbation of a condition that may or may not exist. In these
specific situations, a splint or other device is used as temporary first-aid treatment,
may be applied by non-licensed personnel using common materials at hand, and
often does not reflect the severity of the injury. If following an examination it is
determined that continued use of the immobilization device is warranted, then the
case is reportable.

Q66. Item (n) on the first aid list is “drinking non-prescription fluids for relief of
heat-related conditions.” Does this include administering IV fluids?
A66.

No. IV administration of fluids to treat work-related heat-related conditions is
medical treatment.

Q67. What makes a heatstroke or heat exhaustion reportable? How is it reported?
A67.

Heatstroke is similar to heat cramps and heat exhaustion, but can have much more
severe consequences. It is one of the heat-related problems that often result from
heavy work in hot environments, usually accompanied by inadequate fluid intake.
Older adults, people who are obese, and people born with an impaired ability to
sweat are at high risk of heatstroke. Other risk factors include dehydration,
alcohol use, cardiovascular disease, and the use of certain medications.

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What makes heatstroke much more severe and potentially life-threatening is that
the body’s normal mechanisms for dealing with heat stress, such as sweating and
temperature control, are lost. The main sign of heatstroke is a markedly elevated
body temperature—generally greater than 104° F—with changes in mental status
ranging from personality changes to confusion and coma. Skin may be hot and
dry, although in heatstroke caused by exertion, the skin is usually moist.
Different people may have different signs or symptoms of heatstroke and other
heat-related disorders, e.g., heat exhaustion due to dehydration. But common
signs or symptoms include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Rapid heartbeat
Absence of sweating
Hot red or flushed dry skin
Rapid and shallow breathing
High body temperature
Rapid pulse
Elevated or lowered blood pressure
Headache
Irritability
Confusion
Unconsciousness

In cases of mild dehydration, simple rehydration is recommended by drinking
fluids. Many sports drinks on the market effectively restore body fluids,
electrolytes, and salt balance. Drinking non-prescription fluids for relief of heatrelated conditions is first-aid treatment.
For moderate to severe dehydration, IV fluids may be required. Cases of serious
dehydration should be treated as medical emergencies, and hospitalization, along
with IV fluids, is necessary. Immediate action should be taken. IV administration
of fluids to treat heat-related conditions is medical treatment and reportable.
As in any evaluation of a workplace injury or illness, a determination must be
made as to work-relatedness. If the injury or illness is work-related, then to be
reportable it must meet the one of the requirements set forth in § 225.19.
Heatstroke/sunstroke is reported in Block 5i of Form FRA F 6180-55a as Code
1141, and heat exhaustion as Code 1144; see Injury and Illness Codes in
Appendix E to this Guide.

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Q68. What if a PLHCP recommends medical treatment but the employee does not
follow the recommendation?
A68.

If a PLHCP recommends medical treatment, you should encourage the injured or
ill employee to follow that recommendation. However, you must report the case
even if the injured or ill employee does not follow the PLHCP’s recommendation;
the fact that there was a recommendation triggers the duty to report.

Q69. Is every work-related injury or illness case involving a loss of consciousness
reportable?
A69.

Yes. You must report a work-related injury or illness if the worker becomes
unconscious, regardless of the length of time the employee remained unconscious.

Q70. What is a “significant” diagnosed injury or illness that is reportable under
the general criteria even if it does not result in death, days away from work,
restricted work or job transfer, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of
consciousness?
A70.

Work-related cases involving cancer, chronic irreversible disease, a fractured or
cracked bone, or a punctured eardrum must always be reported under the general
criteria at the time of diagnosis by a PLHCP.

Q71. We had a case of an employee on-duty who fell approximately 4 feet from a
platform and landed on his back on a concrete area. He was immediately
taken to the emergency room, and the doctor prescribed a prescription
medication for pain, making a notation on the medical documentation.
Before writing out the actual prescription, the employee refused the
prescription medication. The doctor marked out the prescription medication
on the medical documentation with the notation “employee refused.” The
doctor then prescribed an OTC medication for the employee. Would
medical treatment, and thus reportability, be involved in this case?
A71.

In conformity with OSHA, FRA believes that the use of prescription medications
is not first aid because prescription medications are powerful substances that can
only be prescribed by a PLHCP. The availability of these substances is carefully
controlled and limited because they must be prescribed and administered by a
highly trained and knowledgeable professional. OSHA and FRA maintain their
longstanding policy of requiring the recording and reporting of cases in which a
healthcare professional issues a prescription, whether that prescription is filled or
not. Medical treatment includes treatment that is used as well as those that should
have been used. The patient’s acceptance or refusal of the treatment does not
alter the fact that, in the healthcare professional’s judgment, the case warranted a

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script for the issuance of prescription medicine. For these reasons, FRA continues
to be in conformity with OSHA’s longstanding policy of considering the use of
prescription medication as medical treatment, regardless of the reason it is
prescribed.
6.11

Reporting Requirements for Significant Injury or Illness to Railroad Employees

A significant injury to or significant illness of a railroad employee diagnosed by a
physician or other licensed healthcare professional must be reported even if the injury or
illness does not result in death, a day away from work, restricted work activity or job
transfer, medical treatment, or loss of consciousness. See § 225.19(d)(2)(ii) and (d)(5).
FRA believes that most significant injuries and illnesses will result in one or more of the
following:
For any person:
1. Death.
2. Medical treatment beyond first aid.
3. Loss of consciousness.
For railroad employees:
1. Days away from work.
2. Restricted work or transfer to another job.
However, there are some significant injuries, such as a punctured eardrum or a fractured toe or
rib, for which neither medical treatment nor work restrictions may be recommended. In addition,
there are some significant progressive diseases, such as byssinosis, silicosis, and some types of
cancer, for which medical treatment or work restrictions may not be recommended at the time of
diagnosis but are likely to be recommended as the disease progresses. FRA believes that cancer,
chronic irreversible diseases, fractured or cracked bones, and punctured eardrums are generally
considered significant injuries and illnesses, and must be reported at the initial diagnosis even if
medical treatment or work restrictions are not recommended, or are postponed, in a particular
case. See § 225.5 for definitions of “Significant Illness” and “Significant Injury.”
6.12

Reporting Requirements for Specific Case Criteria

An illness or injury that meets the application of any of the following specific case criteria is
reportable:
(i) A needlestick or sharps injury to a railroad employee;
(ii) Medical removal of a railroad employee;

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(iii) Occupational hearing loss of a railroad employee;
(iv) Occupational tuberculosis of a railroad employee; or
(v) A musculoskeletal disorder of a railroad employee if this disorder is independently
reportable under one or more of the general reporting criteria.
See § 225.19(d)(1)–(6).
6.12.1 Reporting Criteria for Needlestick and Sharps Injuries
You must report all work-related needlestick injuries and cuts from sharp objects that are
contaminated with another person’s blood or other potentially infectious material (as defined by
29 CFR 1910.1030). “Sharps” are any contaminated objects that can penetrate the skin,
including, but not limited to: needles, scalpels, broken glass, broken capillary tubes, and
exposed ends of dental wires. You must report the case on Form FRA F 6180.55a as an injury.
Questions and Answers on Needlesticks and Sharps
Q72. What does “other potentially infectious material” mean?
A72.

Other potentially infectious material (OPIM): For purposes of employee injury
illness reporting, this term has the same meaning as in OSHA’s bloodborne
pathogens standard at 29 CFR § 1910.1030, as amended, which on the date of
issuance of this Reporting Guide defines OPIM as:
(1) The following human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal
fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic
fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated
with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible
to differentiate between body fluids;
(2) Any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human (whether
living or dead); and
(3) Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-containing cell or tissue cultures,
organ cultures, and HIV- or hepatitis B virus (HBV)-containing culture
medium or other solutions; and blood, organ, or other tissues from
experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV.

Q73. Does this mean that I must report all cuts, lacerations, punctures, and
scratches?
A73.

No. You need to report cuts, lacerations, punctures, and scratches only if they are
work-related and involve contamination with another person’s blood or other
potentially infectious material. If the cut, laceration, or scratch involves a clean
object, or a contaminant other than blood or other potentially infectious material,

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you need to report the case only if it meets one or more of the general reporting
criteria.
Q74. If I report an injury and the employee is later diagnosed with an infectious
bloodborne disease, do I need to update Form FRA F 6180.55a report?
A74.

Yes. You must update the classification of the case on a corrected Form FRA
F 6180.55a if the case results in death, days away from work, restricted work, or
job transfer. You must also update the description to identify the infectious
disease and change the classification of the case from an injury to an illness.

Q75. What if one of my employees is splashed or exposed to blood or other
potentially infectious material without being cut or scratched? Do I need to
report this incident?
A75.

You need to report such an incident on Form FRA F 6180.55a as an illness if:
(1) It results in the diagnosis of a bloodborne illness, such as HIV, hepatitis B, or
hepatitis C; or
(2) It meets one or more of the general reporting criteria.

6.12.2 Reporting Criteria for Cases Involving Medical Removal
If an employee is medically removed under the medical surveillance requirements of an OSHA
standard, you must report the case.
You must report each medical removal case as either a case involving days away from work or a
case involving restricted work activity, depending on how you decide to comply with the
medical removal requirement. If the medical removal is the result of a chemical exposure, you
must report the case as one involving “poisoning.”
Questions and Answers on Medical Removal
Q76. Do all of OSHA’s standards have medical removal provisions?
A76.

No. Some OSHA standards, such as the standards covering bloodborne
pathogens and noise, do not have medical removal provisions. Many OSHA
standards that cover specific chemical substances have medical removal
provisions. These standards include, but are not limited to, lead, cadmium,
methylene chloride, formaldehyde, and benzene.

Q77. Do I have to report a case where I voluntarily removed the employee from
exposure before the medical removal criteria in an OSHA standard are met?

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A77.

No. If the case involves voluntary medical removal before the medical removal
levels required by an OSHA standard are reached, you do not need to report the
case.

6.12.3 Reporting Criteria for Cases Involving Occupational Hearing Loss
Basic requirement. If an employee’s hearing test (audiogram) reveals that the employee has
experienced a work-related standard threshold shift (STS) in hearing in one or both ears, and the
employee’s total hearing level is 25 dB or more above audiometric zero (averaged at 2,000;
3,000; and 4,000 Hz) in the same ear(s) as the STS, the case must be reported on Form FRA F
6180.55a.
Questions and Answers on Occupational Hearing Loss
Q78. How do I determine whether an STS has occurred?
A78.

An STS is defined in the occupational noise exposure standard at 29 CFR
§ 1910.95(g)(10)(i), as a change in hearing threshold, relative to the baseline
audiogram for that employee, of an average of 10 dB or more at 2,000; 3,000; and
4,000 Hz in one or both ears.
STS. If the employee has never previously experienced a reportable hearing loss,
you must compare the employee’s current audiogram with that employee’s
baseline audiogram. If the employee has previously experienced a reportable
hearing loss, you must compare the employee’s current audiogram with the
employee’s revised baseline audiogram (the audiogram reflecting the employee’s
previous reportable hearing loss case).
25-dB loss. Audiometric test results reflect the employee’s overall hearing
ability in comparison to audiometric zero. Therefore, using the employee’s
current audiogram, you must use the average hearing level at 2,000; 3,000; and
4,000 Hz to determine whether the employee’s total hearing level is 25 dB or
more.

Q79. May I adjust the audiogram results to reflect the effects of aging on hearing?
A79.

Yes. When you are determining whether an STS has occurred, you may ageadjust the employee’s current audiogram results by using Tables F-1 or F-2, as
appropriate, in Appendix F of 29 CFR 1910.95. You may not use an age
adjustment when determining whether the employee’s total hearing level is 25 dB
or more above audiometric zero.

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Q80. Do I have to report the hearing loss if I am going to retest the employee’s
hearing?
A80.

No. If you retest the employee’s hearing within 30 days of the first test, and the
retest does not confirm the reportable STS, you are not required to record the
hearing loss case on the log. If the retest confirms the reportable STS, you must
record the hearing loss illness on your log within 7 calendar days of the retest and
include it on your monthly report. If subsequent audiometric testing performed
under the testing requirements of the 29 CFR § 1910.95 noise standard indicates
that an STS is not persistent, you may delete the case from Form FRA F 6180.55a.

Q81. Are there any special rules for determining whether a hearing loss case is
work-related?
A81.

No. It is possible for a worker who is exposed at or above the 8-hour 85 dBA
action levels of the noise standard to experience a non-work-related hearing loss,
and it is also possible for a worker to experience a work-related hearing loss and
not be exposed above those levels. Therefore, there are no special rules for
determining work-relatedness. You should follow the overall approach to
determining work-relatedness–that a case is work-related if one or more events or
exposures in the work environment either caused or contributed to the hearing
loss, or significantly aggravated a preexisting hearing loss.

Q82. If a PLHCP determines the hearing loss is not work-related, do I still need to
report the case?
A82.

If a PLHCP determines that the hearing loss is not work-related and has not been
significantly aggravated by occupational noise exposure, you are not required to
consider the case work-related or to report the case on Form FRA F 6180.55a.

6.12.4 Reporting Criteria for Work-Related Tuberculosis Cases
If any of your employees has been occupationally exposed to anyone with a known case of active
tuberculosis (TB), and that employee subsequently develops a TB infection, as evidenced by a
positive skin test or diagnosis by a PLHCP, you must report the case on Form FRA F 6180.55a.
Questions and Answers on Tuberculosis
Q83. Do I have to report a positive TB skin test result for an employee that was
obtained at a pre-employment physical?
A83.

No. You do not have to report it because the employee was not occupationally
exposed to a known case of active tuberculosis in your workplace.

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6.12.5 Reporting Criteria for Cases Involving Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
If any of your employees experiences a reportable work-related musculoskeletal disorder (MSD),
you must report it on Form FRA F 6180.55a.
Questions and Answers on Musculoskeletal Disorders
Q84. What is a “musculoskeletal disorder” or MSD?
A84.

MSDs are disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage
and spinal discs. MSDs do not include disorders caused by slips, trips, falls,
motor vehicle accidents, or other similar accidents. Examples of MSDs include:
carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff syndrome, De Quervain’s disease, trigger
finger, tarsal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, epicondylitis, tendinitis, Raynaud’s
phenomenon, carpet layers knee, herniated spinal disc, and lower back pain.

Q85. How do I decide which MSDs to report?
A85.

There are no special criteria for determining which musculoskeletal disorders to
report. An MSD case is reported using the same process you would use for any
other injury or illness. If a musculoskeletal disorder is work-related, is a new
case, and meets one or more of the general reporting criteria, you must report the
musculoskeletal disorder.

Q86. Are there any special rules regarding injuries and illnesses to soft tissues?
A86.

No. Work-related injuries and illnesses involving muscles, nerves, tendons,
ligaments, joints, cartilage and spinal discs are reportable under the same
requirements applicable to any other type of injury or illness. There are no
special rules for reporting these cases: if the case is work-related and involves
medical treatment, days away, job transfer or restricted work, it is reportable.

Q87. An employee is diagnosed with a mild case of carpal tunnel syndrome. The
illness is work-related, but there is no treatment prescribed other than a
change in office equipment. Is this reportable?
A87.

This case would not be considered reportable since none of the requirements for
reportability are shown to have occurred, i.e., no day(s) away from work; no
restriction of work activity or job transfer; no loss of consciousness; and no
medical treatment. The railroad has the requirement to establish an accountable
record on Form FRA F 6180.98 within 7 days of receiving knowledge that an
accountable case has occurred, and to monitor that case for a period of 180 days

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from the date of diagnosis of the illness. Should any of the requirements be met
for reportability within that 180-day monitoring period, the case would become
reportable.
Q88. If a work-related MSD case involves only subjective symptoms like pain or
tingling, do I have to report it as a musculoskeletal disorder?
A88.

The symptoms of an MSD are treated the same as symptoms for any other injury
or illness. If an employee has pain, tingling, burning, numbness or any other
subjective symptom of an MSD, and the symptoms are work-related, and the case
is a new case that meets the reporting criteria, you must report the case on Form
FRA F 6180.55a as a musculoskeletal disorder.

6.12.6 Miscellaneous Questions and Answers
Q89. What should I do if an employee death occurs in the workplace and it is not
immediately known if it is work-related?
A89.

Under § 225.9, you must make an immediate report by toll-free number
(800-424-0201 or 800-424-8802) whenever an employee dies while in the work
environment. You do not need to prepare a Form FRA F 6180.55a if it is later
established that the death is not work-related.

Q90. Does an employee report of an injury or illness establish the existence of the
injury or illness for reporting purposes?
A90.

No. In determining whether a case is reportable, the employer must first decide
whether an injury or illness, as defined earlier, has occurred. If the employer is
uncertain about whether an injury or illness has occurred, the employer may refer
the employee to a PLHCP for evaluation and may consider the healthcare
professional’s opinion in determining whether an injury or illness exists. [Note: If
a PLHCP diagnoses a significant injury or illness within the meaning of this
section, and the employer determines that the case is work-related, the case must
be reported.]

Q91. Must a railroad report a case if an employee alleges that an injury or illness
has occurred but refuses to release any medical records related to the alleged
injury or illness?
A91.

Medical verification is not required for reportability. However, a railroad has the
responsibility to make good faith reporting determinations, and these decisions
must be based upon whatever documentation is available. If a railroad questions
the validity of an employee’s alleged injury or illness and there is no substantive

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or medical documentation to support the allegation, the railroad need not report
the case. However, if at a later date the appropriate information is received that
supports the employee’s allegation of injury or illness, then a late report must be
made.
Q92. If a maintenance employee is cleaning the parking lot or an access road and
is injured as a result, is the case work-related?
A92.

Yes. The case is work-related because the employee is injured as a result of
conducting company business in the work environment. If the injury meets the
general reporting criteria (death, days away, etc.), the case must be reported.

Q93. Are cases of workplace violence considered work-related under the reporting
criteria?
If an employee dies or is injured or infected as a result of terrorist attacks,
should it be recorded on the FRA Form F 6180.98, and reported to FRA on
FRA Form F 6180.55a?
A93.

The criteria contain no general exception, for purposes of determining workrelatedness, for cases involving acts of violence in the work environment. Injuries
and illnesses that result from a terrorist event or exposure in the work
environment are considered work-related for FRA recordkeeping purposes. FRA
does not provide an exclusion for violence-related injury and illness cases,
including injuries and illnesses resulting from terrorist attacks.

Q94. If an employee’s preexisting medical condition causes an incident that results
in a subsequent injury, is the case work-related? For example, if an
employee suffers an epileptic seizure, falls on the track, and breaks his arm,
is the case reportable?
A94.

Neither the seizure nor the broken arm is reportable, so long as nothing in the
work environment caused or contributed to the seizure. Injuries and illnesses that
result solely from non-work-related events or exposures are not reportable.
Epileptic seizures are a symptom of a disease of non-occupational origin, and the
fact that they occur at work does not make them work-related. Because epileptic
seizures are not work-related, injuries resulting solely from the seizures, such as
the broken arm in the case in question, are not reportable.

Q95. Does the size or degree of a burn determine reportability?

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A95.

No. The size or degree of a work-related burn does not determine reportability.
If a work-related first-, second-, or third-degree burn results in days absent from
work, work restrictions, medical treatment, etc., the case must be reported.

Q96. If an employee dies during surgery made necessary by a work-related injury
or illness, is the case reportable? What if the surgery occurs weeks or
months after the date of the injury or illness?
A96.

If an employee dies as a result of surgery or other complications following a
work-related injury or illness, the case is reportable. If the underlying injury or
illness was reported prior to the employee’s death, the employer must submit a
corrected Form FRA F 6180.55a to change the injury classification from nonfatal
to fatal.

Q97. Our railroad has a program that allows employees who have been involved
in an accident to take a personal day(s) off if they indicate they were “shaken
up,” i.e., they expressed some need to have time off to recover from being
involved in an accident. These employees often do not have physical injuries,
but may have experienced emotional trauma. How should we handle these
cases?
A97.

The situation would generally not be reportable, especially if there are no injuries
to be evaluated for reportability. You are not required to seek out information on
mental illnesses from your employees. Mental illness cases are only to be
considered when an employee voluntarily presents you with an opinion from the
healthcare professional that the employee has a mental illness and that it is workrelated. You are to record only those mental illnesses verified by a healthcare
professional with appropriate training and experience in the treatment of mental
illness, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or psychiatric nurse practitioner. In
the event that the employer does not believe the reported mental illness is workrelated, the employer may refer the case to a PLHCP for a second opinion.

Q98. How long should we monitor an injury of an employee on duty? What about
situations where the initial determination following an incident is that injury
is not reportable, e.g., first aid only, but the employee notifies you after an
extensive amount of time has elapsed that later medical treatment received is
connected to the initial incident? What about illnesses for which it is
uncertain when the initial exposure took place?
A98.

The employer is required to monitor a reportable employee injury for at least
180 calendar days following the date of the event or exposure causing the injury.
This will ensure that the most serious final result for the case is reported, e.g., a
nonfatal condition is upgraded to a fatality if the employee dies subsequent to the

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filing of the initial report. The 180-day timeframe is also necessary to determine
if the cap for the sum of days absent and/or restricted has been met.
It has been FRA’s experience that a reportable injury will meet one or more of the
reporting criteria, e.g., medical treatment, within 180 days following the
employer’s notification that a workplace incident has occurred. If an employee
alleges that additional treatment was received following the conclusion of this
180-day period for a case that was not reportable, you are required to review any
documentation you receive and evaluate if the later consequences are the result of
a new incident. If it is determined that the later consequences are a result of new
incident, then a report must be made.
Because illnesses may go undetected for extensive periods of time following a
work place exposure, the 180-day tracking for these begins with the most recent
diagnosis, or recognition that the condition exists.
The 180-day monitoring period does not affect the requirement to submit a late
report if it is determined that a qualifying condition was not reported to FRA.
Q99. Does going to a hospital for observation make a work-related injury
reportable?
A99.

Visits to a PLHCP solely for observation or counseling, and the conduct of
diagnostic procedures, such as x rays and blood tests, including the administration
of prescription medications used solely for diagnostic purposes (e.g., eye drops to
dilate pupils) is first aid, and by itself not reportable.

Q100. Is an injury that results in a chipped or broken tooth reportable?
A100. FRA believes that fractured or cracked bones and broken teeth are generally
considered significant injuries and must be reported at the initial diagnosis even if
medical treatment or work restrictions are not recommended, or are postponed, in
a particular case. (See section on reporting requirements for specific cases.)
Q101. If an employee has a minor scratch but the physician gives him a tetanus shot
anyway, does this constitute medical treatment and make the case
reportable?
A101. A tetanus shot is first-aid treatment and not reportable. If the employee suffered
some reaction or complication from the injection, requiring medical treatment or
resulting in other reporting criteria being met, then the case would be reportable.
(Other immunizations, such as hepatitis B vaccine or rabies vaccine, are
considered medical treatment.)

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Q102. Our employees are frequently tested for drug or alcohol use after an
accident/incident. Company policy prohibits an employee from returning to
work until the results of the tests are known and it is established that there is
no risk factor due to impairment. Must we make a report because of the
days the employee was held out of service while awaiting test results?
A102. These cases are to be evaluated solely on the basis of the condition and its
consequences. If the condition would have caused the employee to be absent
from work had there been no testing, then a report must be made.
Q103. I was hurt on the job, and my supervisor accompanied me to the clinic. My
supervisor gave the nurse a card to give to the doctor that would be
examining me. Our railroad uses a card that describes various treatments or
therapies that require a report be made to the FRA. The card appears to
encourage or suggest that the doctor consider treatment of a nonreportable
nature. I feel this may unduly influence the medical facility and could affect
the treatment I would have otherwise received had the card not been
presented. Since my employer pays for the medical expenses, I am concerned
that employees will be taken to treatment centers where this practice exists.
The intent seems more to reduce reportable cases, rather than ensuring that
the healthcare professional provides treatment that he or she believes is
appropriate for the injury. Does FRA authorize the use of such cards or
other communications of this nature to healthcare providers?
A103. No. FRA is extremely concerned that injured workers receive proper medical
treatment. We do not condone the use of any form or medical card that could
adversely influence treatment by encouraging the use of nonreportable treatment.
Such practices are not only discouraged by FRA, but may also in certain
circumstances constitute a violation of Part 225, subject to a civil penalty against
the carrier or supervisor who engages in such practices.
Q104. An employee was injured on the job and taken to a local hospital emergency
room. The supervisor felt that the injury was not serious and was concerned
that the case might be reportable. The employee requested that the
supervisor stay out of the examining room. The attending physician in the
emergency room prohibited the supervisor from being present.
What is considered appropriate conduct for a supervisor to engage in when
an employee is injured and the supervisor is concerned the employee has
exaggerated the extent of the injury?

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A104. FRA is very concerned that, when accompanied by a supervisor, an injured
employee may be discouraged or otherwise prevented from reporting an accident,
incident, injury or illness. Similarly, a supervisor may influence the type or extent
of medical treatment afforded the employee in an effort to affect the reportability
of that injury.
As an initial matter, it would be inappropriate and a violation of Part 225 for a
supervisor to request that a physician recommend that an injured employee take
only OTC drugs sold at lower-than-prescription strength.
In addition, FRA published a Notice of Interpretation in the Federal Register (FR)
on March 30, 2009, regarding its application and enforcement of the harassment
and intimidation provisions contained in Part 225, specifically relating to
situations in which a supervisor or other railroad official accompanies an injured
employee into an examination room. See 74 FR 14091. FRA includes that
Interpretation here, as follows:
A. General Principle
Harassment and intimidation occur in violation of § 225.33(a)(1) when
a railroad supervisor accompanies an injured employee into an
examination room, unless one or more of the exceptions listed below
exists.
B. Exceptions
FRA recognizes that there are limited circumstances in which it is
appropriate, and indeed preferable, for a supervisor to accompany an
injured employee into an examination room. Consequently, FRA
recognizes the following limited exceptions:
(1) The injured employee issues a voluntary invitation to the
supervisor to accompany him or her in the examination room. The
injured employee must issue this invitation freely, without
coercion, duress, or intimidation. For example, an injured
employee may seek the attendance of a supervisor where the
supervisor is a friend. This exception does not encompass
invitations issued by third parties, including physicians, unless the
invitations are made pursuant to the request of the injured
employee.
(2) The injured employee is unconscious or otherwise unable to
effectively communicate material information to the physician and
the supervisor’s input is needed to provide such material
information to the physician. In these circumstances, the

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supervisor is assisting the injured employee in providing
information to the physician so that the injured employee may
receive appropriate and responsive medical treatment.
Q105. An employee on duty suffers a fatal heart attack. Is the case reportable?
A105. You must make immediate notification of a worker’s death, regardless of
suspected cause or circumstances (see Telephonic Reports of Certain
Accidents/Incidents in Chapter 1 of this FRA Guide). The FRA investigates all
deaths reported by this notification requirement. However, if an event or
exposure is not a discernable cause of the injury or illness, then a report is not
required. Therefore, the railroad must investigate the death and determine whether
it is more likely than not that an event or exposure was a discernable cause of the
death.
Q.106. A track worker stumbled on a rotten tie near the right-of-way and rolled
down the embankment. Two other railroad employees observed the event.
The worker was taken to a local PLHCP. After the examination, the PLHCP
declared the employee fit for full duty; no medical treatment was provided.
The employee chose not to report to work the next day, and took a day “sick”
leave as provided for under the collective bargaining agreement. The
railroad completed the Form FRA F 6180.98–Railroad Employee Injury
and/or Illness Record. However, since the employee did not report to work
the next day, does this qualify as an FRA-reportable event?
A.106. This case would not be reportable to FRA, because the employee injury did not
meet the general reporting criteria. However, because the employee was
examined by a PLHCP, this does qualify as an accountable injury and the railroad
must complete a Form FRA F 6180.98. Note, however, that if the employee
called in sick because the PLHCP subsequently recommends time away from
work or restricted duty, then the injury would be reportable. For example, after
being examined by the PLHCP and being declared fit for full duty, the
employee’s condition worsens; the employee contacts the PLHCP the day after
being examined to discuss the injury and the PLHCP then recommends time away
from work or restricted duty, thus making the case reportable.
Q.107. A car cleaner strains his/her back during the performance of duty. The car
cleaner calls the supervisor the next morning complaining of a very sore back
and requests to stay home for a couple of days. The supervisor agrees to put
the employee on administrative time. After 2 days, the supervisor instructs
the employee to see a PLHCP. The doctor declares the employee fit for full
duty. What is the reporting obligation of the railroad?

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A.107. The supervisor should have instructed the employee to seek medical attention
when called. If the supervisor instructs the employee to stay home, but pays the
employee as if he were on duty or on administrative leave, the supervisor’s
actions indicate an admission by the railroad that the injury/illness is workrelated. Likewise, if a railroad supervisor decides to restrict an employee’s duties
due to a claimed employee work-related injury/illness, the supervisor’s actions
indicate an admission by the railroad that the injury/illness is work-related.
Accordingly, the railroad must complete the Form FRA F 6180.98–Railroad
Employee Injury and/or Illness Record, and submit to FRA a completed Form
FRA F 6180.55a–Railroad Injury and Illness Summary.
6.13

Reporting of Injuries to Persons Other Than Railroad Employees

A report must be made for each fatality and each injury that requires medical treatment beyond
first aid, results in loss of consciousness, or meets the definition of significant injury, that is
discernibly caused by an event or exposure arising from the operation of the railroad. There is a
general presumption that any death or injury that occurs on a railroad’s premises, more likely
than not, is related to the operation of the railroad. Other cases become reportable if they are
connected to an event or exposure that occurred on the railroad’s premises but affected persons
not on the premises, e.g., a plume from a hazardous material release.
A highway user, who is involved in a highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident and is
transported from the scene of a highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident to a medical
facility via ambulance or other form of medical conveyance, is presumed to have sustained an
FRA reportable injury. Absent evidence to rebut this presumption, the railroad must report the
injury to FRA on Form FRA F 6180.55a and show the injury on Block 46 on Form FRA F
6180.57, “Highway-Rail Crossing Accident/Incident Report.” If the railroad later discovers that
the highway user did not sustain a reportable injury, the railroad must notify FRA in accordance
with the late reporting instructions. This presumption does not relieve railroads of their duty to
make reasonable inquiry, as described below and in depth in Chapter 10 of this Guide, to
determine the nature and severity of highway-rail grade crossing injuries and to accurately report
such injuries.
A description of first-aid treatments can be found in the earlier section describing the
requirements for reporting railroad employee reporting.
Determination of Nature and Severity of Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Injuries: In order to
fulfill its responsibilities in determining the nature and severity of highway-rail grade crossing
injury and to accurately report such injury, a railroad must try to contact any potentially injured
highway user, or their representative, in writing and, if unsuccessful in obtaining the needed
information, by telephone. If a highway user died as a result of the highway-rail grade crossing
accident/incident, a railroad must not send this form to any person.

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The railroad should contact potentially injured highway users involved in a highway-rail grade
crossing accident/incident, in writing, by sending each potentially injured highway user a Form
FRA F 6180.150, “Highway User Injury Inquiry Form,” and, if unsuccessful, by phone. See
Guide, Chapter 10, for complete instructions. If a highway user died as a result of the highwayrail grade crossing accident/incident, a railroad must not send this form to any person. The Form
FRA F 6180.150 should also include a cover letter explaining the form’s purpose and containing
instructions on how to complete the form in addition to a prepaid, preaddressed return envelope
so that the highway user can easily return the completed form to the railroad if he or she opts to
complete the form. See FRA Guide, Chapter 10, for complete instructions. The Form FRA
F 6180.150 and cover letter should be completed, drafted, and mailed in accordance with the
instructions found in § 225.21 and the FRA Guide at Chapter 10. A sample cover letter has been
provided in Appendix N to this FRA Guide.
FRA acknowledges that there will be situations in which a highway user cannot be reached, even
though a railroad contacts the person by telephone and in writing. Other times, a highway user
will refuse to provide any information, even though a railroad clearly explains the Federal
reporting requirements and the reason for soliciting information. In those cases, a railroad is still
responsible for deciding whether, considering all of the circumstances, the highway user suffered
a reportable injury. The railroad must reconsider that determination if new or additional
information is later acquired. Moreover, if a highway user completes Part II of Form FRA F
6180.150, or provides additional information during a telephone call, the railroad will be
responsible for determining whether, based on the circumstances, the person suffered a
reportable injury or illness. See Guide, Chapter 6, for complete instructions.
The railroad must use any response it receives when contacting the potentially injured highway
user to determine whether any Part 225 records or reports should be created, and to complete
those records and reports.
The railroad must keep a record of its efforts to make such contact including, but not limited to,
retaining a copy of the Form FRA F 6180.150 sent to the highway user and the accompanying
cover letter, any response from the highway user and, when appropriate, a record documenting
the date, time, and content of the followup call. This record and documentation of any
information obtained must be retained for a period of 5 years and be available for review and
copying by an FRA representative under the same criteria as set forth in § 225.35 (b).
Determination of Nature of Trespasser Fatality: In order to fulfill its responsibilities in
determining the nature of a trespasser fatality and to accurately report such fatality, a railroad
must try to obtain documentation indicating the cause of death by contacting a coroner, public
police officer or other public official by telephone and, if unsuccessful in obtaining the needed
information, in writing. The railroad must continue its efforts to obtain this documentation for a
period of 6 months following the month in which the fatality occurred. The railroad must keep a
record of its efforts to obtain such documentation. This record and any documentation obtained

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must be available for review and copying by an FRA representative under the same criteria as set
forth in § 225.35(b).
6.13.1 Questions and Answers on Injuries to Persons Other Than Railroad Employees
Q108. When you refer to an event or exposure arising from the operation of a
railroad, would this include a motor vehicle incident between one of our
employees and another person, e.g., a motorist lost control, crossed median
strip, and struck a truck being driven by a railroad employee on railroad
property?
A108. An event or exposure arising from the operation of the railroad includes, for a
non-employee, (i) if the person is on property owned, leased, maintained, or
operated by the railroad, an event or exposure that is related to the performance of
the railroad’s rail transportation business; or (ii) if the person is off property
owned, leased, maintained, or operated by the railroad, an event or exposure that
directly results from certain limited events or exposure. An example would be a
hazardous material release from a railcar in the possession of the railroad, where
the fumes drifted to an adjacent community and caused death or other reportable
conditions. Since these persons were harmed while on the railroad’s property and
the event was related to the performance of the railroad’s rail transportation
business, then the railroad is responsible for reporting any casualties associated
with this event.
Q109. Is there any difference in reporting requirements for the following cases?
•

A trespasser was walking over a trestle when a train suddenly came in
sight. He jumped from the trestle to avoid being struck, and broke a leg.

•

A child was trespassing on a railroad bridge and fell to his death. There
was no evidence that a train or railroad employees were present at the
time of the accident.

A109. No. Both situations are reportable since both the trestle and train are directly
associated with the operation of the railroad.
Q110. A body was found along our right-of-way. It was determined that death was
a result of being struck by a train; however, several railroads operate over
this segment of track. Who is responsible for reporting?
A110. If known, the railroad operating the consist involved must report. If that railroad
cannot be determined, then the railroad responsible for the track maintenance
must report.

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Q111. A car was driving on a public overpass when the driver, who was not a
railroad employee, lost control and the vehicle fell to our property below.
The driver was seriously injured. Do we need to report this incident?
A111. No. Unless there was some involvement of the railroad that was a cause of or
contribution to the incident, then the injury to the driver would not be reportable.
Q112. Can you provide some examples of situations involving reportable injuries
suffered by a “Worker on Duty–Volunteer,” a “Volunteer–Other,” a
“Worker on Duty–Contractor,” and a “Contractor–Other” in the course of
different types of work performed?
A112. Example 1.

A volunteer operates a locomotive for an excursion railroad.
Operation of a locomotive clearly falls within the realm of
“operation of on-track equipment.” If the volunteer sustains a
reportable injury (i.e., an injury resulting in death or requiring
medical treatment) during operation of the locomotive, then the
incident is reported as an injury to a “Worker on Duty–Volunteer”
(Class H), with the applicable job code series.

Example 2.

A volunteer sits in a booth selling tickets for train rides on a tourist
railroad that operates on the general system and also clears
vegetation adjacent to its roadbed. Under 49 CFR § 213.37,
vegetation is to be cleared from the roadbed for safe rail
operations; vegetation clearing is, thus, an aspect of maintaining
the roadbed under § 209.303(b)(1) and is therefore considered a
“safety-sensitive function.” Any injury sustained by the volunteer
during the vegetation clearing is classified as one to a “Worker on
Duty–Volunteer” (Class H). If any reportable injury is sustained
by the volunteer during the process of selling tickets, then such
injury is classified as one to a “Volunteer–Other” (Class I). If,
however, the volunteer sells tickets and then clears vegetation
during the same tour, then all injuries are considered as those
attributable to a “Worker on Duty–Volunteer” (Class H).
Therefore, when a volunteer is engaged in “mixed service,” the
railroad must report all reportable injuries for that volunteer as
those to a “Worker on Duty–Volunteer” (Class H) on Form FRA
F 6180.55a. Conversely, when a contractor employee is engaged
in such “mixed service” on railroad property, the railroad must
report all reportable injuries for that contractor employee as those
to a “Worker on Duty–Contractor” (Class F) on Form FRA F
6180.55a, with the applicable job code series of the service

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performed. Also note that if the volunteer in this example is
working for a tourist railroad that operates exclusively off the
general system, and if the incident that causes his injury is
classified as a non-train incident that doesn’t involve operational
on-track equipment, then Part 225 does not require the tourist
railroad to report the injury at all. See § 225.3.

6.14

Example 3.

The employee of a contractor performs payroll as well as time-andattendance functions for a railroad on railroad property. Such
functions are not considered “safety-sensitive” because they are
not related to the continued safety of the railroad and do not fall
under the definition of any safety-sensitive function as defined in
§ 209.303. Thus, an injury sustained by this contractor performing
those tasks is reported as that to a “Contractor–Other” (Class G).

Example 4.

A contractor employee inspects and replaces roller bearings for the
reporting railroad on the railroad’s property. Injuries sustained by
this contractor are reported as those to a “Worker on Duty–
Contractor” (Class F) on Form FRA F 6180.55a. Under § 215.113,
cars with defective roller bearings should not be in service, thus
any injury associated with replacement of roller bearings is a
“safety-sensitive function” qualifying as an injury attributable to a
“Worker on Duty–Contractor” (Class F). In contrast, if this same
injury was sustained by a contractor employee at the contractor’s
facility off railroad property, then such injury would not be
reported to FRA.

Miscellaneous Guidance

Casualties to persons on trains or other on-track equipment, except for employees of another
railroad, are to be reported by the railroad responsible for the consist at the time of the
accident/incident.
Casualties to persons not on trains or other on-track equipment are to be reported by the railroad
whose consist or operation was most directly involved, e.g., casualties away from railroad
property resulting from a release of hazardous materials.
Any person found unconscious or dead on or adjacent to a railroad’s premises or right-of-way is
reportable by the railroad responsible for track maintenance if it is determined that the casualty
resulted from the operation of a railroad and the identity of the railroad causing the
accident/incident cannot be established in areas of joint operation.

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When a person dies as a result of an accident/incident after the month in which the case was
initially reported, the case will be reclassified as a fatality. Any death occurring under these
circumstances is to be identified by correcting the original casualty record to change the casualty
from nonfatal to fatal, and the corrected report must be submitted with changes circled in red.
An entry for each casualty must be made on a separate line.
Each accident/incident must have an identifying number that is unique for the report month. All
forms used by a railroad to report a single event or exposure must use the same accident/incident
number. For example, if a highway-rail grade crossing accident injures more than one person, a
separate line entry is used on Form FRA F 6180.55a to report each injury. A Form FRA
F 6180.57 must also be completed. The same accident/incident identification number must be
the same for all records.
6.14.1 Coding Instructions Injuries Due to Passenger Station Platform Gap Incidents
A “passenger station platform gap incident” is a reportable injury involving a person who, while
involved in the process of boarding or alighting a passenger train at a rail car door threshold plate
at a high-level passenger boarding platform (i.e., a platform that is 48" or more above the top of
the rail), has one or more body parts enter the area between the carbody and the edge of the
platform or traveling between passenger cars. The following are examples of a passenger station
platform gap incident:
•

While boarding or alighting a passenger train at a high-level passenger boarding
platform, a person misjudges the passenger station platform gap, resulting in the person’s
leg entering the passenger station platform gap.

•

The following are not examples of a passenger station platform gap incident:
•

While boarding or alighting a passenger train at a high-level passenger boarding
platform, a person misjudges the gap and falls into the vestibule or platform, without a
body part entering the gap.

•

While walking on a passenger station at a high-level passenger boarding platform, a
person slips on the platform at a location other than the rail car door threshold, resulting
in the person’s leg entering the gap.

Passenger station platform gap injuries usually occur when the high-level platform station is
concave or convex, when there is misalignment between the platform and passenger car (see

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diagram), or when a person is traveling between cars and has one or more body parts enter the
area between the cars.

Figure 2: Diagram of coordination of vehicle floor with boarding platform

These passenger station platform gap injuries have special coding instructions, and new codes
were added to the Circumstance Codes (Appendix F).
When an injury is a result of a person being injured due to a “passenger station platform gap”
incident as defined above, the railroad must use, in Block 5n (“Cause”), “Probably Reason for
Injury/Illness Circumstance Code,” Code Number 18, “Slipped, fell, stumbled due to Passenger
Station Platform Gap” regardless of whether other codes may be applicable.
The following codes would typically be used to describe a passenger station platform gap event
on Form Railroad Injury and Illness Summary (Continuation Sheet) – Form FRA F 6180.55a.
Physical Act (Block 5j)
A6 Getting out
25 Getting off
63 Stepping up
64 Stepping down
80 Stepping across (passenger cars)
Location (Block 5k)
Part I
P – Passenger Terminal
Part II

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If the injury occurred when the passenger was boarding or alighting:
16 Passenger car(s) – standing
If the person was walking between cars when the injury occurred then the codes apply:
15 Passenger car(s) – moving
16 Passenger car(s) – standing
Part III
G1 - Rail Car Door Threshold Plate to Edge of Platform – Gap
G2 - Area Between Coupled Cars and Platform
G3 - Area Along Car body, other than Threshold Plate and Platform Edge
G4 - Car in Vestibule
Event ((block 5l)
Use the applicable codes.
Tools (block 5m)
1G - Door, End or Side - Passenger Train
2G - Door, Trap - Passenger Train
Cause (block 5n)
18 - Slipped, fell, stumbled due to Passenger Station Platform Gap
It is essential that this code be used for high level passenger boarding platform gap incidents.
6.15

Instructions for Completing Form FRA F 6180.55a (Continuation)
Item

Instruction

Name of Reporting Railroad
Enter the full name of the reporting railroad.

Alphabetic Code
Enter the reporting railroad’s code found in Appendix A.

Report Month
Enter the month covered by this report.

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Report Year
Enter the year covered by this report.

5a.

Accident/Injury Number
Enter the identifying number assigned to the accident/incident causing the
casualty. If multiple casualties resulted from a single event, each casualty must
have exactly the same report number. If the casualty was a result of a rail
equipment accident/incident or a highway-rail grade crossing impact, the entry
must be the same as that shown on the other forms completed for the
accident/incident.

5b.

Day
Enter the day of the accident/incident. Use number day of the month, e.g., 01-31.

5c.

Time of Day
Enter the time of the accident/incident, including “a.m.” or “p.m.” Do not use
military time.

5d.

County
Enter the county/parish in which the accident/incident occurred.

5e.

State
Identify the State in which the casualty occurred, using the appropriate code
found in Appendix B.

5f.

Type Person/Job Code
Identify the type of person whose injury or illness is being reported by using the
following codes (refer to classification of persons found in the definitions in
Chapter 2): A - Worker on Duty–Railroad Employee; B - Railroad Employee Not
On Duty; C - Passengers on Trains; D - Nontrespassers–On Railroad Property; E Trespassers; F - Worker On Duty–Contractor; G - Contractor–Other; H - Worker
on Duty–Volunteer; I - Volunteer–Other; and J - Nontrespassers–Off Railroad
Property.
If the report is for a “Worker On Duty,” i.e., type person/job codes A, F, or H; or
the person is an “Employee Not On Duty,” type person code “B;” you must enter
the code from Appendix D that best identifies the individual’s
occupation/responsibilities.

5g.

Age
Enter the age of person whose injury or illness is being reported.

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5h.

Drug/Alcohol Test
If any employee was tested for alcohol use in connection with this accident, enter
the number of positive tests in the box titled “A.” If any employee was tested for
drug use in connection with this accident, enter the number of positive tests in the
box titled “D.” A test is a physical or chemical reaction by which a substance
may be detected or its properties ascertained, and includes both Federal and
employer-authorized tests to determine alcohol or drug usage. A test performed
under Federal (FRA) requirements is considered positive when the test result has
been verified as positive by a Medical Review Officer and reported to the
employer. A test performed under other authorization is considered positive when
the employer will defend the results if legally challenged. (Refer to 49 CFR
Part 219, Control of Alcohol and Drug Use, for additional information.)
If there were positive tests, but impairment is not reported as a cause of the
accident, then provide a brief explanation in the narrative of the basis for this
determination. The narrative is to be used to provide additional clarification,
particularly in instances where there are positive test results, but impairment was
not determined to have been causal.
You are required to identify all accidents/incidents where testing was performed.
The recording of this data on a record does not mean that the injured person was
the individual tested. This situation could occur when the employee(s) tested for
the use of these substances was not harmed in the accident/incident. Under these
circumstances, since there was no injury to the tested employee, there would be
no entry for this employee on Form FRA F 6180.55a. Therefore, it is critical to
record the information concerning tests on all reports filed in connection with the
accident/incident.
Note: The same drug and alcohol codes should be reported on all corresponding
Forms FRA F 6180.54 and Forms FRA 6180.55a’s that are filed under the
same accident/incident number.
This situation could arise, for example, when a non-employee (e.g., a passenger),
sustains the only reportable injury in an incident that resulted in testing of
employee(s). In order to identify the connection between the injury being
reported and possible alcohol or drug use by an employee, it is mandatory that the
information concerning the alcohol or drug use be recorded on the reports made in
connection with the accident/incident.

5i.

Injury/Illness Code
Select from the codes in Appendix E the combination that best describes the
condition being reported.

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5j.

Physical Act
From Appendix F, select the code that best describes what the injured person was
doing just before the injury occurred. If the code you have selected does not
sufficiently describe the “physical act,” provide further description in the
Narrative.

5k.

Location
The location comprises three sets of codes as described below.
PART I:

Was the person on the right-of-way, off the right-of-way, or on ontrack equipment?
Identify the appropriate category describing where the casualty
occurred, and enter the appropriate code listed in Appendix F.
When using “Other,” a narrative must be provided in Item 5s.

PART II:

If the casualty involved on-track equipment, select the code that
best describes the type of on-track equipment involved, and enter
appropriate code listed in Appendix F. When using “Other,” a
narrative must be provided in Item 5s.

PART III:

Select the appropriate code that best identifies the location of the
casualty being reported listed in Appendix F. When using “Other,”
a narrative must be provided in Item 5s.

5l.

Event
From Appendix F, select the code that best describes the event or exposure that
caused the injury. If the code selected does not sufficiently describe the “Event,”
provide further description in the narrative.

5m.

Tools
From Appendix F, select the code that best describes additional information about
the tools, machinery, appliances, structures, surfaces, etc., associated with the
injury. You should try to use codes that provide additional information. For
example, if the event or exposure code identified using “hand tools,” the entry in
this block could be used to identify that the tool was a “gripping” type tool. If the
code selected does not sufficiently describe the tools, provide further description
in the Narrative.

5n.

Cause
From Appendix F, select the code that best describes what caused the event or
exposure entered in Item 51. If the code you have selected does not sufficiently
describe the “Cause,” provide further description in the Narrative.

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5o.

Number of Days Away from Work
See Chapter 6.8.2, Questions and Answers on Days Away from Work, and
section on counting days absent from work and days of restriction.
If the person reported is an employee of the reporting railroad, enter the number
of days subsequent to the day of the injury or the diagnosis of the illness that a
railroad employee does not report to work, or was recommended by a PLHCP not
to return to work, as applicable, for reasons associated with the employee’s
condition even if the employee was not scheduled to work on that day. If there
were no such days, or a fatality is being reported, enter “0.” If the person is not a
railroad employee, enter “N/A.”

5p.

Number of Days Restricted
See Chapter 6.9.1, Questions and Answers on Restricted Work, and
corresponding section on counting days absent from work and days of
restriction.
If the person being reported is an employee of the reporting railroad, enter the
number of days that an employee is restricted in his or her routine job functions
following the day of the injury or the diagnosis of the illness, or was
recommended by a PLHCP not to return to full-time work, as applicable. An
employee’s routine job functions are those work activities that the employee
regularly performs at least once per week. If there were no such days, or a fatality
is being reported, enter “0.” If the person is not a railroad employee, enter “N/A.”

5q.

Exposure to Hazmat
Enter “Y” (for “yes”) if an exposure to hazardous material caused, or was a
contributing factor to, the condition being reported for this individual.

5r.

Special Case Codes
(Classification of Certain Injuries and Illnesses for FRA and/or OSHA
Purposes)
FRA’s agreement with OSHA to conform with the new criteria (see Q&A 71 in
Chapter 6.10.1, Questions and Answers on First Aid) that went into effect in
calendar year 2002 means that some nonfatal cases that were not previously
reportable to FRA will now be reportable. Prior to calendar year 2003, only those
nonfatal conditions that resulted in actual days away from work, actual work
restriction, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness were to be
reported. These cases that are now reportable, have been defined as “covered
data” cases.

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Because of the need to track trends that determine if the safety record for railroad
employees is changing, it is necessary to have a means for identifying these
previously unreported cases so that the data collected under the new requirements
can be accurately compared with earlier years.
If the only reason that a nonfatal condition is being reported is because 1) a
physician or PLHCP prescribed time off, but no days were actually taken; 2) a
PLHCP prescribed restriction of routine work duties, but restriction of routine
work did not occur; or 3) the PLHCP prescribed OTC medication to be taken at
prescription strength, then one of the following codes is to be entered in Item 5r
on Form FRA F 6180.55a:
A - PLHCP prescribed time off, but no days were actually taken, and returned
to full duty (no restricted days).
R - PLHCP prescribed restriction of routine work duties, but restriction of
routine work did not occur.
P - PLHCP prescribed OTC medication to be taken at prescription strength, or
there was a single external application of prescription medication, e.g.,
antibiotic ointments or eye drops.
Conditions that result in a single dose of medication that is injected or ingested
are not “covered data” cases.
When deciding which code to use when a case involves more than one of the
situations above, A takes precedence over R and P, and R takes precedence over
P. For example, if the PLHCP recommended days absent from work and
restriction of work after returning to the job, then code A is to be used.
If code A or R is used, you must record, at a minimum, a count of “one” in either
Block 5o or 5p, which are used for the counting of days.
Suicide Data (Suicide or Attempted Suicide Cases)
X - Death of an individual due to that individual’s commission of suicide as
determined by a coroner, public police officer or other public authority; or injury
to an individual, which meets reporting criteria, due to that individual’s attempted
commission of suicide as determined by a public authority. Only the death of, or
injury to, the individual who committed the suicidal act is considered to be suicide
data.
When reporting the fatality or injury, enter X in Block 5r.

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Termination or Permanent Transfer
If an employee is terminated or permanently transferred because of physical,
medical, or other reasons associated with the reported injury or illness, then enter
Y in Block 5r.
Do not enter Code Y if the employee is terminated transferred solely for other
reasons, e.g., disciplinary, unless the employee’s condition was such, e.g., leg
amputated, that it would have resulted in termination or transfer regardless of
whether disciplinary action was taken.
5s, 5t Latitude and Longitude
Block 5s and Block 5t are for recording the latitude and longitude of the location
where the incident occurred. These two blocks are mandatory for any reportable
casualty to a trespasser. These blocks are optional for Worker On Duty–Railroad
Employee (Class A) fatalities.
Such longitude and latitude information may be satisfied by either using Global
Positioning System equipment to determine the actual longitude and latitude, or
by using Internet technology to determine an estimated longitude and latitude.
FRA is using the World Geodetic System (WGS) 84 Standard for recording the
event’s latitude and longitude. As such, it is requested that the information follow
the WGS 84 standard.
Although FRA would prefer decimal degrees (on hardcopy only, please follow
value with “o” to specify decimal degrees), FRA will accept latitude and longitude
in degrees, minutes, and seconds (with o, ‘, “ to indicate units used are degrees,
minutes, seconds) if submitted on hardcopy (electronic submissions should be in
decimal degrees).
The latitude should use the following format +xx.xxxxxx. The longitude should
use the following format -xxx.xxxxxx in decimal degrees. Use an explicit plus or
minus sign and an explicit decimal point followed by six decimal places for both
latitude and longitude.
Latitude, in decimal degrees: explicit decimal, explicit +/- (WGS 84)
(e.g., +35.301486)
Longitude, explicit decimal, explicit +/- (WGS 84) (e.g., -085.280201)

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5u.

Narrative
The railroad may further explain unusual circumstances surrounding a worker’s
injury or illness using up to 250 characters. Completion of this narrative is
mandatory for the reporting railroad unless the injury or illness can be adequately
described using all other entries (information blocks) on the form. Do not record
in the narrative personal identifiers, e.g., names, Social Security numbers, or
payroll identifications.

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Form FRA F 6180.54 - Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report

7.1
Requirement.
As set forth in § 225.19(c), rail equipment accidents/incidents are collisions, derailments, fires,
explosions, acts of God, or other events involving the operation of railroad on-track equipment
(standing or moving) and causing reportable damages greater than the reporting threshold for the
year in which the accident/incident occurred, must be reported using Form FRA F 6180.54, “Rail
Equipment Accident/Incident Report.”
7.1.1 Reporting Threshold
The reporting threshold is updated annually. The reporting threshold for calendar years
2002–2005 is $6,700. The reporting threshold for calendar year 2006 is $7,700. The reporting
threshold for calendar year 2007 is $8,200. For accidents that occurred in calendar year 2008,
the reporting threshold is $8,900; and, for accidents that occur in calendar year 2010, the
reporting threshold is $9,200. See § 225.19(e). In subsequent years, the railroad reporting officer
should check the FRA Safety Data Web site for the most current year’s reporting threshold (refer
to http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety and click on “Click Here for Changes in
Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting.”)
7.1.2

Employee Human Factor Reporting and Notification Requirements

If the rail equipment accident/incident is attributed to an employee human factor, then the
railroad must complete, “Employee Human Factor Attachment.” This form must be attached to
the Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report, Form FRA F 6180.54, and submitted to FRA
within 30 days after the expiration of the month in which the accident/incident occurred. See
225.21(f). Here, “employee” includes persons classified as Worker On Duty–Employee,
Employee not on Duty, Worker on Duty–Contractor, or Worker on Duty–Volunteer. See §
225.5 (“Employee Human Factor”) and Chapter 8 of this Guide.
When a railroad alleges, in Form FRA F 6180.81, “Employee Human Factor Attachment,” that a
specific employee caused or contributed to the rail equipment accident/incident, the railroad
must complete FRA Form F 6180.78, “Notice to Railroad Employee Involved in Rail Equipment
Accident/Incident Attributed to Employee Human Factor; Employee Statement Supplementing
Railroad Accident Report” must also be completed with notice being given to the employee and
submission made to FRA and the alleging railroad. See § 225.21(g) and Chapter 9 of this Guide.
7.1.3

Coexistent Reporting Requirements

All casualties resulting from a rail equipment accident, in addition to being recorded on Form
FRA F 6180.54, must be reported individually on Form FRA F 6180.55a. If the accident was a
highway-rail grade crossing impact, a Form FRA F 6180.57 must also be completed by the
railroad responsible for the consist.

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7.2

General Instructions and Interpretations

An accident is frequently the culmination of a sequence of related events, and a variety of
conditions or circumstances may contribute to its occurrence. A complete record of all of these
would be beneficial in accident-prevention analysis. However, it is not practical, even if it were
possible, to develop forms and codes that would capture every detail that may be associated
with the causes and resulting consequences of each accident. Therefore, the most appropriate
combination of available codes that best identifies the likely primary and any contributing
cause, and other factors, is to be used.
The limitations imposed by standardized reporting forms make it critical that the narrative
portion of the report provide additional information concerning those items that cannot be
adequately described on the coded portions of the form. The wide variation in the causes and
circumstances of accidents limits our ability to prepare a comprehensive list of items to include
in your discussion. We have attempted to identify some of these in the instruction for
completing the narrative portion of the report (Item 52). In addition to these, you should include
any information that increases our knowledge of the underlying reasons why the accident
occurred and its consequences.
7.2.1

Identification of Train Accident/Incident

Each accident/incident must have an identifying number unique within the reporting month. All
forms used by a carrier to report a single event must use the same accident/incident number. Do
not append additional numbers or letters on different forms for the same accident/incident. For
example, if a railroad has two consists involved in an accident, do not report one consist using
the reporting number “12345,” and the other consist using the reporting number “12345-A.” The
reporting number must be exactly the same on both reports.
7.2.2 Classification of Train Accident/Incident
The classification of a train accident by type (collision, derailment, other) is determined by the
first reportable event in the accident sequence. All reports for a single accident are to use the
same designation. For example, if, following a derailment, a train strikes a consist on an
adjacent track, the report for this additional consist will indicate that the accident type was a
derailment, not a collision.
7.2.3

Calculating Costs

When final cost figures are not available, estimated values are to be used. If an estimated value
was significantly in error, an amended report must be forwarded. A significant difference is a
10-percent variance between the damage amount reported to FRA and current cost figures.

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7.2.4 Joint Operations
If the property of more than one railroad is involved in an accident/incident, the cost of damages
is calculated by including the damages suffered by all of the railroads involved.
When total reportable damage to all railroads directly involved in an accident/incident exceeds
the reporting threshold, you must make a report, even though your railroad’s damages were
below the threshold.
In joint operations, if the railroad having track maintenance responsibility did not also have ontrack rail equipment involved, the railroad having track maintenance responsibility must submit
to FRA a Form FRA F 6180.54 report containing track information. The items concerning the
equipment consist are to be marked “N/A.” See § 225.23(c).
Any railroad indicating the involvement of another railroad in the accident on its report must
promptly notify the other carrier (FRA may be contacted to obtain telephone numbers). You
must exchange information concerning the accident and verify, at a minimum, that:
1. The other railroad has a reporting responsibility.
2. Total reportable damage exceeded the threshold.
3. Information contained in both reports is consistent.
When there is disagreement concerning the items being reported, particularly the cause of the
accident, each railroad will include a discussion of these in the narrative portion of its report.
The back of the form or a separate sheet of paper is to be used when the front of the form is not
adequate for this purpose.
7.2.5

Responsibility for Reporting Multiple Consist Accidents

A form must be completed for each consist (see Chapter 2 for definition) involved in an accident.
The railroad responsible for the on-track equipment at the time of the accident, and only that
railroad, will report the consist information. See § 225.23(c).
7.2.6

Responsibility for Reporting Accidents on Industry Track

Track information for accidents occurring on industry track of a non-reporting company is to be
reported by the railroad operating the on-track equipment. Damages to industry track and ontrack equipment are included in reportable damage. The word “industry” is to be entered in
Item 3b to identify an accident of this type.
7.2.7

Reporting Exceptions

The following exceptions do not impact the railroad’s obligation to maintain records of
accidents/incidents as required by § 225.25 (Form FRA F 6180.97, “Initial Rail Equipment
Accident/Incident Record”), as applicable. A railroad need not report the following:
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1. Cars derailed on industry tracks by nonrailroad employees or nonrailroad employee
vandalism, providing there is no involvement of railroad employees.
2. Damage to out-of-service cars resulting from high water or
flooding, e.g., empties placed on storage or repair track. This
exclusion does not apply if such cars are placed into a moving
consist and as a result of this damage, a reportable rail equipment
accident results.
Suicides and attempted suicides are not exceptions to FRA’s reporting requirements and must be
reported to FRA as “suicide data.” Accidents and incidents caused by suicide or attempted
suicide are NOT excepted from FRA’s reporting requirements.
Suicide data is data regarding the death of an individual due to that
individual’s commission of suicide as determined by a coroner or other
public authority; or injury to an individual due to that individual’s
attempted commission of suicide as determined by a public authority.
Only the death of, or injury to, the individual who committed the suicidal
act is considered to be suicide data.
See instructions for completing Blocks 38, 46–48, and 52 of Form FRA F6180.54 under
Section 7.3 below.
7.3

Instructions for Completing Form FRA F 6180.54

Note: Enter “N/A” for those items that do not apply to an accident, or for those items describing
on-track equipment that is the reporting responsibility of another railroad. All items must have
an entry; do not leave items blank. If “none” is the proper response to an item (for example, the
number of cars releasing hazardous material), then enter “0,” not “N/A.”
Item

Instruction

Name of Reporting Railroad
Enter the full name of the reporting railroad.

1a.

Alphabetic Code
Enter the reporting railroad’s alphabetic code found in Appendix A.

1b.

Railroad Accident/Incident No.
Enter a unique identifying number for the accident/incident being reported. All
reports prepared in connection with this accident/incident must use the same
reporting number. The report number may contain up to 10 numbers or
alphabetic characters.

Name of Other Railroad or Other Entity with Consist Involved
If an equipment consist operated by another railroad or other entity was involved
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in the accident, enter the full name of that railroad or other entity. If more than
one other railroad or other entity had a consist involved, list only one name;
include in the narrative portion of the form a reference to all railroads and other
entities and the extent of their involvement. Be sure that any other railroad or
other entity identified in the report is notified.
The exception is when there are three railroads involved (or two railroads and one
industry), then Item 2 can be completed with the name of the railroad or other
entity without having a consist involved.
2a.

Alphabetic Code
Enter the alphabetic code of the railroad or other entity identified in Item 2, as
found in Appendix A.

2b.

Railroad Accident/Incident No.
Enter the reporting number used by the railroad or other entity shown in Item 2 to
identify this accident/incident.

Name of Railroad or other Entity Responsible for Track Maintenance
Enter the name of the railroad or other entity responsible for maintaining the track
on which the accident/incident occurred.

3a.

Alphabetic Code
Enter the alphabetic code of the railroad, or other entity identified in
Item 3.

3b.

Railroad Accident/Incident Number
Enter the reporting number used by the railroad shown in Item 3 to identify this
accident/incident.

U.S. DOT Grade Crossing Identification Number
If the event being reported is a highway-rail grade crossing impact, enter the DOT
crossing identification number. The U.S. DOT Grade Crossing Identification
Number means and is in reference to the U.S. DOT Grade Crossing Inventory
Number. (Note: The railroad responsible for the on-track equipment involved in
the impact must also complete a Form FRA F 6180.57. This report must have the
same report number as that used on Form FRA F 6180.54.)

Date of Accident/Incident
Enter the date of the accident/incident.

Time of Accident/Incident
Enter the time the accident/incident occurred and check the appropriate “a.m.” or
“p.m.” box. Do not use military time.

Type of Accident/Incident
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Identify the first event in the accident/incident from the list of codes on the form.
The same code is used for all reports filed for the accident.
8.

Cars Carrying HAZMAT [Hazardous Material]
If the equipment consist for which this report is being prepared contained cars that
are designated as transporting hazardous material, enter the total number of these
cars, including residue cars. If there were no such cars in the consist, enter a “0.”
If the report is for track involvement only, enter “N/A.” The entry in this item
cannot be greater than the total number of freight cars shown on line 1 of Item 35.

HAZMAT Cars Damaged/Derailed
If the entry in Item 8 is greater than or equal to 1, enter the total number of
hazardous material cars that were damaged or derailed. If none, enter “0”;
otherwise, enter “N/A.” The number of cars in Item 9 cannot exceed the number
of cars listed in Item 8.

10.

Cars Releasing HAZMAT
If any of the hazardous material cars counted in Item 8 released any portion of its
contents, including fumes, enter the count of these cars. If none, enter “0”;
otherwise, enter “N/A.” This number cannot be greater than that shown in Item 8.
Describe the hazardous material released in the narrative by name or the Standard
Transportation Commodity Code (STCC). (Note: Any release of hazardous
material must also be reported on DOT form F 5800.1 See 49 CFR 171.15 and
171.16 for requirements.)

11.

People Evacuated
If the accident/incident resulted in an evacuation of the area because of an actual
or a potential exposure to hazardous material, enter the number of persons
evacuated. This number is to be reported only by the railroad responsible for the
equipment consist involved.
If there were multiple consists involved in the accident, the total number of people
evacuated is to be shown on the report for the consist most directly responsible for
the evacuation. Precautionary evacuations and instances where it was later
established that a release of hazardous material did not occur are to be reported.

12.

Subdivision
Enter the full name of the subdivision on which the accident occurred, i.e. the
Track owner’s subdivision name. If the railroad is not so divided, enter the word
“System.” In the event of a joint accident involving Amtrak, the host railroad’s
subdivision will apply.
Note: If an accident occurred in a major terminal and subdivision is not
applicable, enter terminal/yard name.

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13.

Nearest City/Town
Enter the name of the nearest city or town.

14.

Milepost
If the accident occurred on a main line, branch line, or siding, enter the milepost
number, to the nearest tenth of a mile, at the location of the accident. If
mileposts are not used, enter “N/A.”

15.

State Abbr.
Enter the appropriate State abbreviation and code, from Appendix B of this
Guide.

16.

County
Enter the full name of the county or parish in which the accident occurred.

17.

Temperature
Enter the temperature (Fahrenheit) at the accident site at the time of the accident.
If the temperature was below zero, preface the temperature number with a minus
(-) symbol.

18.

Visibility
Select the most appropriate entry, and place in the code box. Make sure this entry
does not contradict the time given in Item 6. For example, if the time of the
accident was 1:30 p.m., it would be incorrect to code the visibility as “Dawn.”

19.

Weather
Select the most appropriate weather condition at the time and location of the
accident, and enter the code in the box provided.

20.

Type of Track
The host railroad (railroad responsible for track maintenance) will
determine/provide the type of track. Any other railroad should consult with the
host railroad when completing this block. Select the code that identifies the type
of track on which the accident occurred, and enter it in the box provided. Branch
lines should be reported as mainline, code “1.”

21.

Track Name/Number
Enter the name or number used to identify the track on which the accident
occurred. If it is a main track of a single-track line, enter “single main track.”

22.

FRA Track Class
Enter the class of track on which the reported consist was located at the time of
the accident. Classes of track are defined in the Federal Track Safety Standards
(49 CFR Part 213). Excepted track should be entered as Class “X.”

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Maximum Speed
Track
Class
X
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Freight
Trains
10
10
25
40
60
80
110
125
160
200

Passenger
Trains
Prohibited
15
30
60
80
90
110
125
160
200

23.

Annual Track Density
If an accident occurred on a main track, enter the annual gross tonnage (in
millions) over this track; otherwise, enter “N/A.”

24.

Timetable Direction
If the consist identified on this report was either moving or temporarily stopped,
enter the code that describes the timetable or schedule direction. If the equipment
consist was a car or a cut of cars standing on the track, enter “N/A.”

25.

Type of Equipment Consist
Select the code that best identifies the consist for which this report is being
prepared, and enter in the box provided. Be sure that this entry is consistent with
the values given in Items 34 and 35.
For example: the codes “1,” “2,” “3,” “7,” “8,” “B,” and “C” are used for consists
that contain a locomotive unit. Therefore, line 1 of Item 34 must show at least
one locomotive in a box. If the code for a freight train is used, then line 1 of
Item 35 must show loaded and/or empty freight cars. If the consist is a single car
or cut of cars, there cannot be locomotives shown in Item 34 and there must be a
car count shown in Item 35. Many such comparisons exist; be sure to check the
interrelationship of information contained in all items related to the equipment
consist.
The codes for “Type of Equipment Consist” are as follows:
1. Freight train
2. Passenger train - Pulling
3. Commuter train - Pulling
4. Work train
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5. Single car
6. Cut of cars
7. Yard/switching
8. Light loco(s)
9. Maint./Inspect. Car
A. Spec. MoW Equip
B. Passenger train - Pushing
C. Commuter train - Pushing
D. EMU
E. DMU
26.

Was Equipment Attended?
If the equipment consist was attended by an employee, enter “1”; otherwise,
enter “2.”

27.

Train Number/Symbol
If the equipment consist can be identified by means of a train number, enter that
train number. Otherwise, enter the number of the locomotive unit from which the
engineer was controlling the consist. If the consist for which this report is being
prepared did not contain a locomotive, enter “N/A.”

28.

Speed
List the speed (mph) at which the consist was traveling at the time of its
involvement in the accident. Enter “E” in the code box to indicate if this is
estimated; or enter “R” for a recorded speed. If this consist was stopped, enter a
speed of “0.”

29.

Trailing Tons
If the equipment consist reported on this form is a freight train, work train, etc.,
enter the gross tonnage, excluding locomotives, of the train. Enter “N/A” if the
consist was a passenger train (pulling/pushing), commuter train (pulling/pushing),
light locomotive(s), car(s), EMU, DMU, or a locomotive handling cars in
switching operations.

30.

Type of Territory
The host railroad (railroad responsible for track maintenance) will
determine/provide the type of territory. Any other railroad should consult with
the host railroad when completing this block. Identify the method(s) of railroad
operation at the accident location by entering the appropriate code(s) in the boxes.
The back of the form may be used if necessary. The specific instructions for
completing this block are dependent on Block 20 (Type of Track). There are up
to five codes available to be used. Refer to Appendix J for specific instructions.
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30a.

Remotely Controlled Locomotive?
If this consist is NOT a part of a remote controlled operation or is NOT being
controlled by a remote control locomotive (RCL), enter code “0.” For accidents
involving consists controlled by RCL, enter one of the following three available
codes that best describes the type of remotely controlled operation involved:
1 - Remote control portable transmitter
2 - Remote control tower operation
3 - Remote control portable transmitter – more than one remote control
transmitter.
The use of codes “1,” “2,” or “3” is not dependent upon whether the RCL
operation caused or contributed to the accident, only that the RCL was in use.
Further explanation can be provided in the narrative.
There are special instructions for Blocks 40–45 for coding if the consist was
under RCL operations.

31.

Principal Car/Unit

31a.

Initial and Number
In the upper box (“First Involved”), list the initial and number of the first
locomotive or car in the consist being reported.
If the consist was moving at the time of the accident, and the accident was caused
by a mechanical or an electrical failure on this consist (cause codes beginning
with “E”), enter the initial and number of the car or locomotive having the
defective equipment in the lower box (“Causing”). If a mechanical or electrical
failure on a locomotive or car in this consist did not cause the accident, enter
“N/A.”
The same entry will frequently appear in both upper and lower boxes, since the
locomotive or car with the mechanical or electrical failure will also be the first
involved. If the locomotive or car that caused the accident was contained in a
different consist than the one described in this report, do not identify it on the
report for this consist. A reference to the unit causing the accident may be made
in the narrative portion of the report.

31b.

Position in Train
In the upper box, enter the position within the consist of the locomotive unit or car
identified in the upper box of Item 31a. When the consist contains a locomotive,
count from and include the first locomotive unit. If the consist was a moving cut
of cars, count from the leading end of the consist. If the consist was a single
locomotive or moving car, enter “1.” If the consist was a standing car or a
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standing cut of cars, enter “N/A.”
If a locomotive unit or car is identified in the lower box of Item 31a, enter its
position in the lower box. Use the procedure described above.
Note: When entering the position of the car or locomotive in either box,
be sure that this value does not exceed the total length of the
consist. This is determined by adding the total number of
locomotives in line 1 of Item 34 to the total number of cars shown
in line 1 of Item 35.
31c.

Loaded
When the entry in the upper box of Item 31a identifies a car, indicate if this car
was loaded or unloaded by entering “Yes” or “No” in the upper box. If a car is
not identified in Item 31a, enter “N/A.”
If a car is identified in the lower box of Item 31a, indicate if this car was loaded or
unloaded by entering “Yes” or “No” in the lower box. Otherwise, enter “N/A.”

32.

Railroad employees tested for drug/alcohol use.
If any employee was tested for alcohol usage in connection with this accident,
enter the number of positive tests in the first block. If any employee was tested
for drug usage in connection with this accident, enter the number of positive tests
in the second block. If testing was performed and the results were negative, enter
“0.” If there were positive tests, but impairment is not reported as a cause of
the accident, then provide a brief explanation in the narrative of the basis for
this determination. You are required to identify all accidents/incidents where
either Federal- or employer-authorized tests were performed.
Note: The same drug and alcohol code should be reported on all corresponding
Form FRA 6180.54’s and Form FRA 6180.55a’s that are filed under the
same accident/incident number.
49 CFR 225.18(a)(2) specifies that for any train accident within the requirement
for post-accident testing under § 219.201, the railroad shall append to the Rail
Equipment Accident/Incident Report any report required by § 219.209(b)
(pertaining to failure to obtain samples for post-accident toxicological testing).

33.

Was this consist transporting passengers?
Enter “Y” (for “yes”) if the consist being reported on was transporting passengers;
otherwise enter “N” (for “no”).

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34.

Locomotive Units [Number of] (Exclude EMU, DMU, and Cab Car Locomotives)
On line 1 (“Total in Train”), enter in the appropriate box(es) the number of
locomotive units in this consist. If there were no locomotives in this consist, enter
“0” in each of the boxes. Refer to the definition for “Locomotives” in Chapter 2
(Definitions).
For the locomotives shown in line 1, list on line 2 (“Total Derailed”) the number
of these that were derailed in the accident. Include locomotives that derailed
following a collision, explosion-detonation, etc., as well as those accidents
identified as derailments in Item 7.

35.

Cars [Number of] (Include EMU, DMU, and Cab Car Locomotives)
On line 1 (“Total in Equipment Consist”), enter in the appropriate box(es) the
number of cars contained in the consist. A passenger car is considered loaded if it
contains one or more passengers. Enter “0” in all boxes if the consist did not
contain cars. (Refer to the definition for “EMU, DMU, and Cab Car Locomotives
in Chapter 2 (Definitions).
For the cars shown in line 1, list on line 2 (“Total Derailed”) the number of
these that were derailed in the accident.
Special Instruction:

36.

When the consist contains articulated cars, the count for
these is to be the number of platforms/units in such a car.
This is necessary in order to maintain comparability of train
lengths. The narrative is to contain a reference that
articulated cars were included in the consist.

Equipment Damage This Consist
Enter the amount of reportable damage sustained by the equipment consist for
which this report is being prepared. If this consist did not have reportable
damage, enter “0.” When multiple forms are being used, do not show the damage
to this consist on other reports.
When estimating damage costs, the labor costs to be reported are only the direct
labor costs to the railroad, e.g., hourly wages, transportation costs, and hotel
expenses. The cost of fringe benefits is excluded when calculating direct labor
costs. Overhead is also excluded when calculating damage costs due to the
unacceptable, non-uniform treatment of overhead under the current process. If
the railroad chooses to have employees work overtime, then the overtime direct
labor charges must be used.
For services performed by a contractor, a direct hourly labor cost is calculated
by multiplying the contractor’s total labor hours charged to the railroad by the
applicable direct hourly wage rate for a railroad worker in that particular craft.
However, if a railroad cannot match the equivalent craft to the labor hours spent
by a contractor, then the railroad must use the loaded rate, i.e., the cost by hour
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for labor, fringe benefits, and other costs and fees for services charged by the
contractor for the tasks associated with the repair of the track, equipment, and
structures due to the train accident.
The current method used to calculate material costs, i.e., depreciated value
estimates, will continue to be used by all railroads. See Chapter 2, Definitions,
Costs and Reportable Damage, for methodology of calculations.
If a railroad chooses to use parts from older equipment to repair a damaged car
from an accident, then fair market value for the old part should be used and
documented as to fair market value (documentation should be publicly available
source for refurbished equipment). FRA is concerned that the railroad pay special
attention to using refurbished parts that might affect safety.
37.

Track, Signal, Way & Structure Damage
The railroad responsible for maintaining the track on which the accident/incident
occurred will enter the cost of damages to the track, signals, roadbed, track
structures, etc. (A report must be provided even when the track damage is zero
(0).) Other railroads will enter “N/A.” If the railroad responsible for the track
maintenance is filing reports for multiple consists involved in the accident, only
one of these reports will contain the total damage incurred.
If a railroad uses rail salvaged from an abandoned track or track no longer in use,
then the cost of the rail and ties salvaged are zero; however, the direct labor costs
for savaging the rail and ties, building the panels, and replacing the rail (including
subsequent welding costs if continuous welded rail (CWR) must be used in
calculating the costs of the accident.

38.

Primary Cause Code
Proper entry of the correct primary cause code is of critical importance, not
only for the accident being reported, but also for FRA’s analyses conducted for
accident prevention purposes. Because of the extensive use made of primary
cause code entries, careful attention must be given to making correct entry for
all accidents.
From the cause descriptions found in Appendix C, enter the cause code that best
describes the primary cause of the accident. All reports by a single railroad for a
single accident must use the same cause code. When multiple railroads are
reporting the same accident, they should attempt to resolve any differences
concerning the cause prior to reporting. When this cannot be accomplished, each
railroad will identify what it considers to be the primary cause of the accident.
If none of the more specific available cause codes are appropriate, you may enter
Cause Code M599, “Other Miscellaneous Causes,” and fully describe the
circumstances in the narrative. By its very nature, M599 is a vague cause code
that is intended to allow for a cause code entry for accidents that involve
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extremely unusual circumstances, and thus are not described elsewhere in
Appendix C. Railroads should avoid unnecessary usage of this vague cause code
as it detracts from FRA’s ability to accomplish proper train accident cause trend
analysis for accident prevention purposes. Often, the use of Cause Code M599
can be avoided by using both the primary and contributing cause fields to enter
the most appropriate specific available cause codes. (Example: For an accident
caused by a worn flange (E64C) and a worn switch point (T314), rather than
using M599, the railroad should make a determination as to which was the
primary cause and which was the contributing cause, and make entry of these
specific cause codes.)
If the cause of the accident is still under active investigation by the railroad when
the report is due, you may enter M505. Active investigation by the railroad
means that the railroad’s investigation of the accident is still ongoing, and the
cause has not been fully determined. An example of an accident still under active
investigation by the railroad would be that the railroad is still awaiting
metallurgical results for a suspected broken rail. Often, FRA and/or the National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) may also be performing their own
independent investigations of this same accident, and their final reports may not
be published for a considerable time period after the accident. The railroad must
not wait for either the FRA or the NTSB to publish their findings and their
assessment as to cause(s) of the accident to amend Cause Code M505. Once the
railroad has completed its active investigation and determined the probable
cause(s), the best available appropriate cause code(s) must be provided to FRA on
an amended report for the accident pursuant to 225.13. The fact that NTSB or
any other governmental agency has not released their findings as to probable
cause is not a valid reason for railroads to allow cause code M505 to remain
assigned to an accident.
Cause Code M507 is used to denote accidents/incidents in which the investigation
is complete but the cause of the accident/incident could not be determined. If a
railroad uses this code, the railroad is required to include in the narrative block an
explanation for why the cause of the accident/incident could not be determined.
Suicide and attempted suicide.
Place the following miscellaneous cause codes, as applicable, in Block 38:
(i) Code M309 “Suicide (Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident)”; (ii) Code
M310 “Attempted Suicide (Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident)”; (iii) Code
M509 “Suicide (Other Misc.)”; and (iv) Code M510 “Attempted Suicide (Other
Misc.)”. These codes can be found in Appendix C, “Train Accident Cause
Codes,” to this Guide. When entering the code for suicide and attempted suicide
(M309, M310, M509, M510), as determined by a coroner or public authority,
such as a public police officer, if there is also alcohol or other drug involvement,
then enter, as the primary cause code, either M309, M310, M509, or M510, as
applicable; and also indicate other applicable codes in the contributing code box.
For example, if causes of a highway-rail grade crossing accident are both
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attempted suicide and drug or alcohol impairment, enter “M310” for the primary
cause code, and enter “M301” for the contributing cause.
If an accident is caused by a bond wire attachment issue (See Appendix C, Train
Accident Cause Codes), information on the methods and locations of these
attachment(s) are to be provided in the narrative (Block 52).
There is a 5-year limit on the railroads to send in an amended report to change a
cause code. See Chapter 1 of this Guide. Once FRA or NTSB has published its
findings on an accident, the railroad may choose to send in another amended
report to reflect the primary cause code as determined by FRA or NTSB. The
railroad is not bound by the findings of either FRA or NTSB, as long as the
railroad has made a “good faith” determination that the results of their
investigation and analysis are accurate.
39.

Contributing Cause Code
If there were one or more contributing causes, enter the code for the foremost
contributing cause. Otherwise, enter “N/A.” An accident is frequently the
culmination of a sequence of related events, and a variety of conditions or
circumstances may contribute to its occurrence. A complete record of all of these
would be beneficial in accident prevention analysis. However, it is not practical,
even if it were possible, to develop forms and codes that would capture every
detail that may be associated with the causes and resulting consequences of each
accident. Therefore, the most appropriate combination of available codes that
best identifies the likely primary and any contributing cause, and other factors, is
to be used. Railroads are encouraged to use the contributing cause code. When
the events cannot be adequately described using the primary and contributing
cause, the railroad must use the narrative block to complete the causes of the
accident.

40–43. Number of Crewmembers
Enter in the appropriate boxes the total number of crewmembers on the consist for
which this report is being filed. If the item does not apply, enter “N/A.”
The operator of on-track maintenance machines is to be included in
the “Engineer” count.
A switch foreman is to be included in the “Conductor” count.
Switch helpers are to be included in the “Brakeman” count.
Utility employees who were attached to the crew at the time of the accident are
to be included in the count for the most appropriate type of crewmember
(normally brakeman.)

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If, through contractual agreements, a railroad has eliminated the job title of
conductor, and those responsibilities previously discharged by a conductor are
being fulfilled by another job title on the consist, then an entry is to be included in
the “Conductor” count.
If Block 30a, “Remote Control Locomotives,” has a code of 1 or 2, and the
consist was under RCL operations, then record the RCL operator in the
“Engineer/Operator” count, regardless of the operator’s craft. If Block 30a,
“Remote Control Locomotives,” has a code of 3, and the consist was under RCL
operations, then record all of the RCL operators in the “Engineer/Operator” count,
regardless of the operator’s craft.
44–45. Length of Time on Duty
Show the length of time that the engineer/operator and conductor in charge of the
equipment consist had been on duty at the time the accident/incident occurred.
If Block 30a, “Remote Control Locomotives,” has a code of 1 or 2 and the consist
was under RCL operations, then record the RCL operator’s length time on duty in
the “Engineer/Operator” block, regardless of the operator’s craft.
If Block 30a, “Remote Control Locomotives,” has a code of 3, “Remote control
portable transmitter - more than one remote control transmitter,” and the consist
was under RCL operations, then record all of the RCL operators in the “Engineer”
and “Conductor” fields, regardless of the operators’ craft. If there are more than
two RCL operators, then choose the two operators that have the longer tour of
duty to record in the “Engineer” and “Conductor” blocks.
46–48. Casualties
Enter the total number of reportable casualties (fatalities and nonfatalities) on this
consist. If none, enter “0.”
Enter the total number of persons who sustained reportable injuries while on
board, or as a result of striking, being struck by, or who are otherwise hurt in
connection with the operation of this consist. This would include injuries to
individuals who jumped from the consist prior to the accident. Do not report
employees of another railroad.
Include reportable casualties that result from suicides and attempted suicides, as
determined by a coroner, public police officer or other public authority, in Boxes
46–48, as applicable. (Prior the effective date of this guide, suicides were not
included in Items 46–48).
Note: All nonfatal casualties, including those being reported as occupational
illnesses, in the case of hazardous material releases, are to be included.
Each casualty reported on this form, regardless of whether fatal or
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nonfatal, must be reported individually on Form FRA F 6180.55a using
the same accident/incident report number in Item 1b. Enter the number of
fatal and nonfatal casualties to the railroad’s employees, train passengers,
and others.
49.

Special Study Block
A “Special Study Block” (SSB) is for collection of information on specific
accident issues over a specified time period in response to particular hazards or
associated railroad risks that are of safety concern. FRA will notify the railroads,
in writing or, if appropriate, through publication in the Federal Register, of the
purpose and the type of information that is to be collected
SSB for Item 49 will be broken down into SSB A (49a) and SSB B (49b).

49a.

Special Study Block A
Use this block to indicate what type of track an accident/incident occurred on by
using the codes “CWR” for continuous welded rail track, or “OTH” for other.
Item 49a cannot be blank.

49b.

Special Study Block B
Special Study Block B will be used to collect information on specific accident
issues as explained above, and if appropriate, through publication in the Federal
Register.
Please refer to http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety and click on “Click
Here for Changes in Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting” for
updated information.

50–51. Latitude and Longitude
Blocks 50 and 51 are for recording the latitude and longitude of the location
where the accident occurred. These two blocks are mandatory. This
requirement may be satisfied by either using GPS equipment to determine the
actual longitude and latitude or by using Internet technology to determine an
estimated longitude and latitude.
FRA is using the World Geodetic System (WGS) 84 standard for recording the
event’s latitude and longitude. It is requested that the information follow the
WGS 84 standard.
Although FRA would prefer decimal degrees (on hardcopy only, please follow
value with ° to specify decimal degrees), FRA will accept latitude and longitude
in degrees, minutes, and seconds (with °, ‘, “ to indicate units used are degrees,
minutes, seconds) if submitted on hardcopy (electronic submissions should be in
decimal degrees).
The latitude should use the following format +xx.xxxxxx. The longitude should
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use the following format -xxx.xxxxxx in decimal degrees. Use an explicit plus
or minus sign and an explicit decimal point followed by six decimal places for
both latitude and longitude.
Latitude, in decimal degrees: explicit decimal, explicit +/- (WGS 84) (e.g.,
+35.301486)
Longitude, explicit decimal, explicit +/- (WGS 84) (e.g., -085.280201)
52.

Narrative Description
A detailed narrative is basic to FRA’s understanding of the factors leading to, and
the consequences arising from, an accident. While many minor accidents can be
described in a few brief comments, others are more complicated and require
further clarification.
An adequate description of most accidents cannot be made in the limited space
available in Block 52. The narrative can be continued on a separate sheet of
paper attached to the report. Because of the variety of factors associated with
accidents, it is not possible to give a comprehensive list of items you should
include in your discussion. However, the following are to be covered when
appropriate:
Drug/alcohol involvement. Include a discussion of any drug/alcohol
use connected with this accident. If positive tests were made, but
usage/impairment was not determined to be a causal factor, explain
the basis of this determination.
Cause. Discuss any events or circumstances occurring prior to the
accident that has relevance to the accident. Provide additional
information concerning the reasons for the accident when the causes
found in Appendix C do not sufficiently explain why the accident
occurred.
Diesel Fuel Tank. Identify any leakage of locomotive diesel fuel
resulting from the accident. Identify the unit(s) by initial and number,
the manufacturer and model designation, the capacity of the fuel tank,
the quantity of fuel released, and any consequence of the release.
(Was there a fire, environmental consequences, etc.?)
Hazardous Materials. Identify the initial and number of any car
releasing hazardous materials. List the name and indicate the
quantity of hazardous material released. Report the number of
fatalities and injuries resulting from a direct exposure to the released
substance. If there was an evacuation, estimate the size of the
affected area and the length of the evacuation.

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Train Information. Identify any special characteristics of the
consist being reported, e.g., unit coal train; comprising
articulated cars.
Unusual Types of Territory. Include any unusual types of territory that could
not be described in Block 30.
Other Railroads. Describe how and to what extent the on-track
equipment of other railroads became involved in the accident.
Bond Wire Attachment(s): If an accident is caused by a bond wire attachment
issue, provide information on the methods and locations of these
attachment(s).
Do not record in the narrative personal identifiers, e.g., names,
Social Security numbers, payroll identifications.
53.

Typed/Printed Name and Title of Preparer
Type or print the name and title of the person responsible for
preparing this report form.

54.

Signature
Signature of the person shown in Item 53.
Note: If Form FRA F 6180.54 is to be submitted electronically, signature
(Item 54) and date of signature (Item 55) are not required.

55.

7.4

Date
Date the signature was made in Item 54 (i.e., the date the form was initially
completed).

Questions and Answers on Rail Equipment Accident Reporting
Q1.

Another railroad derailed some cars on our track. The damage to our track
did not exceed the threshold; however, their cars had extensive damage and
the cost to repair/replace these exceeded the threshold. Do we need to
complete a report for our railroad since we did not have significant damage
to the track?

A1.

Yes. The criterion for reporting is whether or not the total reportable damages for
all railroads having on-track equipment, track, signals, etc. involved in the
accident exceeded the threshold. You indicated that the equipment damage by
itself exceeded this amount; therefore, you must complete a report, but limit the
damage you record to the amount required to repair/replace your damaged track.
FRA uses the information received from all railroads to obtain a clearer picture of
what caused the accidents and what the consequences were.
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Q2.

A passenger train was en route between stations. A component failure and
the resulting electrical arching between the third rail and a collector plate
caused a traction motor to burn out. The train came to a stop as smoke
and fumes entered the passenger compartment. The passengers were
evacuated; however, there were no reports of injury. The repair and
replacement of damaged components will exceed the threshold. Is this a
reportable train accident?

A2.

Yes. The regulation requires that any event involving the operation of on-track
equipment and resulting in damage above the reporting threshold is to be
reported. However, a component failure is not reportable when the physical
damage is confined to the component and there are no other consequences of a
reportable nature. Take, for example, the following scenario: a traction motor
problem is detected by the engineer. She is able to cut out that motor and
proceeds to the next terminal where the unit is removed from service and the
traction motor replaced at a cost exceeding the threshold.
Crankcase explosions, turbo charger failures, and incidents involving catenaries
must meet this same general criterion to be reportable. For example, a crankcase
explosion extensively damages the block, crankshaft, and oil pan. A subsequent
fire causes additional damage to other components in the engine compartment.
The train is unable to proceed, and crewmembers suffer from smoke inhalation.
An event such as this, or a turbo charger explosion with similar consequences,
will generally be reportable.

Q3.

Sometimes damage to equipment is discovered during an inspection, but it
cannot be determined how the damage occurred, or it may simply be the
result of routine wear and tear. If the cost of repairing or replacing the
component(s) exceeds the threshold, do we need to make a report?

A3.

No. The equipment in this example was not in operation when the damage was
detected. In addition, it is unlikely that a factual report could be prepared that
would adequately describe how the damage occurred. Such a report, missing vital
information, would be of little use in accident analysis.

Q4.

A shipment of cars was dropped off and secured at an industry siding.
Employees of the industry were attempting to move one of the cars when it
got away from them, struck a derail, rolled over on its side, and sustained
substantial damage. The industry’s railroad operations are confined to its
own installation, which is completely off general system. The car did not
leave the industry’s property or foul the track maintained by my railroad.
Do we need to report this event?

A4.

No. The event described was not caused by, nor did it involve, the operation of
your railroad. The industry does not have to report the event to FRA because the
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industry is considered a plant railroad that operates entirely off the general
system. Part 225 does not apply to plant railroads that operate entirely off the
general system. See § 225.3.
Q5.

A unit coal train was returning with 115 empties when it was delayed due to
a heavy downpour that stopped all rail operations. The crew was removed
from the train because of the extreme weather conditions. Heavy flooding
from the rain washed out a portion of the main track that the train was
occupying. The next morning, 28 cars were on their sides. The preliminary
estimate of equipment damage alone is over $100,000. Is this a reportable
train accident?

A5.

Yes. The regulation requires that any event, including acts of God, involving
the operation of on-track equipment (standing or moving), and causing
damage above the threshold for train accidents. must be reported.

Q6.

Our switch crew was switching an industry when the wind blew the industry
gate into the side of a car being shoved. The industry gate was destroyed.
Would this be considered as a track structure? Please elaborate more
specifically concerning which structures would or would not be included in
railroad track damage.

A6.

The damages to an industry-owned gate would not be considered as railroad
track damage. Additionally, if an accident resulted in damages to the door of
a roundhouse, diesel shop, or repair shop, none of these would be considered
as track structures, and thus would not be considered as track damage.
Should a train strike and damage a platform used for loading and unloading
passengers, this type of structure is not an integral part of the track structure,
and also would not be considered as track damage.
On the other hand, should a derailment result in damages to a signal bungalow
located adjacent to a track, this would be considered as track damage, as it is an
adjunct to the track. For this same reason, damage to tunnels, bridges, snow
sheds, or other track-related structures would be considered as track damage.

Q7.

Do costs for re-railing equipment contribute to the total costs of the railequipment accident?

A7.

This cost is part of the “cost of clearing wrecks,” which is generally excluded
from the calculation of “reportable damage.” Chapter 2, page 8 of this Guide
explains reportable damage.

Q8.

A rail-equipment derailment occurred on railroad property in July. Only
one car was damaged, with less than $50 of track damage. The railroad
made a good faith estimate that the damage to the car was $4,000. FRA
Form F 6180.97 was completed. The damaged railroad car was taken to a
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repair facility, but no repairs were made until 14 months later. During the
repair, other damage related to the derailment was discovered, and now the
event is reportable. Should the railroad file the late report? What other
considerations should be made? Does the requirement for completing and
mailing FRA Forms F6180.81 and F6180.78 for cases involving a human
factor cause still apply?
A8.

The derailment should be reported to the FRA regardless of when the
determination was made using the FRA Form F6180.54, “Rail Equipment
Accident/Incident Report.” In the case of rail equipment accidents/incidents, the
determination of whether the combined railroad equipment and track damage
costs exceed the current threshold limit can be determined relatively promptly,
and in most cases, sufficiently accurate. Typically, this is accomplished by
estimates provided by qualified mechanical and track department supervisors on
the individual railroads.
However, FRA does recognize that in some cases, the actual costs to repair a
damaged piece of railroad equipment may greatly exceed the estimated cost, and
this may elevate a previously non-reportable rail equipment accident over the
threshold and become reportable at a later date. This is most likely to occur when
a privately owned freight car is damaged and is sent back to the owner for repairs.
In these cases, a report must still be prepared by the railroad company regardless
of the time between date of the accident/incident, and the date when knowledge is
received rendering the accident/incident reportable. A letter of explanation as to
why the report is filed late must be submitted.
There are no provisions in the FRA Guide that would allow a railroad to dispense
with the requirement for completing and mailing FRA Forms F6180.81 to FRA,
and Part I of FRA Form F6180.78 to the appropriate employee(s) for cases
involving a human factor cause that are late reported. The regulation and FRA
Guide are clear with respect to the necessity that these forms be completed for all
cases involving a human factor primary and/or contributing cause code. The fact
that a rail equipment accident/incident is reported late does not in any way relieve
the railroad from compliance with these provisions. Even if you should find,
through mistake or otherwise, a reportable rail equipment accident/incident
occurred 2 or even 3 years ago, and had not been previously reported, a late report
is required by FRA. If that accident/incident involved a human factor primary
and/or contributing cause code, then the completion of FRA Forms F6180.81 and
F6180.78 would also still be required. Although the employee(s) involved may
question the delay involved, the named employee(s) still will have the opportunity
to offer any statement(s) concerning the validity of the railroad’s report. This is
the intent of the regulation; that is, that the employee’s statement is made a part of
the accident reporting process.

Q9.

Our railroad had some historical equipment damaged, which cannot be
repaired or replaced in-kind. The equipment is worth substantially more
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than the depreciated value. What should be used for the estimated
equipment costs?
A9.

Antique value of passenger rail cars is very difficult to estimate. Railroads should
attempt to discern a fair market price for the equipment that cannot be replaced.

Q10. If a system car is destroyed and the car is under 30 years of age, what
method should be used to report damages: 1) the straight depreciated value
of the car, or 2) the depreciated value, minus the scrap value, plus the
dismantling costs?
A10.

Only Item (1) can be used. Chapter 2 shows a straight-line method for
depreciating destroyed equipment. Even with equipment that is 30 years old,
there is a 10 percent value that would include the scrap value.

Q11. Our crew was shoving 29 cars into a yard track, and a member of the crew
was on the ground for the purpose of protecting the shove. The crewmember
failed to note that a switch was improperly lined. The lead car entered the
adjacent track, striking a standing car, derailing it and the lead car of the
shoving movement. What would be the proper method of cause assignment
for this type of accident?
A11.

There are detailed instructions found in Chapter 7 for completing Item 38,
“Primary Cause Code,” and Item 39, “Contributing Cause Code,” on FRA Form
F 6180.54, Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report. These instructions are also
applicable to entries into Item 28, “Primary Cause,” and Item 29, “Contributing
Cause,” on FRA Form F 6180.97, Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident
Report. Because the reporting of the proper cause codes is very important to
accident analysis, the basic philosophy is that the best available cause code(s)
must be used to describe the cause(s) of an accident.
In your case, it would appear that there are two cause codes that should be
recorded. First, it would appear that the primary cause should be entered as
H306, “Shoving movement, absence of man on or at leading end of movement,”
or H307, “Shoving movement, man on or at leading end of movement, failure to
control,” whichever is most applicable. Additionally, as a contributing cause, it
would appear that Cause Code H702, “Switch improperly lined,” would be
applicable to this accident. As you describe this accident, it would appear that an
accident would not have occurred had the leading end of the movement been
properly protected by the employee, and this would be the primary cause of the
accident.

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7.5

Common Reporting Errors

Duplication of Information. A railroad whose involvement in an accident is limited to track
maintenance responsibility should mark all items relating to the equipment consist “N/A.” These
items are numbers 8, 9, 10, 11, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45,
and 47. This information will be reported by the railroad responsible for the individual
consist(s). A railroad that did not have track involved in the accident must not list the damage to
the track.
Do not send in reports concerning a consist for which another railroad has reporting
responsibility.
Missing or Incomplete Reports. Do not leave blank items on the form. If the value is unknown,
an estimate should be used. If the item does not apply, “N/A” should be entered. If the correct
response is “none,” a “0” should be inserted in the item.
An accident report must be made by all railroads involved, regardless of the extent of damage
sustained by individual railroads.
When filing multiple reports for a single accident/incident, be sure to verify that the
information contained on the various reports does not contradict itself. Of particular
importance are such items as:
Item
5
6
7
15
16
38

Contents
Date of Accident/Incident
Time of Accident/Incident
Type of Accident/Incident
State Abbr. [where the accident occurred]
County [where the accident occurred]
Primary Cause Code

If a Form FRA F 6180.55a or Form FRA F 6180.57 is also required for the accident, be sure to
compare similar items between these additional forms.
If there were reportable casualties resulting from the accident, a line entry must be made on
Form FRA F 6180.55a for each casualty. In highway-rail grade crossing accidents, the railroad
responsible for the equipment consist that struck or was struck by the highway user must file a
Form FRA F 6180.57.
Avoid contradictions on a single form by comparing related items. For example, it would be
incorrect for a report to show more locomotives or cars derailed in a consist than were actually
contained in that consist, as shown in Items 34 and 35. Similarly, if the report showed no
conductors in Item 42, it would be inconsistent to show the conductor’s time on duty in Item 45.

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Form FRA F 6180.81 - Employee Human Factor Attachment

8.1

Requirement

If, in reporting a rail equipment accident/incident on Form FRA F 6180.54, a railroad cites an
employee human factor as the primary cause or a contributing cause of the accident; then the
railroad that cited such employee human factor must complete the Form FRA F 6180.81, which
is titled “Employee Human Factor Attachment.” The Employee Human Factor Attachment is to
be attached to the Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report to which it pertains. For purposes of
completing this form, “employee” is defined as a Worker on Duty–Railroad Employee (Class
A), Railroad Employee not on Duty (Class B), Worker on Duty–Contractor (Class F), and
Worker on Duty–Volunteer (Class H). See §§ 225.5, 225.12.
This form is only used in connection with a reportable rail equipment accident/incident where the
Form FRA F 6180.54 submitted to FRA identifies an employee human factor as either the
primary or contributing cause of the accident.
8.2

General Instructions and Interpretations

Each employee identified on Form FRA F 6180.81 must be notified according to the
instructions found in the section for preparing Form FRA F 6180.78 and on the back of that
form.
If a reporting railroad makes allegations concerning the employee of another railroad, the
employing railroad must promptly provide the name, job title, address, and medical status of
any employee reasonably identified by the alleging railroad, if requested.
If a railroad is initially unable to identify a particular railroad employee responsible for causing
the accident, but subsequently makes such identification, the railroad shall prepare a revised
Form FRA F 6180.81 and forward it to FRA. In addition, a notification (Form FRA F 6180.78)
must be sent to the identified employee within 15 days of the date the revised Employee Human
Factor Attachment was prepared.
A railroad has reasonable discretion to defer notification of implicated employees on
medical grounds.
If an implicated employee has died as a result of the accident, a notice addressed to that
employee must not be sent to any person. If an implicated employee has died of any cause by
the time that the notice is ready to be sent, no notice addressed to that employee is required.
If the reporting railroad has scheduled or is conducting a formal investigation of a rail equipment
accident/incident to determine whether it was caused by an employee human factor. and if the
investigation has not concluded prior to the filing of the regular monthly report, the railroad
must, nonetheless, attach a Form FRA F 6180.81 to the Form FRA F 6180.54 to which it
pertains. The following instructions apply in these situations:
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1. In the “ Description” area of Form FRA F 6180.81, you are to explain that
employee(s) have not been named because the railroad is awaiting results of the
formal investigation. Indicate whether the formal investigation is currently in
progress or the date that it is scheduled to begin.
2. After transmittal of such Form FRA F 6180.81, and when the formal investigation has
been concluded for that rail equipment accident, the reporting railroad must promptly
provide a “corrected copy” of FRA Form F 6180.81 for each implicated employee.
Implicated employees are to be notified in accordance with instructions found in
Section 8.2 of this Chapter.
The above provisions apply only when a formal investigation is scheduled or in progress and
where the naming of an employee(s) on FRA forms prior to a railroad’s formal inquiry may give
the appearance of “pre-judging” the guilt or innocence of the affected employee(s). If a railroad
does not schedule a formal inquiry for a rail equipment accident/incident caused by an employee
human factor, the standard provisions described in this chapter apply.
8.3

Submission

Form FRA F 6180.81 is to be attached to Form FRA F 6180.54 (when applicable). Form FRA
F 6180.81 may be submitted via optical media (CD-ROM) or electronically, via the Internet, but
must also be submitted in .pdf or .jpg file format.

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Form FRA F 6180.78 - Notice to Railroad Employee Involved in Rail
Equipment Accident/Incident Attributed to Employee Human Factor:
Employee Statement Supplementing Railroad Accident Report

9.1

Requirement

For each employee whose act, omission, or physical condition was alleged by the railroad as the
employee human factor that was the primary cause or a contributing cause of a reportable rail
equipment accident/incident (as reported on Form FRA F 6180.54) and whose name was listed in
the Employee Human Factor Attachment (Form FRA F 6180.81) for the accident, and for each
such railroad employee of whose identity the railroad has actual knowledge, the alleging railroad
shall:
1. Complete Part I, “Notice to Railroad Employee,” of Form FRA F 6180.78 with
information regarding the accident, in accordance with the following instructions and
those on the form; and
2. Hand-deliver or send by first-class mail (postage prepaid) the following to that employee
within 45 days after the end of the month in which the rail equipment accident/incident
occurred:
a. A copy of Form FRA F 6180.78, “Notice to Railroad Employee Involved in Rail
Equipment Accident/Incident Attributed to Employee Human Factor: Employee
Statement Supplementing Railroad Accident Report,” with Part I completed as to the
applicable employee and accident.
b. A copy of the railroad’s Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report and Employee
Human Factor Attachment on the rail equipment accident/incident involved.
c. If the accident was also reportable as a highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident,
a copy of the railroad’s Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident/Incident Report on
that accident. See § 225.12.
An “employee human factor” includes any of the accident causes signified by the train accident
cause codes listed under “Train Operation–Human Factors” in the current FRA Guide, except for
those train accident cause codes pertaining to non-railroad workers. For purposes of Form FRA
F 6180.78 and for purposes of the definition of “employee human factor,” “employee” includes
the following classifications:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Worker on Duty–Railroad Employee
Railroad Employee Not on Duty
Worker on Duty–Contractor
Worker on Duty–Volunteer

See § 225.5 for definition of employee human factor and § 225.12 for definition of employee and
for substantive requirements.

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This form is only used in connection with a reportable rail equipment accident/incident where the
Form FRA F 6180.54 submitted to FRA identifies an employee human factor as either the
primary or contributing cause of the accident.
9.1.1

Employee Action upon Receipt of Notification

Employee statements supplementing railroad accident reports are voluntary, not mandatory.
The nonsubmission of a supplement does not imply that the employee admits or endorses the
railroad’s conclusions as to cause or any other allegations. See § 225.12(g)(1).
Although a supplement is completely optional and not required, if an employee wishes to submit
a supplement and ensure that, after receipt, it will be properly placed by FRA in a file with the
railroad’s Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report and that it will be required to be reviewed by
the railroad that issued the notice, the supplement must be made on Part II of Form FRA
F 6180.78 (titled “Notice to Railroad Employee Involved in Rail Equipment Accident/Incident
Attributed to Employee Human Factor; Employee Statement Supplementing Railroad Accident
Report”), following the instructions printed on the form. These instructions require that, within
35 days of the date that the notice was hand-delivered or sent by first-class mail to the employee
(except for good cause shown), the original of the supplement be filed with FRA and a copy be
hand-delivered or sent by first-class mail to the railroad that issued the notice. The railroad will
have to reassess its conclusions as to the cause of the accident and other circumstances, and file
corrected reports with FRA concerning the accident, when appropriate. See § 225.12(g)(2).
Information that the employee wishes to withhold from the railroad must not be included in this
supplement. If an employee wishes to provide confidential information to FRA, the employee
should not use the supplement form (Part II of Form FRA F 6180.78), but rather provide such
confidential information by other means, such as a letter to the employee’s collective
bargaining representative, or to the Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Safety
Assurance and Compliance, RRS-11, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
The letter should include the name of the railroad making the allegations, the date and place of
the accident, and the rail equipment accident/incident number. See § 225.12(g)(3).
If an employee chooses to submit a supplement to FRA, all of the employee’s assertions in the
supplement must be true and correct to the best of the employee’s knowledge and belief.
See § 225.12(h).

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10.

Forms FRA F 6180.57 - Highway-Rail Grade Crossing
Accident/Incident Report & FRA F 6180.150 – Highway User Injury
Inquiry Form

10.1

Requirement

Any impact, regardless of severity, between railroad on-track equipment and a highway user at a
highway-rail grade crossing site, is to be reported on Form FRA F 6180.57. The term “highwayrail grade crossing” means: (1) a location where a public highway, road, or street, or a private
roadway, including associated sidewalks, crosses one or more railroad tracks at grade; or (2) a
location where a pathway explicitly authorized by a public authority or a railroad carrier that is
dedicated for the use of non-vehicular traffic, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and others, that is
not associated with a public highway, road, or street, or a private roadway, crosses one or more
railroad tracks at grade. The term “sidewalk” means that portion of a street between the curb
line, or the lateral line of a roadway, and the adjacent property line or, on easements of private
property, that portion of a street that is paved or improved and intended for use by pedestrians.
See § 225.5. The term “highway user” includes automobiles, buses, trucks, motorcycles,
bicycles, farm vehicles, pedestrians, or any other mode of surface transportation motorized and
un-motorized. In addition, the term highway user encompasses users of pathways explicitly
authorized by a public authority or a railroad carrier that is dedicated for the use of non-vehicular
traffic, and that is not associated with a public highway, road, or street, or a private roadway. All
crossing locations within industry and rail yards, ports and dock areas are considered highwayrail crossings within the meaning of the term.
10.2

Additional Requirements

Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report, Form FRA F 6180.54. If a highway-rail grade
crossing accident/incident results in reportable damage greater than the current reporting
threshold used for Rail Equipment Accident/Incident reporting, the railroad must also submit to
FRA a Form FRA F 6180.54, “Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report.” The reporting
threshold for calendar years 2002–2005 is $6,700. The reporting threshold for calendar year
2006 is $7,700. The reporting threshold for calendar year 2007 is $8,200. The reporting
threshold for calendar year 2008 is $8,900; and, for accidents that occur in calendar year 2010,
the reporting threshold is $9,200. In these situations, the type of accident is to be coded as
“Hwy-rail crossing” in Block 7 of Form FRA F 6180.54. See § 225.19(c). Refer to
http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety and click on “Click Here for Changes in
Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting” for updated information.
Railroad Injury and Illness (Continuation Sheet), Form FRA F 6180.55a. If a highway-rail
grade crossing accident/incident results in a reportable casualty, the railroad must also file a
Form FRA F 6180.55a. See § 225.19 (d). A highway user who is involved in a highway-rail
grade crossing accident/incident and is transported from the scene of a highway-rail grade
crossing accident/incident to a medical facility via ambulance or other form of medical
conveyance is presumed to have sustained an FRA reportable injury. Absent evidence to rebut
this presumption, the railroad must report the injury to FRA on Form FRA F 6180.55a, “Railroad
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Injury and Illness Summary (Continuation Sheet),” and show the injury on Block 46 on Form
FRA F 6180.57. If the railroad later discovers that the highway user did not sustain a reportable
injury, the railroad must notify FRA in accordance with the late reporting instructions. See
§ 225.13.
Suicide. If the impact between the railroad on-track equipment and a highway user occurred
because the highway user committed or attempted to commit suicide (as determined by a
coroner, public police officer, or other public authority) the highway-rail grade crossing
accident/incident must be reported on Form FRA F 6180.57 and the death of or injury to, if
reportable, that highway user must be reported to FRA on FRA Form F 6180.55a. See
instructions for completing Blocks 41, 46, 49, and 52 under Section 10.4 below.
Determination of Nature and Severity of a Highway-Rail Crossing Injuries: In order to fulfill its
responsibilities in determining the nature and severity of a highway-rail grade crossing injury
and to accurately report such injury, a railroad must try to contact any potentially injured
highway user involved in a highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident, or their representative,
in writing and, if unsuccessful in obtaining the needed information, by telephone. If a highway
user died as a result of the highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident, a railroad must not
send this form to any person. In addition, the letter must be accompanied by a cover letter and
prepaid/preaddressed envelope. See 10.7 below for complete instructions and Appendix N for a
sample cover letter.
10.3

General Instructions and Interpretations

Any impact (including an impact due to the commission or attempted commission of a suicide,
as determined by a coroner, public police officer, or other public authority), regardless of
severity, between railroad on-track equipment and any highway user of a highway-rail grade
crossing, is to be reported on Form FRA F 6180.57. Highway users include, but are not limited
to, automobiles, buses, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, recreational vehicles, farm vehicles,
construction vehicles, roadway maintenance vehicles, pedestrians, and any other mode of surface
transportation motorized or un-motorized.
Location of Actual Impact. Incidents involving highway users who have unsuccessfully
attempted to avoid striking or being struck by railroad on-track equipment at a crossing site are
to be reported, regardless of where the actual impact between the consist and the highway user
occurred.
U.S. DOT Grade Crossing Identification Numbers. A Form FRA F 6180.57 must be completed
for collisions/impacts between on-track equipment and users of highway-rail grade crossing
sites, including crossing locations within industries or rail yards, ports and dock areas. The grade
crossing must be identified on Form FRA F 6180.57 by its identification number, which is its
U.S. DOT Grade Crossing Inventory Number. The U.S. DOT Grade Crossing Identification
Number means and is referring to the U.S. DOT Grade Crossing Inventory Number.
The U.S. DOT Grade Crossing Identification Number recorded in block 4 of Form FRA
F 6180.57 is a key element of this report and must be provided. If you are unable to obtain this
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number from your railroad track or signal departments, or through the State Inventory Contact,
then assistance may be obtained by contacting an FRA highway grade crossing manager at any
of the regional offices found in Appendix G, or by calling (202) 493-6299 (refer to
http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety and click on “Click Here for Changes in
Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting” for updated information). The same
procedures are to be followed when an accident occurs at a crossing that is not a part of the U.S.
DOT Crossing Inventory.
In the event of a highway-rail grade crossing accident at a new crossing without a U.S. DOT
Grade Crossing Identification Number, a new number must be obtained from FRA by calling
(202) 493-6299 (refer to http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety and click on “Click Here for
Changes in Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting” for updated information).
Involvement of Other Highway Users in the Accident/Incident. It is not necessary to complete
additional FRA Form F 6180.57 reports for other highway users that become subsequently
involved in an accident when they are on the same crossing approach. Report the first highway
user involved in the accident. Briefly describe the accident and note any additional casualties or
other vehicle damage in the narrative. A new Form FRA F 6180.57 report is required only if
another highway user approaches the crossing from the opposite side and strikes or is struck by
on-track equipment.
Responsibilities of the Railroad Whose Involvement is Limited to Track Maintenance.
FRA Form F 6180.57. A railroad whose involvement in a highway-rail grade crossing
accident/incident is limited to track maintenance responsibilities is not to complete Form FRA
F 6180.57. When the reporting railroad is different than the railroad maintaining the track, the
railroad responsible for the track must be identified in Item 3a. Report number “XXX” is to be
entered in Item 3b in these instances.
FRA Form F 6180.54. If the accident/incident satisfies the reporting requirements for rail
equipment accidents (e.g., reportable railroad damage exceeds threshold), Form FRA F 6180.54
must also be completed by all railroads involved, including the railroad with track maintenance
responsibility. See § 225.23(c).
Unique Identifier. Each accident/incident must have an identifying number that is unique for the
report month. All forms used by a carrier to report a single event must use the same
accident/incident number. Do not append additional characters on different forms for the same
accident/incident. For example, if a railroad has two casualties resulting from an accident, do not
report one casualty using the reporting number 12345, and the number 12345-A for the second.
The reporting number must be exactly the same for both reports.
If actual data is not available when the report is due, estimated values are to be used. If it is later
determined that an estimated value was significantly in error, a corrected report must be
forwarded. See § 225.13.

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All items must be filled in; do not leave items blank. Enter “N/A” for those items that do not
apply to an accident. If “none” is the proper response for an item, for example, the number of
cars in a consist, enter “0,” do not enter “N/A.”
Closed Crossing. If a highway-rail grade crossing is closed (see Chapter 2, Definitions, for the
definition of a closed crossing), then the impact would not be classified as a highway-rail grade
crossing accident, and the Form FRA F 6180.57 must not be submitted or completed. However,
if the monetary threshold was exceeded, the Rail-Equipment Accident/Incident Report Form
FRA F 6180.54 would be required. The “Type of Accident” is classified as an “Obstruction” if a
vehicle travels on a road where the pavement has been removed (the road is closed) and attempts
to cross the tracks and is struck by on-track equipment.
Barricaded Crossing or Temporarily Closed Crossing. Any impact at a barricaded or
temporarily closed crossing is still reportable per Form FRA F 6180.57 requirements.
10.4

Instructions for Completing Form FRA F 6180.57
Item

Instruction

Name of Reporting Railroad
Enter the full name of the reporting railroad.

1a.

Alphabetic Code
Enter the reporting railroad’s code, found in Appendix A. (Railroads whose
involvement in the accident/incident is limited to track maintenance responsibility
are not to complete a Form FRA F 6180.57.)

1b.

Railroad Accident/Incident [Number]
Enter a unique identifying number for the accident/incident being reported. All
reports connected with this accident/incident must use the same reporting number.
The report number may contain up to 10 numeric and/or alphabetic characters.

Name of Other Railroad or Other Entity Filing for Equipment Involved in Train
Accident/Incident
If an equipment consist operated by another railroad or other entity was involved
in the accident, enter the full name of that railroad. If more than one other
railroad had a consist involved, list only one name.

2a.

Alphabetic Code
Enter the code of the railroad identified in Item 2.

2b.

Railroad Accident/Incident No.
Enter the reporting number used by the railroad shown in Item 2 to identify this
accident/incident.

Name of Railroad or Other Entity Responsible for Track Maintenance
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Enter the name of the railroad or other entity responsible for maintaining the track
on which the accident/incident occurred.
3a.

Alphabetic Code
Enter the code of the railroad identified in Item 3.

3b.

Railroad Accident/Incident No.
Enter the reporting number used by the railroad shown in Item 3 to identify this
accident/incident. If the railroad shown in Item 3 differs from the reporting
railroad, and if the accident does not require that a Form FRA F 6180.54 be filed,
then enter “XXX” as the accident/incident number. However, if the accident also
requires that Form FRA F 6180.54 be completed, enter the number used on the
rail equipment form by the railroad responsible for track maintenance.

U.S. DOT Grade Crossing Identification Number
Enter the U.S. DOT National Highway-Rail Crossing Identification Number
assigned to the crossing involved. The U.S. DOT Grade Crossing Identification
Number means and is referring to the U.S. DOT Grade Crossing Inventory
Number. This field must contain this number before submitting the incident
report. This number must be provided by the reporting railroad, regardless of
who actually owns or maintains the track or the crossing site. This is also
required for a crossing location within industries and rail yards, ports and dock
areas, such as in a plant area owned by a private corporation or a railroad.
Contact the operating railroad to obtain the number. (It is strongly recommended
that the Accident/Incident Report be compared with the U.S. DOT Inventory
Report on FRA’s Web site to ensure that the correct crossing number has been
identified and that the other data elements match.) Entering the term “NOT
ASSIGNED” is not acceptable and the Form will be returned for completion with
the correct information.
In the event that the subject crossing was never assigned a number, a new valid
crossing number must be obtained from FRA. If an identification number has not
been assigned to the crossing, a completed Inventory Report Form must be filed
with the incident report. The new U.S. DOT Crossing Inventory Form can be
obtained from FRA’s Office of Safety Web site (http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/
OfficeofSafety) or by calling (202) 493-6299. (For updated information refer to
http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety and click on the “Crossing” tab to
query inventory. Existing crossing numbers can be obtained by contacting the
FRA Washington Headquarters or searching FRA’s Web site.
There is only one exception for which an incident report will be accepted without
an assigned number in this field. This is where the crossing was created to serve
specific temporary activities for less than 6 months (such as for construction). In
this case, enter “TEMP.”

Date of Accident/Incident
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Enter the date the accident/incident occurred.
6.

Time of Accident/Incident
Enter the time the accident/incident occurred, in the local time of the location
where the accident/incident occurred, and check the appropriate “a.m.” or “p.m.”
box. Do not use military time.

Nearest Railroad Station
Enter the name of the nearest timetable station. In event of accidents involving
Amtrak, the host railroad’s nearest station will apply.

Subdivision
Enter the full name of the subdivision on which the accident occurred, i.e. the
track owner’s subdivision name. If the railroad is not so divided, enter the word
“System.” In the event of a joint accident involving Amtrak, the host railroad’s
subdivision will apply.
Note: If the accident occurred in a major terminal and subdivision is not
applicable, enter “terminal/yard name”

County
Enter the full name of the county or parish in which the accident/incident
occurred.

10.

State Abbr. Code
Enter the appropriate State code, found in Appendix B, for the State in which the
accident occurred.

11.

City
If the accident occurred within the jurisdiction of a city, town or hamlet, enter the
full name of this location; otherwise, enter “N/A.”

12.

Highway Name or Number
Enter the name or number of the highway or street involved. If the impact
occurred at a public crossing, place an “X” or checkmark in the block titled
“Public.” If at a private crossing, place an “X” or checkmark in the block titled
“Private.”

13.

Type [of Highway User Involved]
Select the code that best identifies the type of highway user involved in the
accident/incident.
Note: If a pedestrian is identified in this item, then Items 14, 42, 44, 45,
and 47 are to be coded “N/A.”

14.

Vehicle Speed [of Highway User Involved]
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List the estimated speed (mph) that the highway user was traveling at the time of
impact. If the highway user was not a vehicle, enter “N/A”. If the vehicle was
stopped on the crossing at the time of impact, enter “0.” The inclusion of a
vehicle speed of 0 mph when the form elsewhere indicates that the vehicle was
moving over the crossing or around the gate is prohibited.
15.

Direction [of Highway User Involved]
Select the code that best describes the geographical direction in which the
highway user was moving, and enter it in the box provided. If the highway user
was stopped, identify the intended direction of travel.
Note: It is possible in some circumstances for the geographical direction
of the highway user to be the same as the timetable direction of the
railroad consist given in Item 31.

16.

Position [of the Highway User Involved]
Select the code that best describes the position of the highway user at the time of
impact, and enter in the code box. The codes are as follows: (1) Stalled or stuck
on crossing; (2) Stopped on Crossing; (3) Moving over crossing; (4) Trapped on
crossing by traffic; and (5) Blocked on crossing by gates. The fifth option, (5)
“Blocked on crossing by gates,” applies to those situations in which a highwayuser is prevented from leaving the crossing because the highway user is blockedin by crossing gates.
Note: If the highway vehicle was stopped or stalled on the crossing at the
time of impact, the speed given in Item 14 must be “0.”

17.

Equipment [Rail Equipment Involved]
Select the code that best identifies the railroad equipment consist involved in the
accident/incident and enter it in the box provided. (See definitions of types of rail
equipment given in Chapter 2.) Note that on-track work equipment such as
ballast tampers are classified as cars and, therefore, should be identified by using
code “4” or “5.”
When completing this item, pay particular attention to its relationship to other
items on the form to avoid contradictions. Some examples of contradictory
responses are as follows:
a. If the description of a railroad equipment includes a reference to “pulling,”
“pushing,” or “moving,” then train speed (“Consist Speed”) in Item 30
cannot be “0.”
b. If the description states that the consist was “standing,” then speed in item
30 must be “0,” and Item 19 cannot indicate that the consist struck the
highway user.

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c. If a train is identified, there must be a count of the number of locomotives
given in Item 28. If the equipment consist was a single car or cut of cars,
then Item 28 must be “0,” and the count of cars must be entered in Item
29.
The values of the codes are:
1. Train (units pulling)
2. Train (units pushing)
3. Train (standing)
4. Car(s) (moving)
5. Car(s) (standing)
6. Light loco(s) (moving)
7. Light loco(s) (standing)
8. Other (specify)
A. Train pulling – RCL
B. Train pushing – RCL
C. Train standing – RCL
D. EMU Locomotive(s)
E. DMU Locomotive(s)
18.

Position of Car Unit in Train [Rail Equipment Involved]
Identify the position within the consist of the first locomotive unit or car that
struck or was struck by the highway user. The position is determined by counting
from (and including) the leading locomotive unit or car to the position of the first
car or locomotive involved in the accident. The leading unit is the first car or
locomotive to enter the crossing, regardless of the location of the locomotive(s).
For example, in a pushing movement involving a cut of cars and a single
locomotive, the count would begin from the car that first entered the crossing.
Special Instruction: When the consist contains articulated car(s), the count for
these is to be the number of platforms/units in such a car.
This is necessary in order to maintain comparability of train
lengths. The narrative is to contain a reference that
articulated cars were included in the consist.
Note: If a single railroad car or locomotive was involved, or if the railroad
consist struck the highway user (as shown in Item 19), then the entry in
this item must be “1.”

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19.

Circumstance [Rail Equipment Involved]
Specify whether the railroad consist struck the highway user or was struck by the
highway user. If the railroad equipment struck the highway user, be sure that item
17 does not refer to “standing” equipment, and that the speed of the on-track
equipment is given in Item 30. If the highway user struck the railroad consist, be
sure that the estimated speed of the highway vehicle given in Item 14 is greater
than “0” and that the position of the highway user was coded “3” in Item 16.

20a.

Was the highway user and/or rail equipment involved in the impact transporting
hazardous materials?
Enter the code that identifies whether or not the rail equipment and/or the
highway user was transporting hazardous material as cargo at the time of the
impact. For the rail equipment, this includes any car containing hazardous
material cargo within the consist, regardless of location, but not generally the
locomotive because diesel fuel used by the locomotive and fusees carried by the
locomotive are not considered to be cargo. Highway users are to be identified
only when the hazardous material is being transported as cargo; the gasoline or
diesel fuel used by the vehicle’s engine is not considered to be cargo.

20b.

Was there a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) release by
Enter the code into the box that shows if there was a hazmat release by the
highway user and/or rail equipment. If there was no hazmat release by either of
these, enter the code for “neither.” A release of gasoline or diesel fuel used by the
vehicle’s engine is not considered a hazmat release for the purposes of this item.
(Describe such occurrences in the narrative.)

20c.

State here the name and quantity of the hazardous material released, if any
Enter the name of the hazardous material released, followed by the quantity
released. State the measure, for example, 50 gal[lons], 20 tons. Describe the
hazardous material released in the narrative by name or the Standard
Transportation Commodity Code (STCC). (Note: Any release of hazardous
material must also be reported on DOT form F 5800.1. See 49 CFR § 171.15 and
§ 171.16 for requirements.)

21.

Temperature
Enter the temperature (Fahrenheit) at the accident site at the time of the accident.
If the temperature was below zero, preface the temperature number with a minus
(-) sign.

22.

Visibility
Select the most appropriate entry, and place it in the code box. Make sure that the
entry does not contradict the time given in Item 6; for example, if the time of the
accident was 1:30 p.m., it would be inappropriate to code the visibility as
“Dawn.”

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23.

Weather
Select the most appropriate weather condition at the time and location of the
accident, and enter the code in the box provided.

24.

Type of Equipment Consist
Select the code that best identifies the consist for which this report is being
prepared, and enter it in the box provided. Make sure that this entry is consistent
with the values given in Items 17, 28, and 29.
When this report is completed with an FRA Form F 6180.54, the “Type of
Equipment Consist” (Item 24, FRA Form F 6180.57 and Item 25, FRA Form F
6180.54) must be the same in both reports.
1. Freight Train
2. Passenger train – Pulling
3. Commuter train – Pulling
4. Work train
5. Single car
6. Cut of cars
7. Yard/switching
8. Light loco(s)
9. Maint./Inspect. car
A. Spec. MOW Equip.
B. Passenger train – pushing
C. Commuter train – pushing
D. EMU
E. DMU

25.

Track Type Used by Rail Equipment Involved
Select the code that identifies the type of track on which the accident occurred,
and enter it in the box provided. Branch lines should be reported as main line,
code “1.”

26.

Track Number or Name
Enter the number or name used to identify the track on which the accident
occurred. If it is main track of a single-track line, enter “single main track.”

27.

FRA Track Class
Enter the class of track on which the reported consist was located at the time of
the accident. Classes of track are defined in the Federal Track Safety Standards
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(49 CFR Part 213). See 49 CFR § 213.4 and § 213.9. Excepted track should be
entered as Class X.
Maximum Speed
Track
Class
X
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Freight Passenger
Trains
Trains
10
Prohibited
10
15
25
30
40
60
60
80
80
90
110
110
125
125
160
160
200
200

28.

Number of Locomotive Units
Enter the total number of locomotive units in the consist involved in the accident;
if none, enter “0.”

29.

Number of Cars
Enter the total number of cars in the equipment consist involved in the accident;
if none, enter “0.” Be sure to include any caboose(s) in the consist in this count.
See special instruction for Item 18 on counting articulated cars.

30.

Consist Speed
List the speed (mph) at which the consist was traveling when the impact occurred.
Enter “E” in the code box to indicate if this is estimated; or enter “R” for a
recorded speed. If the consist was not moving, enter “0.”

31.

Timetable Direction
If the consist was either moving or temporarily stopped, enter the code that
describes the timetable or schedule direction in the box provided. If this
equipment consist was a car or a cut of cars standing on the track, enter “N/A.”

32.

Type of Crossing Warning
Identify the warning devices by entering the appropriate code(s) in the box(es).
For codes “2” and “3,” “FLS” means “flashing light signal.” Enter a code of “5”
(“Highway Traffic Signals”) whenever such a signal is present at the crossing site
and is used for controlling highway traffic over the crossing.

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33.

Signaled Crossing Warning
Only if Codes 1-6 in Item 32 (Type of Crossing Warning) are selected, enter in
this item the status of the warning devices at the crossing at the time of impact,
using the following:
1. Provided minimum 20-second warning.
2. Alleged warning time greater than 60 seconds.
3. Alleged warning time less than 20 seconds.
4. Alleged no warning.
5. Confirmed* warning time greater than 60 seconds.
6. Confirmed* warning time less than 20 seconds.
7. Confirmed* no warning.
* Confirmed means that there is a physical record (e.g., event records, video tape
or other tangible documentation). Confirmed warning time of more than 60
seconds is classified as a false activation.
If status code 5, 6, or 7 was entered, you must append a code from the following:
A. Insulated rail vehicle.
B. Storm/lightning damage.
C. Vandalism.
D. No power/batteries dead.
E. Devices down for repair.
F. Devices out of service.
G. Warning time greater than 60 seconds attributed to accidentinvolved train stopping short of the crossing, but within track
circuit limits, while warning devices remain continuously active
with no other in-motion train present.
H. Warning time greater than 60 seconds attributed to track circuit
failure (e.g., insulated rail joint or rail bonding failure, track or
ballast fouled).
J. Warning time greater than 60 seconds attributed to other
train/equipment within track circuit limits.
K. Warning time less than 20 seconds attributed to signals timing out
before train’s arrival at the crossing/island circuit.
L. Warning time less than 20 seconds attributed to train operating
counter to track circuit design direction.

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M. Warning time less than 20 seconds attributed to train speed in
excess of track circuit’s design speed.
N. Warning time less than 20 seconds attributed to signal system’s
failure to detect train approach.
P. Warning time less than 20 seconds attributed to violation of special
train operating instructions.
R. No warning attributed to signal system’s failure to detect the train.
S. Other cause(s). Explain in Narrative Description.
Note: If the crossing site was not protected by train-activated warning
devices, enter “N/A.”
34.

Roadway Conditions
Enter the code that best describes the condition of the roadway at the crossing at
the time of the incident. This differs from weather conditions. For example,
while the weather may be clear at the time of the incident, the roadway may have
snow or ice that could impact the highway user.
Roadway Conditions - Codes
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

Dry
Wet
Snow/slush
Ice
Sand, Mud, Dirt, Oil, Gravel
Water (Standing, Moving)

35.

Location of Warning
Select the code that identifies the location of the crossing warnings shown in Item
32, and enter it in the code box. If there was no protection at the crossing, enter
“N/A,” and enter a code of “12” in Item 32 for “None” (i.e., no warning).

36.

Crossing Warning Interconnected with Highway Signals
If highway traffic signals within 500 feet of the crossing site are interconnected
with the train detection circuitry, such that they restrict highway users from the
crossing whenever a rail consist occupies or is about to occupy the crossing, enter
“1.” If the highway traffic signals on the approach to the crossing are within 500
feet of the crossing but are not interconnected with the train detection circuitry,
enter “2.” Enter “3” (unknown) in the code box only after consultation with the
signal department responsible for track maintenance and a determination could
not be made whether the highway traffic signals are interconnected. If highway
signals are not present within 500 feet of the crossing, enter “N/A”.

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Note: Item 32 identifies warning devices actually present at, or in
the near vicinity of, the crossing. Therefore, it is possible
to show highway traffic signals interconnected with train
detection circuitry in this item, but not to enter a code of
“5” in Item 32.
37.

Crossing Illuminated by Street Lights or Special Lights
If street lights or other special lights used to illuminate the crossing site were on at
the time of the accident/incident, enter “1.” If there were no such lights or if they
were not illuminated at the time of the accident, enter “2.” While code “3”
(unknown) is authorized, it can only be used after the railroad has made a diligent
effort to discern this fact, and a determination could not be made.

38.

Highway User’s Age
Enter the age of the highway user. This block is mandatory, unless the age is
unknown as a result of the accident/incident being a hit and run.

39.

Highway User’s Gender
Enter “1” if the highway user was a male, or “2” if the highway user was a
female. This block is mandatory, unless the gender is unknown as a result of the
accident/incident being a hit and run.

40.

Highway User Went Behind or in Front of Train and Struck or was Struck by
Second Train
Enter the appropriate entry in the code box.

41.

Highway User Action
Enter the appropriate entry in the code box. If code “3” (“Did not stop”) is used,
the vehicle must be shown as moving over the crossing in Item 16, and traveling
at a speed greater than “0” in Item 14. In the event of a suicide, or attempted
suicide, use code 8 regardless of whether other choices may be applicable.
1. Went around the gate
2. Stopped and then proceeded
3. Did not stop
4. Stopped on crossing
5. Other (specify)
6. Went around/thru temporary barricade
7. Went through the gate
8. Suicide or attempted suicide
Note: If 6, Went around/thru temporary barricade, is selected due to the
temporary closure of the crossing, explain in the narrative the circumstance of the
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closure, e.g. the roadway was closed for repair of crossing surface,
maintenance/testing of automated warning devices, or for other purposes.
Additionally, explain how the closure was accomplished e.g.: roadway closed to
traffic with jersey barriers (concrete traffic barriers) on both approaches, or
roadway closed with construction barrels on easterly approach, etc. Code 5,
Other (specify), should be selected, for example, for highway users who were
shoved onto the track and who were then in a collision. Such accidents/incidents
may be described in the narrative section.
42.

Driver Passed Standing Highway Vehicle
Identify whether the highway user, immediately before the accident, had passed
another vehicle that had stopped short of the crossing.
Note: If a pedestrian is identified in Item 13, then enter “N/A.”

43.

View of Track Obscured by
If the highway user’s view approaching the crossing was obstructed to the extent
that he or she may have been unaware that a rail consist was about to occupy or
was occupying the crossing, enter the code that identifies the primary obstruction.
If the highway user had a clear view of an approaching consist which had not yet
occupied the crossing, enter code “8.”

44.

Driver was [Condition After Accident/Incident]
Select the code that describes the extent of harm to the driver. If the driver was
fatally injured or injured to the extent of requiring medical treatment, a line entry
on Form FRA F 6180.55a must also be completed for this accident/incident. See
§ 225.19(d). If the driver committed or attempted to commit suicide (as
determined by a coroner, public police officer, or other public authority) then the
fatality or injury to that individual must be reported as a suicide data case, and
Item 44 should also be completed for this case.

45.

Was Driver in the Vehicle?
If the driver of the highway vehicle was in the vehicle at the time of impact, enter
“1” in the code box. If the driver had left the vehicle prior to the impact, enter
“2.”

46.

[Casualties to] Highway-Rail Crossing Users
Enter the total number of reportable deaths and injuries (including suicides and
attempted suicides). All deaths and injuries must also be reported individually on
Form FRA F 6180.55a. A highway user who is involved in a highway-rail grade
crossing accident/incident and is transported from the scene of a highway-rail
grade crossing accident/incident to a medical facility via ambulance or other form
of medical conveyance is presumed to have sustained an FRA reportable injury.
See instructions on Railroad Injury and Illness (Continuation Sheet), Form FRA F
6180.55a at the beginning of this chapter.

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Note: If the driver committed suicide, as determined by a coroner or other public
authority, and the passenger was not a party to the suicide, then the driver
should be shown as a suicide case, but the passenger injury would be
reported as a regular case.)
Reportable casualties that resulted from suicides and attempted suicides, as
determined by a coroner, public police officer, or other public authority, must be
included in the casualty counts in boxes 46, 49, and 52, as applicable.
47.

Highway Vehicle Property Damage
Enter the estimated cost of damages sustained by the highway vehicle involved.
The amount given should reflect the cost of repairs. If the vehicle is beyond
repair, the cost is the replacement value of the vehicle. If there was no damage to
the vehicle, enter “0.” Do not make entries such as “totaled.”

48.

Total Number of Vehicle Occupants (including driver)
Enter the total number of vehicle occupants involved in the incident (including
driver, if applicable). Vehicle includes automobiles, buses, trucks, motorcycles,
bicycles, farm vehicles, and all other modes of surface transportation, motorized
and unmotorized. The vehicle occupants are those people in the vehicle at the
time of impact.

49.

[Casualties to] Railroad Employees
See instructions for block 46. For purposes of this form, “Railroad Employees”
includes only those persons classified as Worker on Duty–Railroad Employee
(Class A).
Reportable casualties that resulted from suicides and attempted suicides, as
determined by a coroner, public police officer, or other public authority must be
included in the casualty counts in boxes 46, 49, and 52, as applicable.

50.

Total Number of People on the Train
Enter the total number of people on the train at the time of the incident (including
passengers and train crew).

51.

Is a Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report Being Filed?
If the accident resulted in reportable railroad damage above the threshold
established for reporting rail equipment accidents/incidents, enter “1” in code box,
and complete Form FRA F 6180.54.

52.

[Casualties to] Passengers on Train
See instructions for block 46. Passengers on trains are those identified as Class C.

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Reportable casualties that resulted from suicides and attempted suicides, as
determined by a coroner, public police officer, or other public authority, must be
included in the casualty counts in boxes 46, 49, and 52, as applicable.
53a.

Special Study Block - Recording of Accident/Incident
Indicate whether the highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident was recorded
by a locomotive video recorder, by checking off either the "Yes", or "No" check
box (for "Video Taken?"). If "Video Taken? is "Yes", indicate if the recording
was used by the railroad (i.e., information gathered in viewing the recording was
used) to complete the FRA Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident/Incident
Report, by checking either the “Yes or "No” check box (for “Video used?"). For
additional information on requirements related to locomotive event recorders, see
49 CFR 229.135 "Event Recorders."

53b.

Special Study Block
The “Special Study Blocks” (SSB) in this item are for collection of essential data
as the need arises. The FRA will notify the railroads in writing, or if appropriate,
through publication in the Federal Register, of the purpose and the type of
information that is to be collected. In conjunction with the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA), FRA will publish in the Federal Register any
announcement affecting highway users, thus allowing motor carriers the
opportunity to provide FRA pertinent special study information.

54.

Narrative Description
An accident is frequently the culmination of a sequence of related events, and a
variety of conditions or circumstances may contribute to its occurrence. A
complete record of all of these is beneficial in accident prevention analysis.
However, it is not practical, even if it were possible, to develop forms and codes
that would capture every detail that may be associated with the causes and
resulting consequences of each accident. Therefore, the most appropriate
combination of available codes that best identifies the likely primary and any
contributing cause and other factors, is to be used when completing the railroad’s
report.
The limitations imposed by standardized reporting forms make it critical that the
narrative portion of the report provide additional information concerning those
items that cannot be adequately described on the coded portions of the form. The
wide variation in the causes and circumstances of accidents makes it impractical
to prepare a comprehensive list of items to include in any discussion. The
railroad should include any information that increases our knowledge of the
underlying reasons why the accident occurred and its consequences. Simply
entering, for example, "train struck vehicle at crossing xxx" does not provide
additional insight into the causal factors of the incident.
In addition, a narrative description should not include personal identifiers, such as
names, social security numbers, or payroll identification numbers.
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55.

Typed Name and Title
Type or print the name and title of the person responsible for preparing this report
form.

56.

Signature
Signature of the person shown in Item 55.
Note: If Form FRA F 6180.57 is to be submitted electronically, signature (Item
56) and date of signature (Item 57) are not required.

57.

10.5

Date
Date the signature was made in Item 56. This is the date the form was initially
completed.

Questions and Answers
Q1.

A man driving a truck did not see a train occupying a highway-rail grade
crossing and lost control of his vehicle when he slammed on the brakes to
avoid a collision. His truck ended up in the ditch with considerable damage,
and he broke his arm. What reports need to be prepared?

A1.

Since an impact did not occur between a highway user and railroad on-track
equipment at a highway-rail grade crossing, you do not need to prepare a
highway-rail accident/incident report (Form FRA F 6180.57). However, the
motorist did sustain a reportable injury arising from the operation of a railroad.
Therefore, an injury report (Form FRA F 6180.55a) must be completed. If the
motorist had struck the consist at the crossing using this example, a Form FRA F
6180.57 would be required even though the impact did not occur on the crossing
site. If an injury report (Form FRA F 6180.55a) is completed for this case, the
Event Circumstance Code should not be “32” Highway-rail collision/impact.

Q2.

Say that a highway user struck a signal stand at a highway-rail grade
crossing and was injured, but there was no on-track equipment present, nor
were employees of the railroad in the vicinity. Is this reportable?

A2.

No. Section 225.15(a) exempts the reporting of motor vehicle accidents at
highway-rail grade crossings when they do not involve the presence of on-track
equipment or railroad employees.

Q3.

A motorist in an off-road vehicle was waiting behind several automobiles at a
crossing site where the gates were down and a standing train was occupying
the track. He apparently became impatient and drove his vehicle off the
highway and parallel to the track to a point where he could cross over the
track behind the train. His vehicle stalled on a parallel set of tracks, and he
was unable to start it. He exited his truck just before a train on the adjacent
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track hit it. Should this be reported as a highway-rail grade crossing
accident/incident or any other type?

10.6

A3.

An event such as this would not qualify as a highway-rail grade crossing collision
since the motor vehicle operator had left the highway of his own choosing and his
vehicle was struck at a location other than a designated crossing site. The event
would be reportable as an obstruction accident on Form FRA F 6180.54 if
reportable damage was in excess of the threshold. If the motorist had been hurt in
connection with this event, then an injury report (Form FRA F 6180.55a) would
need to be completed.

Q4.

There was a collision between a train and an automobile at a highway-rail
grade crossing. The driver was injured and taken by ambulance to a local
hospital. Neither the hospital nor the driver would reveal the injuries to the
railroad. Without knowing the injuries, the railroad cannot determine if the
injury met the FRA’s reportability criteria. Is this injury reportable to
FRA?

A4.

FRA realizes that this type of case is difficult to report under these circumstances.
However, when an injury occurs at a highway-rail grade crossing, due to a
collision with a highway user and on track equipment, and the injured highwayuser is taken from the accident scene by an ambulance, then the injury is
reportable unless there is documentation to prove that the injury did not meet the
FRA’s reportability criteria. The injury must be shown on the Highway-Rail
Grade-Crossing Accident/Incident Report Form FRA F 6180.57 and an injury
report must be reported on the Railroad Injury and Illness Summary (Continuation
Sheet) Form FRA F 6180.55a. If no injury information is available then the code
“999” should be placed in block5i – Injury-Illness Code. The railroad would still
be required to contact the highway user in writing (Form FRA F 6180.150) and by
phone.

Common Reporting Errors

The most common reporting error is when crossing data reported on the Form FRA F 6180.57
does not match the information on file in the U.S. DOT National Crossing Inventory File. The
reporting railroad should always check FRA’s Web site at
http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety, and click on “Crossing” tab to query Inventory file
to ensure that the information matches and is consistent. If the location, type of crossing,
warning devices, etc., are different, the railroad reporting officer should check to see if the
accident was reported at the correct crossing. If it was and the current Inventory information is
outdated or incorrect, then an updated Crossing Inventory Report (Form FRA F 6180.71) should
be filed with the Highway-Rail Crossing Accident Report.
Contradictory Information.
The following is a partial listing of some common errors resulting from contradictory
information.
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If a highway vehicle was moving at the time of the impact, vehicle speed in Item 14 cannot be
“0,” and the vehicle’s position on the crossing shown in Item 16 must be “3” (“Moving over
crossing”).
If the highway vehicle was not moving, the vehicle speed must be “0”; the position code in Item
16 cannot be “3” (“Moving over crossing”), and Item 19 must be “1,” indicating that the rail
consist struck the highway user.
If the rail consist was moving at the time of the impact, Item 17 must be either “1,” “2,” “4,” “6,”
or “8,” (or “A,” “B,” “D,” or “E”) and the speed in Item 30 cannot be “0.” If the rail consist was
not moving, then Item 17 must contain “3,” “5,” “7,” or “8” (or “C,” “D,” or “E”); the consist
speed in Item 30 must be “0”; and Item 19 must be coded “2,” indicating that the highway user
struck the rail consist.
If the rail consist struck the highway user, code “1” must be entered in Item 19, and the position
of the car/unit in the consist given in Item 18 must be “1.” This position is determined by
counting from the leading car/unit in the consist, identified as the first car/unit to enter the
crossing. Therefore, whenever a rail consist strikes the highway user, it will always be the
leading unit that makes the initial contact.
Item 41 cannot indicate that a highway user went around or through gates if gates were not
present at the crossing, as shown in Item 32.
Failure to File Other Accident/Incident Forms or Filing Contradictory Data On Different
Reports.
When Part 225 requires that a single accident be reported on more than one kind of form, be sure
to verify that similar information contained on the various reports is consistent. The following
are a few of the items that should be reviewed prior to forwarding the monthly reports.
If reportable casualties occurred in the accident, these must be reported individually on Form
FRA F 6180.55a.
If reportable damage (rail equipment and track) exceeded the threshold for train accidents, Form
FRA F 6180.54 must be completed. Carefully compare all related information between these
forms to ensure consistency.
The casualties reported on Form FRA F 6180.55a must have the same State code as that shown
on Form FRA F 6180.57.
10.7

Requirements for Form FRA F 6180.150

The railroad is required to contact any highway user potentially injured in a highway-rail grade
crossing accident/incident, or their representative, in writing and, if unsuccessful in obtaining the
needed information, by telephone. Except that a railroad is not required to contact a highway
user who has died as a result of the accident. The written correspondence should contain the
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Form FRA F 6180.150, “Highway User Injury Inquiry Form,” a cover letter (see Appendix N for
a sample cover letter) and a return envelope with postage and return address. The railroad shall
complete Part I of Form FRA F 6180.150 and send the form with a cover letter to the potentially
injured highway user.
With regard to the cover letter, the instructions contained in the final rule require that the letter
contain the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

An explanation of why the railroad is contacting the highway user;
An explanation of part 225’s accident/incident reporting requirements;
An explanation of how the form and any response will be used for part 225’s
accident/incident reporting requirements;
An explanation that the highway user is not required to respond and that an response is
voluntary;
An opportunity to correct incorrect information in Part I;
Identify and provide contact information for a person at the railroad who can answer
questions with regard to the form;
Provide instructions on how to complete Part II; and
An explanation of how any medical records, if requested, personal identifying
information or information will be handled.

The cover letter and Form FRA F 6180.150 are meant to be tools that allow the railroad to gather
information and comply with part 225’s accident/incident reporting and recording requirements.
As such, a railroad shall not require the highway user to provide any medical or personal
information in order to report a casualty. The cover letter may ask the highway user to provide
additional information but the cover letter should not mandate that the individual provide certain
information in order for a railroad to comply with Federal reporting requirements. The purpose
of this letter and the form is to collect enough information for the railroad to determine whether
an individual suffered a reportable injury. Moreover, the cover letter and any communication for
the purposes of part 225 shall remain separate from and not reference the railroad’s claims
process in order to avoid confusion.
The railroad shall hand deliver or send by first class mail the letter and form (along with a
prepaid and preaddressed return envelope) within a reasonable time period following the date of
the highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident. A railroad shall keep a record of its efforts to
contact a highway user and this record and documentation of any information obtained shall be
available for review and copying by an FRA representative under the same criteria as set forth in
§ 225.35(b). This record includes, but is not limited to, retaining a copy of the Form FRA F
6180.150 and the accompanying cover letter, any response from the highway user and, when
appropriate, a record documenting the date, time and content of the follow-up call. Moreover,
the railroad must retain a copy of this record for a period of 5 years. See § 225.27.
For the highway user, Form FRA F 6180.150 is voluntary, not mandatory. FRA acknowledges
that there will be situations in which a passenger cannot be reached even though a railroad
contacts the person in writing and by telephone. Other times a passenger will refuse to provide
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any information even though a railroad clearly explains the Federal reporting requirements and
the reason for soliciting information. In those cases, a railroad is still responsible for deciding
whether, considering all of the circumstances, the passenger suffered a reportable injury. The
railroad’s ability to make a reporting decision is not contingent upon the highway user’s
response. The railroad must reconsider that determination if new or additional information is
later acquired. Moreover, if a highway user completes Part II, or provides additional information
during a telephone call, the railroad will be responsible for determining whether based on the
circumstances that the person suffered a reportable injury or illness.
A railroad may terminate their investigation after calling and mailing the individual. The inquiry
requirement does not place a timeframe on the amount of follow-up the railroad is required to
perform. Except that the railroad should initiate the inquiry within a reasonable time period after
the highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident.
10.8

Instructions for Completing Form FRA F 6180.150
Item

Instruction

PART I - Highway Rail-Grade Crossing Accident/Incident
1a.

Date of Accident/Incident
Enter the date the accident/incident occurred. This should come from Form FRA
F 6180.57, Item 5.

1b.

Time of Accident/Incident
Enter the time the accident/incident occurred and check the appropriate “a.m.” or
“p.m.” box. Do not use military time. This should come from Form FRA F
6180.57, Item 6.

2a.

Name of Railroad
Enter the full name of the railroad. This should come from Form FRA F 6180.57,
Item 1, Name of Reporting Railroad.

2b.

Alphabetic Code
Enter the code for railroad entered in 2a. This should come from Form FRA F
6180.57, Item 1a.

Railroad Accident/Incident Number
Enter the reporting number used by the railroad shown in Item 2a to identify this
accident/incident. This accident/incident number should come from Form FRA F
6180.57, Item 1b.

U.S. DOT Grade Crossing Identification Number
Enter the U.S. DOT National Highway-Rail Crossing Inventory Identification
Number assigned to the crossing involved. This is the U.S. DOT Grade Crossing
Identification Number found on Form FRA F 6180.57, in Item 4, for this
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accident/incident. Grade crossing Identification Number means, and includes, the
U.S. DOT Grade Crossing Inventory Number.
5.

Highway Name or Number
Enter the name or number of the highway or street involved. This is the Highway
Name or Number found in Item 12 of Form FRA F 6180.57.

City
If the accident occurred within the jurisdiction of a city, town, or hamlet–enter the
full name of this location; otherwise, enter “N/A.” This should come from Form
FRA F 6180.57, Item 11.

County
Enter the full name of the county or parish in which the accident/incident
occurred. This should come from Form FRA F 6180.57, Item 9.

State Abbr.
Enter the appropriate State code, for the State in which the accident occurred.
This should come from Form FRA F 6180.57, Item 10.

PART II - Highway User Injury Inquiry Form
Part II is to be completed by the Highway User. Instructions for completing this part
should be included in the cover letter (see sample cover letter in Appendix N).

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11.

Form FRA F 6180.56 - Annual Railroad Report of Employee Hours and
Casualties, by State

11.1

Requirement

A summary of all hours worked by railroad employees, and employee casualties, during the
report year must be made on Form FRA F 6180.56 and be included with the December
submission.
11.2

General Instructions and Interpretations

To alleviate the recordkeeping problems caused when certain employees, such as train crews,
work in more than one State, the hours worked may be computed based on the location of such
persons’ home terminals or the locations where they normally reside. This includes instances
when railroad employees operate trains into Canada or Mexico.
The sum of the hours worked shown on this form must equal the total number of hours reported
on the monthly reports (Form FRA F 6180.55). If not, then updates to the monthly reports must
be made. The hours worked by all employees of the railroad, regardless of occupation, are to be
included. Non-work time, such as sick leave, is to be omitted even though it is paid. Do not
include hours of volunteers, the employees of railroad contractors, or other classifications of
persons.
The total casualties reported for the year on this form must not differ from the total casualties for
the year as reported on Form FRA F 6180.55a for Worker on Duty–Railroad Employees (Class
A). Do not include casualties of volunteers, the employees of railroad contractors, or other
classifications of persons.
11.3

Instructions for Completing Form FRA F 6180.56
Item

Instruction

Reporting Railroad
Enter the full name of the reporting railroad in the box provided.

Alphabetic Code
Enter the alphabetic code of the reporting railroad in the box provided. See
Appendix A.

Report Year
Enter the calendar year covered by this report.

Establishments Included in this Report
List the number of establishments operated during the year.
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Average Employment in Report Year
Enter the average number of workers employed during the report year. Count all
railroad employees. Include railroad employees who are seasonal, temporary,
part-time, office and clerical staff, maintenance, etc. This number may be
calculated by adding the employment count from all payroll periods during the
year and then dividing that figure by the number of payroll periods.

State/Employee Hours/Casualties
Enter the number of hours worked for the report year in each State by employees
of the reporting railroad. Also enter the total count of casualties for Worker on
Duty–Railroad Employees (Class A), both fatal and nonfatal, for the reporting
railroad, for the year, by State.
Do not include time paid, but not actually worked, such as holidays and vacations.

Total Employee Hours for the Year
Enter the total number of combined hours worked for the report year, for all of the
States, by employees of the reporting railroad. Include hours of any employee
whose job required temporary absence from the United States.

Total Casualties During the Year
Enter the total number of casualties to persons classified as Worker on Duty–
Railroad Employee (Class A). Please attach a brief explanation for those States
where employee casualties occurred but no hours are reported. All casualties,
including covered data cases reported as codes A, R, or P are to be included;
however, covered data cases reported as X (for suicides or attempted suicides, as
determined by a coroner or other public authority) are not to be included in the
Total Casualties During the Year.

Typed Name and Title
Enter the name and title of the person responsible for preparing this report.

10.

Signature
Signature of the person shown in Item 9.

11.

Date
Date that the signature in Item 10 was made. This is the date the record was
initially completed.

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12.

Supplemental Information: Contractors; Commuter and Other
Passenger Rail Operations

12.1

General

Title 49 CFR Part 225 accident/incident reporting regulations apply to all railroads
(including commuter and other passenger rail operations) unless specifically excepted under
§ 225.3.
FRA has a specific need to know of accidents, injuries, accident rates and injury rates of
passenger and commuter operations. This has created a special recordkeeping environment
to allow FRA to determine the safety record of each commuter railroad.
12.2

Contractors

12.2.1 Contractors – non-railroad employees
Often a railroad will hire a contractor to perform certain tasks for the railroad. FRA identifies
two types of Contractor: Worker On Duty–Contractor, and Contractor–Other. Both of these
categories are for persons who are not employed by any railroad and are not covered by the
Railroad Retirement System. If a contractor is injured performing safety-sensitive functions,
then the contractor injury is to be reported to FRA on Form FRA F 6180.55a as Worker On
Duty–Contractor (Class F). If a contractor is injured performing non-safety sensitive functions,
then the contractor injury is to be reported to FRA on Form FRA F 6180.55a as ContractorOther.
For example, an employee of a contractor is performing safety-sensitive functions for a
passenger railroad. The employee sustains an FRA reportable injury. The passenger railroad
must report this injury (under the passenger railroad’s unique code/identifier) to FRA on Form
FRA F 6180.55a as an injury to a Worker on Duty–Contractor.
However the hours worked by contracted employees are not reported on Form FRA 6180.55, in
Block 15, “Railroad Worker Hours.” Reportable injuries to contractor employees are reported to
FRA by the contracting railroad and to OSHA by the employing contractor.
12.2.2 Contractors – railroad employees
FRA identifies two types of railroad employees: Worker on Duty (Class A) and Employee not
on Duty (Class B). Both of these categories are for persons who are employed by a railroad and
are covered by the Railroad Retirement System. Contracted employees who are employees of a
contracted railroad and are covered by the Railroad Retirement System are considered railroad
employees of the contracting railroad for purposes of FRA accident/incident reporting.
For example, an employee of a contracted railroad who is performing service for a passenger
railroad is considered a Worker on Duty (Class A) of the passenger railroad for the purpose of
accident/incident reporting, even though the worker is actually employed by the contracted
railroad. Accordingly, the passenger railroad must report to FRA, under the passenger railroad’s

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code/identifier, the hours the contracted railroad employee worked in block 15, “Railroad
Worker Hours,” of the passenger railroad’s Form FRA F 6180.55 report to FRA as Worker on
Duty – Employee (Class A). Accordingly, the hours worked by, and any injury to, the contracted
railroad employee are not to be reported to the FRA by the employing railroad under Part 225.
Note that when determining whether a railroad qualifies for partial relief from the recordkeeping
requirements under § 225.3(c)(1), a railroad should not include contract employees (railroad or
non-railroad) when determining if the railroad has 15 or fewer employees covered by the hours
of service law.
12.3

Train Operations

12.3.1 Performed by Railroad
Many passenger railroads perform their own train operations; these railroads should report their
accidents and incidents using the normal procedures in this Guide.
“Passenger railroad” includes commuter, excursion, tourist, or any other form of railroad
transporting passengers.
12.3.2 Performed by Contractor
When a railroad’s operations are performed by a contractor (e.g., another railroad or
transportation company), the contracting railroad still must report to FRA all accidents and
incidents discernibly caused by an event or exposure arising from the operation of the
contracting railroad, on the appropriate FRA forms, as well as report to FRA train-miles, railroad
worker hours, passenger train-miles, and other applicable information on the FRA Form F
6180.55, even though railroad operations conducted in part or wholly by contracted employees.
Example. Commuter Railroad A has contracted with Freight Railroad B to have Freight
Railroad B perform all of Commuter Railroad A’s train operations. Commuter Railroad A must
report to FRA, under Commuter Railroad A’s name and railroad code/identifier, all accidents
and incidents arising from Commuter Railroad A’s railroad operations, even though the
operations are actually conducted by employees of Freight Railroad B. This includes the
reporting of injuries and illnesses to Freight Railroad B’s employees that are discernibly caused
by events or exposures arising out of the Commuter Railroad A’s operations, since Freight
Railroad B’s employees are railroad employees and are covered by the Railroad Retirement
System. Note that Commuter Railroad A must report the contracted hours worked by Freight
Railroad B employees on its monthly Form FRA 6180.55 report, in block 15 “Railroad Worker
Hours.”
Example. Commuter Railroad A has contracted with Company X to perform certain safetysensitive service. Commuter Railroad A must report to FRA, under Commuter Railroad A’s
name and railroad code/identifier, all accidents and incidents arising from Commuter Railroad
A’s railroad operations, even though some of the operations are actually conducted by
employees of Company X. This includes the reporting of injuries to Company X’s employees
that are discernibly caused by an event or exposures arising out of Commuter Railroad A’s

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operations. Note that Commuter Railroad A must not report the contracted hours worked by
Company X employees on its monthly Form FRA 6180.55 report, in block 15 “Railroad Worker
Hours.”
Example. Commuter Railroad A has contracted with Freight Railroad B to have Freight
Railroad B perform all of Commuter Railroad A’s train operations, including the filing of
Commuter Railroad A’s accident/incident reports with FRA. Freight Railroad B must report to
FRA, under Commuter Railroad A’s name and railroad code/identifier, all accidents and
incidents discernibly caused by an event or exposure arising from Commuter Railroad A’s
railroad operations, even though the operations are actually conducted by employees of Freight
Railroad B. Note that under such circumstances, the contracting railroad (Commuter Railroad
A) is ultimately responsible to ensure that its operations comply with Part 225. Accordingly, any
enforcement action taken by FRA for noncompliance with Part 225’s requirements (reporting or
otherwise) will be against the contracting railroad (Commuter Railroad A), even if the incident
of noncompliance was due to an act or omission of the contracted railroad (Freight Railroad B).
12.3.3 Form 6180.55
As a railroad subject to Part 225, each passenger railroad must submit to FRA monthly a Form
FRA 5180.55 report using an identifier unique to that passenger railroad operation. If you are a
contractor who is has been contracted to perform operations for a passenger railroad, all
accident/incident information associated with the operation of the passenger railroad must be
reported to FRA under the reporting code/identifier of the passenger railroad. This includes all
operational data, e.g., train miles, railroad worker hours, passengers transported, passenger trainmiles of the passenger railroad. “Railroad worker hours” (Block 15 on Form FRA 6180.55)
must include hours worked by railroad employees. This includes hours worked by employees of
the passenger railroad and hours worked by employees of other railroads (who are covered by
the Railroad Retirement System) as contractors for the passenger railroad. Hours worked by
contractors who are not railroad employees are not included.
Trackage Maintenance and Repair – Reporting “Railroad Worker Hours,” Block 15 on Form
FRA F 6180.55.
If the trackage over which a passenger railroad operates is owned by the passenger railroad and
maintained by employees of the passenger railroad, then railroad worker hours related to the
repair and maintenance of the track must be reported to FRA under the reporting code/identifier
of the passenger railroad.
If the trackage over which a passenger railroad operates is owned by the passenger railroad, but
maintained by non-railroad employees of a contractor to the passenger railroad, then the railroad
worker hours related to the repair and maintenance of the track are not to be reported to FRA.

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If the trackage over which a passenger railroad operates is owned by the passenger railroad, but
maintained by railroad employees of another railroad, who perform the track maintenance for the
passenger railroad under contract, then the railroad worker hours (of the contracted railroad
employees) related to the repair and maintenance of the track must be reported to FRA under the
reporting code/identifier of the passenger railroad.
If the trackage over which the passenger railroad operates is owned and maintained by a railroad
other than the passenger railroad, then worker hours related to the maintenance of the track is not
to be reported to FRA by the passenger railroad.
(See the discussion on Contractors, in section 12.2 of this Guide.) If the track is solely for the
purpose of the commuter/passenger system, then all hours associated with the repair and
maintenance must also be included under the “Employee Hours” category.
12.3.4 Form 6180.55a
In addition to other reportable injuries, railroads are required to report to FRA deaths, injuries,
and occupational illness of railroad employees. Railroad employees are those employees that
work for a railroad and are covered by the Railroad Retirement System. In the case of
contracted railroad employees, contracting railroads must include in their Railroad Injury and
Illness Summary (Continuation Sheet) FRA Form F 6180.55a reports to FRA deaths, injuries,
and occupational illnesses of all railroad employees, this means both the contracting railroad’s
employees as well as the contracted railroad’s employees. The railroad employees should be
reported as Worker On Duty – Railroad Employee (Class A) and Railroad Employee Not On
Duty (Class B). It is the contracting (i.e., reporting) railroad’s responsibility to insure that the
contracted railroad notifies the contracting railroad of all reportable and accountable injuries to
its employees.
12.3.5 Form 6180.54
If a railroad carrier contracts the performance of its operations out to another railroad, the
contracting railroad carrier still must report all reportable rail equipment accidents/incidents on
Form FRA F 6180.54, “Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report” under the contracting
railroad’s own unique identifier/code. The contracting railroad is responsible for insuring that
the contracted railroad notifies the contracting railroad of the occurrence of all reportable rail
equipment accidents/incidents. If the contracting railroad has the contracted railroad perform its
accident/incident reporting function, the contracting railroad is still responsible for ensuring
accurate reporting.
12.3.6 Form 6180.57
If a railroad carrier contracts the performance of its operations out to another railroad, the
contracting railroad carrier still must report all reportable highway-rail grade crossing
accidents/incidents on Form FRA F 6180.57, “Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident/Incident
Report,” under the contracting railroad’s own unique identifier/code. The contracting railroad is
responsible for insuring that the contracted railroad notifies the contracting railroad of the

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occurrence of all highway-rail grade crossing accidents/incidents. If the contracting railroad has
the contracted railroad perform its accident/incident reporting function, the contracting railroad is
still responsible for ensuring accurate reporting.

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13.

Form FRA F 6180.107 - Alternative Record for Illnesses Claimed to be
Work-Related

13.1

Purpose

The purpose of this form is to report railroad employee-claimed occupational illness where the
process of gathering the information is not available in traditional processing, e.g., a class action
law suit or other unusual circumstances. The Form FRA F 6180.98 should be used for recording
occupational illness whenever the normal flow of information is available to complete the form,
regardless of determination of work relationship. The narrative of the Form FRA F 6180.107
can state that the case is in dispute with the germane facts and qualified reasons.
FRA requires the recording of these cases to establish an audit trail for employee occupational
illness cases that come to the attention of the railroad through blind lawsuits and have
insufficient information to complete a Form FRA F 6180.98. It also serves as a tool for FRA
Safety Assurance and Compliance officers to use during reviews to determine if proper reporting
decisions are being made.
13.2

Provision

Each railroad may maintain a Form FRA F 6180.107, or alternate railroad-designed record in
place of a Form FRA F 6180.98, only for those claimed occupational illnesses for which the
railroad has not received, from the employee or their representative, information sufficient to
determine whether the occupational illness is work-related.
When a railroad does not receive information sufficient to determine whether a claimed
occupational illness case is accountable or reportable, the railroad shall make a good faith effort
to obtain the necessary information by December 1 of the next calendar year.
The alternative railroad-designed record may be used in lieu of the Alternative Record for
Illnesses Claimed to Be Work-Related (Form FRA F 6180.107). Any such alternative record
shall contain all of the information required on the Alternative Record for Illnesses Claimed to
Be Work-Related. Although this information may be displayed in a different order from that on
the Alternative Record for Illnesses Claimed to Be Work-Related, the order of the information
shall be consistent from one such record to another, and the order chosen by the railroad shall be
consistent for each of the railroad’s reporting establishments. Railroads may list additional
information on the alternative record beyond the information required on the Alternative Record
for Illnesses Claimed to Be Work-Related.
Time limit to record initial claim of occupational illness. Each railroad shall enter each illness
claimed to be work-related on Form FRA F 6180.107 (or alternative record) as early as
practicable, but no later than 7 working days after receiving information or acquiring knowledge
that an employee is claiming they have incurred an occupational illness.

171
F 6180.107

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
Time limit to record additional information regarding a claim of occupational illness. Within
fifteen calendar days of receiving additional information regarding a claimed occupational illness
case, each railroad shall document receipt of the information, including date received and type of
document/information received, in narrative block 19 of Form FRA F 6180.107.
Time limit to re-evaluate record initial claim of occupational illness after receiving additional
information. Within forty-five calendar days of receiving additional information regarding a
claimed occupational illness, each railroad shall re-evaluate the claimed occupational illness to
determine work-relatedness, taking into account the new information, and document any findings
resulting from the re-evaluation in narrative block 19 of Form FRA F 6180.107.
Cases determined to be reportable. Once it has been determined that a particular case is
accountable or reportable, the railroad must record the information on Form FRA F 6180.98
within 7 days of the date the determination is made; retain the Railroad Employee Injury and/or
Illness Record in accordance with § 225.27; and report the occupational illness, as applicable, in
accordance with § 225.11. Once a case is reported on Form FRA F 6180.55a, it is no longer
necessary to continue to update the Form FRA F 6180.107 or the Form FRA 6180.98. If the case
is reported, changes to counts of days absent or restricted are to be made on Form FRA
F 6180.55a, not on Form FRA F 6180.107 or Form FRA F 6180.98.
Cases determined NOT to be reportable. Once it has been determined that a particular case is
not accountable or reportable, the railroad shall include the following information in narrative
block 19 of Form FRA F 6180.107: 1) why the case does not meet reporting criteria; 2) the basis
upon which the railroad made this determination; and 3) the most authoritative information the
railroad relied upon to make the determination.
Alternative record. The alternative record shall contain all of the following information, to the
extent that it is reasonably available:
1.

Name of Reporting Railroad

Case/Incident Number (The Case/Incident Number identified in block 2 must be used
on Form FRA F 6180.98 and Form FRA F 6180.55a for any case determined to be
accountable or reportable)

Employee’s Name (first, middle, last)

Employee’s Date of Birth (mm/dd/yy)

Employee’s Gender

Employee Identification Number

Date Employee was Hired (mm/dd/yy)

Employee’s Home Address (Include street address, city, State and Zip code)

Employee’s Home Telephone Number (with area code)

10.

Name of Facility Where Railroad Employee Normally Reports to Work
172
F 6180.107

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
11.

Location, or Last Known Facility, Where Employee Reports to Work

12.

Job Title of Railroad Employee

13.

Department to Which Employee is Assigned

14.

Date on Which Employee or Representative Notified Company Personnel of Condition
(mm/dd/yy)

15.

Name of Railroad Official Notified

16.

Title of Railroad Official Notified

17.

Nature of Claimed Illness

18.

Supporting Documentation

18a. Custodian of Documents (Name, Title, and Address)
18b. Location of Supporting Documentation (Although the Alternative Record for Illnesses
Claimed to be Work-Related, or the alternate railroad-designed form, may not include
all supporting documentation, such as medical records, the record shall note the
custodian of those documents and where the supporting documents are located so that
they are readily accessible to FRA upon request)
19.

Narrative

20.

Preparer’s Name

21.

Preparer’s Title

22.

Preparer’s Telephone Number (with area code)

23.

Date the record was initially signed/completed (mm/dd/yy)

13.3

Questions and Answers
Q1.

The only information provided to the railroad was the employee’s name and
Employee ID Number. Further attempts to complete the other data elements
were rejected by the employee and/or his or her attorney. Does this meet
FRA requirements?

A1.

Yes. The railroad should continue to complete all the data elements when the
information becomes available and should make a good faith effort to obtain the
information. However, the railroad is not expected to continue this effort past
December 1 of the year that follows the date on which the railroad first received a
claim of the illness.

Q2.

The employee reported that he/she has some pain in hand/arm area due to
carpal tunnel syndrome and that the job environment caused and/or
aggravated the condition. The company’s PLHCP has determined the
employee does not have carpal tunnel, and that the employee’s condition was

173
F 6180.107

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
not related to railroad employment. Should the Form FRA F 6180.107 be
used?
A2.

No. The Form FRA F6180.98 should be used with an appropriate explanation of
the PLHCP’s diagnoses. This case should be treated no differently than a
reported injury that the PLHCP determined to be not reportable. The Form FRA
F 6180.107 is used when the information in not available, i.e., telephone number,
job title, (other required fields on the Form FRA F 6180.98) are not available to
the railroad, the provisions of the Form FRA F 6180.107 allow the railroad
additional time to compile the information due to extenuating circumstances.

174
F 6180.107

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

Index
12 consecutive months, 10
15 days, 137
180 days, 8, 69, 90, 94
24 hours, 5
30 days, 5, 10, 89, 113
35 days, 36, 43, 140
45 days, 139
49 U.S.C., 2, 12, 13
20901–20904, 1
6 months, 99, 145
7 days, 90, 172
Accident/incident
incident, 11
not to be reported, 167, 168, 169
train accident, 20, 22, 114, 123, 125, 126,
132, 133, 139
train incident, 102
Accident/Incident
accident, 7
Accountable
Accountable injury, 35, 97
Accountable rail equipment
accident/incident, 10
Act of God, 39
AIRG, 8, 9, 41
Alcohol or drug involvement
Alcohol impairment, 61, 127
alcohol involvement, 130
drug involvement, 5, 22, 81, 107, 130
assigned working hours, 47, 56, 57, 59, 60
Asthma, 65
Broken tooth, 94
calendar year, 8
carpal tunnel syndrome, 90
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, 173
casualty, 102
Cause code
Contributing Cause Code, 8, 127, 135
Primary Cause Code, 8, 125, 135, 136
Claimed But Not Admitted, 12
Classification of Persons
Contractor, 124
Contractor–Other (Class G), 17

Employee not on duty, 58
Employee Not On Duty (Class B), 35
Nontrespassers, 18
Nontrespassers–Off Railroad Property
(Class J), 18
Nontrespassers–On Railroad Property
(Class D), 18
Passengers, 129
Passengers On Trains (Class C), 46
Trespassers, 3
Trespassers (Class E), 18
Volunteer, 164
Volunteer–Other (Class I), 18
Worker on duty, 42
Worker on Duty – Employee (Class A),
47
Worker on Duty–Contractor (Class F), 16
Worker on Duty–Volunteer (Class H), 17
closed crossing, 19
Temporary Barricaded Crossing, 19
collision
Head-On Collision, 19
Rear-End Collision, 19
Side Collision, 20
Collision, 19
Broken Train Collision, 20
Railroad Crossing Collision, 20
Raking Collision, 20
Consist Responsibility, 19
Consolidated Reporting, 4
covered data, 38, 46, 50, 109, 110, 165
Day of restricted work activity, 75
light duty, 74
Days of restricted work activity
job transfer, 84
Deadhead, 16
Deadhead transportation, 16
Death, 1, 3, 5, 7, 16, 38, 45, 46, 48, 60, 65,
78, 84, 85, 87, 91, 92, 93, 97, 98, 99, 100,
101, 103, 110, 116, 142
December
December 1, 8
December 1, 171, 173

Index – Page 1

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
Dehydration, 82, 83
Department of Transportation, 13
Derailment, 18, 21, 22, 39, 40, 44, 114, 133,
134
Direct Train Control, 22
Discernable cause, 45, 52, 54, 97
Electronic
Electronic image, 34
Electronic record, 15
Electronic recordkeeping system, 10
Electronic submission, 3, 6
Emotional trauma, 93
Employee Human Factor, 6, 33, 113, 137,
139, 140
Employee Human Factor Attachment, 137
Employee Supplement, 113
Notice, 137
Epilepsy, 61
Establishment, 10, 13, 14, 36, 43, 47, 55, 56,
59, 60
Event or exposure, 45, 46, 50, 52, 53, 54,
55, 57, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 92, 93, 97,
98, 100, 103, 108, 167, 168
event or exposure arising from the
operation of a railroad, 45, 100
First aid, 15
Finger guard, 77
First aid treatment, 22, 76
Tetanus shot, 94
FOIA, 13, 49
FOIA Requests fo Accident/Incident
Report, 49
Freedom of Information Act, 13, 49
Form FRA F 6180.54, 113
Form(s)
Annual Railroad Report of Employee
Hours and Casualties, by State, 164
Form FRA F 6180.150, 141
Form FRA F 6180.54, 113
Form FRA F 6180.55, 29
Form FRA F 6180.55a, 45
Form FRA F 6180.56, 164
Form FRA F 6180.57, 6
Form FRA F 6180.78, 137
Form FRA F 6180.81, 113
Form FRA F 6180.97, 39

Form FRA F 6180.98, 35
Highway User Injury Inquiry Form, 141
Highway-Rail Grade Crossing
Accident/Inci dent Report, 8
Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident
Record, 41
Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report,
123
Railroad Injury and Illness Summary
(Continuation Sheet), 45
Harassment and intimidation, 13, 96
Hearing loss, 46, 66, 86, 88, 89
Heatstroke, 82, 83
Highway user, 33
highway-rail grade crossing, 19
Highway-rail grade crossing, 3, 24
Ambulance, 98, 141, 155, 159
Crossing locations, 24, 141, 142
Medical conveyance, 98, 141, 155
Pathway, 19, 23, 141
Home away from home, 62
Human factor, 6, 113, 134, 137, 138, 139,
140
Illness, 11
Occupational illness, 7
Significant illness, 46
Infectious material, 86, 87
Injury, 5
Needlestick or sharps injury, 46, 66
Significant injury, 38
Internal Control Plan, 10
ICP, 10, 11, 13
Job transfer, 45, 46, 60, 70, 71, 73, 75, 87,
90
Joint operations, 115
Licensed Health Care Professional, 27
Longitude and latitude, 2, 111, 129
GPS, 129
Longitute and latitude
latitude and longitude, 111, 129, 130
Loss of consciousness, 38, 45, 60, 65, 85
M505, 126
Medical removal, 46, 66, 85
Medical Review Officer, 107
Medical treatment, 11, 38
Member of the general public, 46, 55, 58

Index – Page 2

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
Mental illness, 47, 93
Miles traveled
Passenger-mile, 23
Train-mile, 23
Yard switching train-mile, 23
Motor vehicle accident, 46
Musculoskeletal disorder, 64
MSD, 90, 91
National Response Center, 3, 5
New case, 45, 53, 54, 57, 63, 64, 65, 90, 91
Recovered completely, 63, 64
Non-train incident, 102
NTSB, 126, 127
National Transportation Safety Board,
126
Oath, 3
Occupational hearing loss, 46
Standard threshold shift, 88
STS, 88, 89
Occupational tuberculosis, 46, 66, 86
On-track rail equipment, 21, 25, 28, 115
Car, 25
Control cab locomotive, 25
DMU locomotive, 25
EMU locomotive, 25
Equipment consist, 25
locomotive, 25
Motorcar, 26
Train, 26
Work train, 26
Yard switching trains, 26
Optical media, 6, 138
OSHA, 1, 2, 49, 61, 84, 86, 87, 88, 109, 166
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, 1
Other accidents
Explosion-detonation, 24
Fire or violent rupture, 24
Highway-rail grade crossing
accident/incident, 23
Obstruction accident, 24
Other impacts, 25
Other Accidents
Other accidents/incidents, 25
Over-the-counter medication, 50
OTC, 50, 67, 79, 84, 96, 110

Parent corporation, 4
Parking lot, 46, 55, 56, 62, 63, 92
Passenger station
Passenger station platform gap, 26
Passenger station platform gap incident,
26
Pathway, 141
Penalties, 13
Personal task, 57, 58, 59, 60
Physician or other licensed health care
professional, 45, 46, 47, 49, 68
PLHCP, 52
Posting(s), 10
Post listing of all injuries and
occupational illnesses, 10
Prescription
Prescription Medication, 27
Privacy concern case, 10
Public Examination and Use of Reports, 13
Railroad
Railroad carrier, 23, 141, 169
Record retention
5-year retention period, 34, 161
Record retention, 10
Remote Controlled Locomotive, 28
RCL, 28, 122, 128, 148
Reporting threshold, 20, 39, 43, 44, 113,
115, 132, 141
Costs and reportable damage, 20, 125
Equipment damage, 21
Reportable damage, 20
Track damage, 21
Reports
Amended report, 7, 8, 29, 34, 114, 126,
127
Late report, 92
Monthly report, 89, 137
Sidewalk, 23, 55, 141
Significant aggravation to a preexisting
injury or illness, 45, 52
Significant change in the damage costs for
reportable rail equipment
accidents/incidents, 9
Significant change in the number of
reportable days away from work or days
restricted, 9

Index – Page 3

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
Signs or symptoms, 46, 52, 61, 63, 64, 65,
81, 82, 83
State, 30, 37, 48
State agency, 48
Suicide data, 48, 49, 110
Attempted suicide, 33, 42, 47, 48, 49,
116, 126, 127, 154
Coroner, 48, 99, 110, 116, 126, 128, 142,
155, 156, 157, 165
Public official, 99
Public police officer, 48, 99, 110, 126,
128, 142, 155, 156, 157
Telephonic reporting, iv, 3, 4, 5, 2

Telephonic reports, 97
Track
Industry track, 28, 115
Main track, 28
Siding, 28
Yard track, 28
Train accident, 114
Train incident, 114
vehicle, 154
Vehicle, 28, 100, 147
Wellness program, 47
Work environment, 46, 55
Work-related, 55, 90

Index – Page 4

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

Appendices
Appendix A

Railroad Codes

Appendix B

State Codes

Appendix C

Train Accident Cause Codes

Appendix D

Employee Job Codes

Appendix E

Injury and Illness Codes

Appendix F

Circumstance Codes

Appendix G

FRA Regional Offices and Headquarters

Appendix H

Forms

Appendix I

Model Internal Control Plans, Including Model Statement of Policy Against
Harassment and Intimidation and Model Complaint Procedures

Appendix J

Instructions and Codes for Completing “Type of Territory” (Block 30) on the Rail
Equipment Accident/Incident Report (Form FRA F 6180.54)

Appendix K

Electronic Submission of Reports to FRA

Appendix L

49 CFR Part 225

Appendix M Telephonic Reporting Chart
Appendix N
Form.”

Sample Cover Letter for Form FRA F 6180.150, “Highway User Injury Inquiry

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX A
Railroad Codes
The following list is subject to change. For updates, please refer to:
http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety/publicsite/downloads/auxrr.aspx

ABRX
XADC
XAMD
AN
ASRQ
AR
ACWR
AVSX
AKDN
ADCX
ADBF
ALT
AB
AF
AGR
ATN
ALAB
ABS
ABWR
ABL
ATAX
AGCR
ARR
AERC
APRR
APR
ARC
AOR
AVR
ATR
ACEX
ALS
AFR
ARDJ
AMHR
ATK

ABRX
ADM Corp
ADM Destrehan
AN Rwy LLC
AS&R Mine
Aberdeen & Rockfish RR Co.
Aberdeen, Carolina & Western RR
Abilene & Smokey Valley RR
Acadiana Rwy Co.
Adirondack Scenic RR
Adrian & Blissfield RR
Airlake Term. Rwy Co.
Akron Barberton Cluster Rwy Co.
Alabama & Florida Rwy Co.
Alabama & Gulf Coast Rwy LLC
Alabama & Tennessee River Rwy LLC
Alabama RR Co., Inc.
Alabama Southern RR
Alabama Warrior Rwy, LLC
Alameda Belt Line
Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority
Alamo Gulf Coast RR Co.
Alaska RR Corp.
Albany & Eastern RR Co.
Albany Port RR
Alberta Prairie Rwy
Alexander RR Co.
Aliquippa & Ohio River RR Co.
Allegheny Valley RR Co.
Alliance Term. RR LLC
Altamont Commuter Express Authority
Alton & Southern Rwy
Amador Foothills RR
American Rail Dispatching Center
Amhearst RR Industries, Inc./Landisville RR
Amtrak

Appendix A - 1

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
ACRC
ANR
AA
APA
AO
APNC
ARA
ARZC
AZCR
AZER
AM
ALM
AKMD
ARS
AOK
ASRY
ACJR
ARFT
ABR
ATW
ATCX
AUAR
AWRR
ATLT

Andalusia & Conecuh RR Co., Inc.
Angelina & Neches River RR Co.
Ann Arbor RR
Apache Rwy Co.
Appalachian & Ohio RR
Appanoose County Community RR Co.
Arcade & Attica RR Corp.
Arizona & California RR Co.
Arizona Central RR, Inc.
Arizona Eastern RR
Arkansas & Missouri RR Co.
Arkansas Louisiana & Mississippi RR Co.
Arkansas Midland RR Co., Inc.
Arkansas Southern RR
Arkansas-Oklahoma RR Inc.
Ashland Rwy Inc.
Ashtubula, Carson & Jefferson RR
Astoria Riverfront Trolley
Athens Line LLC, The
Atlantic & Western Rwy, L.P.
Austin & Texas Central RR
Austin Area Term. RR
Austin Western RR
Austin, Todd & Ladd RR Co.

BHX
BGCM
BNSF
BNNS
BJRR
BDTL
BRS
BKRR
BYCX
BXN
BCR
BCLR
BAYL
BLRR
BEEM
BML
XBLI
BRC
BGKX
SHRX
BCRY
BLE
BGEX
BSFX

B&H Rail Corp
BG & CM RR
BNSF Rwy Co.
BNSF-NSCR
Baja California RR Inc.
Ballard Term. RR Co LLC
Baton Rouge Southern RR
Batten Kill RR
Battleground, Yacolt & Chelatchie Prairie RR
Bauxite & Northern Rwy Co.
Bay Coast RR
Bay Colony RR
Bay Line RR, L.L.C., The
Bee Line RR, Inc.
Beech Mountain RR Co.
Belfast & Moosehead Lake RR Co.
Bell Inc.
Belt Rwy Co. of Chicago
Belton Grandview and Kansas City RR Co.
Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Rwy
Berkshire Scenic Rwy Museum, Inc.
Bessemer & Lake Erie RR Co.
Big Eagle Rail LLC
Big South Fork Scenic Rwy

Appendix A - 2

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
BDW
HKGX
BS
BHC
BRW
BLR
BNG
BLOL
BCID
BRMI
BMCX
BVRR
BSVY
BHWY
BOP
BTR
BRAN
BSRX
BVRY
BRSX
BRG
BCRR
BB
BPRR
BSOR
BJRY
BNSO
BYSR

Bighorn Divide & Wyoming RR, Inc.
Birdsboro Materials/Haines & Kibblehouse
Birmingham Southern RR Co.
Black Hills Central RR
Black River & Western RR
Blacklands RR, The
Blackwell Northern Gateway RR Co.
Bloomer Shippers Connecting RR Co.
Blount County Industrial Development Board
Bluegrass RR Museum, Inc.
Bluewater Michigan Chapter, Inc.
Boise Valley RR, Inc.
Boone Scenic Valley
Boot Hill and Western RR
Border Pacific RR
Boundary Trail Rwy Co. Inc.
Brandon Corp.
Brandywine Scenic RR Co.
Brandywine Valley RR Co.
Branson Scenic Rwy
Brownsville & Rio Grande International RR
Buckeye Central Scenic RR
Buckingham Branch RR Co.
Buffalo & Pittsburgh RR, Inc.
Buffalo Southern RR, Inc.
Burlington Junction Rwy
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Suburban Operations
Byesville Scenic Rwy

CNUR
CGR
CNCQ
XCDR
CRSL
CFE
CMC
CMRX
CSX
CVYR
CLDT
CWCY
CSMX
CFNR
CSRM
CWR
PCMZ
CCRA
CADX
CN

C & NC RR Corp.
C. G. Rwy, Inc.
CANAC, Inc.
CDR Pigments and Dispersions
Central Railink Services, LLC
Chicago, Ft. Wayne & Eastern
CMC RR Inc.
CMRX
CSX Transportation
Caddo Valley RR Co.
Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train
Caldwell County RR Co.
Calera & Shelby RR & Museum, Inc.
California Northern RR Co.
California State RR Museum
California Western RR
Caltrain Commuter RR Co.
Camp Chase Industrial RR Corp
Can Do, Inc
Canadian National - North America

Appendix A - 3

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
CP
CFWR
CVRC
CRRX
CTN
CCCX
CF
CMSX
CMTY
CGIF
CGIV
CLNA
CDTX
CFCX
CALA
CZRY
CARR
CKSI
CSCD
CASS
CMRR
CIC
CEDR
CBRR
CCT
CFCR
CFRC
CIRY
CEIW
CIR
CMR
CM
CNZR
CNYK
CORP
CPSR
CIND
CERA
CWA
CATS
CHS
CHAT
CIRR
CCKY
CHCX
CA
CKIN
CHR
CIW

Canadian Pacific Rwy Co.
Caney Fork & Western RR
Cannon Valley RR Co.
Canon City And Royal Gorge RR, LLC
Canton RR Co
Cape Cod Central
Cape Fear Rwys, Inc.
Cape May Seashore Lines, Inc.
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Cargill Inc Iowa Falls
Cargill Inc. GOSCNA
Carolina Coastal Rwy, Inc.
Carolina Diner Train, Inc.
Carolina Forge Co.
Carolina Southern RR Co., The
Carrizo Gorge Rwy Inc.
Carrollton RR
Carthage, Knightstown & Shirley RR
Cascade & Columbia River RR
Cass Scenic
Catskill Mountain RR
Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Rwy Co.
Cedar River RR Co.
Central Branch RR
Central California Traction Co.
Central Florida Commuter Rail Transit
Central Florida Rail Corridor
Central Illinois RR Co.
Central Indiana & Western RR Co.
Central Iowa RR
Central Midland Rwy Co.
Central Montana RR
Central New England RR Co., Inc.
Central New York RR Corp.
Central Oregon & Pacific RR, Inc
Central Puget Sound Regional Trans Authority
Central RR Co. Of Indiana
Central RR Co. Of Indianapolis
Central Washington RR Co.
Charlotte Area Transit System
Charlotte Southern RR Co.
Chattahoochee Bay RR
Chattahoochee Industrial RR
Chattooga & Chickamauga RR
Chehalis & Centralia RR Association
Chesapeake & Albemarle RR Co.
Chesapeake & Indiana RR
Chestnut Ridge Rwy Co.
Chicago & Illinois Western RR

Appendix A - 4

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
CPC
CRL
CSS
CTM
XCTA
CC
CCUO
CVR
CNRX
CIDX
COHX
COJB
COPX
COP
CIAX
CCGD
KEOK
CSIV
XCOT
XCMS
CCRR
CLP
CCRL
CWRO
CTR
CTRR
CW
CLC
CBRW
CBCX
CT
CAGY
CUOH
CWRY
COEH
CDOT
CERZ
CSO
CNYX
CTYX
CGBX
CRSH
CONW
CPMY
CBR
CBRY
CCPN
COER
CTSR

Chicago Port RR Co.
Chicago Rail Link
Chicago Southshore & South Bend RR
Chicago Term. RR
Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago, Central & Pacific RR Co
Chicago-Chemung RR Corp
Cimarron Valley RR L C
Cincinnati Rwy Co., The
City Of Dayton
City Of Henderson
City Of Jonesboro
City Of Portland
City Of Prineville Rwy
City of Auburn Port Authority
City of Cape Girardeau
City of Keokuk
City of Spencer, Iowa
City of Tremeton
City of West Memphis
Claremont Concord RR Corp
Clarendon & Pittsford RR Co.
Cleveland Commercial RR Co., LLC
Cleveland Works Rwy Co
Clinton Term. RR Co.
Cloquet Term. RR Co., Inc.
Colorado & Wyoming Rwy Co
Columbia & Cowlitz Rwy Co.
Columbia Basin RR Co. Inc.
Columbia Business Center
Columbia Term. RR Co.
Columbus & Greenville Rwy Co.
Columbus & Ohio River RR
Commonwealth Rwy, Inc.
Conecuh Valley RR
Conn. Dept. Of Transportation
Connecticut Electric Rwy
Connecticut Southern RR Inc.
Conrad Yelvington
Conrail Train Yard & Repair Shop
Consolidated Grain & Barge Co.
Consolidated Rail Corp.
Conway Scenic RR
Coopersville & Marne RR
Coos Bay Rail Link
Copper Basin Rwy, Inc
Corpus Christi Term. RR Inc.
Crab Orchard & Egyptian RR
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR

Appendix A - 5

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
CVSX

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Rwy

DAIR
DWRV
DN
DSRC
DME
DMVW
DART
DGNO
DW
DR
DQE
DT
DH
DURR
DCLR
DL
DC
DSRR
DVS
DCTA
DRGR
DRIR
DEMZ
DODA
DLWR
DCON
DE
DESR
DSC
DCRR
DNE
DMIR
DWP
DSNG
DRHV
DGVX

D & I RR Co.
D &W RR
Dakota Northern RR, Inc.
Dakota Southern Rwy Co.
Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern RR
Dakota, Missouri Valley & Western RR, Inc.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Dallas, Garland & Northeastern RR
Danville and Western Rwy Co.
Dardanelle & Russellville RR
DeQueen & Eastern RR Co.
Decatur Junction Rwy Co.
Delaware & Hudson Rwy Co.
Delaware & Ulster Rail Ride
Delaware Coast Line RR
Delaware Lackawanna RR
Delray Connecting RR Co.
Delta Southern RR Co.
Delta Valley & Southern Rwy Co.
Denton County Transportation Authority
Denver & Rio Grande RR Co.
Denver Rock Island RR
Dep Mine
Department of Defense - Army
Depew, Lancaster & Western RR Co., Inc.
Detroit Connecting RR
Detroit Edison
Downeast Scenic RR
Drake Switching Co., LLC
Dubois County RR
Duluth & Northeastern RR Co.
Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Rwy Co.
Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific Rwy
Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage RR Co.
Durango RR Historical Society
Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Scenic RR

DUPX
EBT
EBSR
EACH
ECTB
ECBR
EEC
EJR
ESPN
ETRY

E. I. Dupont
East Broadtop RR & Coal Co.
East Brookfield & Spencer RR LLC
East Camden & Highland RR Co.
East Chattanooga Belt Rwy Co.
East Cooper & Berkeley RR
East Erie Commercial RR
East Jersey RR & Term. Co.
East Penn RR LLC
East Tennessee Rwy, L.P.

Appendix A - 6

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
EARY
EIRR
EIRC
EMRY
EWG
EASO
TXTX
EFRR
EDW
ECTM
EJE
ELKR
EERZ
EWR
ESWR
ELS
EVWR
EV
EBRR
ESSV

Eastern Alabama Rwy Co.
Eastern Idaho RR
Eastern Illinois RR Co.
Eastern Maine RR Co.
Eastern Washington Gateway RR Co.
Easx Corp./Easx RR Corporation
Econo Rail Corp.
Effingham RR Co.
El Dorado & Wesson Rwy Co.
Electrick City Trolley Museum
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Rwy Co.
Elk River RR, Inc.
Ellis and Eastern Co.
Erie Western Rwy
Escalanta Western Rwy
Escanaba & Lake Superior RR Co.
Evansville Western Rwy, Inc.
Everett RR Co.
Exel Baytown RR
Exel Switching Service

FRR
FMRC
FCRV
FRA
NDM
FMWX
FGLK
FCRD
FBCR
FIR
FCEN
FDT
FEC
FGC
FMID
FNOR
FRAX
FLYJ
FP
FRVT
FSR
FWWR
FVRR
FEVR
FRRV
FWHS
FC
FCR

Falls Road RR Co. Inc.
Farmrail Corp.
Fayette Central RR
Federal RR Administration
Ferrocarriles Nacionales De Mexico
Fillmore and Western
Finger Lakes Rwy Corp.
First Coast RR Inc.
Fitchburg Commuter Rail
Flats Industrial RR
Florida Central RR Co.
Florida Department Transportation
Florida East Coast Rwy Co.
Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum, Inc.
Florida Midland RR Co., Inc.
Florida Northern RR Co., Inc.
Florida Rail Adventures
Flying J / Big West Oil
Fordyce & Princeton RR Co.
Fore River Transportation Corp.
Fort Smith RR Co.
Fort Worth & Western RR
Fredonia Valley RR Inc.
Fremont & Elkhorn Valley RR
Frontier Rail Switch Service
Ft. Wayne Historical Society
Fulton County RR Co.
Fulton County Rwy

Appendix A - 7

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

GATX
GIMY
GSWY
GNRL
GVSR
GCW
GRW
GWWE
GWWR
GWWL
GLRX
GRR
GFRR
GC
GMR
GNRR
GAP
GS
GSWR
GWRC
GET
GICX
GRC
GHDE
GGMX
GITM
GTRA
LACX
GU
GNBC
GCRX
GDLK
GR
XGRT
GTW
GRVV
GLC
GRNW
GSR
GSM
GRWR
GWR
GCRT
GMRC
GRLW
GRYR
GORX
GCSR

GATX Rail
GITM Intermodal Yard
GITM Savannah Wharf Yard
GNP RLY Inc.
Galveston RR, L.P.
Garden City Western Rwy Co.
Gary Rwy Co.
Gateway Eastern RR Co.
Gateway Western Rwy
Gennesis Worldwide Logistics LLC
Georgetown Loop RR
Georgetown RR Co.
Georgia & Florida Rwy
Georgia Central Rwy, L.P.
Georgia Midland RR, Inc.
Georgia Northeastern RR Co.
Georgia Power
Georgia Southern Rwy Co.
Georgia Southwestern RR Inc.
Georgia Woodlands RR
Gettysburg and Northern RR
Giant Cement
Glasgow Rwy Co.
Gold Hill Depot
Golden Gate RR Museum
Golden Isles Term. RR, Inc.
Golden Triangle RR Co.
Goodyear Tire And Rubber Co.
Grafton & Upton RR Co.
Grainbelt Corp.
Grand Canyon Rwy
Grand Elk RR, LLC
Grand Rapids Eastern RR Inc.
Grand Rivers Term.
Grand Trunk Western RR Inc.
Grapevine Vintage RR
Great Lakes Central RR
Great Northwest RR, Inc.
Great Sandhills Rwy, Ltd.
Great Smoky Mountains Rwy, The
Great Walton RR Co.
Great Western Rwy of Colorado, LLC
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
Green Mountain RR Corp.
Greenville & Western Rwy Co. LLC
Grenada Rwy LLC
Gulf And Ohio Rwys
Gulf, Colorado San Saba Rwy Corp.

Appendix A - 8

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
GUX

Gunderson Inc.

HGZX
HRMZ
HIRR
HB
HRT
HRSX
HOG
HVRX
HOB
HCAX
HR
HPTD
HART
HWRV
HVSR
HRS
HE
HHRV
HCRR
HOS
HVMV
HRRC
HRR
HMCR
HESR

HGZX Industry
HRMZ
Hainesport Industrial RR LLC
Hampton & Branchville RR Co.
Hartwell RR Co.
Hawaiian Rwy Society
Heart of Georgia RR, Inc.
Heber Valley RR Utah
Henderson Overton Branch
Hennepin County Regional Rail
Heritage RR Corp
High Point, Thomasville & Denton RR Co.
Hillsborough Area Regional Trans. Authority
Hiwassee River RR
Hocking Valley Scenic Rwy
Hollidaysburg and Roaring Spring RR Co.
Hollis & Eastern RR Co.
Hondo Rwy LLC
Honey Creek RR, Inc.
Hoosier Southern RR
Hoosier Valley RR Museum
Housatonic RR Co., Inc.
Huckleberry RR
Huntsville & Madison county RR Authority
Huron & Eastern Rwy

IM
ITSL
INPR
IMRR
IC
IRYM
IR
ILW
ICRK
IORY
IERR
IHB
IN
INRD
IRM
ISRR
ISW
ITMZ
IRSS
ILRV
RSIX

IM Industry
ITS Technologies & Logistics, LLC.
Idaho Northern & Pacific RR Co.
Illinois & Midland RR Inc
Illinois Central RR Co.
Illinois Rwy Museum
Illinois Rwy, Inc.
Illinois Western RR Co.
Indian Creek RR Co.
Indiana & Ohio Rwy
Indiana Eastern RR LLC
Indiana Harbor Belt RR Co.
Indiana Northeastern RR Co., Incorporated
Indiana Rail Road Co.
Indiana Rwy Museum
Indiana Southern RR Co., Inc
Indiana Southwestern Rwy Co.
Indiana Transportation Museum
Industrial Rwy Switching & Services
Inland Lakes Rwy
Intermodal Transfer, LLC

Appendix A - 9

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
IAIS
IANR
IARR
ISR
IATR

Iowa Interstate RR
Iowa Northern Rwy Co.
Iowa River RR Inc
Iowa Southern RR Co.
Iowa Traction RR Co.

JCIV
JPA
JEFW
JCAX
JERX
JVRR

Jacintoport International, LP
Jacksonville Port Authority
Jefferson Warrior RR
Johnson County Airport Commission
Joppa & Eastern RR Co.
Juniata Valley RR Co.

KWT
KC
KRTX
KBSR
KCS
KCT
KCTL
KO
KKRX
KAW
KTR
KT
KRM
KJRY
KRSV
KFR
KRR
KJR
KNOR
KXHR
KSRY
KYLE

K.W.T. Rwy, Inc.
Kanawha Central Rwy Co.
Kanawha River Term.
Kankakee, Beaverville & Southern RR Co.
Kansas City Southern Rwy Co.
Kansas City Term. Rwy Co.
Kansas City Transportation Co LLC
Kansas and Oklahoma RR
Kaskaskia Regional Port District
Kaw River RR
Kendallville Term. Rwy Co.
Kentucky & Tennessee Rwy
Kentucky Rwy Museum
Keokuk Junction Rwy
Keolis Rail Services Virginia, LLC
Kettle Falls International Rwy LLC
Kiamichi RR Co. LLC
Kiski Junction RR
Klamath Northern Rwy Co.
Knoxville & Holston River RR Co., Inc.
Koscuisko And Southwestern Rwy
Kyle RR Co.

LRY
LYNX
LCRA
LKP
LCHD
LCR
LMIC
LSRX
LSRC
LSI
LSMR
LSMT
LT

LRY LLC
LYNX Light Rail System
Lackawanna County RR Authority
Lahaina Kaanapoli And Pacific
Lake Charles Harbor District
Lake County RR
Lake Michigan & Indiana RR Co.
Lake Shore Rwy
Lake State Rwy Co.
Lake Superior & Ishpeming RR Co.
Lake Superior & Mississippi RR
Lake Superior RR Museum
Lake Term. RR Co.

Appendix A - 10

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
LWAT
LC
LVR
LNO
LIRR
LMR
LRS
LCSR
LMMV
LRWY
LVRX
LMAX
LFIZ
LKRR
LRR
LRWN
LRPA
LAL
LDLV
LER
LSIZ
LI
LS
LACZ
LAJ
LDCX
LDRR
LNW
LAS
LSTX
LIRC
LW
LNAL
LBR
LXVR
LSX
LVRR

Lake Whatcom Rwy
Lancaster & Chester Rwy Co.
Landisville RR, LLC
Laona & Northern Rwy
Lapree Industrial RR
Last Mountain Rwy
Laurinburg & Southern RR Co.
Leadville, Colorado & Southern RR, Co.
Lebanon Mason Monroe RR
Lehigh Rwy, LLC
Lehigh Valley Rail Management
Lenar Marie Island
Litchfield Industrial RR
Little Kanawha River Rail
Little River RR
Little Rock & Western Rwy, L.P.
Little Rock Port RR Co.
Livonia, Avon & Lakeville RR Corp.
Lodestar Logistics
Logansport & Eel River Short Line Co., Inc.
Lone Star Industries
Long Island Rail Road
Longview Switching
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Trans Authority
Los Angeles Junction Rwy Co.
Louis Dreyfus Corp/Galena Park Term.
Louisiana & Delta RR
Louisiana & North West RR Co.
Louisiana Southern
Louisiana Steam Train Association
Louisville & Indiana RR Co.
Louisville & Wadley Rwy Co.
Louisville, New Albany & Corydon RR
Lowville & Beaver River RR Co.
Luxapalila Valley RR Inc.
Luzerene & Susquehanna Rwy Co.
Lycoming Valley RR Co.

MNBR
MGRI
MACZ
STLM
MPLX
MUNX
CMPA
MAA
MVRY
MERR
MNGX

M & B RR LLC
M. G. Rail, Inc
MARC Train Service
METRO
Minnesota Prairie Line
MUNI - Municipal Transportation Agency
Madison RR Division
Magma Arizona RR Co.
Mahoning Valley RR Co.
Maine Eastern RR
Maine Narrow Gauge RR

Appendix A - 11

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
MRSE
MJ
MRS
MQT
MDDE
MMID
MTAX
XMBT
MBTA
MCER
MCRL
MSTR
MAW
MCR
MKC
MSN
MATA
MGRZ
MDS
MNCW
MRTA
MTAV
MRTV
MTPS
MAL
MS
MSO
MSTP
MITM
MCRY
MMRR
MIDH
MNJ
MADE
MDRY
MBRX
MRSX
MMR
MNNR
MNN
MPLI
MSWY
MTFR
MNTX
MVRA
MZL
MDW
MMT
MSV

Manteno Rail Service Corp.
Manufacturers' Junction Rwy Co.
Manufacturers' Rwy Co.
Marquette Rail LLC
Maryland & Delaware RR Co.
Maryland Midland Rwy, Inc.
Mass Transit Administration
Mass. Bay Trans. Authority
Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority
Massachusetts Central RR Corp
Massachusetts Coastal RR LLC
Massena Term. RR Co.
Maumee & Western RR Corp.
Mccloud Rwy Co.
Mckeesport Connecting RR Co.
Meeker Southern RR
Memphis Area Transit Authority
Merchant's Grain Rail, Inc.
Meridian Southern Rwy LLC
Metro North Commuter RR Co.
Metro Regional Transit Authority
Metro Regional Transit Authority
Metro Transit
Metropolitan Stevedore
Michigan Air-Line Rwy Co.
Michigan Shore RR
Michigan Southern RR Co., Inc.
Michigan State Trust For Rwy Preservation
Michigan Transit Museum
Mid-Continent Rwy
Mid-Michigan RR Co.
Middletown & Hummelstown RR Co.
Middletown & New Jersey RR LLC
Middletown Area Development Enterprise
Midlands Rwy
Milford-Bennington RR Co.
Military Ocean Term. RR At Sunny Point
Minnesota & Manitoba RR
Minnesota Commercial Rwy
Minnesota Northern RR Inc.
Minnesota Prairie Line, Inc.
Minnesota Southern Rwy, Inc.
Minnesota Transfer Rwy Co.
Minnesota Transportation Museum
Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority
Minnesota Zephyr, Limited
Minnesota, Dakota & Western Rwy Co.
Mission Mountain RR
Mississippi & Skuna Valley RR Co

Appendix A - 12

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
MSCI
MSDR
MSE
MSR
MTNR
MSRW
MNA
MVP
MNC
MET
MNRR
MHWA
MCRR
MRL
MRMZ
MMA
MHSF
MCDX
ME
MTBD
MCSA
MOPH
MH
MRSR
MVT
METW
MCSX
MCCP

Mississippi Central RR Co.
Mississippi Delta RR
Mississippi Export RR Co.
Mississippi Southern RR
Mississippi Tennessee RR LLC
Mississippian Rwy Cooperative, Inc.
Missouri & Northern Arkansas RR Co., Inc.
Missouri & Valley Park RR Corp
Missouri North Central RR
Modesto & Empire Traction Co.
Modoc Northern RR Co.
Mohawk, Adirondack & Northern RR Corp.
Monongahela Connecting RR Co.
Montana Rail Link
Monticello Rwy Museum
Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Rwy, Ltd.
Morehead & South Fork RR Co. Inc.
Morris County DOT
Morristown & Erie Rwy, Inc.
Morton Buildings
Moscow, Camden & San Augustine RR
Motive Power - Houston
Mount Hood Rwy Co.
Mount Rainier Scenic RR
Mount Vernon Term. Rwy, Inc.
Municipality of East Troy
Music City Starr
Muskogee City-County Port Authority

NCMX
NDCR
NJT
NCOC
NVRR
NCYR
NERR
NWR
NTZR
NSWS
NAUG
NRI
NCRC
NENE
NNW
NKCR
VTRW
NCRV
NNRX
NVSV

N C Transportation Museum Foundation
N. D. C. RR Co.
N. J. Dept. of Transportation
National Coal Corp.
Napa Valley RR
Nash County RR
Nashville & Eastern RR
Nashville & Western RR Corp.
Natchez Rwy LLC
National Switching Services
Naugatuck RR Co. Inc.
Nebkota Rwy, Inc.
Nebraska Central RR
Nebraska Northeastern Rwy Co.
Nebraska Northwestern RR, Inc
Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado Railnet
Nevada Comm. for the Recon of the V&T Rwy
Nevada Commission/Reconstruction of V&T Rwy
Nevada Northern Rwy
Nevada Southern Rwy

Appendix A - 13

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
NSMU
NBSR
NCIR
NECR
NEGS
NHCR
NHN
NHRR
NHVX
NJRC
NJTR
NMRX
NMSX
NOGC
NOPB
NRRX
NYA
NYGL
NYLE
NYOG
NYCT
NYNJ
NYSW
NSR
NPDX
NICX
NTRY
NBER
NPB
NS
NARZ
NCVA
DTNC
NCT
NSHR
NSSR
NIRC
NICD
NLR
NOW
NPR
NSCR
NOKL

Nevada State Museum
New Brunswick Southern Rwy Co., LTD
New Castle Industrial RR
New England Central RR
New England Southern RR Co., Inc.
New Hampshire Central RR, Inc.
New Hampshire North Coast RR
New Hope & Ivyland Rail Road
New Hope Valley Rwy/NC RR Museum
New Jersey Rail Carrier, LLC.
New Jersey Transit Rail Operations
New Mexico Rail Runner Express
New Mexico Steam Locomotive and RR Hist. Sociaty
New Orleans & Gulf Coast Rwy Co. Inc.
New Orleans Public Belt RR
New River Rwy
New York & Atlantic Rwy Co.
New York & Greenwood Lake Rwy
New York & Lake Erie
New York & Ogdensburg Rwy Co. Inc.
New York Container Term.
New York New Jersey Rail LLC
New York, Susquehanna & Western RR Co.
Newburgh & South Shore RR
Newport Dinner Train
Niles Canyon Rwy
Nimishillen & Tuscarawas, LLC
Nittany & Bald Eagle
Norfolk & Portsmouth Belt Line RR Co.
Norfolk Southern Corp.
North Alabama RR Museum
North Carolina & Virginia RR Co.
North Carolina Department Of Transportation
North Charleston Term. Co.
North Shore RR
North Shore Scenic RR
Northeast IL Regional Commuter Rail Corp.
Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District
Northern Lines Rwy LLC
Northern Ohio & Western Rwy, LTD.
Northern Plains RR, Inc.
Northstar Corridor Rail
Northwestern Oklahoma RR Co.

OTR
ORC
OHIC
OHCR
ORDC

Oakland Term. Rwy
Ogeechee RR Co.
Ohi Rail Corp.
Ohio Central RR Co.
Ohio Rail Development Commission

Appendix A - 14

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
OSRR
OVR
OCTL
OKGE
OKRX
OAR
OC
OPPX
OLB
ONCT
OMID
OERY
OCSR
OERR
OGE
OPR
ORUZ
OSCV
OTVR
OUCH
OLTX
OHRY
OVRR

Ohio Southern RR Co.
Ohio Valley RR Co.
Oil Creek & Titusville Lines
Oklahoma General Electric
Oklahoma Rwy Museum Ltd
Old Augusta RR Co.
Olin Corp.
Omaha Public Power District
Omaha, Lincoln & Beatrice Rwy Co.
Ontario Central RR Corp.
Ontario Midland RR Corp.
Orange Empire Rwy Museum
Oregon Coast Scenic RR
Oregon Eastern RR
Oregon Great Eastern
Oregon Pacific RR Co.
Orlando Utilities Commission
Osceola & St. Croix Valley Rwy
Otter Tail Valley RR Co., Inc.
Ouachita RR
Over Land Trucking and Rail
Owego & Harford Rwy, Inc.
Ozark Valley RR Inc.

PLVW
PSC
PARN
PHL
PRPX
PRSX
PSRM
PSRR
PI
PAL
PCC
GRS
PAS
PWCV
PNR
PBR
PVS
PDRR
POVA
PCJX
PT
PSCC
PSWR
PPHW
PICK

Port of Longview
PYCO Industries Inc.
Pacific & Arctic RR & Navigation Co.
Pacific Harbor Line Inc.
Pacific RR Preservation Association
Pacific Rail Services
Pacific SW Rwy Museum
Pacific Sun RR, LLC
Paducah & Illinois RR Co.
Paducah & Louisville Rwy Co.
Palouse River & Coulee City RR Inc.
Pam Am Rwys/Guilford System
Pan Am Southern, LLC.
Pan Western Corp.
Panhandle Northern RR Co.
Patapsco & Back Rivers RR Co.
Pecos Valley Southern Rwy Co.
Pee Dee River Rwy Corp.
Pend Oreille Valley RR, Inc
Peninsula Cooridor Joint Powers Board
Peninsula Term. Co.
Pennsylvania & Southern Rwy, LLC
Pennsylvania Southwestern RR, Inc.
Peoria, Peoria Heights & Western RR
Pickens Rwy Co.

Appendix A - 15

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
PRY
PWJ
PVRR
PCDX
POHC
PAM
PMSW
PLL
PCN
PRCL
PATH
PAAC
PBVR
PHRR
PJR
POCA
PLAX
MAUP
POMJ
POAK
PPBD
POPZ
POSX
POTB
PSAN
PTRA
PTR
PUCC
PGBX
PMKX
PSDX
PSBX
PNWR
PTO
PVJR
PEX
PNW
PROQ
PGR
PW
PSOZ
PBRF
PSAP

Pioneer Industrial Rwy Co.
Pioneer RR Co., Inc.
Pioneer Valley RR Co., Inc.
Pittsburgh & Conneaut Dock Co., The
Pittsburgh & Ohio Central RR Co., The
Pittsburgh, Allegheny & Mckees Rocks RR
Plainsman Switching Co.
Plymouth & Lincoln
Point Comfort & Northern Rwy Co.
Pola Red Car Line
Port Authority Trans Hudson
Port Authority of Allegheny County
Port Bienville RR
Port Harbor RR, Inc.
Port Jersey RR Co.
Port of Catoosa Term. RR
Port of Los Angeles
Port of Manatee
Port of Milwaukee
Port of Oakland
Port of Palm Beach Term.
Port of Pasco
Port of Sacramento
Port of Tillamook Bay RR
Port San Antonio
Port Term. RR Association
Port Term. RR of South Carolina
Port Utilities Commission of Charleston, S.C.
Port of Greater Baton Rouge
Port of Muskogee RR
Port of San Diego
Port of Shreveport-Bossier, The
Portland & Western RR, Inc.
Portland Term.
Portland Vancouver Junction RR
Potomac Eagle Scenic Rail Excursion
Prescott & Northwestern RR Co.
Progress Rail Switching Service
Progressive Rail Inc
Providence & Worcester RR Co.
Public Service of Oklahoma
Pueblo RR Museum
Puget Sound & Pacific RR Co.

QRR

Quincy RR Co.

RJCK
RJCN
RJCL

R J Corman RR Co./Tennessee Term. LLC
R. J. Corman RR Co./Allentown Lines, Inc.
R. J. Corman RR Co./Cleveland Line

Appendix A - 16

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
RJCM
RJCP
RJCV
RJCC
RJCR
RJCW
DUT
RAMX
RLIX
RLGX
RASX
RSIZ
RRTM
RWTV
NSRX
RTRX
RCRY
RARW
RRTX
RERX
RNRX
RBMN
RRVW
RRC
RTA
NRTX
RTDZ
RCIB
RCXM
RSCX
RRCV
RSOR
RPRC
RBX
RVSC
RVPR
RSR
RRRR
RSS

R. J. Corman RR Co./Memphis Line
R. J. Corman RR Co./Pennsylvania Lines, Inc.
R. J. Corman RR Co./WV Line
R. J. Corman RR Co/Central Kentucky Lines
R. J. Corman RR Corp./Bardstown Line
R. J. Corman, Western Ohio Line
RTD Denver Union Station
Rail America Limited
Rail Link Inc.
Rail Logix L.P.
Rail Serve
Rail Services, Inc.
Rail Term
Rail Works Track Systems, Inc.
Railroading Heritage of Midwest America Inc.
Railtown 1897 RR
Raritan Central Rwy LLC
Rarus Rwy Co.
Rat River Transportation Co.
Reader RR
Reading & Northern RR Systems
Reading Blue Mountain & Northern RR Commission
Red River Valley & Western RR
Redmont Rwy Co.
Regional Transportation Authority
Regional Transportation Authority-Nashville, TN
Regional Transportation District
Rescar Industries - Beaumont
Rescar Location 715 Switching
Rescar
Respondek RR Corp.
Riceboro Southern Rwy LLC
Richmond Pacific RR Corp.
Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus
Rio Valley Switching Co.
River Port RR
Rochester Southern RR, Inc.
Rock & Rail Inc
Rockdale, Sandow & Southern RR Co.

SSR
VTAZ
SCTR
SGSC
SNY
SLRS
SOO
SPNW
SRN

S&S Shortline RR
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
SCTRR, LLC
SGS Petroleum Service Corp.
SMS Rail Lines of New York City LLC
SMS Rail Service, Inc.
SOO Line RR Co.
SP News Print Co.
Sabine River & Northern RR Co.

Appendix A - 17

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
SCDT
SCRT
SAV
SL
SLGW
SBEX
SDIY
SDNX
SDTI
SFBY
SFBR
SJVR
SLRG
SLC
SMA
SPSR
SS
SAN
SCCT
SCBG
SFS
SMV
SBG
SYSI
SAPT
SSHV
SVTX
SGLR
SE
SQVR
SVRR
SABX
STR
SVIZ
SHEL
XSPU
SV
SLSV
SLGG
SERA
SPKE
SMRR
SKTX
SNVX
SOM
SCR
SBVR
SB
SCRF

Sacramento County Department of Transportation
Sacramento County Regional Transit District
Sacramento Valley RR
Salt Lake City Southern RR Co., Inc.
Salt Lake, Garfield & Western Rwy Co.
San Bernardino Rwy Historical Society
San Diego & Imperial Valley
San Diego Northern Rwy
San Diego Trolley Inc.
San Francisco Bay RR
San Francisco Belt RR
San Joaquin Valley RR Co.
San Luis & Rio Grande RR
San Luis Central RR Co.
San Manuel Arizona RR Co.
San Pedro & Southwestern RR Co.
Sand Springs Rwy Co.
Sandersville RR Co.
Santa Clara County Transit District
Santa Cruz, Big Tree & Pacific RR
Santa Fe Southern Rwy, Inc.
Santa Maria Valley RR Co.
Savage Bingham & Garfield RR Co.
Savage Yard Services, Inc.
Savannah Port Term. RR, Inc.
Seaside Holdings, Inc.
Seaview Transportation Co., Inc.
Seminole Gulf RR
Semo Port RR, Inc.
Sequatchie Valley RR
Shamokin Valley RR Co.
Shaw Air Force Base
Shawnee Term. Rwy Co.
Shelbyville Industrial RR
Shell Oil Co.
Shell Puget Sound Refinery
Shenandoah Valley RR
Short Line Services, Inc.
Sidney & Lowe RR Inc.
Sierra Northern Rwy
Signal Peak Energy Corp.
Sisseton Milbank RR
Ski Train RR
Snoqualmie Valley RR
Somerset RR Co
Sounder Commuter Rail
South Branch Valley RR
South Buffalo Rwy Co.
South Carolina Central RR Co., Inc.

Appendix A - 18

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
SCPB
RRWX
SCXF
SCIH
SCCR
SFRV
SKOL
SLAL
SRPX
XSPT
SEPA
SPRX
SCAX
SERX
SIND
SMRS
SNJX
SRNJ
SSC
SWP
SW
SPIX
SPCX
SCS
SMW
SCXY
SLR
SLOI
STMA
SM
SLZZ
SNCX
SNHS
SH
STRT
SLWC
SPBR
STE
SRC
SUVX
SNR
SSMR
SWCX
SBNX

South Carolina Public Rwys Commission
South Carolina RR Museum, The
South Central Florida Express, Inc.
South Chicago & Indiana Harbor Rwy Co.
South County Commuter Rail
South Florida Regional Transit Authority
South Kansas & Oklahoma RR Co.
South Plains Lamesa RR, Ltd.
South River Railroad Project
Southeastern Penn. Trans. Authority
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
Southern Applachian Rwy Museum
Southern California Regional Rail Authority
Southern Electric RR
Southern Indiana Rwy, Inc.
Southern Michigan RR Society
Southern New Jersey Light Rail Group
Southern RR Co. Of New Jersey
Southern Switching Co.
Southwest Pennsylvania RR Co.
Southwestern RR Co., Inc.
Spotsylvania County Industrial Park
Springerville & Coronada RR, Lines.
Squaw Creek Southern RR
St Marys Rwy West LLC
St. Croix Valley RR Co.
St. Lawrence & Atlantic RR Co.
St. Louis, Iron Mountain, & Southern
St. Maries River RR Co.
St. Marys RR Co.
Standard Lafarge
Steamtown National Historic Site
Steamtown National Historical Society
Steelton & Highspire RR
Stewartstown RR Co.
Stillwater Central RR Co., Inc.
Stockton Public Belt RR
Stockton Term. & Eastern RR
Strasburg RR Co.
Sumpter Valley RR
Sunflour RR, Inc.
Sunshine Mills RR
Sweetwater Central RR
Syracuse Binghampton And New York RR

TMBL
TRMW
TRIC
TTR

Tacoma Municipal Belt Line Rwy
Tacoma Rail Mountain Division
Tahoe Reno Industrial Center
Talley Rand Term. RR

Appendix A - 19

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
THEA
TZPR
TC
TECX
TSRR
TVRM
TKEN
TRRA
TASD
TSWS
TNMR
TN
TXOR
TCT
TXNW
TXPF
TXR
TSE
TSR
TXGN
TBRY
TNHR
TIBR
TIOC
TCRX
TISH
TLEW
TPW
TLCP
TR
TMSS
TTAX
TTI
TRRJ
TAMX
TTIS
TCRY
TCRV
TMEV
TRE
TREX
TRSZ
TMNY
TRC
TSU
TCKR
TCWR
TYBR

Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority
Tazewell & Peoria RR, Inc.
Temple & Central Texas Rwy, Inc.
Tennessee Central RR
Tennessee Southern RR Co., Inc.
Tennessee Valley RR
Tennken RR Co. Inc.
Terminal RR Association Of St. Louis
Terminal Rwy Alabama State Docks
Terminal Switching Services
Texas & New Mexico RR Co.
Texas & Northern Rwy Co.
Texas & Oklahoma RR Co.
Texas City Term. Rwy Co.
Texas Northwestern Rwy Co.
Texas Pacifico Transportation Limited
Texas Rock Crusher Rwy Co.
Texas South-Eastern RR Co.
Texas State RR
Texas, Gonzales & Northern Rwy Co.
Thermal Belt Rwy
Three Notch RR
Timberrock RR Co., Inc.
Tioga Central RR
Tioga Central Rail Ex.
Tishomingo RR Co., Inc.
Toledo Lake Erie & Western RR
Toledo, Peoria & Western Rwy Corp.
Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
Tomahawk Rwy, L.P.
Towanda Monroeton Shippers Lifeline, Inc.
Trailer Train
Trans Kentucky RR.
Transco Railcar Repair, Inc.
TransitAmerica, LLC
Transkentucky Transportation RR, Inc.
Tri-City RR Co.
Tri-City Railcar Repair
Tri-Met Westside Express Service
Trinity Rwy Express
Trinity Rwy Express
Triple Crown Service
Trolley Museum of New York
Trona Rwy Co.
Tulsa-Sapulpa Union Rwy Co. LLC
Turtle Creek Industrial RR, Inc.
Twin City & Western RR
Tyburn RR Co.

Appendix A - 20

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
USRS
USAD
USRP
USRO
USSZ
UPIX
UFRC
UCIR
UPME
UP
URR
USAF
USG
UHRX
UMP
UCRY
UTAH
UTAX

U S. Rail/Salem
U. S. Army Depot
U. S. Rail Corp.
U.S. Rail Corp/Ohio
U.S. Sugar Co.
USS - Posco Industries
UTA FrontRunner Commuter Rail
Union County Industrial RR Co.
Union Pacific Metra
Union Pacific RR Co.
Union RR Co.
United States Air Force
United States Gypsum
Upper Hudson River RR
Upper Merion & Plymouth RR Co.
Utah Central Rwy Co.
Utah Rwy Co.
Utah Transit Authority

VSR
VST
VR
VMTR
VALE
VRRC
VRCX
VCRR
VVRR
VTR
VSOR
VTRR
VC
VPAX
VREX
VSRR
VREE
VM

V and S Rwy, Inc.
V&S Rwy Inc D d/b/a/Towner Railway
Valdosta Rwy, L.P.
Valley Metro Rail
Valley RR Co.
Vandalia RR Co.
Vaughan RR Co.
Ventura County RR Co.
Vermillion Valley RR Co., Inc.
Vermont Rwy, Inc.
Vicksburg Southern RR, Inc.
Virginia & Truckee RR Co., Inc.
Virginia Central Rwy
Virginia Port Authority
Virginia Rwy Express
Virginia Southern RR
Vreeland Rail LLC
Vulcan Materials Co.

WCTR
WBCR
WCLR
WS
WHOE
WURR
WAKS
WSR
WTRM
WIR
WACR

WCTU Rwy
Wabash Central RR Corp.
Waccamaw Coast Line RR Co.
Walkersville Southern RR, Inc.
Walking Horse & Eastern RR Co.
Wallowa Union RR Authority
Wannamakers, Kempton And Southern
Warren & Saline River RR Co.
Warren & Trumbull RR Co., The
Washington & Idaho Rwy, Inc.
Washington County RR Corp.

Appendix A - 21

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
WI
WATX
WCOR
WCRL
WESZ
WFS
WJSL
WMI
WTNN
WTUX
WTLC
WVC
WKRL
WMSR
WNYP
WRRC
WRS
WRM
WCTX
WE
WVRR
WTA
WTJR
WBC
WPRR
WVR
WWRC
WTRY
WSRY
WW
WRCC
WSS
WST
WGCR
WGNX
WSOR
WC
WGNS
WN
WYET
WYCO

Watco Switch Indiana
Watco Switching
Wellsboro & Corning RR Co.
West Chester RR Co.
West Erie Shortline
West Isle Line Inc.
West Jersey Short Line
West Michigan RR Co.
West Tennessee RR Corp.
West Texas Utility
West Texas and Lubbock Rwy Co.
West Virginia Central RR
Western Kentucky Rwy, LLC
Western Maryland Scenic RR
Western New York & Pennsylvania RR LLC
Western RR Co.
Western Rail Switching, Inc.
Western Rwy Museum
Weyerhaeuser Woods RRs
Wheeling & Lake Erie Rwy Co.
Whitewater Valley RR
Wichita Term. Association
Wichita, Tillman & Jackson Rwy Co., Inc.
Wilkes-Barre Connecting RR Co.
Willamette & Pacific RR, Inc.
Willamette Valley Rwy Co.
Wilmington & Western RR Co.
Wilmington Term. RR Inc.
Winamac Southern Rwy Co.
Winchester & Western RR Co.
Winnipesaukee RR Corp.
Winston-Salem Southbound Rwy
Winston-Salem Term. Co.
Wiregrass Central RR Co.
Wisconsin & Great Northern
Wisconsin & Southern RR Co.
Wisconsin Central Ltd.
Wisconsin Great Northern RR, Inc.
Wisconsin Northern RR
Wye Transportation Corp
Wyoming & Colorado RR

YCR
YVRR
YSVR
YRC
YARR
YB
YSRR

YCR Corp.
Yadkin Valley RR Co.
Yellowstone Valley RR Inc.
York Rwy Co.
Youngstown & Austintown RR
Youngstown Belt RR Co., The
Yountstown & Southeastern RR Co., Inc.

Appendix A - 22

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
YW

Yreka Western RR Co.

ZWSX

Zanesville & Western Scenic RR

Appendix A - 23

Railroad Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX B
State Codes
AL
AK
AZ
AR
CA
CO
CT
DE
DC
FL
GA
HI
ID
IL
IN
IA
KS
KY
LA
ME
MD
MA
MI
MN
MS
MO
MT
NE
NV
NH
NJ
NM
NY
NC
ND
OH
OK
OR
PA
RI

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island

SC
SD
TN
TX
UT
VT
VA
WA
WV
WI
WY

Appendix B - 1

South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

State Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX C
Train Accident Cause Codes
TRACK, ROADBED AND STRUCTURES
Roadbed
T001
T002
T099

Roadbed settled or soft
Washout/rain/slide/flood/snow/ice damage to track
Other roadbed defects (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Track Geometry
T101
T102
T103
T104
T105
T106
T107
T108
T109
T110
T111
T112
T113
T199

Cross level of track irregular (at joints)
Cross level of track irregular (not at joints)
Deviation from uniform top of rail profile
Disturbed ballast section
Insufficient ballast section
Superelevation improper, excessive, or insufficient
Superelevation runoff improper
Track alignment irregular (other than buckled/sunkink)
Track alignment irregular (buckled/sunkink)
Wide gage (due to defective or missing crossties)
Wide gage (due to defective or missing spikes or other rail fasteners)
Wide gage (due to loose, broken, or defective gage rods)
Wide gage (due to worn rails)
Other track geometry defects (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Rail, Joint Bar and Rail Anchoring
T201
T202
T203
T204
T205
T206
T207
T208
T210
T211
T212
T213
T214
T215
T216
T217
T218
T219
T220

Broken Rail - Bolt hole crack or break
Broken Rail - Base
Broken Rail - Weld (plant)
Broken Rail - Weld (field)
Defective or missing crossties (use code T110 if results in wide gage)
Defective spikes or missing spikes or other rail fasteners (use code T111 if results in wide gage)
Broken Rail - Detail fracture from shelling or head check
Broken Rail - Engine burn fracture
Broken Rail - Head and web separation (outside joint bar limits)
Broken Rail - Head and web separation (within joint bar limits)
Broken Rail - Horizontal split head
Joint bar broken (compromise)
Joint bar broken (insulated)
Joint bar broken (noninsulated)
Joint bolts, broken, or missing
Mismatched rail-head contour
Broken Rail - Piped rail
Rail defect with joint bar repair
Broken Rail - Transverse/compound fissure

Train Accident

Appendix C - 1

Cause Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX C - Continued
T221
T222
T223
T224
T299

Broken Rail - Vertical split head
Worn rail
Rail Condition - Dry rail, freshly ground rail
Rail defect originating from bond wire attachment (Provide description in narrative)
Other rail and joint bar defects (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Frogs, Switches and Track Appliances
T301
T302
T303
T304
T305
T306
T307
T308
T309
T310
T311
T312
T313
T314
T315
T316
T317
T318
T319
T399

Derail, defective
Expansion joint failed or malfunctioned
Guard rail loose/broken or mislocated
Railroad crossing frog, worn or broken
Retarder worn, broken, or malfunctioning
Retarder yard skate defective
Spring/power switch mechanism malfunction
Stock rail worn, broken or disconnected
Switch (hand operated) stand mechanism broken, loose, or worn
Switch connecting or operating rod is broken or defective
Switch damaged or out of adjustment
Switch lug/crank broken
Switch out of adjustment because of insufficient rail anchoring
Switch point worn or broken
Switch rod worn, bent, broken, or disconnected
Turnout frog (rigid) worn, or broken
Turnout frog (self guarded), worn or broken
Turnout frog (spring) worn, or broken
Switch point gapped (between switch point and stock rail)
Other frog, switch and track appliance defects (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Other Way and Structure
T401
T402
T403
T404
T499

Bridge misalignment or failure
Flangeway clogged
Engineering design or construction
Catenary system defect
Other way and structure defect (Provide detailed description in narrative)

SIGNAL AND COMMUNICATION
S001
S002
S003
S004
S005
S006
S007
S008
S009
S010
S011

Automatic cab signal displayed false proceed
Automatic cab signal inoperative
Automatic train control system inoperative
Automatic train-stop device inoperative
Block signal displayed false proceed
Classification yard automatic control system switch failure
Classification yard automatic control system retarder failure
Fixed signal improperly displayed (defective)
Interlocking signal displayed false proceed
Power device interlocking failure
Power switch failure

Train Accident

Appendix C - 2

Cause Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX C - Continued
S012
S013
S014
S015
S016
S099
S101
S102
S103
S104

Radio communication equipment failure
Other communication equipment failure
Computer system design error (vendor)
Computer system configuration/management error (vendor)
Classification yard automatic control system - Inadequate or insufficient control (e.g., automatic cycling,
other software/programming deficiencies, etc.)
Other signal failures (Provide detailed description in narrative)
Remote control transmitter defective
Remote control transmitter, loss of communication
Radio controlled switch communication failure
Radio controlled switch not locked effectively (Equipment Failure)

MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL FAILURES
Brakes
E00C
E00L
E01C
E01L
E02C
E02L
E03C
E03L
E04C
E04L
E05C
E05L
E06C
E06L
E07C
E07L
E08C
E08L
E0HC
E0HL
E09C
E09L
E10L

Air hose uncoupled or burst
Air hose uncoupled or burst (LOCOMOTIVE)
Hydraulic hose uncoupled or burst
Hydraulic hose uncoupled or burst (LOCOMOTIVE)
Broken brake pipe or connections
Broken brake pipe or connections (LOCOMOTIVE)
Obstructed brake pipe (closed angle cock, ice, etc.)
Obstructed brake pipe (closed angle cock, ice, etc.) (LOCOMOTIVE)
Other brake components damaged, worn, broken, or disconnected
Other brake components damaged, worn, broken, or disconnected (LOCOMOTIVE)
Brake valve malfunction (undesired emergency)
Brake valve malfunction (undesired emergency) (LOCOMOTIVE)
Brake valve malfunction (stuck brake, etc.)
Brake valve malfunction (stuck brake, etc.) (LOCOMOTIVE)
Rigging down or dragging
Rigging down or dragging (LOCOMOTIVE)
Hand brake (including gear) broken or defective
Hand brake (including gear) broken or defective (LOCOMOTIVE)
Hand brake linkage and/or connections broken or defective
Hand brake linkage/Connections broken/defective (LOCOMOTIVE)
Other brake defects, cars (Provide detailed description in narrative)
Other brake defects, (Provide detailed description in narrative) (LOCOMOTIVE)
Computer controlled brake communication failure (LOCOMOTIVE)

Trailer or Container on Flatcar
E11C
E12C
E13C
E19C

Broken or defective tiedown equipment
Broken or defective container
Broken or defective trailer
Other trailer or container on flat car defects (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Train Accident

Appendix C - 3

Cause Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX C - Continued
Body
E20C
E20L
E21C
E21L
E22C
E22L
E23C
E23L
E24C
E24L
E25C
E25L
E26C
E26L
E27C
E27L
E29C
E29L

Body bolster broken or defective
Body bolster broken or defective (LOCOMOTIVE)
Center sill broken or bent
Center sill broken or bent (LOCOMOTIVE)
Draft sill broken or bent
Draft sill broken or bent (LOCOMOTIVE)
Center plate broken or defective
Center plate broken or defective (LOCOMOTIVE)
Center plate disengaged from truck (car off center)
Center plate disengaged from truck unit/off center (LOCOMOTIVE)
Center pin broken or missing
Center pin broken or missing (LOCOMOTIVE)
Center plate attachment defective
Center plate attachment defective (LOCOMOTIVE)
Side sill broken
Side sill broken (LOCOMOTIVE)
Other body defects, (CAR) (Provide detailed description in narrative)
Other body defects, (LOCOMOTIVE) (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Coupler and Draft System
E30C
E30L
E31C
E31L
E32C
E32L
E33C
E33L
E34C
E34L
E35C
E35L
E36C
E36L
E37C
E37L
E39C
E39L

Knuckle broken or defective
Knuckle broken or defective (LOCOMOTIVE)
Coupler mismatch, high/low
Coupler mismatch, high/low (LOCOMOTIVE)
Coupler drawhead broken or defective
Coupler drawhead broken or defective (LOCOMOTIVE)
Coupler retainer pin/cross key missing
Coupler retainer pin/cross key missing (LOCOMOTIVE)
Draft gear/mechanism broken or defective (including yoke)
Draft gear/mechanism broken/defective (including yoke) (LOCOMOTIVE)
Coupler carrier broken or defective
Coupler carrier broken or defective (LOCOMOTIVE)
Coupler shank broken or defective (includes defective alignment control)
Coupler shank broken or defective (includes defective alignment control) (LOCOMOTIVE)
Failure of articulated connectors
Failure of articulated connectors (LOCOMOTIVE)
Other coupler and draft system defects, (CAR) (Provide detailed description in narrative)
Other coupler and draft system defects, (LOCOMOTIVE) (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Truck Components
E40C
E40L
E41C
E41L
E42C
E42L

Side bearing clearance insufficient
Side bearing clearance insufficient (LOCOMOTIVE)
Side bearing clearance excessive
Side bearing clearance excessive (LOCOMOTIVE)
Side bearing(s) broken
Side bearing(s) broken (LOCOMOTIVE)

Train Accident

Appendix C - 4

Cause Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX C - Continued
E43C
E43L
E44C
E44L
E45C
E45L
E46C
E4AC
E4BC
E46L
E47C
E47L
E48C
E48L
E4TC
E4TL
E49C
E49L

Side bearing(s) missing
Side bearing(s) missing (LOCOMOTIVE)
Truck bolster broken
Truck bolster broken (LOCOMOTIVE)
Side frame broken
Side frame broken (LOCOMOTIVE)
Truck bolster stiff, improper swiveling
Gib Clearance (lateral motion excessive)
Truck bolster stiff (failure to slew)
Truck bolster stiff, improper lateral or improper swiveling (LOCOMOTIVE)
Defective snubbing (including friction and hydraulic)
Defective snubbing (LOCOMOTIVE)
Broken, missing, or otherwise defective springs (including incorrect repair and/or installation)
Broken, missing, or otherwise defective springs (LOCOMOTIVE)
Truck hunting
Truck hunting (LOCOMOTIVE)
Other truck component defects, including mismatched side frames (CAR) (Provide detailed description in
narrative)
Other truck component defects, (LOCOMOTIVE) (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Axles and Journal Bearings
E51C
E51L
E52C
E52L
E53C
E53L
E54C
E54L
E55C
E55L
E59C
E59L

Broken or bent axle between wheel seats
Broken or bent axle between wheel seats (LOCOMOTIVE)
Journal (plain) failure from overheating
Journal (plain) failure from overheating (LOCOMOTIVE)
Journal (roller bearing) failure from overheating
Journal (roller bearing) failure from overheating- LOCOMOTIVE
Journal fractured, new cold break
Journal fractured, new cold break (LOCOMOTIVE)
Journal fractured, cold break, previously overheated
Journal fractured, cold break, previously overheated (LOCOMOTIVE)
Other axle and journal bearing defects (CAR) (Provide detailed description in narrative)
Other axle and journal bearing defects (LOCOMOTIVE) (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Wheels
E60C
E60L
E61C
E61L
E62C
E62L
E63C
E63L
E64C
E64L
E65C
E65L
E66C
E66L

Broken flange
Broken flange (LOCOMOTIVE)
Broken rim
Broken rim (LOCOMOTIVE)
Broken plate
Broken plate (LOCOMOTIVE)
Broken hub
Broken hub (LOCOMOTIVE)
Worn flange
Worn flange (LOCOMOTIVE)
Worn tread
Worn tread (LOCOMOTIVE)
Damaged flange or tread (flat)
Damaged flange or tread (flat) (LOCOMOTIVE)

Train Accident

Appendix C - 5

Cause Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX C - Continued
E67C
E67L
E68C
E68L
E6AC
E6AL
E69C
E69L

Damaged flange or tread (build up)
Damaged flange or tread (build up) (LOCOMOTIVE)
Loose wheel
Loose wheel (LOCOMOTIVE)
Thermal crack, flange or tread
Thermal crack, flange or tread (LOCOMOTIVE)
Other wheel defects (CAR) (Provide detailed description in narrative)
Other wheel defects (LOCOMOTIVE) (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Locomotives
E70L
E71L
E72L
E73L
E74L
E75L
E76L
E77L
E78L
E7AL
E7BL
E79L

Running gear failure (LOCOMOTIVE)
Traction motor failure (LOCOMOTIVE)
Crank case or air box explosion (LOCOMOTIVE)
Oil or fuel fire (LOCOMOTIVE)
Electrically caused fire (LOCOMOTIVE)
Current collector system (LOCOMOTIVE)
Remote control equipment inoperative (LOCOMOTIVE)
Broken or defective swing hanger or spring plank (LOCOMOTIVE)
Pantograph defect (LOCOMOTIVE)
On-board computer - failure to respond (LOCOMOTIVE)
Third rail shoe or shoe beam (LOCOMOTIVE)
Other locomotive defects (Provide detail description in narrative)

Doors
E80C
E81C
E82C
E83C
E84C
E85C
E86C
E89C

Box car plug door open
Box car plug door, attachment defective
Box car plug door, locking lever not in place
Box car door, other than plug, open
Box car door, other than plug, attachment defective
Bottom outlet car door open
Bottom outlet car door attachment defective
Other car door defects (Provide detail description in narrative)

General Mechanical and Electrical Failures
E99C
E99L

Other mechanical and electrical failures, (CAR) (Provide detailed description in narrative)
Other mechanical and electrical failures, (LOCOMOTIVE) (Provide detailed description in narrative)

TRAIN OPERATION - HUMAN FACTORS
Brakes, Use of
H008
H017
H018
H019
H020
H021

Improper operation of train line air connections (bottling the air)
Failure to properly secure engine(s) (railroad employee)
Failure to properly secure hand brake on car(s) (railroad employee)
Failure to release hand brakes on car(s) (railroad employee)
Failure to apply sufficient number of hand brakes on car(s) (railroad employee)
Failure to apply hand brakes on car(s) (railroad employee)

Train Accident

Appendix C - 6

Cause Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX C - Continued
H022
H025
H099

Failure to properly secure engine(s) or car(s) (non railroad employee)
Failure to control speed of car using hand brake (railroad employee)
Use of brakes, other (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Employee Physical Condition
H101
H102
H103
H104
H199

Impairment of efficiency or judgment because of drugs or alcohol
Incapacitation due to injury or illness
Employee restricted in work or motion
Employee asleep
Employee physical condition, other (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Flagging, Fixed, Hand and Radio Signals
H201
H202
H205
H206
H207
H208
H209
H210
H211
H212
H217
H218
H219
H220
H221
H222
H299

Blue Signal, absence of
Blue Signal, improperly displayed
Flagging, improper or failure to flag
Flagging signal, failure to comply
Hand signal, failure to comply
Hand signal improper
Hand signal, failure to give/receive
Radio communication, failure to comply
Radio communication, improper
Radio communication, failure to give/receive
Failure to observe hand signals given during a wayside inspection of moving train
Failure to comply with failed equipment detector warning or with applicable train inspection rules.
Fixed signal (other than automatic block or interlocking signal), improperly displayed.
Fixed signal (other than automatic block or interlocking signal), failure to comply.
Automatic block or interlocking signal displaying a stop indication - failure to comply.*
Automatic block or interlocking signal displaying other than a stop indication - failure to comply.*
Other signal causes (Provide detailed description in narrative)
Note for Codes H221, H222, and H605: For accidents involving noncompliance by crew members
with the indication of block or interlocking signals, the appropriate human factor cause relating to
failure to comply with the signal should always be used as the primary cause. Code H605, “Failure
to comply with restricted speed in connection with the restrictive indication of a block or interlocking
signal,” should be shown as the contributing cause in those accidents arising from noncompliance
with block or interlocking signal conveying a restrictive indication. Code H607 may be used as the
primary cause code when the accident did not involve block or interlocking signals, but arose due to
noncompliance by crew members with timetable special instructions, equipment restrictions, and/or
operating rules or procedures.

General Switching Rules
H301
H302
H303
H304
H305
H306

Car(s) shoved out and left out of clear
Cars left foul
Derail, failure to apply or remove
Hazardous materials regulations, failure to comply
Instruction to train/yard crew improper
Shoving movement, absence of man on or at leading end of movement

Train Accident

Appendix C - 7

Cause Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX C - Continued
H307
H308
H309
H310
H311
H312
H313
H314
H315
H316
H317
H318
H399

Shoving movement, man on or at leading end of movement, failure to control
Skate, failure to remove or place
Failure to stretch cars before shoving
Failure to couple
Moving cars while loading ramp/hose/chute/cables/bridge plate, etc., not in proper position
Passed couplers (other than automated classification yard)
Retarder, improper manual operation
Retarder yard skate improperly applied
Portable derail, improperly applied
Manual intervention of classification yard automatic control system modes by operator
Humping or cutting off in motion equipment susceptible to damage, or to cause damage to other equipment
Kicking or dropping cars, inadequate precautions
Other general switching rules (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Main Track Authority
H401
H402
H403
H404
H405
H406
H499

Failure to stop train in clear
Motor car or on-track equipment rules, failure to comply
Movement of engine(s) or car(s) without authority (railroad employee)
Train order, track warrant, track bulletin, or timetable authority, failure to comply
Train orders, track warrants, direct traffic control, track bulletins, radio, error in preparation, transmission
or delivery
Train orders, track warrants, direct traffic control, track bulletins, written, error in preparation, transmission
or delivery
Other main track authority causes (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Train Handling/Train Makeup
H501
H502
H503
H504
H505
H506
H507
H508
H509
H510
H511
H512
H513
H514
H515
H516
H517
H518
H519
H520
H521
H522
H523

Improper train make-up at initial terminal
Improper placement of cars in train between terminals
Buffing or slack action excessive, train handling
Buffing or slack action excessive, train makeup
Lateral drawbar force on curve excessive, train handling
Lateral drawbar force on curve excessive, train makeup
Lateral drawbar force on curve excessive, car geometry (short car/long car combination)
Improper train make-up
Improper train inspection
Automatic brake, insufficient (H001) -- see note after cause H599
Automatic brake, excessive (H002)
Automatic brake, failure to use split reduction (H003)
Automatic brake, other improper use (H004)
Failure to allow air brakes to fully release before proceeding (H005)
Failure to properly cut-out brake valves on locomotives (H006)
Failure to properly cut-in brake valves on locomotives (H007)
Dynamic brake, insufficient (H009)
Dynamic brake, excessive (H010)
Dynamic brake, too rapid adjustment (H011)
Dynamic brake, excessive axles (H012)
Dynamic brake, other improper use (H013)
Throttle (power), improper use (H014)
Throttle (power), too rapid adjustment (H015)

Train Accident

Appendix C - 8

Cause Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX C - Continued
H524
H525
H526
H599

Excessive horsepower (H016)
Independent (engine) brake, improper use (except actuation) (H023)
Failure to actuate off independent brake (H024)
Other causes relating to train handling or makeup (Provide detailed description in narrative)
Note:

The description of the causes for codes H510 through H526 were originally found in
subgroup “Brakes, Use of.” It has been decided that these causes are more
appropriate to the “Train Handling/Train Makeup” subgroup. Consequently, it
was necessary to assign new codes in order to maintain the coding convention and to
simplify grouping of causes by computer. The original code has been appended to
the description to aid in data conversion.

Speed
H601
H602
H603
H604
H605
H606
H607
H699

Coupling speed excessive
Switching movement, excessive speed
Train on main track inside yard limits, excessive speed
Train outside yard limits, in block signal or interlocking territory, excessive speed
Failure to comply with restricted speed in connection with the restrictive indication of a block or
interlocking signal.
Train outside yard limits in nonblock territory, excessive speed
Failure to comply with restricted speed or its equivalent not in connection with a block or interlocking
signal.
Speed, other (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Switches, Use of
H701
H702
H703
H704
H705
H706
H707
H799

Spring Switch not cleared before reversing
Switch improperly lined
Switch not latched or locked
Switch previously run through
Moveable point switch frog improperly lined
Switch improperly lined, radio controlled
Radio controlled switch not locked effectively (Human Error)
Use of switches, other (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Cab Signals
H821
H822
H823
H824
H899

Automatic cab signal, failure to comply
Automatic cab signal cut out
Automatic train-stop device cut out
Automatic train control device cut out
Other causes relating to cab signals (provide detailed description in narrative)

Miscellaneous
H991
H992
H993

Tampering with safety/protective device(s)
Operation of locomotive by uncertified/unqualified person
Human Factor - track

Train Accident

Appendix C - 9

Cause Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX C - Continued
Example: Track is inspected and an FRA defect is found; however, the track supervisor decides to
delay repairs and does not slow order that location. A derailment occurs which is attributable to the
defective track condition.
Example: A railroad employee (or a contracted employee), while using a bulldozer to rerail cars,
caused damage to the rail on an adjacent main track. A train passing on this adjacent main track
derailed due to the damage caused by the bulldozer operated by the railroad employee (or an
employee contracted by the railroad).
H994

Human Factor - Signal installation or maintenance error (field)
Example: A signal maintainer was servicing the signal system. It was later determined during the
investigation of a rear-end collision that the signal maintainer made an installation/maintenance
error resulting in an incorrect aspect being displayed in the wayside signal or cab signal.

H99A
H99B
H99C
H99D
H99E
H995

Human Factor - Signal - Train Control - Installation or maintenance error (shop).
Human Factor - Signal - Train Control - Operator Input On-board computer incorrect data entry.
Human Factor - Signal - Train Control - Operator Input On-board computer incorrect data provided
Computer system design error (non vendor)
Computer system configuration/management error (non vendor)
Human Factor - Motive power and equipment
Example: A car inspector observes an obvious thin flange wheel that normally requires the car to be
removed from service. However, because the train is ready to leave, he elects to leave in service. The
wheel splits the next switch point and the car derails.

H996
H997
H999

Oversized loads or Excess Height/Width cars, misrouted or switched.
Motor car or other on-track equipment rules (other than main track authority) - Failure to Comply.
Other train operation/human factors (Provide detailed description in narrative)

MISCELLANEOUS CAUSES NOT OTHERWISE LISTED
Environmental Conditions
M101
M102
M103
M104
M105
M199

Snow, ice, mud, gravel, coal, sand, etc. on track
Extreme environmental condition - TORNADO
Extreme environmental condition - FLOOD
Extreme environmental condition - DENSE FOG
Extreme environmental condition - EXTREME WIND VELOCITY
Other extreme environmental conditions (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Loading Procedures
M201
M202
M203
M204
M206
M207
M208

Load shifted
Load fell from car
Overloaded car
Improperly loaded car
Trailer or container tiedown equipment improperly applied
Overloaded container/trailer on flat car
Improperly loaded container/trailer on flat car

Train Accident

Appendix C - 10

Cause Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX C - Continued
M299

Miscellaneous loading procedures (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accidents
M301
M302
M303
M304
M305
M306
M307
M308
M309
M310
M399

Highway user impairment because of drug or alcohol usage (as determined by local authorities, e.g., police)
Highway user inattentiveness
Highway user misjudgment under normal weather and traffic conditions
Highway user cited for violation of highway-rail grade crossing traffic laws
Highway user unawareness due to environmental factors (angle of sun, etc.)
Highway user inability to stop due to extreme weather conditions (dense fog, ice or snow packed road, etc.)
Malfunction, improper operation of train activated warning devices
Highway user deliberately disregarded crossing warning devices
Suicide (Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident)
Attempted Suicide (Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident)
Other causes (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Unusual Operational Situations
M401
M402
M403
M404
M405
M406
M407
M408
M409
M410
M411

Emergency brake application to avoid accident
Object or equipment on or fouling track (motor vehicle - other than highway-rail crossing)
Object or equipment on or fouling track (livestock)
Object or equipment on or fouling track - other than above (for vandalism, see code M503)
Interaction of lateral/vertical forces (includes harmonic rock off)
Fire, other than vandalism, involving on-track equipment
Automatic hump retarder failed to sufficiently slow car due to foreign material on wheels of car being
humped
Yard skate slid and failed to stop cars
Objects such as lading chains or straps fouling switches
Objects such as lading chains or straps fouling wheels
Passed couplers (automated classification yard)

Other Miscellaneous
M501
M502
M503
M504
M505
M506
M507
M509
M510
M599

Interference (other than vandalism) with railroad operations by non-railroad employee
Vandalism of on-track equipment, e.g., brakes released
Vandalism of track or track appliances, e.g., objects placed on track, switch thrown, etc.
Failure by non-railroad employee, e.g., industry employee, to control speed of car using hand brake
Cause under active investigation by reporting railroad (Amended report will be forwarded when reporting
railroad’s active investigation has been completed.)
Track damage caused by non-railroad interference with track structure
Investigation complete, cause could not be determined (When using this code, the narrative must include
the reason(s) why the cause of the accident/incident could not be determined.)
Suicide (Other Miscellaneous)
Attempted suicide (Other Miscellaneous)
Other miscellaneous causes (Provide detailed description in narrative)

Train Accident

Appendix C - 11

Cause Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX C - Continued
Definitions and Guidelines to support Train Accident Cause Codes
1.

“Fixed Signal”
A signal of fixed location indicating a condition affecting the movement of a train or
engine. Note: The definition of a “Fixed Signal” covers such signals as switch, train
order, block, interlocking, semaphore, disc, stop board, yard limit boards, direct traffic
control signs, or other means for displaying indications that govern the movement of a
train or engine.
Codes H219 and H220 have been designed to capture accidents/incidents that result from
fixed signals other than automatic block or interlocking signals. Events of this type
would result from the improper display of, or failure to comply with, switch targets; train
order signals that are not a part of the automatic block or interlocking signal system;
semaphore signals; discs; stop boards at railroad crossings or other locations; and/or yard
limit boards. Code H219 is to be used for improper display, and Code 220 for failure to
comply.

Train Accident

Appendix C - 12

Cause Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX D
Employee Job Codes
EXECUTIVES, OFFICIALS, AND STAFF ASSISTANTS
101

Executives and General Officers

President, Vice President, Asst. Vice President, Controller,
General Counsel, Treasurer, Director (head of
subdepartment), General Supt., (subdept. head), Chief
Engineer, General Manager (department or subdepartment
head), Chief Medical Officer.

102

Corporate Staff Managers

Director (other than subdepartment head), Asst. Director,
Asst. General Manager (not regional), Manager, Asst.
Manager, Asst. Chief Engineer, Purchasing Agent, Asst.
General Counsel, Superintendent (not division), Asst. to
(corporate, executive or general officer), Executive Asst.
(to corporate executive) Budget Officer.

103

Regional and Division Officers’ Assistants
and Staff Assistants

Asst. General Manager, Asst. Regional Manager, General
Supt., Asst. to General Manager, Division Supt., Master
Mechanic, District Engineer, Asst. Superintendent, Captain
of Police, Division Engineer.

104

Transportation Officers/Managers

Trainmaster, Asst. Train Master, General Yardmaster,
General Road Foreman, Road Foreman, Asst. Road
Foreman, Chief Power Supervisor (motive).

100

Executives, Officials, and Staff Assistants
(other)

Executives, Officials, and Staff Assistants not listed above.

PROFESSIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
201

Professionals (other than those reported in
101 and 102)

General Attorney, Asst. General Attorney, Attorney,
Commerce Counsel, Medical Officer, Surgeon, Company
Surgeon, Engineer, Architect, Chief Chemist, Nurse,
General Accountant, Corporate Accountant, Supervisor
Programming, Senior Computer System Specialist, Senior
System Analyst, Chief Draftsman.

202

Subprofessionals

Draftsman, Chemist, Asst. Chemist, X-ray Technician,
Supervisor Estimating, Junior Engineer, Engineering
Trainee, Photographer, Computer Programmer, Computer
Analyst, Market Analyst, Pricing Analyst, Employment
Supervisor, Research Analyst.

203

Auditors, Traveling Auditors

Traveling Auditor, Accounting Specialist Auditors,
Operations Traveling Auditors, Station Auditors.

Appendix D - 1

Employee Job Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX D - Continued
204

General & Administrative Supervisors

205

Sales & Traffic Representatives & Agents

Freight Traffic Agent, Coal Traffic Agent, Sales
Representative, Freight Sales Representative, Freight
Traffic Representative, Passenger Sales Representative.

206

Freight and Other Claims Agents and
Investigators

Claim Agent, Claim Investigator, Freight Claim Agent,
Freight Claim Investigator.

207

Supervising & Chief Claim Agents

Chief Claim Agent, Chief Freight Claim Agent, Asst. Chief
Claim Agent, Chief District Claim Agent, District Freight
Claim Agent, Chief Claim Investigator.

208

Lieutenants & Sergeants of Police

Police Lieutenant, Police Sergeant.

209

Police Officers, Watcher and Guards
(Except Crossing and Bridge)

Police Officer, Patrolman, Watchman, Guard.

210

Inspectors (Except Maintenance of Way &
Equipment), Other Investigators, Examiners,
Instructors, and Other Agents (Except
Station Agents)

Rules Examiner, Supervisor Rules, Safety Supervisor,
Safety Inspector, Fire Marshall, Fire Chief, Instructor,
Supervisor Procedures, Supervisor Yard Procedures, Real
Estate Agent, Real Estate Supervisor, Tax Agent.

211

Buyers, and Sales Agents

Buyer, Asst. Buyer, Sales Agent, Asst. Sales Agent.

212

Clerical Technicians and Clerical Specialists

Lead Clerk, Staff Asst., (clerical, Statistician, Cashier,
Teller, Asst. Statistician, Rate Clerk, Pricing Clerk,
Computer Technician.

General Supervisor, Supervisor, Chief Clerk, Office
Supervisor, Supervisor Administration Office Manager,
Supervising Clerk, Head Clerk, Asst. Chief Clerk,
Supervising Cashier, Division Supervisor, Regional
Supervisor, Budget Supervisor, Administrative Supervisor,
Manager of Materials, Administrative Asst.

213

Office Machine and Data Equipment
Operators

Machine Operator, Clerk, Computer Operator, Keypunch
Operator, Office Machine Technician.

214

Secretaries, Stenographers, and Typists

Secretary, Stenographer, Typists, Clerk Typists, Stenoclerk.

215

General and Other Clerks (excluding yard
clerk and crew dispatcher)

File Clerk, General Clerk, Bookkeeper, Ticket Clerk,
Records Clerk, Trace Clerk, Assignment Clerk, Personnel
Clerk, M O W Clerks, M of W Clerks.

216

Telephone & Switchboard Operators

Switchboard Operator, Chief Operator.

217

Building & Office Attendants

Elevator Operator, Elevator Starter, Janitor, Cleaner,
Porter.

218

Messengers & Office Persons

Messenger, Office Person.

219

Motor Vehicle Operators

Truck Driver, Bus Driver, Driver, Chauffeur.

Appendix D - 2

Employee Job Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX D - Continued
200

Professional and Administrative (other)

Professional and Administrative not listed above.

MAINTENANCE OF WAY AND STRUCTURES
301

Supervisors, Maintenance of Way,
Structures, Communication & Signals

Roadmaster, Division Roadmaster, Supervisor Track,
Supervisor Bridge and Buildings, Supervisor
Communications and Signals, Asst. Supervisor,
General Foreman (MW&S), Asst., General Foreman
(MW&S), Master Carpenter.

302

Maintenance of Way, Structures,
Communication and Signals, and Scale Inspectors

Chief Bridge & Building Inspector, Chief
Scale Inspector, Bridge & Building Inspector,
Roadway Equipment Inspector, Track & Roadway
Inspector, Instrument Man, Roadman, Chairman,
Inspector Communications & Signals, Signal
Inspector.

303

Bridge and Building Gang Foreman

Gang Foreman, Lead Workman.

304

Bridge and Building Carpenters

Carpenter.

305

Bridge and Building Ironworkers

Ironworker.

306

Bridge and Building Painters

Painter, Sign Painter.

307

Masons, Bricklayers, Plasterers, and Plumbers

Mason, Bricklayer, Plasterer, Plumber, Operator,
Grinder, Welder (M of W).

308

Bridge and Building Helpers and Apprentices

Carpenter Helper, Ironworker Helper, Mason Helper,
Plumber Helper, Painter Helper, Apprentice
Carpenter, Apprentice Ironworker, Apprentice
Mason, Plumber Apprentice, Apprentice Painter,
Welder Helper.

309

Bridge and Building Gang and Bridge and
Building Dept. Laborers

Bridge and Building Laborer.

310

Track Gang Foreman (Extra Gang work
train laborers)

Gang Foreman, Asst. Foreman.

311

Gang or Section Foreman

Gang Foreman, Asst. Foreman, Section Foreman.

312

Extra Gang Laborers

Trackman, Fence Laborer.

313

Section Laborers

Track, Track and Roadway Section Laborer.

314

Machine Operators

Craneman, Portable Equipment Engineer, Portable
Equipment Operator, Helper.

Appendix D - 3

Employee Job Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX D - Continued
315

Gang Foreman, Communications

Gang Foreman, Asst. Gang Foreman, Lead
Signal Maintainer.

316

Signalmen & Signal Maintainers

Signalman, Signal Maintainer.

317

Linemen, Groundmen, and Communications
Craftsman

Electrical Worker (Lineman), Electrical Worker
(Groundman Communications Maintainer).

318

Assistant Signalmen and Assistant Signal
Maintainers

Asst. Signalman, Asst. Signal Maintainer.

319

Signal Helpers and Signal Maintainer
Helpers

Signalman Helper, Signal Maintainer Helper.

320

Camp Car Cooks

Camp Car Cook, Camp Car Helpers.

300

Maintenance of Way and Structures

Maintenance of Way and Structures not listed above.

MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT AND STORES
401

Supervisors and General Foremen
Maintenance of Equipment

General Foreman Shop, General Foreman Engine house,
General Foreman Diesel Terminal, Asst. General Foreman
(M of E).

402

Supervisors and General Foremen, Materials
and Stores

Supervisor Materials, Asst. Supervisor, Materials, General
Foreman Stores, General Foreman Reclamation Plant,
Asst. General Foreman.

403

Equipment, Shop, Electrical Inspectors

Chief Electrical Inspector, Chip Shop & Equipment
Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Inspector Diesel
Locomotive, Fuel Inspector.

404

Materials and Supplies Inspectors

Materials & Supplies Inspector, Chief Materials &
Supplies Inspector, Timber Inspector, Tie Inspector.

405

Storekeeper

Storekeeper, Assistant, Storekeeper, Materials Clerk, Store
Clerk.

406

Gang Foremen, Maintenance of Equipment

Gang Foreman.

407

Blacksmith

Blacksmith.

408

Boilermakers

Boilermaker.

409

Carmen (Freight)

Car Repairman, Car Inspector, Carman, Painter.

410

Carmen (Other)

Carman.

411

Electrical Workers (A)

Electrician, Electrical Worker.

412

Electrical Workers (B)

Crane Operator, Lead Dispatcher, Power Station Operator,

Appendix D - 4

Employee Job Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX D - Continued
Asst. Power Director.
413

Electrical Workers (C)

Coal and Ore Elevator Operator (electrical), Grain
Elevator Operator (electrical).

414

Machinists

Machinist.

415

Sheet Metal Workers

Sheet Metal Worker.

416

Skilled Trades, Helpers, Maintenance of
Equipment and Stores

Helper.

417

Apprentices, Maintenance of Equipment and
Stores

Apprentice, Helper Apprentice.

418

Coach Cleaners

Coach Cleaner.

419

Laborers: Shops, Engine houses, and Power
Plants

Laborer.

420

Gang Foreman, Materials and Stores

Gang Foreman.

421

Equipment Operators and General Laborers,
Materials and Stores

Laborer, Materials Handler, Equipment Operators,
Machine Operators.

422

Stationary Engineers

Chief Engineer (Steam Plant), Engineer, Stationary
Engineer.

423

Stationary Fireman

Stationary Fireman, Power Equipment Operator, Helper,
Oiler.

400

Maintenance of Equipment and Stores (other)

Maintenance of Equipment and Stores not listed above.

TRANSPORTATION, OTHER THAN TRAIN AND ENGINE
501

Transportation Supervisor and Chief Train
Dispatcher

Chief Train Dispatcher, Supervisor Train Operations,
Transportation Supervisor, Supervisor Train Operations,
Supervisor Locomotive & Car Distribution, Asst. Chief
Train Dispatcher.

502

Train Dispatchers

Train Dispatcher.

503

Station, Freight and Passenger Agents

Supervising Station Agent, Asst. Supervising Station
Agent, Station Agent, Freight Agent, Passenger Agent,
Ticket Agent, Traveling Agent, Agent Operators.

504

Chief Operators and Wire Chiefs

Supervising Operator, Chief Operator, Asst. Supervising
Operator, Wire Chief.

505

Clerk Operators, Towermen, Train Directors

Clerk Operator, Block Operator, Operator, Towerman,
Train Directors.

Appendix D - 5

Employee Job Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX D - Continued
506

Station Masters and Asst., Supervising
Baggage Agents, Baggage Agents and Asst.

507

Baggage, Parcel Room and Station Attendants Baggage Attendant, Parcel Room Attendant, Station
Attendant, Gateman, Announcer, Station Usher, Red Cap,
Information Bureau Attendant.

508

General and Assistant General Foremen,
Stations, Warehouses, Grain Elevators, and
Docks

General Foreman, Asst. General Foreman.

509

Gang Foremen, Stations, Warehouses, Grain
Elevators and Docks

Gang Foreman.

510

Grain Elevator and Dock Laborers

Laborer.

511

Station and Warehouse Laborers

Loader, Sealer.

512

Truckers (Station, Warehouse & Platforms).

Trucker.

513

Food and Lodging Manager, Supervisors

Manager Lodging House, Restaurant Manager, Dining Car
Supervisor, Dining Car Steward.

514

Transportation and Dining Service Inspectors

Instructor Chef, Restaurant Inspectors, Freight Service
Inspector, Baggage Inspector.

515

Waiters and Kitchen Helpers (Restaurant
and Dining Car)

Waiter-in-charge, Waiter.

516

Chefs and Cooks (Restaurant and Dining Car)

Chef, Cook.

517

Marine Officers and Workers and Shore
Workers

Captain, Engineer, Mate, Deckhand, Oiler Purser, Boat
Master, Fireman, Wharf Master, Able Seaman,
Baggageman, Boat Dispatcher.

518

Train Attendants

Porter, Buffet Lounge Attendant, Stewardess.

519

Bridge Operators and Helpers

Bridge Operator.

520

Bridge and Crossing Flagman & Gateman

Bridge Flagman, Crossing Gateman.

521

Yard Clerks

Yard Clerk, Yard Clerk Caller, Yard Demurrage Clerk,
Yard Dispatcher Clerk, Piggyback Clerk.

522

Crew Dispatchers

Crew Dispatcher, Crew Caller.

523

Yardmaster & Asst. Yardmasters

Yardmaster, Asst. Yardmaster.

500

Transportation, Other Than Train and
Engine (others)

Transportation, Other Than Train and Engine not listed
above.

Station Master, Asst. Station Master, Supervising Baggage
Agent, Baggage Agent, Asst. Baggage Agent, Parcel
Room Agent.

Appendix D - 6

Employee Job Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX D - Continued

TRANSPORTATION, TRAIN AND ENGINE
601

Switchtenders

Switchtender.

602

Car Retarder Operators and Ground Service
Employees

Car Retarder Operator, Skatesman, Herder, Yard Pilot.

603

Outside Hostlers

Outside Hostler.

604

Outside Hostler Helpers

Outside Hostler Helper.

605

Inside Hostler

Inside Hostler.

606

Road Passenger Conductors

Passenger Conductor.

607

Asst. Road Passenger Conductors and Ticket
Collectors

Asst. Passenger Conductor, Ticket Collector.

608

Road Freight Conductors (Through Freight).

Freight Conductor, Work Train Conductor, (paid through
rate).

609

Road Freight Conductors (Local and Way
Freight)

Freight Conductor, Work Train Conductor, (paid local
rate).

610

Lead Passenger Baggageperson

Baggageperson.

611

Lead Passenger Brakemen and Flagmen

Passenger Brakeman, Passenger Flagmen.

612

Road Freight Brakemen and Flagmen
(Through Freight)

Freight Brakeman, Freight Flagman, Work Train
Brakeman (paid through rate).

613

Road Freight Brakemen and Flagmen (Local
and Way Freight)

Freight Brakeman, Freight Flagman, Work Train
Brakeman, (paid local rate).

614

Yard Conductors and Yard Foremen

Yard Conductor, Yard Foreman.

615

Yard Brakemen and Yard Helpers

Yard Brakeman, Yard Helper.

616

Road Passenger Engineers and Motormen

Passenger Engineer, Motorman Operator.

617

Road Freight Engineers (Through Freight).

Freight Engineer, Work Train Engineer (paid through
rate).

618

Road Freight Engineers (Local and Way
Freight).

Freight Engineer, Work Train Engineer (paid local rate).

619

Yard Engineers

Yard Engineer.

620

Road Passenger Firemen and Helpers

Passenger Fireman.

Appendix D - 7

Employee Job Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX D - Continued
621

Road Freight Firemen and Helpers,
(Through Freight)

Freight Fireman.

622

Road Freight Fireman and Helpers, (Local
and Way Freight)

Freight Fireman.

623

Yard Firemen and Helpers

Yard Fireman.

630

Remote Control Locomotive Operator Operating

Person operating remote control locomotive at the
time of the injury regardless of any other job title.

631

Remote Control Locomotive Operator - Not
Operating

Person carrying remote control locomotive device at the
time of the injury regardless of any other job title.

600

Transportation, Train and Engine (other)

Transportation, Train and Engine not listed above.

Appendix D - 8

Employee Job Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX E
Injury and Illness Codes
INJURIES
Use the codes on this page to identify the nature and body part affected for both fatal and
nonfatal injuries. For example, a broken collarbone would be recorded as “706E.” When an
individual has sustained multiple injuries, the most severe of these is to be identified. If the
injuries are of equal severity, for example, cuts or abrasions on arms and legs, then the multiple
location code “8” may be used.
NATURE OF INJURY CODES
10 Bruise or contusion
13 Crushing injury
20 Sprain or strain
30 Cut/laceration or abrasion
35 Puncture wound (other than needle stick)
36 Needle stick
40 Electrical shock or burn
50 Other burns
60 Dislocation
70 Fracture (broken bone)
71 Rupture/tear, e.g., tendon, cartilage (for hernia,
use code 92)
72 Gunshot/knife wounds
74 Animal/snake/insect bite
75 Dental related
80 Amputation

90 FATALLY INJURED
91 Foreign object in eye
92 Hernia
93 Concussion/closed head injury
94 Nervous shock (injury related)
95 Internal injury
96 Loss of eye
97 Reaction from one-time external
exposure to chemicals, e.g., solvents, creosote.
98 Symptoms due to one-time exposure to loud
noise, e.g., an explosion
9A Symptoms due to one-time inhalation exposure to
airborne contamination that does not exceed a
single duty tour and without long term or
permanent consequences
9B Medical removal (under OSHA medical
surveillance requirements)
99 All other injuries

LOCATION OF INJURY CODES
1 Arm or hand:
A - upper arm
B - elbow
C - lower arm
D - wrist
E - hand (general)
F - thumb/fingers
G - finger/thumb nail(s)

5 Head or face:
A - eye
G - eye area (not eyeball), e.g., eye lid
B - ear and surrounding area
C - nose
D - mouth/teeth
E - skull/scalp
F - neck/throat
H - jaw/chin
I - cheek
J - forehead
K - intracranial

Appendix E - 1

Injury and Illness Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
APPENDIX E - Continued
3 Leg or foot:
A - upper leg
B - knee
C - lower leg
D - ankle
E - heel
F - toes
G - foot (general)

6 Torso:
A - spine/spinal cord
B - upper back
C - lower back
D - shoulder (includes rotator cuff)
E - collar bone
F - ribs/sternum
G - internal injuries
H- external injuries - other
I - hips/buttocks/pelvis
J - genitalia/groin area
K - abdomen
L - chest

8 Injuries to multiple body
parts of relatively
equal severity

9 Other body parts

OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS CODES
Occupational Skin Diseases or Disorders
1101

Dermatitis (inflammation of the skin)

1102

Eczema - inflammation of the skin characterized by the formation of vesicles (blisters) which may be
either acute or chronic

1103

Rash caused by primary irritants and sensitizers or poisonous plants

1104

Oil acne - sometimes known as oil folliculitis, it is an inflammation of the hair follicles caused by
depositing of oil into them, resulting in inflammation, swelling, redness and pus formation

1105

Chrome ulcers - pitted sores of the skin that are slow or resistant to healing, caused by exposure to
chromium salts

1107

Other occupational skin diseases or disorders

1109

DEATH resulting from occupational skin diseases or disorders

Dust Diseases of the Lungs (Pneumoconioses)
1111

Silicosis - caused by the depositing of dust containing free silica into the lung

1112

Asbestosis - caused by the presence of asbestos in the lung

1113

Coal worker's pneumoconiosis (formerly known as black lung) - caused by the depositing of coal dust
in the lung

Appendix E - 2

Injury and Illness Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
APPENDIX E - Continued
1114

Byssinosis (formerly known as brown lung) - caused by the depositing of cotton dust in the lung

1115

Pneumoconioses, other. Other lung diseases characterized by the presence of dust in the lungs and the
lungs reaction to that dust.

1119

DEATH resulting from dust diseases of the lungs

Respiratory Conditions Due to Toxic Agents
1121

Pneumonitis - inflammation of the lungs

1122

Pharyngitis - inflammation of the throat

1123

Rhinitis - inflammation of the nose

1124

Acute congestion due to chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

1125

Farmers lung

1126

Other respiratory conditions due to toxic agents

1129

DEATH resulting from respiratory conditions due to toxic agents

Poisoning (Systemic Effects of Toxic Materials)
1131

Poisoning by lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, or other metals

1132

Poisoning by carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide or other gases

1133

Poisoning by benzol, carbon tetrachloride, or other organic solvents

1134

Poisoning by insecticide sprays such as parathion, lead arsenate

1135

Poisoning by chemicals such as formaldehyde, plastics and resins

1136

Other poisoning due to the systemic effects of toxic materials

1139

DEATH resulting from poisoning

Disorders Due to Physical Agents (Other than Toxic Materials
1141

Heat stroke/sun stroke - serious heat-related condition in which the patient often stops sweating and
experiences a marked rise in core temperature

Appendix E - 3

Injury and Illness Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
APPENDIX E - Continued
1142

Effects of ionizing radiation - refers to the various effects of ionizing radiation, e.g. gamma rays or xrays

1143

Effects of non-ionizing radiation - refers to the effects of electro-magnetic radiation, e.g., radio waves,
microwaves, welding flash, ultraviolet rays of the sun, etc.

1144

Heat exhaustion - heat-related condition of moderate degree which, if not treated, may lead to heat
stroke.

1145

Freezing/frostbite - freezing of tissue with disruption of the blood supply

1146

Other disorders due to physical agents other than toxic materials

1149

DEATH resulting from physical agents (other than toxic materials)

Disorders Due to Repeated Trauma
1151

Noise-induced hearing loss - a standard threshold shift (STS). An STS is a change in hearing noiseinduced hearing loss. If an employee’s hearing test (audiogram) reveals that the employee has
experienced a work-related STS in hearing in one or both ears, and the employee’s total hearing level is
25 decibels (dB) or more above audiometric zero (averaged at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz) in the same
ear(s) as the STS, you must report the case on Form FRA F 6180.55a.
A standard threshold shift, or STS, is defined in the occupational noise exposure standard at 29 CFR
1910.95(g)(10)(i) as a change in hearing threshold, relative to the baseline audiogram for that employee,
of an average of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in one or both ears.
STS. If the employee has never previously experienced a recordable hearing loss, you must compare
the employee’s current audiogram with that employee’s baseline audiogram. If the employee has
previously experienced a recordable hearing loss, you must compare the employee’s current audiogram
with the employee’s revised baseline audiogram (the audiogram reflecting the employee’s previous
recordable hearing loss case).
25-dB loss. Audiometric test results reflect the employee’s overall hearing ability in comparison to
audiometric zero. Therefore, using the employee’s current audiogram, you must use the average
hearing level at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz to determine whether or not the employee’s total hearing level
is 25 dB or more.
See additional instructions in Chapter 6.

1152

Synovitis - inflammation of the membrane around a joint or other musculoskeletal element

1153

Tenosynovitis - inflammation of the tendon (fibrous tissue that connects the muscle to a bone) or the
membrane that surrounds it, e.g., epicondylitis or tendinitis.

1154

Bursitis - inflammation of the bursa (a membranous pouch that is used for cushioning the joints

Appendix E - 4

Injury and Illness Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
APPENDIX E - Continued
1155

Raynaud’s phenomena - a symptom complex usually related to poor circulation of an extremity
characterized by loss of feeling, blanching (whitening) and coolness of the part, typically a finger, toe,
hand, or foot

1156

Carpal tunnel syndrome

1157

Other conditions associated with repeated motion, vibration, pressure, or repeated trauma.

1159

DEATH resulting from repeated trauma

Other Occupational Illnesses Not Listed above
1191

Anthrax - bacterial disease, typically spread from infected animals to humans

1192

Brucellosis - an infectious bacterial disease spread by contact with the tissues, blood, urine or fetuses of
contaminated animals

1193

Infectious hepatitis (also known as hepatitis A) - infection of the liver, characterized by fever,
abdominal pain, loss of appetite and in severe cases, jaundice

1194

Malignant tumors - tumors which spread beyond their original boundaries to distant organs and will
generally result in death if not treated

1195

Benign tumors - tumors that do not spread beyond the original tumor mass except through local growth
and do not pose the same risk of distant spread, disease, and death as seen in malignant tumors

1196

Stress related (determined by a qualified health care professional)

1197

Histoplasmosis/Coccidiomycosis - fungal infectious diseases

119E

Emotional Trauma/nervous shock

1198

All other occupational illnesses other than those classified above

1199

DEATH resulting from other occupational illnesses

Appendix E - 5

Injury and Illness Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX F
Circumstance Codes
1.

Physical Act (Page F-2)

Location - Parts I, II, and III (Page F-4)

Event (Page F-6)

Tools, Machinery, Appliances, Structures, Surfaces, etc. (Page F-8)

Probable Reason for Injury/Illness (Page F-10)

A complete record of all of factors associated with an injury or illness would be beneficial in
prevention analysis. However, it is not practical, even if it were possible, to develop forms and
codes that would capture every detail that may be associated with each incident. When selecting
circumstance codes, use a combination that best identifies the key factors without duplicating
information identified by another code. The narrative portion of the report is to be used to
provide additional information concerning those items that cannot be adequately described on the
coded portions of the form.

Appendix F - 1

Circumstance Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
APPENDIX F - Continued
PHYSICAL ACT CIRCUMSTANCE CODES
(What was the person doing when hurt?)
Select one of these codes and enter in Form F6180.55a, 5j. Physical Act.
01 Adjusting coupler
02 Adjusting drawbar
03 Adjusting, other
04 Applying rail anchor/fastener
B3 Arresting/apprehending/subduing
A2 Ascending
05 Bending, stooping
06 Carrying
07 Chaining, cabling car or locomotive
08 Cleaning/scrubbing
09 Climbing over/on
10 Closing
13 Coupling air hose
11 Coupling electric cables
12 Coupling steam hose
16 Crossing between
15 Crossing or crawling under
14 Crossing over
17 Cutting rail
18 Cutting vegetation
19 Cutting, other
77 Derail, applying
79 Derail, other
78 Derail, removing
A3 Descending
20 Digging, excavating
21 Driving (motor vehicle, forklift, etc.)
A4 Exercising
22 Flagging
23 Fueling
A5 Getting in
A6 Getting out
25 Getting off
24 Getting on
26 Grinding
74 Handbrakes, applying
75 Handbrakes, releasing
76 Handbrakes, other
27 Handling baggage
28 Handling car parts
30 Handling locomotive parts
29 Handling material, general
33 Handling other track material/supplies

34 Handling poles
37 Handling rail
35 Handling tie plates
36 Handling ties
31 Handling wheels/trucks
32 Handling, other
A7 Hauling
38 Inspecting
39 Installing
40 Jumping from
41 Jumping onto
42 Laying
44 Lifting equipment (tools, parts, etc.)
43 Lifting other material
45 Lining switches
46 Lining, other
47 Loading/unloading
B6 Lying down
48 Maintaining/servicing
A8 Moving
49 Opening
50 Opening/closing angle cock
51 Operating
53 Pulling
52 Pulling pin lifter/operating uncoupling lever
54 Pushing
55 Reaching
56 Removing rail anchors/fasteners
57 Repairing
A1 Replacing
58 Riding
59 Running
B2 Sanding
B1 Servicing
60 Sitting
B4 Sleeping
61 Spiking (installation/removal)
62 Standing
B5 Stepped on
80 Stepping across (passenger cars)
63 Stepping up
64 Stepping down
65 Stepping over

Appendix F - 2

Circumstance Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
APPENDIX F - Continued
PHYSICAL ACT CIRCUMSTANCE CODES
(Continued from previous page)
66 Uncoupling air hose
68 Uncoupling electric cables
67 Uncoupling steam hose
69 Using hand signals
70 Using hand tool
71 Using, other
72 Walking
A9 Washing
73 Welding (includes field welding)
99 Other (Narrative must be provided)

Appendix F - 3

Circumstance Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
APPENDIX F - Continued
LOCATION CIRCUMSTANCE CODES
Select one code from each part and enter in Form F6180.55a, 5k. Location. Enter Part I followed
by Part II, then Part III.
Part I of Code
Did A/I occur on or near rail right of way? If so, select code that best describes the type of track.
A Main/branch
B Yard
C Siding

D Industry
E Repair
Y Other track (explain in narrative)

If A/I did not occur on or near rail right of way, select code that best describes the location.
G Break/lunch room
H Freight terminal
J Highway/roadway
K Loading dock
L Lodging facility
M Office environment

N Parking lot
P Passenger terminal
Q Repair shop
R Storage facility
S Sidewalk/walkway
T Other, (off site location)
Z Other location (describe in narrative)

Part II of Code
If A/I involved rail equipment, select code that best describes type of equipment involved.
01 Camp car - moving
02 Camp car - standing
06 Freight car(s) - moving
05 Freight car(s) - standing
03 Freight train - moving
04 Freight train - standing
07 Hy-rail/other inspection vehicle - moving
08 Hy-rail/other inspection vehicle - standing
09 Locomotive(s), not remote controlled - standing
10 Locomotive(s), not remote controlled - moving
18 Locomotive(s), remote control - moving
17 Locomotive(s), remote control - standing
12 Maintenance of way equipment - moving
11 Maintenance of way equipment - standing
15 Passenger car(s) - moving
16 Passenger car(s) - standing
14 Passenger train - moving
13 Passenger train - standing
49 Other on-track equipment - moving
50 Other on-track equipment - standing

Other self-propelled equipment, or equipment used in
transportation
51 Automobile
65 Bus
52 Crane, hoists, etc.
53 Excavating machinery
54 Grading/surfacing machinery
55 Loaders, forklifts, tractor, etc
64 Motorcycle
56 Off road vehicle - industrial
57 Off road vehicle - recreational
58 Other construction type equipment
98 Other equipment (explain in narrative)
97 Other operated equipment (explain in narrative)
59 Taxi/commercial vehicle
66 Tractor
60 Truck
62 Van (passenger)
61 Van (utility)
63 Water vehicle, ship, boat, barge, etc.
99 The A/I was not associated with on-track equipment or
any listed vehicle type

Appendix F - 4

Circumstance Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
APPENDIX F - Continued
Part III of Code
Select the code that best identifies the location of the person whose injury/illness is being reported.
A1 Alongside of on-track equipment - on ground
G2 Area between Coupled Car and Platform
G3 Area along Car Body, other than Threshold Plate
and Platform Edge
A2 At work station
A5 Between cars/locomotives
A7 Car, in (rail car)
G4 Car in Vestibule
B8 Car, on end of (rail car)
B6 Car, on side of (rail car)
CA Car, on top of (rail car)
C7 Car, under (rail car)
CC Depot
A8 In elevator
B1 In tower
B2 In tunnel
A9 In/operating vehicle
A6 Locomotive, in cab or on walkways
C9 Locomotive, on top of
C6 Locomotive, other location

C8 Locomotive, under
B3 On bridge/trestle
CD On elevated work station
C3 On escalator
B4 On highway-rail crossing
C5 On ladder
B5 On other rail crossing
C2 On platform
B9 On pole/signal mast
C1 On scaffold
C4 On stairs
CB On top of equipment, other than ontrack equipment
G1 Rail Car Door Threshold Plate to Edge of Platform-Gap
A3 Track, beside
A4 Track, between
B7 Track, on
X9 Other location (describe in narrative)

Appendix F - 5

Circumstance Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
APPENDIX F - Continued
EVENT CIRCUMSTANCE CODES
Select one of these codes and enter in Form F6180.55a, 5l. Event.
01 Aggravated pre-existing condition
02 Apprehending/removing from property
04 Assaulted by coworker
03 Assaulted by other
06 Bitten by animal
05 Bitten/stung by bee, spider, other insect
74 Blowing/falling debris
07 Bodily function/sudden movement, e.g.,
sneezing, twisting
72 Bumped
73 Burned
81 Caught Between Equipment
79 Caught Between Machinery
82 Caught Between Material
08 Caught in or compressed by hand tools
09 Caught in or compressed by other machinery
12 Caught in or compressed by powered hand tools
10 Caught in or crushed by materials
11 Caught in or crushed in excavation, land slide,
cave-in, etc.
68 Caught, crushed, pinched, other.
13 Cave in, slide, etc.
16 Climatic condition, exposure to environmental
cold
15 Climatic condition, exposure to environmental
heat
14 Climatic conditions, other (e.g., high winds)
17 Collision - between on track equipment
18 Collision/impact - auto, truck, bus, van, etc.
19 Committing vandalism/theft
20 Defective/malfunctioning equipment
21 Derailment
23 Electrical shock due to contact with 3rd rail,
catenary, pantograph
25 Electrical shock from hand tool
22 Electrical shock while operating welding
equipment
24 Electrical shock, other
27 Exposure to chemicals - external
26 Exposure to fumes - inhalation
30 Exposure to noise - single incident
29 Exposure to noise over time
28 Exposure to poisonous plants
31 Exposure to welding light

32 Highway-rail collision/impact
33 Horseplay, practical joke, etc.
34 Lost balance
35 Missed handhold, grabiron, step, etc.
36 Needle puncture/prick/stick
69 On track equipment, other incidents
37 Other impacts - on track equipment
38 Overexertion
41 Pushed/shoved from
39 Pushed/shoved into/against
40 Pushed/shoved onto
43 Ran into object/equipment
42 Ran into on-track equipment
46 Repetitive motion - tools
45 Repetitive motion - typing, keyboard, etc.
44 Repetitive motion - work processes
47 Repetitive motion - other
48 Rubbed, abraded, etc.
49 Shot
50 Slack action, draft, compressive buff/coupling
80 Slack adjustment during switching operation
52 Slipped, fell, stumbled, etc. due to climatic
condition (rain, snow, ice, etc.)
51 Slipped, fell, stumbled, etc. due to irregular
surface, e.g., depression, slope, etc.
54 Slipped, fell, stumbled, etc. due to object,
e.g., ballast, spike, material, etc.
53 Slipped, fell, stumbled, etc. on oil, grease, other
slippery substance
70 Slipped, fell, stumbled, other
55 Stabbing, knifing, etc.
56 Stepped on object
61 Struck against object
77 Struck by other remote control locomotivecontrolled equipment
76 Struck by own remote control locomotivecontrolled equipment
60 Struck by falling object
58 Struck by object
59 Struck by on-track equipment
57 Struck by thrown or propelled object
62 Sudden release of air

Appendix F - 6

Circumstance Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
APPENDIX F - Continued
EVENT CIRCUMSTANCE CODES
(Continued from previous page)
75 Sudden/Unexpected Movement of tools
63 Sudden/unexpected movement of material
64 Sudden/unexpected movement of on-track
equipment
65 Sudden/unexpected movement of vehicle
71 Sudden, unexpected movement, other
66 Sustained viewing
67 Thrill seeking
99 Other (describe in narrative)

Appendix F - 7

Circumstance Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
APPENDIX F - Continued
TOOLS, MACHINERY, APPLIANCES, STRUCTURES, SURFACES, ETC.
CIRCUMSTANCE CODES
Select one of these codes and enter in Form F6180.55a, 5m. Tools.
59 Anchor
7F Animal, insect, reptile
01 Baggage
02 Ballast, stones, etc.
61 Bed
03 Boring tools
67 Box
80 Brakeshoe
04 Bridge/trestle
44 Cable
05 Caboose
7E Chains, straps, tie down devices.
34 Chair/seat
46 Chemicals, fumes, etc.
35 Chock
7H Compressor
7C Computer equipment
06 Coupler
83 Crane
07 Cutting tools
08 Derail
09 Door
1G Door, End or Side-Passenger Train
2G Door, Trap-Passenger Train
45 Electrical connections, wiring, etc.
10 End of train device
11 Floor
63 Food
12 Fusees/torpedoes
13 Grabiron
14 Ground
15 Hand tools, digging, e.g., shovels, picks, etc.
16 Hand tools, gripping, e.g., pliers, tongs, clamps
17 Hand tools, striking & nailing, e.g., hammers,
mallets
8F Hand tools, other
37 Handbrake
18 Highway, street, road
19 Hose
56 Hose connections
20 Inspection Pit
21 Jack
22 Ladder

40 Lever
51 Locomotive cab Door(s)
89 Locomotive cab floor
90 Locomotive cab seat
52 Locomotive cab electric locker doors
53 Locomotive car-body doors
50 Locomotive fire extinguisher
47 Locomotive horn
54 Locomotive radios
48 Locomotive refrigerator
49 Locomotive toilet
82 Locomotive, other
7A Luggage
84 MOW equipment
66 Motor
7K Motor vehicle, non rail
7J Needle, syringe,sharps
23 Office equipment
7G Plants, trees, foliage, etc.
43 Platform
24 Power tools
25 Pry bar
26 Rail bike
64 Refrigerator
8N Remote control transmitter
91 Repair shop-MOW
85 Repair shop-locomotive
86 Repair shop-Car
88 Rock, other than ballast
60 Signal equipment (gates, poles, gaffs, etc.)
57 Soap
38 Spike, tie plates, rail fasteners, etc
27 Stair step
36 Step/stirrup, equipment
65 Stove
28 Switch
87 Switch machine
29 Tie
62 Toilet
30 Torch, acetylene, gas, etc.
81 Track (Rail)
58 Traction motor
31 Trailer/container on flat car (TOFC, COFC)

Appendix F - 8

Circumstance Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
APPENDIX F - Continued

TOOLS, MACHINERY, APPLIANCES, STRUCTURES, SURFACES, ETC.
CIRCUMSTANCE CODES
(Continued from previous page)
7L Weapon
32 Welder - electric
7M Welder/torch, other
33 Window
99 Other (describe in narrative)

Appendix F - 9

Circumstance Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX F – Continued
PROBABLE REASON FOR INJURY/ILLNESS CIRCUMSTANCE CODES
Select one of these codes and enter in Form F6180.55a, 5n. Cause.
CONVENTIONAL OPERATIONS
01 Environmental
02 Safety equipment not worn or in place
03 Procedures for operating/using equipment not
followed
04 Equipment
05 Signal
06 Track
07 Impairment, substance use
08 Impairment, physical condition, e.g., fatigue
09 Human factor
10 Trespassing
11 Object fouling track

12 Outside caused (e.g., assaulted/attacked)
13 Lack of communication
14 Slack adjustment during switching operation
15 Insufficient training
16 Failure to provide adequate space between
equipment during switching operation
17 Close or no clearance
18 Slipped, fell, stumbled due to Passenger Station
Platform Gap
19 Act of God
99 Undetermined

REMOTELY CONTROLLED LOCOMOTIVE(S) ENVIRONMENT
21 Environmental, related to using RCL
22 Safety equipment not worn or in place, related to
using RCL
23 Procedures for operating/using equipment not
followed, related to using RCL
24 Equipment, related to using RCL
25 Signal, related to using RCL
26 Track, related to using RCL
27 Impairment, substance use, related to using RCL
28 Impairment, physical condition, e.g., fatigue,
related to using RCL
29 Human factor, related to using RCL
31 Trespassing, related to using RCL
R1 Object fouling track, related to using RCL
R2 Outside caused (e.g., assaulted/attacked), related
to using RCL
R3 Lack of communication, related to using RCL
R4 Slack adjustment during switching operation,
related to using RCL
R5 Insufficient training, related to using RCL
R6 Failure to provide adequate space between
equipment during switching operation, related to
using RCL
R7 Close or no clearance, related to using RCL
R8 Act of God, related to using RCL
39 Undetermined, related to using RCL
41 Environmental, unrelated to using RCL

42 Safety equipment not worn or in place, unrelated
to using RCL
43 Procedures for operating/using equipment not
followed, unrelated to using RCL
44 Equipment, unrelated to using RCL
45 Signal, unrelated to using RCL
46 Track, unrelated to using RCL
47 Impairment, substance use, unrelated to using
RCL
48 Impairment, physical condition, e.g., fatigue,
unrelated to using RCL
49 Human factor, unrelated to using RCL
50 Trespassing, unrelated to using RCL
U1 Object fouling track, unrelated to using RCL
U2 Outside caused (e.g., assaulted/attacked),
unrelated to using RCL
U3 Lack of communication, unrelated to using RCL
U4 Slack adjustment during switching operation,
unrelated to using RCL
U5 Insufficient training, unrelated to using RCL
U6 Failure to provide adequate space between
equipment during switching operation, unrelated
to using RCL
U7 Close or no clearance, unrelated to using RCL
U8 Act of God, unrelated to using RCL
59 Undetermined, unrelated to using RCL

Appendix F - 10

Circumstance Codes

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX G
FRA Regional Offices and Headquarters
REGION

OFFICE

PHONE

(617) 494-2302
Regional Administrator
Federal Railroad Administration
55 Broadway - Room 1077
Cambridge, MA 02142

(610) 521-8200
Regional Administrator
Federal Railroad Administration
Baldwin Tower, Suite 660
1510 Chester Pike
Crum Lynne, PA 19022

III

(404) 562-3800
Regional Administrator
Federal Railroad Administration
61 Forsyth Street, SW - Suite 16T20
Atlanta, GA 30303-3104

(312) 353-6203
Regional Administrator
Federal Railroad Administration
200 West Adams Street
Chicago, IL 60606

(817) 862-2200
Regional Administrator
Federal Railroad Administration
4100 International Plaza, Suite 450
Fort Worth, TX 76109-4820

(816) 329-3840
Regional Administrator
Federal Railroad Administration
Department of Transportation Building
901 Locust Street - Suite 464
Kansas City, MO 64106

Appendix G - 1

FRA Regional Offices

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX G – Continued
REGION

OFFICE

PHONE

VII

(916) 498-6540
Regional Administrator
Federal Railroad Administration
801 I Street - Suite 466
Sacramento, CA 95814

VIII

(360) 696-7536
Regional Administrator
Federal Railroad Administration
500 Broadway, Suite 240
Vancouver, WA 98660

FRA HEADQUARTERS
Office of Safety Analysis (RRS-22)
Federal Railroad Administration

(202) 493-6287

U.S. Department of Transportation
West Building 3rd Floor, Room W33-437
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
[email protected]

For updates to FRA Regional Offices, Contact Information, refer to: www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/3, and
click on "regional offices".

Appendix G - 2

FRA Regional Offices

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX H
Forms
Form FRA F 6180.54

Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report

Form FRA F 6180.55

Railroad Injury and Illness Summary

Form FRA F 6180.55a

Railroad Injury and Illness Summary
(Continuation Sheet)

Form FRA F 6180.56

Annual Railroad Report of Employee Hours and
Casualties, by State

Form FRA F 6180.57

Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident/Incident
Report

Form FRA F 6180.78

Notice to Railroad Employee Involved in Rail
Equipment Accident/Incident Attributed to Employee
Human Factor
Employee Statement Supplementing Railroad Accident
Report

Form FRA F 6180.81

Employee Human Factor Attachment

Form FRA F 6180.97

Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record

Form FRA F 6180.98

Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record

Form FRA F 6180.107

Alternative Record for Illnesses Claimed to be
Work-Related

Form FRA F 6180.150

Highway User Injury Inquiry Form

Appendix H - 1

Forms

RAIL EQUIPMENT ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORT

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION (FRA)

OMB No. 2130-0500

1. Name of Reporting Railroad

1a. Alphabetic Code

1b. Railroad Accident/Incident No.

2. Name of Other Railroad or Other Entity with Consist Involved

2a. Alphabetic Code

2b. Railroad Accident/Incident No.

3a. Alphabetic Code

3b. Railroad Accident/Incident No.

3. Name of Railroad or Other Entity Responsible for Track Maintenance

(single entry)

4. U.S. DOT Grade Crossing Identification Number

5. Date of Accident/Incident
month

7. Type of Accident/
Incident (single
entry in code box)

4. Side Collision

7. Hwy-rail crossing

10. Explosion-detonation

2. Head on collision

5. Raking collision

8. RR grade crossing

11. Fire/violent rupture

3. Rear end collision

6. Broken train collision

9. Obstruction

9. HAZMAT Cars
Damaged/Derailed

13. Nearest City/Town

10. Cars Releasing
HAZMAT

14. Milepost (to
nearest tenth)
18. Visibility
1. Dawn
2. Day

o F

(single entry)

Code

1. Clear
2. Cloudy

Code

Freight Train

5. Single Car

9. Maint./inspect. Car

D. EMU

Passenger Train-Pulling

6. Cut of cars

A. Spec. MoW Equip.

E. DMU

Commuter Train-Pulling

7. Yard/switching

B. Passenger Train-Pushing

8. Light loco(s)

C. Commuter Train-Pushing

28. Speed (recorded speed,
if available)
R - Recorded
E - Estimated

30. Type of Territory
Code
MPH

3. Rain
4. Fog

12. Subdivision

Code

1. Main
2. Yard

23. Annual Track
Density (gross
tons in millions)

1. North
2. South

26. Was Equipment
Attended?
1. Yes
2. No

Code

3. East
4. West

27. Train Number/Symbol

30a. Remotely Controlled Locomotive?

(enter code(s) that apply)

2. Not Signaled

Method of Operation/Authority for Movement (Mandatory)
1. Signal Indication 2. Direct Train Control 3. Yard/Restricted Limits
4. Block Register Territory 5. Other Than Main Track

29. Trailing Tons (gross tonnage,
excluding power units)

Code

3. Siding
4. Industry

24. Time Table Direction

Signalization (Mandatory)
1. Signaled

20. Type of Track

5. Sleet
6. Snow

Code

16. County

19. Weather (single entry)

22. FRA Track
Class (1-9, X)

4. Work train

12. Other impacts

Code

13. Other
(describe in
narrative)

11. People
Evacuated
15. State
Abbr.

3. Dusk
4. Dark

21. Track Name/
Number
25. Type of Equipment 1.
2.
Consist
3.
(single entry)

6. Time of Accident/Incident

year

1. Derailment

8. Cars Carrying
HAZMAT

17. Temperature (F)
(Specify if minus)

day

Supplemental/Adjunct Codes (Mandatory*)

0 = Not a remotely controlled operation
1 = Remote control portable transmitter
2 = Remote control tower operation
3 = Remore control portable transmitter more than one remote
Code
control transmitter

* Mandatory to the extent that all applicable codes are entered

a. Initial and Number

31. Principal Car/Unit

b. Position in Train

c. Loaded (yes/no)

(1) First Involved
(derailed, struck, etc.)

(Exclude EMU, DMU, and
Cab Car Locomotives.)

Rear End
Mid Train
a. Head
b. Manual c. Remote d. Manual e. Remote
End

(Include EMU, DMU, and a. Freight
Cab Car Locomotives.)

(1) Total in Equipment
Consist

(2) Total Derailed

(2) Total Derailed
38. Primary Cause
Code

37. Track, Signal, Way,
& Structure Damage
Number of Crew Members

40. Engineers/
Operators

41. Firemen

Casualties to:

46. Railroad Employees

42. Conductors

Empty
Loaded
b. Pass. c. Freight d. Pass.

35. Cars

(1) Total in Train

36. Equipment Damage
This Consist

Drugs

33. Was this consist transporting passengers? (y/n)

(2) Causing (if mechanical,
cause reported)
34. Locomotive Units

32. If railroad employee(s) tested for drug/alcohol use,
enter the number that were positive in
Alcohol
the appropriate box.

43. Brakemen

47. Train Passengers 48. Others

39. Contributing
Cause Code
Length of Time on Duty

44. Engineer/Operator
Hrs:

e. Caboose

45. Conductor
Mins:

49a. Special Study Block A

Hrs:

Mins:

49b. Special Study Block B

Fatal
Nonfatal
50. Latitude
52. Narrative Description

51. Longitude
(Be specific, and continue on separate sheet if necessary)

53. Typed/Printed Name &
Title of Preparer

54. Signature

55. Date

NOTE: This report is part of the reporting railroad's accident report pursuant to the accident reports statute and, as such shall not “be admitted as evidence or used for any purpose in any suit
or action for damages growing out of any matter mentioned in said report...." 49 U.S.C. 20903. See 49 C.F.R. 225.7 (b).

This collection of information is mandatory under 49 CFR 225, and is used by FRA to monitor national rail safety. Public reporting burden is estimated to average 2 hours per
response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing databases, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection
of information. The information collected is a matter of public record, and no confidentiality is promised to any respondent. Please note that an agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this
collection is 2130-0500.

FORM FRA F 6180.54 (Rev. 08/10)

OMB approval expires 02/28/2011

RAILROAD INJURY AND ILLNESS SUMMARY

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION (FRA)

2. Alphabetic Code

1. Name of Reporting Railroad

3. Report Month & Year

6. Name of Reporting Officer

7. Official Title

8. Address

9. Telephone

OMB No. 2130-0500
5. County

4. State Alphabetic Code

(Area Code) (Number)

10.

If executed within the United States, its territories, possessions, or commonwealths:
I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury that the information on this form is true and correct.
Executed on _____________________ (date).
____________________________________________ (Signature).

If executed without (i.e., outside of) the United States:
I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the information on this form is true and
correct.
Executed on _____________________ (date).
____________________________________________ (Signature).
OPERATIONAL DATA & ACCIDENT/INCIDENT COUNTS FOR REPORT MONTH
12. Passenger Train Miles

11. Freight Train Miles
15. Railroad Worker Hours

18.

13. Yard Switching Train Miles

16. Passenger Miles Operated

REPORTED CASUALTIES

Type of Person

Fatal

19.
Nonfatal

14. Other Train Miles

17. Number of Passengers Transported

NUMBER OF FRA FORMS ATTACHED

FRA Form Number

Worker on duty – railroad employee

6180.54

Railroad employees not on duty

6180.55a

Passengers on trains

6180.56

Nontrespassers/ on railroad property

6180.57

Trespassers

6180.81

Number Attached

Worker on duty - contractor
Contractor - other
Worker on duty - volunteer
Volunteer - other
Nontrespassers/ off railroad property
Grand total
20. Remarks Section. Please describe operational, environmental, or other circumstances that account for unusual fluctuations in train miles operated, employee hours, or
passenger counts.

NOTE: This report is part of the reporting railroad's accident report pursuant to the accident reports statute and, as such shall not "be admitted as evidence
or used for any purpose in any suit or action for damages growing out of any matter mentioned in said report. . . ." 49 U.S.C. 20903.
See 49 C.F.R. 225.7 (b).
This collection of information is mandatory under 49 CFR 225, and is used by FRA to monitor national rail safety. Public reporting burden is estimated to average
10 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing databases, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing
and reviewing the collection of information. The information collected is a matter of public record, and no confidentiality is promised to any respondent. Please
note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number. The OMB control number for this collection is 2130-0500.

FORM FRA F 6180.55 (Rev. 08/10)

This report is required by law (49 USC 20901). Failure to report can result in the imposition of civil penalties.

OMB approval expires 02/28/2011

RAILROAD INJURY AND ILLNESS SUMMARY

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

2. Alphabetic Code

1. Name of Reporting Railroad

5a.
Accident/Injury Number

5h.
Drug/
Alcohol Test
A
D

5i.
Injury
Illness
Code

5b.
Day

5j.
Physical
Act

SHEET ___ OF ___

OMB No. 2130-0500

(Continuation Sheet)

FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION (FRA)

5c.
Time
of Day

5k.
Location

5d.
County

5l.
Event

3. Report Month

5e.
State

5m.
Tools

5s. Latitude

5n.
Cause

5o.
Number of
Days Away
From Work

5p.
Number of
Days
Restricted

4. Report Year

5f.
Type
Person/
Job Code

5q.
Exposure to
Hazmat

5g.
Age

5r.
Special Case
Codes

5t. Longitude

5u. Narrative (Up to 250 Characters)

5a.
Accident/Injury Number

5h.
Drug/
Alcohol Test
A
D

5i.
Injury
Illness
Code

5b.
Day

5j.
Physical
Act

5c.
Time
of Day

5k.
Location

5d.
County

5l.
Event

5e.
State

5m.
Tools

5s. Latitude

5n.
Cause

5o.
Number of
Days Away
From Work

5p.
Number of
Days
Restricted

5f.
Type
Person/
Job Code

5q.
Exposure to
Hazmat

5g.
Age

5r.
Special Case
Codes

5t. Longitude

5u. Narrative (Up to 250 Characters)

5a.
Accident/Injury Number

5h.
Drug/
Alcohol Test
A
D

5i.
Injury
Illness
Code

5b.
Day

5j.
Physical
Act

5c.
Time
of Day

5k.
Location

5s. Latitude

5d.
County

5l.
Event

5e.
State

5m.
Tools

5n.
Cause

5o.
Number of
Days Away
From Work

5p.
Number of
Days
Restricted

5f.
Type
Person/
Job Code

5q.
Exposure to
Hazmat

5g.
Age

5r.
Special Case
Codes

5t. Longitude

5u. Narrative (Up to 250 Characters)

NOTE: This report is part of the reporting railroad's accident report pursuant to the accident reports statute and, as such shall not "be admitted as evidence
or used for any purpose in any suit or action for damages growing out of any matter mentioned in said report. . . ." 49 U.S.C. 20903.
See 49 C.F.R. 225.7 (b).
This collection of information is mandatory under 49 CFR 225, and is used by FRA to monitor national rail safety. Public reporting burden is estimated to average
20 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing databases, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing
and reviewing the collection of information. In trespasser cases and in cases of suicide/attempted suicides, the estimated average time to complete this form is 50
minutes and 65 minutes, respectively. The information collected is a matter of public record, and no confidentiality is promised to any respondent. Please note
that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control
number. The OMB control number for this collection is 2130-0500.

FORM FRA F 6180.55a (Rev. 08/10)

OMB approval expires 02/28/2011

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION (FRA)

ANNUAL RAILROAD REPORT
OF
EMPLOYEE HOURS AND CASUALTIES, BY STATE
2. Alphabetic Code

1. Reporting Railroad

OMB No. 2130-0500
3. Report Year

5. Average Employment in Report Year

4. Establishments Included in this Report
6.
State

Employee Hours

Casualties

State

Alabama

Montana

Alaska

Nebraska

Arizona

Nevada

Arkansas

New Hampshire

California

New Jersey

Colorado

New Mexico

Connecticut

New York

Delaware

North Carolina

District of Columbia

North Dakota

Florida

Ohio

Georgia

Oklahoma

Hawaii

Oregon

Idaho

Pennsylvania

Illinois

Rhode Island

Indiana

South Carolina

Iowa

South Dakota

Kansas

Tennessee

Kentucky

Texas

Louisiana

Utah

Maine

Vermont

Maryland

Virginia

Massachusetts

Washington

Michigan

West Virginia

Minnesota

Wisconsin

Mississippi

Wyoming

Casualties

Employee Hours

Missouri
7. Total Employee Hours for the Year

8. Total Casualties During the Year

9. Typed Name and Title

10. Signature

11. Date

This collection of information is mandatory under 49 CFR 225, and is used by FRA to monitor national rail safety. Public reporting burden is
estimated to average 15 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing databases, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The information collected is a matter of public
record, and no confidentiality is promised to any respondent. Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this
collection is 2130-0500.

FORM FRA F 6180.56 (Rev. 08/10)

OMB approval expires 02/28/2011

HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CROSSING
ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORT

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION (FRA)

OMB No. 2130-0500

1. Name of Reporting Railroad

1a. Alphabetic Code

1b. Railroad Accident/Incident No.

2. Name of Other Railroad or Other Entity Filing for Equipment Involved in Train Accident/Incident

2a. Alphabetic Code

2b. Railroad Accident/Incident No.

3. Name of Railroad or Other Entity Responsible for Track Maintenance

3a. Alphabetic Code

3b. Railroad Accident/Incident No.

(single entry)

5. Date of Accident/Incident

4. U.S. DOT Grade Crossing Identification Number

month

day

6. Time of Accident/Incident

year

AM
8. Subdivision

7. Nearest Railroad Station

11. City (if in a city)

12. Highway Name or Number
Highway User Involved

A. Auto
B. Truck

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

17. Equipment
F. Bus
G. School bus
H. Motorcycle

J. Other motor vehicle
K. Pedestrian
M. Other (specify)

Code

14. Vehicle Speed
15. Direction (geographical)
(est. mph
1. North 2. South 3. East 4. West
at impact)
16. Position 1. Stalled or stuck on crossing 4. Trapped on crossing by traffic
2. Stopped on crossing
3. Moving over crossing

1. Train (units pulling)
2. Train (units pushing)
3. Train (standing)

Code

18. Position of Car Unit in Train

Code

19. Circumstance

5. Blocked on crossing by gates

20a. Was the highway user and/or rail equipment involved
in the impact transporting hazardous materials?
1. Highway user

2. Rail equipment

3. Both

Public

Code

Private

Rail Equipment Involved

13. Type
C. Truck-trailer
D. Pick-up truck
E. Van

10. State
Abbr.

9. County

Car(s) (moving)
Car(s) (standing)
Light loco(s) (moving)
Light loco(s) (standing)
Other (specify)

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Train pulling – RCL
Train pushing – RCL
Train standing – RCL
EMU Locomotive(s)
DMU Locomotive(s)

Code

1. Rail equipment struck highway user 2. Rail equipment struck by highway user

20b. Was there a hazardous materials release by

Code

1. Highway user

4. Neither

2. Rail equipment

Code

3. Both

4. Neither

20c. State here the name and quantity of the hazardous material released, if any.
21. Temperature (Specify if minus)

22. Visibility

1. Dawn

24. Type of Equipment
Consist
(single entry)

1. Freight Train

3. Dusk

Code

1. Clear

5. Single Car

9. Maint./inspect. Car

D. EMU

A. Spec. MoW Equip.

E. DMU

Code

3. Commuter Train-Pulling 7. Yard/switching B. Passenger Train-Pushing
4. Work train

8. Light loco(s)

1. Gates
2. Cantilever FLS
3. Standard FLS

29. Number
of Cars

4. Wig wags
5. Hwy. traffic signals
6. Audible

Code

3. Rain

4. Fog

2. Yard

3. Siding

Code

38. Highway
User's
Age

39. Highway User's Gender
1. Male
2. Female

42. Driver Passed Standing
Highway Vehicle
1. Yes 2. No 3. Unknown

Code

1. Yes

2. No

3. Unknown

44. Driver was
Killed

Casualties to:

Injured

46. Highway-Rail Crossing Users

1. Killed

41. Highway User
1.
2.
3.
4.

Went around the gate
Stopped and then proceeded
Did not stop
Stopped on crossing

3. Uninjured

47. Highway Vehicle Property Damage
(est. dollar damage)
50. Total Number of People on Train
(include passengers and train crew)

49. Railroad Employees

54. Narrative Description

Dry
Wet
Snow/slush
Ice
Sand, Mud, Dirt, Oil, Gravel
Water (Standing, Moving)

5. Other (specify)
6. Went around/thru
temporary barricade
(if yes, see instructions)
7. Went thru the gate
8. Suicide/Attempted suicide

Yes
Yes

51. Is a Rail Equipment Accident/
Incident Report Being Filed?
2. No

(Be specific, and continue on separate sheet if necessary)

55. Typed Name & Title

56. Signature

57. Date

FORM FRA F 6180.57 (Rev. 08/10)

* NOTE THAT ALL CASUALTIES MUST BE REPORTED ON FORM FRA F 6180.55A

OMB approval expires 02/28/2011

Code

48. Total Number of Vehicle Occupants
(including driver)

53b. Special Study Block

No
No

Code

7. Other (specify)
8. Not obstructed

1. Yes
Video Taken?
Video Used?

Code

45. Was Driver in the Vehicle?
1. Yes 2. No

52. Passengers on Train
53a. Special Study Block

34. Roadway Conditions
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

Code
5. Vegetation
6. Highway vehicles
Code

2. Injured

Code

3. East
4. West

37. Crossing Illuminated by Street
Lights or Special Lights
1. Yes
2. No
3. Unknown

Code

43. View of Track Obscured by (primary obstruction)
1. Permanent structure
3. Passing train
2. Standing railroad equipment 4. Topography

Code

1. North
2. South

Code

(See reverse side for
instructions and codes)

40. Highway User Went Behind or in Front of Train
and Struck or was Struck by Second Train Code

26. Track Number or Name

31. Time Table Direction

33. Signaled Crossing Warning

36. Crossing Warning Interconnected
with Highway Signals
1. Yes
2. No
3. Unknown

Code

1. Both sides
2. Side of vehicle approach
3. Opposite side of vehicle approach

6. Snow

4. Industry

Code(s)
35. Location of Warning

5. Sleet

Code

30. Consist Speed (Recorded speed,
if available)
R - Recorded
MPH
E - Estimated

10. Flagged by crew
11. Other (specify)
12. None

7. Crossbucks
8. Stop signs
9. Watchman

2. Cloudy

25. Track Type Used by Rail
Equipment Involved
1. Main

C. Commuter Train-Pushing

28. Number of
Locomotive Units

23. Weather (single entry)

4. Dark

2. Passenger Train-Pulling 6. Cut of cars

27. FRA Track
Class (1-9, X)
32. Type of
Crossing
Warning

(single entry)
2. Day

Code

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING BLOCK 33
Only if Types 1 - 6, Item 32 are indicated, mark in Block 33 the status of the warning devices at the crossing at the time of the accident,
using the following codes:
1. Provided minimum 20-second warning.
2. Alleged warning time greater than 60 seconds.
3. Alleged warning time less than 20 seconds.
4. Alleged no warning.
5. Confirmed warning time greater than 60 seconds.
6. Confirmed warning time less than 20 seconds.
7. Confirmed no warning.
If status code 5, 6, or 7 was entered, also enter a letter code explanation from the list below:
A. Insulated rail vehicle.
B. Storm/lightning damage.
C. Vandalism.
D. No power/batteries dead.
E. Devices down for repair.
F. Devices out of service.
G. Warning time greater than 60 seconds attributed to accident-involved train stopping short of the crossing, but within track
circuit limits, while warning devices remain continuously active with no other in-motion train present.
H. Warning time greater than 60 seconds attributed to track circuit failure (e.g., insulated rail joint or rail bonding failure, track
or ballast fouled, etc.).
J. Warning time greater than 60 seconds attributed to other train/equipment within track circuit limits.
K. Warning time less than 20 seconds attributed to signals timing out before train’s arrival at the crossing/island circuit.
L. Warning time less than 20 seconds attributed to train operating counter to track circuit design direction.
M. Warning time less than 20 seconds attributed to train speed in excess of track circuit’s design speed.
N. Warning time less than 20 seconds attributed to signal system’s failure to detect train approach.
P. Warning time less than 20 seconds attributed to violation of special train operating instructions.
R. No warning attributed to signal system’s failure to detect the train.
S. Other cause(s). Explain in Narrative Description.

This collection of information is mandatory under 49 CFR 225, and is used by FRA to monitor national rail safety. Public
reporting burden is estimated to average 2 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching
existing databases, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.
The information collected is a matter of public record, and no confidentiality is promised to any respondent. Please note that
an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this collection is 2130-0500.

NOTICE TO RAILROAD EMPLOYEE INVOLVED IN RAIL EQUIPMENT ACCIDENT/INCIDENT
ATTRIBUTED TO EMPLOYEE HUMAN FACTOR
EMPLOYEE STATEMENT SUPPLEMENTING RAILROAD ACCIDENT REPORT

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OMB No. 2130-0500

FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION (FRA)

PART I - NOTICE TO RAILROAD EMPLOYEE (To be completed by reporting railroad)
Name of Reporting Railroad

Date of Accident/Incident

Accident/Incident No.

Location of Accident/Incident
(State, nearest city/town)

_____/_____/_____
mo

day

year

Causes reported on Form FRA F6180.54
Applicable to this person?
Yes

Yes

Code

Employee's Name (First, middle, last)

Description

Job Title

Name of Employing Railroad

Employee's Home Address

PURPOSE OF THIS FORM A rail accident occurred that may have at least partly been caused by human error (human factor). The railroad
involved with this accident is sending you this form because it is required by federal law to send this form to any railroad employee it believes
may have at least been partly responsible for causing the accident/incident.
Since the railroad has named you as an employee who may have been involved in this accident, the railroad is required by federal law to complete
Part I of this form and give you an opportunity within 45 days from the date that the notice was mailed or hand delivered to you to give in Part II
of this form your version of events relating to this accident. If you would like to complete this form but are unable to do so within the time limit,
you must provide an explanation to FRA and the railroad for the need for more time. While the railroad is required by federal law to send this form
to you, you are not legally required to complete this form. If you decide to complete the form, the railroad may, upon reviewing your
supplement, decide to revise its accident report.
In Part II of this form, you may submit a supplemental statement to FRA on any aspect of the railroad's report. If you decide that you would like
to send the railroad and FRA a statement, please follow the INSTRUCTIONS.

Name of Railroad Representative

Signature of Railroad Representative

Date Signed

Date Mailed/Hand Delivered

If the employee decides to return this form to the railroad, the form should be sent to: [name and address of railroad representative]

PART II - SUPPLEMENT - EMPLOYEE STATEMENT REGARDING RAILROAD ACCIDENT REPORT
I would like to supplement the railroad's accident report with the following statement:

(Continue statement on separate sheet, if required, and mail with statement)

I have carefully read this statement and confirm that it is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
_____________________________________ ____________________
Date Mailed/Hand Delivered to FRA: ___________________
Signature
Date Signed
Date Mailed/Hand Delivered to Railroad: ________________
Your Telephone Number
Your home or mailing address
Home: (
)
Work: (
)
NOTE: This Notice and Employee Supplement under 49 C.F.R. 225.12 are part of the reporting railroad's accident report to FRA pursuant to the accident
reports statute and, as such, shall not “be admitted as evidence or used for any purpose in any suit or action for damages growing out of any
matter mentioned in said report...." 49 U.S.C. 20903. See 49 C.F.R. 225.7 (b).

FORM FRA F 6180.78 (Rev. 08/10)

OMB approval expires 02/28/2011

INSTRUCTIONS TO RAILROAD EMPLOYEE REGARDING COMPLETION OF PART II OF FORM FRA F 6180.78
If you decide to complete this form, please follow these instructions:
1. Complete only Part II of this form.
2. Print or type your statement.
3. You may attach any relevant supporting documents, diagrams, photographs, or other evidence.
4. Sign and date your statement.
5. Send your original statement to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) at the following address:
Operating Practices Division
Federal Railroad Administration
RRS-11, Mail Stop 25
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20590
6. Send a copy of your statement to your railroad.
7. Keep a copy of your statement for your own records.
8. Additional information concerning completion of this form may be obtained at FRA’s website at www.FRA.DOT.GOV .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Who is a railroad employee?
A. FRA defines an employee for purposes of filling out this form as a Worker on Duty-Railroad Employee; Employee, Railroad
Employee not on duty; Worker on Duty-Contractor; or Worker on Duty-Volunteer. If you fit into any of these categories, you are a
railroad employee for purposes of filling out this form.
Q. Do I have to fill out the form?
A. No. Neither the railroad nor FRA requires you to fill out this form. Employee statements on this form are voluntary and
optional, not mandatory, and deciding not to send this form to FRA and the railroad does not imply that the employee admits or
endorses the railroad’s conclusions as to the cause of the accident or any other allegations. See 49 C.F.R. 225.12(g).
Q. Will my statements remain confidential?
A. Information that the employee wishes to withhold from the railroad must not be included in this Supplement. If the employee
wishes to provide confidential information to FRA, the employee should not use the Supplement form (part II of Form FRA F
6180.78), but rather provide such confidential information by other means, such as a letter to the employee’s collective
bargaining representative, or to the Office of Safety Assurance and Compliance, Federal Railroad Administration, RRS-10, Mail
Stop 25, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20590. The letter should include the name of the railroad making the
allegations, the date and place of the accident, and the rail equipment accident/incident number.
Q. Is this form part of the railroad’s accident report to FRA, and as such, may it be used in private litigation?
A. No. This form under 49 C.F.R. 225.12 is part of the railroad’s accident report to FRA pursuant to the accident reports statute
and as such shall not “be admitted as evidence or used for any purpose in any suit or action for damages growing out of any matter
mentioned in said report…” 49 U.S.C. 20903. See 49 C.F.R. 225.7(b).

Willful false statements can result in imposition of civil penalties.
This collection of information is mandatory under 49 CFR 225, and is used by FRA to monitor national rail safety. Public
reporting burden is estimated to average 10 minutes (Part I) and 1.5 hour (Part II) per response, including the time for
reviewing instructions, searching existing databases, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and
reviewing the collection of information. The information collected is a matter of public record, and no confidentiality is
promised to any respondent. Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for
this collection is 2130-0500.

EMPLOYEE HUMAN FACTOR ATTACHMENT
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OMB No. 2130-0500

FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION (FRA)

Railroad Accident/Incident No.
(Block 1b, FRA F 6180.54)

Name of Reporting Railroad

Date of Accident/Incident (mo/day/year)

The railroad has determined that (check only one)
a. One or more railroad employees was the primary or a contributing cause of the accident.
b. One or more railroad employees was not the primary or a contributing cause of the accident.
c. It is uncertain whether one or more railroad employees was a primary or a contributing cause of the accident.
If item “b” or “c” was checked, go to the last line of the form. If item “a” was checked, complete the following:
The railroad has identified (check only one)
1. All the railroad employees who were the primary cause or a contributing cause of the accident/incident.
2. Some, but not all of the railroad employees who were the primary cause or contributing cause of the accident/incident.
3. None of the railroad employees who were the primary cause or a contributing cause of the accident/incident.
If item “3” above was checked, go to the last line of this form.
If item “1” or “2” was checked, complete the following for each employee identified as the primary cause or a contributing
cause of the accident/incident. Attach additional pages if needed.
Name of Railroad Employee
(last, first, middle)

Job Title

Railroad Code of
Employing Railroad

Cause Code(s) Applicable
to this Employee

Describe why the employee was the primary cause or contributing cause of the accident/incident.

Did the employee die as a result of the accident/incident?
Typed Name and Title

Yes

Signature

Date

Note: This form under 49 C.F.R. 225.12 is part of the railroad's accident report to FRA pursuant to the accident reports statute and as
such shall not "be admitted as evidence or used for any purpose in any suit or action for damages growing out of any matter mentioned in
said report. . . ." 49 U.S.C. 20903. See 49 C.F.R. 225.7 (b).
Note: Under 49 C.F.R. 225.29, any person who violates any requirement of 49 C.F.R. Part 225 or causes the violation of any such
requirement is subject to a civil penalty. Penalties may be assessed against individuals only for willful violations. A person may also be
subject to criminal penalties provided for in 49 U.S.C. 21311.
This collection of information is mandatory under 49 CFR 225, and is used by FRA to monitor national rail safety. Public reporting burden is estimated
to average 15 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing databases, gathering and maintaining the data
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The information collected is a matter of public record, and no confidentiality is
promised to any respondent. Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this collection is 2130-0500.

FORM FRA F 6180.81 (Rev. 08/10)

OMB approval expires 02/28/2011

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING FORM FRA F 6180.81 “EMPLOYEE HUMAN FACTOR ATTACHMENT”
Requirements
If, in reporting a rail equipment accident/incident on Form FRA F 6180.54, a railroad cites an employee human factor as the primary cause or a
contributing cause of the accident, the railroad that cited such employee human factor must complete Form FRA F 6180.81, entitled “Employee
Human Factor Attachment.”
The Form FRA F 6180.81 must be attached to its related Rail Equipment Accident/Incident report.
This Form is only used in connection with a reportable rail equipment accident/incident where Form FRA F 6180.54 submitted to FRA identifies
an employee human factor as either the primary cause or contributing cause of the accident.
General Instruction
Each employee identified on Form FRA F 6180.81 must be notified that he or she has been identified as a possible primary or a contributing
cause of an accident. That notification is to be given on Form FRA F 6180.78. Instructions for completing Form FRA F 6180.78 are noted
on the attachment to that form. You also may wish to refer to the FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports, or FRA’s website at
www.FRA.DOT.GOV for completion of that form.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Under what circumstances must the reporting railroad complete a Form FRA F 6180.81?
A. This form should be completed only when a railroad, in reporting a rail equipment accident/incident to FRA assigns any of the cause codes listed
under “Train Operation”-Human Factors as listed in Appendix C to the FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports as the primary cause or a
contributing cause of the rail equipment accident/incident.

Q. What is the definition of a “railroad employee” for purposes of completing this form?
A. “Railroad Employee” means Worker on Duty-Railroad Employee (Class A), Railroad Employee not on Duty (Class B), Worker on DutyContractor (Class F), and Worker on Duty-Volunteer (Class H). See 49 C.F.R. 225.5, 225.12.
Q. What is the definition of “the primary cause or a contributing cause”?
A. The “primary cause or a contributing cause” is an act, omission, or physical condition such as alcohol intoxication, fatigue, or legal or illegal drug
use that was the main cause or a contributing cause of the accident/incident. If an employee was intoxicated or fatigued, but the accident would
have happened anyway and with the same degree of severity, then the intoxication, fatigue is not the primary or a contributing cause. If the
employee’s act, omission, or physical condition only remotely contributed to the accident/incident, this is still a contributing cause of the accident.
Q. Should I send a Form FRA F 6180.78 to an employee’s home if the employee died as a result of the accident?
A. No. A Notice for an employee must not be sent if that employee has died as a result of that accident. A Notice is not required and is not
recommended for an employee who has died due to any cause by the time that Notice is ready to be sent.
Q. What should I do if the railroad alleges an employee from another railroad is the primary cause or a contributing cause of the accident?
A. You should notify the employee’s railroad that the reporting railroad alleges that the primary or a contributing cause of the accident was that
employee. The employee’s railroad should then promptly provide to the reporting railroad the name, title, address, and medical status of that
employee.
Q. What if the reporting railroad cannot initially identify an employee as the primary cause or a contributing cause of an accident but
subsequently does identify such employee?
A. The reporting railroad should prepare a revised form FRA F 6180.81 and forward it to FRA. In addition, the reporting railroad, will have 15 days
from the date of the revised form to send an FRA F 6180.78 to that employee.
Q. May a reporting railroad ever defer notice to an employee?
A. Yes. Particularly if the employee was seriously injured, a railroad may defer notice to the employee.
Q. Must the reporting railroad attach a Form FRA F 6180.81 to the Form FRA F 6180.54 if the reporting railroad has scheduled or is conducting a
formal investigation of the accident to determine if it was caused by human factor, but the investigation is not concluded before the filing of the
regular monthly report?
A. Yes. The reporting railroad must nevertheless attach the FRA F 6180.81 to the Form FRA F 6180.54. Moreover, when completing the 6180.81
in this situation, the reporting railroad should in the “Brief Description” block, explain that the employees have not been named because the railroad
is still conducting a formal investigation. Indicate whether the formal investigation is currently in progress or the date that it is scheduled to begin.
Once the investigation is completed, the reporting railroad must file a “corrected copy” of the Form FRA F 6180.81 for each implicated employee.
Q. When must the reporting railroad notify the implicated employee?
A. A Notice for an employee must be sent within 45 days from the end of the month in which the accident occurred, unless the employee has died,
or in the reporting railroad’s discretion, the reporting railroad should defer notice.

INITIAL RAIL EQUIPMENT ACCIDENT/INCIDENT RECORD
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OMB No. 2130-0500

FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION (FRA)

1. Date of Accident/Incident (YY/MM/DD)

2. Time of Accident/Incident

PM
3. Name of Railroad

4. Incident Number

5. Other Railroad or Entity

6. Incident Number

7. Railroad or Other Entity Responsible for Track Maintenance

8. Incident Number

9. Type of Accident/Incident (Derailment, Collision, Obstruction, Other)

10. Number of Hazmat Cars Damaged or Derailed

11. Number of Hazmat Cars Releasing Product

12. Subdivision

14. County

16. Milepost (to nearest tenth)

13. Nearest City/Town

15. State

17. Specific Site

18. Speed

19. Train/Job Number

Actual
Estimated

20. Type of Equipment (Freight, Passenger, Yard/Switching, etc.)

22. Total Locomotive Units in Train

21. Type of Track (Main, Yard, Siding, Industry)

23. Total Locomotives Derailed

24. Total of Cars in Equipment Consist

25. Total Cars Derailed

26. Equipment Damage (in dollars)

27. Track, Signal, Way & Structure Damage (in dollars)

28. Primary Cause

29. Contributing Cause

30. Casualties

Nonfatal

Fatal

Nonfatal

Worker on duty – railroad employee

Worker on duty - contractor

Railroad employees not on duty

Contractor - other

Passengers on trains

Worker on duty - volunteer

Nontrespassers/on railroad property

Volunteer - other

Trespassers

Nontrespassers/off railroad property

Fatal

31. Narrative Description (Be specific, and continue on separate sheet if necessary)

32. Was this accident/incident reported to the FRA?
33. Name of Railroad Official

Yes

34. Signature

35. Telephone Number

36. Date initially
signed/completed

This collection of information is mandatory under 49 CFR 225, and is used by FRA to monitor national rail safety. Public reporting burden is estimated
to average 30 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing databases, gathering and maintaining the data
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The information collected is a matter of public record, and no confidentiality is
promised to any respondent. Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this collection is 2130-0500.

FORM FRA F 6180.97 (Rev. 08/10)

OMB approval expires 02/28/2011

RAILROAD EMPLOYEE INJURY AND/OR ILLNESS RECORD
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OMB No. 2130-0500

FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION (FRA)

1. Railroad

2. Case/Incident Number

EMPLOYEE INFORMATION
4. Date of Birth

3. Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial

HOME
ADDRESS:

5. Sex (M/F)

10. State

9. City

8. Street Address (include Apt. No.)

6. Employee ID Number

11. ZIP

7. Date Hired

12. Home Telephone No.
(include area code)

13. Name of Facility

ESTABLISHMENT/
FACILITY WHERE
EMPLOYEE
NORMALLY REPORTS:

14. Street Address

15. City

18. Job Title

16. State

17. ZIP

19. Department Assigned To

ACTIVITY/INCIDENT/EXPOSURE DESCRIPTION
LOCATION WHERE
ACCIDENT/
INCIDENT/
EXPOSURE
OCCURRED:

20. Specific Site

21. City

25. Is this on your premises?
Yes

COMPANY
NOTIFICATION:

23. State

22. County

26. Date of Occurrence

27. Time Shift Began AM

28. Time of Occurrence AM

No
30. Date that Employee Notified
Company Personnel of Condition

31. Time that Employee Notified
AM
Company Personnel of Condition
PM

24. ZIP

29. Was person on duty?
Yes

32. Person Notified

33. Describe the general activity this person was engaged in prior to injury/illness.

34. Describe all factors associated with this case that are pertinent to an understanding of how it occurred. Include a discussion of the sequence of
events leading up to it, and the tools, machinery, processes, material, environmental conditions, etc., involved.

FORM FRA F 6180.98 (Rev. 08/10)

OMB approval expires 02/28/2011

INJURY/CONDITION INFORMATION
35. Describe in detail the injury/condition that this person sustained. Include a discussion of the body parts affected. If this is a recurrence, list date
of last occurrence.

36. Identify all persons and organizations used to evaluate and/or treat condition. (Include facility, provider, and address)

37. Describe all procedures, medications, therapy, etc., used/recommended for the treatment of condition:

38. Check any of the following consequences resulting from this injury/condition:
Hospitalization for treatment as an
inpatient.

Death. Date of: _______________
Restriction of work. Reportable days of restricted activity: ____________ as of: ____________

Multiple treatments or therapy sessions.

Occupational illness. Date of initial diagnosis:

Loss of consciousness.

Instructions to obtain prescription medication, or receipt of prescription medication.
Missed a day of work or next shift. Reportable days absent from work: ____________ as of: ____________
Significant injury/illness, one meeting specific case criteria, or a covered data case.
Medical treatment. This includes any medical care or treatment beyond “first aid” that is given, or should have been given, regardless of
who provided the treatment. “First Aid” treatment is limited to very simple procedures, e.g., application of a bandaid on minor scratches,
cuts, abrasions, etc.
Transfer to another job or termination of employment.
39. If any of the above consequences occurred, the injury/condition is almost always reportable to FRA on Form FRA F 6180.55a. If you believe this case
does not meet the reporting criteria, you must give a brief explanation below of the basis for this decision. Was the case reported?
Yes
No

40. Has this employee been provided an opportunity to review his or her file?
41. Preparer’s Name

42. Preparer’s Title

Yes

No
43. Telephone Number

44. Date initially
signed/completed

This collection of information is mandatory under 49 CFR 225, and is used by FRA to monitor national rail safety. Public reporting burden is
estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing databases, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The information collected is a matter of public
record, and no confidentiality is promised to any respondent. Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this
collection is 2130-0500.

ALTERNATIVE RECORD FOR ILLNESSES CLAIMED TO BE WORK-RELATED
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OMB No. 2130-0500

FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION (FRA)

1. Name of Reporting Railroad

2. Case/Incident Number

3. Employee’s Name (First, middle, last)

4. Employee’s Date of Birth
(mm/dd/yy)

5. Employee’s Gender
Male

6. Employee ID Number

7. Date Employee was Hired
(mm/dd/yy)

Female

8. Employee’s Home Address (include street address, city, State and ZIP code)

10. Name of Facility Where Railroad Employee Normally Reports to Work

9. Employee’s Home Telephone
Number (with area code)

11. Location, or Last Known Facility, Where Employee Reports to Work

12. Job Title of Railroad Employee

13. Department to Which Employee is Assigned

14. Date on Which Employee or Representative
Notified Company Personnel of Condition (mm/dd/yy)

15. Name of Railroad Official Notified

16. Title of Railroad Official Notified

17. Nature of Claimed Illness

18. Supporting Documentation
18.a. Custodian of Documents (Name, Title, and Address)

18.b. Location of Supporting Documentation

19. Narrative

20. Preparer’s Name

21. Preparer’s Title

22. Preparer’s Telephone
Number (with area code)

23. Date initially signed/completed

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1. The only information provided to the railroad was the employee’s name and Employee ID Number. Further attempts to
complete the other data elements were rejected by the employee and/or his or her attorney. Does this meet FRA requirements?
A1. Yes. The railroad should continue to complete all the data elements when the information becomes available and should make
a good faith effort to obtain the information. However, the railroad is not expected to continue this effort past December 1 of the
year that follows the date on which the railroad first received a claim of the illness.
NOTE: This report is part of the reporting railroad's accident report pursuant to the accident reports statute and, as such shall not "be admitted as evidence
or used for any purpose in any suit or action for damages growing out of any matter mentioned in said report. . . ." 49 U.S.C. 20903.
See 49 C.F.R. 225.7 (b).
This collection of information is mandatory under 49 CFR 225, and is used by FRA to monitor national rail safety. Public reporting burden is estimated to average
75 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing databases, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing
and reviewing the collection of information. The information collected is a matter of public record, and no confidentiality is promised to any respondent. Please
note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number. The OMB control number for this collection is 2130-0500.

FORM FRA F 6180.107 (Rev. 08/10)

OMB approval expires 02/28/2011

HIGHWAY USER INJURY INQUIRY FORM

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OMB Approval No. 2130-0500

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
PART I – Highway Rail-Grade Crossing Accident/Incident (To be completed by reporting railroad)
1a. Date of Accident/Incident

(mm/dd/yyyy)

2a. Name of Railroad

1b. Time of Accident/Incident

2b. Alphabetic Code

3. Railroad Accident/Incident Number

4. U.S. DOT Grade Crossing Identification Number
5. Highway Name or Number

6. City (if in a city)

7. County

8. State Abbr.

PART II - Highway User Statement (To be completed by highway user or highway user's representative)
9a. Highway User’s Last Name
9b. First Name

9c. Middle Initial

11. Highway User's Telephone (Primary)

13. Highway User's E-mail Address

12. Highway User's Telephone (Secondary)

10. Highway User 's Age

14. Highway User's Mailing Address

15a. Did you suffer an injury, or injuries, as a result of the highway-rail grade accident/incident described above?
Yes
No
15b. Narrative Description: If you answered "Yes" to 15a., please describe the nature and severity of your injury, or injuries, the event(s) that caused the injury, or
injuries, and any other relevant information. You may continue the Narrative Description on back of form.

16a. As a result of your injury, or injuries, caused by the highway rail-grade crossing accident/incident, did you (please check all that apply and complete the Narrative
Description in 16b.):
(i) Receive medical treatment beyond first aid (i.e. prescription medication or stitches)
(ii) Lose consciousness
(iii) Suffer a fractured or cracked bone, or a punctured eardrum diagnosed by a physician or other licensed health care provider
(iv) Receive transportation from the highway rail-grade crossing accident/incident to a medical facility via emergency medical transportation (EMT) (i.e. ambulance)
16b. Narrative Description: (1) Describe any medical treatment received as a result of the accident; (2) Provide additional information about the boxes checked in
16a. above; and (3) Provide other related information. You may continue the Narrative Description on back of form.

17b. Highway User’s Representative’s
Name (if applicable):

17a. Name of Person Completing Part II

18. Signature

19. Date

Check Appropriate Box:
Telephone Number:
Highway User
Highway User's Representative
Relationship:

Note: Railroads are required to send this form under 49 CFR 225.

FORM FRA F 6180.150 (Rev. 08/10)

NOTE THAT RAILROAD MUST REPORT ALL REPORTABLE CASUALTIES ON FORM FRA F 6180.55a

DRAFT

OMB approval expires 02/28/2011

HIGHWAY USER INJURY INQUIRY FORM
(Continued)
Identifying Information (from first page) :
Date of Accident/Incident (mm/dd/yyyy)
Highway User’s Last Name

Narrative Description - Continued

Railroad Accident/Incident Number
First Name

Middle Initial

(If additional space was needed in the Narrative Description boxes (15b. and 16b.), from the other side of this form, please
continue the narrative in this box.)

Public reporting burden is estimated to average 50 minutes per response for railroads for their part of this form and 45
minutes for highway users or their representatives for their part of this form. This includes the time for reviewing instructions,
searching existing databases, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of
information. Responses by the railroad are mandatory and responses by highway users or their representatives to this
collection of information are voluntary. The information collected is a matter of public record, and no confidentiality is
promised to any respondent. Please note that an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for
this collection is 2130-0500.

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX I
Model Internal Control Plans, Including Model Statement of Policy
Against Harassment and Intimidation and Model Complaint Procedures
Explanatory Note
The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) safety regulations require railroads to adopt and
comply with a written Internal Control Plan (ICP) on accident/incident reporting. (See Chapter 1
of Guide.) The intent of the ICP requirement is to ensure that the railroad’s Reporting Officer
has the required information to prepare accurate accident/incident reports to FRA and that
employees are not afraid to provide relevant information.
Section 225.33(a) of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR § 225.33(a)) specifies
the components to be included in an ICP. All railroads subject to 49 CFR Part 225 must have
an ICP with either:
two components (corresponding to § 225.33(a)(1)-(2); or
11 components (corresponding to § 225.33(a)(1)-(11).
Certain small railroads need have only a two-component ICP. In particular, railroads that
operate or own track on the general railroad system of transportation that have 15 or fewer
employees covered by the hours of service statute (Title 49 U.S. Code, Chapter 211) and noninsular tourist and historic railroads that operate or own track exclusively off the general system
must have a two-component ICP. (See § 225.3(b), 61 Fed. Reg. 67490 (Dec. 23, 1996).) The
first component involves adopting, disseminating, and complying with a policy statement against
harassment and intimidation, including a statement of the disciplinary action to be imposed for
violation of this policy. The second component entails (i) having both a procedure for
processing complaints of violations and a policy not to retaliate against complainants and (ii)
disclosing such procedure and policy.
Other railroads subject to Part 225 must have a full-scale ICP that includes all 11
components specified in § 225.33(a)(1)-(11).
Primarily to assist small railroads in developing their ICPs, FRA is presenting in this appendix
two model ICPs that can be used. Each contains blanks to be completed by the railroad.
For railroads required to have only a two-component ICP, Model 1 is a suggested twocomponent ICP.
For railroads required to have an 11-component ICP, Model 2 is a suggested ICP for such
railroads with fewer than 200 employees.

Appendix I - 1

Model Internal Control Plans

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX I – Continued
These models are only suggestions. A railroad’s trade organization may have its own model
ICP. There is no definitive ICP. Large railroads, because of their complexity, may prefer to
develop an ICP quite different from Model 2, and yet still be consistent with the regulation.
Smaller railroads may also decide to depart from the suggested models. Details, such as the
structure, forms, lines of communication, and instructions, are left to the railroad’s discretion to
design and implement. FRA recommends that railroads structure their ICPs in the same manner
that the CFR shows the components, e.g., 49 CFR 225.33(a)(1), then 225.33(a)(2), then
225.33(a)(3), etc.
A railroad may develop some synthesis between plans and develop its own plan so long as it is
consistent with the regulation. Railroads may follow any applicable model ICP provided in the
Guide and are also encouraged to tailor their ICP based upon their particular operation, structure,
or situation. After the ICP is put in place, if any significant changes to the railroad’s internal
reporting procedures occur, the ICP must be amended.

Appendix I - 2

Model Internal Control Plans

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX I – Continued

Model 1:
Model Statement of Policy against Harassment and Intimidation;
Model Complaint Procedures
Policy Statement of [Name of Railroad Company]
Concerning Complete and Accurate Reporting
of Accidents, Incidents, Injuries, and Occupational Illnesses
without Harassment or Intimidation
This railroad is committed to complete and accurate reporting of all accidents, incidents, injuries,
and occupational illnesses arising from the operation of the railroad, to full compliance with the
letter and spirit of the Federal Railroad Administration’s accident reporting regulations, and to
the principle, in absolute terms, that harassment or intimidation of any person that is calculated
to discourage or prevent such person from receiving proper medical treatment or from reporting
such accident, incident, injury, or illness will not be permitted or tolerated and will result in
disciplinary action in the form of ______________ against any employee, supervisor, manager,
or officer of this railroad committing such harassment or intimidation.
This policy statement is required by Federal regulation, 49 CFR § 225.33(a)(1)-(2), and all
employees, supervisory personnel, and management have been provided a copy of this Policy
Statement [when starting employment and/or by its remaining posted in a conspicuous location
where they can reasonably be expected to see it].
[NOTE: 49 CFR § 225.33(a)(2) requires disclosure to all railroad employees, supervisors,
and management of the railroad’s procedures for dealing with complaints of violations of
the preceding policy, and the railroad’s guarantee of “whistleblower” protection to any
person subject to the policy. Disclosure may be accomplished by combining the following
paragraph with the preceding policy statement and disseminating the combination.
Alternatively, the following information may be disclosed separately, by other means.]
[Complaint Procedures]
This railroad will investigate/implement the following procedure to process all complaints from
any person about the policy stated above being violated: ________________________________
___________________________. This railroad will implement the following procedure in order
to impose the appropriate prescribed disciplinary actions on any employee, supervisor, manager,
or officer of the railroad found to have violated the policy: ______________________________
______________________. This railroad shall provide “whistleblower” protection to any
person subject to this policy. Any act of intimidation should be reported to our railroad
president/operating officer/[ title ] ,_____________________.

Appendix I - 3

Model Internal Control Plans

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX I – Continued

Model 2:
Model Internal Control Plan for Smaller Railroads
(suggested size: fewer than 200 employees)
RAILROAD
NAME: ________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: _________________________TELEPHONE: _____________________
__________________________FAX:

___________________

OTHER
ADDRESS,
(if any):
__________________________TELEPHONE: __________________
__________________________FAX:

___________________

FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION (FRA) ACCESS
TO INTERNAL CONTROL PLAN
The Internal Control Plan shall be maintained at the office where the railroad’s accident/incident
Reporting Officer conducts his or her official business. The Plan shall be available for
examination and copying by Federal Railroad Administration representatives (including
participating State personnel) during normal business hours.
Policy Statement of [Name of Railroad Company]
Concerning Complete and Accurate Reporting
of Accidents, Incidents, Injuries, and Occupational Illnesses
without Harassment or Intimidation
This railroad is committed to complete and accurate reporting of all accidents, incidents, injuries,
and occupational illnesses arising from the operation of the railroad, to full compliance with the
letter and spirit of FRA’s accident reporting regulations, and to the principle, in absolute terms,
that harassment or intimidation of any person that is calculated to discourage or prevent such
person from receiving proper medical treatment or from reporting such accident, incident, injury,
or illness will not be permitted or tolerated and will result in the following disciplinary action

Appendix I - 4

Model Internal Control Plans

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX I – Continued
against any employee, supervisor, manager, or officer of the railroad committing such
harassment or intimidation.
Disciplinary Action: _______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
The preceding Policy Statement has been disseminated to all employees, supervisory personnel,
and management.
[NOTE: 49 CFR § 225.33(a)(2) requires disclosure to all railroad employees, supervisors,
and management of the railroad’s procedures for dealing with complaints of violations of
the preceding policy and the railroad’s guarantee of “whistleblower” protection to any
person subject to the policy. Disclosure may be accomplished by combining the following
paragraph with the preceding policy statement and disseminating the combination.
Alternatively, the following information may be disclosed separately, by other means.]

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES
Railroad procedures to process a complaint of violation of the Policy:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Railroad procedures to impose the appropriate prescribed disciplinary actions on each employee,
supervisor, manager, or officer of the railroad found to have violated the Policy:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

⁭

These procedures have been disclosed to railroad employees, supervisors, managers, and
officers, including the stipulation that “whistleblower” protection is provided to any
person subject to the Policy.

Appendix I - 5

Model Internal Control Plans

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX I – Continued

INTERNAL REPORTING FORMS AND PROCEDURES
The following internal forms or computer reporting system, or both, are used for the collection
and internal recording of accident/incident information:
Forms (attached)
1.
2.

_____________________
_____________________

3.
4.

_____________________
_____________________

Description of the internal procedures used by the railroad for the processing of forms or
computerized data, or both, regarding accident/incident information:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

INTERNAL REVIEW PROCEDURES
Description of the internal review procedures for accident/incident information collected and
reports prepared by the railroad’s safety, claims, medical, and other departments engaged in
collecting and reporting accident/incident information:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Description of internal procedures for collecting cost data and compiling costs with respect to
accident/incident information:
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Appendix I - 6

Model Internal Control Plans

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX I – Continued
Description of internal procedures for ensuring adequate communication between the railroad
department responsible for reporting accidents/incidents to FRA and any other railroad
department responsible for collecting, receiving, processing, and reporting information on
accidents/incidents:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Procedures for updating accident/incident information prior to reporting to FRA:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
After reporting to FRA, amendments to accident/incident reports are made as specified in the
“FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports.”
ATTACHMENTS: Policy Statement
Complaint Procedures
Internal Reporting Forms

RAILROAD AUDITS
The railroad officer responsible for auditing the performance of the reporting function is:
________________________________
(Name)

_________________________________
(Title)

A railroad audit will be conducted at least once each calendar year. For purposes of inspection
and copying by the FRA, the most recent railroad audit report may be found at:
_____________________________________.
(Location)

Appendix I - 7

Model Internal Control Plans

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX I – Continued

RAILROAD ORGANIZATION
A. The specific departments within a railroad whose personnel regularly come into possession
of information pertinent to the preparation of accident/incident reports to FRA are, for example,
the medical, claims, legal, operating, mechanical, track, payroll, accounting, and personnel
departments. In this railroad, the specific departments whose personnel regularly come into
possession of information pertinent to the preparation of accident/incident reports to FRA are:
.
B. The following persons are all of the managers and officers of the specific departments within
the railroad whose departments regularly come into possession of information pertinent to the
preparation of reports under Part 225.
Name (optional)

Title

Department

Reports to

1._____________________________________________________________
2._____________________________________________________________
3._____________________________________________________________
4._____________________________________________________________
5._____________________________________________________________
6._____________________________________________________________
7._____________________________________________________________
NOTE: A current organization chart satisfies the requirement for identification of titles and
chain of command under heading B.
ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORTING OFFICER
NAME:

_____________________________

TITLE: ___________________

ADDRESS: ______________________________
(If different than above)

TELEPHONE: _____________

______________________________

FAX:

Appendix I - 8

___________________

Model Internal Control Plans

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX I – Continued
CUSTODIAN(S) OF RECORDS
When using Form FRA F6180.107 or the alternate railroad-designed form, the following must be
provided:
Name(s) of Custodian(s) of Records:
Title(s) of Custodian(s) of Records:
Address(es) of Custodian(s) of Records:
Where the Documents are Located:

Appendix I - 9

Model Internal Control Plans

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX J
Instructions for Completing “Type of Territory” (Block 30)
on the Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report (Form FRA F 6180.54)
The host railroad (railroad responsible for track maintenance) will determine/provide the “Type
of Territory” in effect at the time of the accident. Other railroads involved should consult with
the host railroad when completing this block.
The codes used to complete the Type of Territory block are dependent on the Type of Track
(block 20) on the Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report, Form FRA F 6180.54. The railroad
completing the report must first determine the type of track. Once the type of track is determined,
then the Type of Territory codes can be completed. Each spreadsheet is labeled by the Type of
Track and has its own allowable uses.
Block 30 “Type of Territory” of the Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report, Form FRA
F 6180.54, has five positions for five codes. Only use the Type of Territory that was in effect at
the time of the accident.
•

The first position—required—will indicate the type of territory (signaled or
nonsignaled).

•

The second position—required—will indicate the authority for movement.

•

The third, fourth, and fifth positions—optional—are supplemental/adjunct codes.
(They are mandatory to the extent that all applicable codes are entered). When
used, they must be entered in hierarchical sequence, i.e., by order of precedence.
For ease of reading, the supplemental/adjunct methods are listed in alphabetical
order, followed by the code.

Other—Narrative Required. This should be used when the situation cannot be adequately
described with the existing codes.
The railroad responsible for track maintenance will determine/provide the Type of Track and
Type of Territory that were in effect at the time of the accident.
Direct Train Control. This is an FRA umbrella term and refers to modern-day derivatives of
traditional timetable/train order methodology. These methods of control have greatly modernized
and simplified train operations by eliminating timetable schedules, train registers, superiority, and
the attendant array of complicated operating rules. These systems are predicated on the train
dispatcher having direct and continuous radio contact with all trains; hence the informal name
"radio train dispatching." In place of the train order, there is a written document known variously
as a track warrant, DTC clearance, OCS clearance, track permit, Form D, etc. There are two basic
direct train control systems presently in use on today's railroads: one that uses fixed blocks (i.e.,
the limits are constant and are identified both in the timetable and by wayside signs); and one that
uses variable blocks (i.e., the limits are not constant and are created by the train dispatcher for
each train).

Appendix J - 1

Instructions for Type of Territory
Block 30 on Form FRA F 6180.54

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports
These systems are variously identified in the industry as:
1. Track Warrant Control (TWC)
2. Direct Traffic Control (called Direct Train Control on some roads) (DTC)
3. Form D Control System (DCS)
4. Occupancy Control System (OCS)
5. Manual Block System (MBS)
_______________
(Note: these could all be considered stand-alone methods of operation and may be shown as
such.)

Appendix J - 2

Instructions for Type of Territory
Block 30 on Form FRA F 6180.54

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

Type of Territory for Main Track
Position 1

Position 2

Position 3

Position 4

Position 5

Signalization

Method of Operation/
Authority for Movement

Supplemental Codes

1 - Signaled

1 - Signal Indication

A - Auto Cab Signals
B - Auto Train Control
C - Auto Train Stop
D - Automatic Block Signals System
G - Interlocking
J - Positive Train Control
L - Special Instructions
Q - Traffic Control System/CTC
R - Yard/Restricted Limits
Z - Other – Narrative Required

1 - Signaled

2 - Direct Train Control

A - Auto Cab Signals
B - Auto Train Control
C - Auto Train Stop
D - Automatic Block Signals System
F - Direct Traffic Control
G - Interlocking
J - Positive Train Control
L - Special Instructions
N - Time Table/Train Orders
P - Track Warrant Control
R - Yard/Restricted Limits
Z - Other – Narrative Required

Instructions for Type of Territory

Appendix J - 3

Block 30 on Form FRA F 6180.54

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

Type of Territory for Main Track - Continued
Position 1

Position 2

Position 3

Position 4

Position 5

Signalization

Method of Operation/
Authority for Movement

Supplemental Codes

2 - Non Signaled

2 - Direct Train Control

F - Direct Traffic Control
H - Manual Block System
J - Positive Train Control
L - Special Instructions
N - Time Table/Train Orders
P - Track Warrant Control
Z - Other – Narrative Required

E - Broken Rail Monitoring
F - Direct Traffic Control
H - Manual Block System
J - Positive Train Control
L - Special Instructions
M - Switch Point Monitoring
N -Time Table/Train Orders
P -Track Warrant Control
Z - Other – Narrative Required

E - Broken Rail Monitoring
F - Direct Traffic Control
H - Manual Block System
J - Positive Train Control
L - Special Instructions
M - Switch Point Monitoring
N - Time Table/Train Orders
P -Track Warrant Control
Z - Other – Narrative Required

2 - Non Signaled

3 - Yard/Restricted
Limits

J - Positive Train Control
L - Special Instructions
Z - Other – Narrative Required

E - Broken Rail Monitoring
J - Positive Train Control
L - Special Instructions
M - Switch Point Monitoring

2 - Non Signaled

4 - Block Register
Territory

J - Positive Train Control
Z - Other – Narrative Required

E - Broken Rail Monitoring
M - Switch Point Monitoring
Z - Other – Narrative Required

Instructions for Type of Territory

Appendix J - 4

Block 30 on Form FRA F 6180.54

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

Type of Territory for Other than Main Track or Siding Track to Include Yard Track and
Industry Track
Position 1

Position 2

Position 3

Position 4

Position 5

Signalization

Method of Operation/
Authority for Movement

Supplemental Codes

1 - Signaled

5 - Other Than Main Track
(Standard Rule 105
or Equivalent)

F - Interlocking
K- Special Instructions
Z - Other – Narrative Required

F - Interlocking
K - Special Instructions
Z - Other – Narrative Required

2 - Not Signaled

5 - Other Than Main Track
(Standard Rule 105
or Equivalent)

J - Restricted Speed or Equivalent
K - Special Instructions
Z - Other – Narrative Required

K - Special Instructions
Z - Other – Narrative Required

K- Special Instructions
Z - Other – Narrative Required

Instructions for Type of Territory

Appendix J - 5

Block 30 on Form FRA F 6180.54

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

Type of Territory for Siding Track
Position 1

Position 2

Position 3

Position 4

Position 5

Signalization

Method of Operation/
Authority for Movement

Supplemental Codes

1 - Signaled

1 - Signal Indication

A - Auto Cab Signals
B - Auto Train Control
C - Auto Train Stop
H - Interlocking
J - Other – Narrative Required
L - Other Than Main Track
M - Positive Train Control
O - Special Instructions
S - Traffic Control System/CTC

2 - Non Signaled

5 - Other Than Main Track

E - Broken Rail Monitoring
J - Other – Narrative Required
M - Positive Train Control
O - Special Instructions
P - Switch Point Monitoring

No other codes allowed

Instructions for Type of Territory

Appendix J - 6

Block 30 on Form FRA F 6180.54

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX K
Electronic Submission of Reports to FRA
The instructions in this Guide are limited to issues associated with recordkeeping and reporting.
Railroads may transmit their monthly reports to FRA by alternative means, as an electronic file
on optical media or submitted over the Internet. The technical information needed for doing this
is not described in this Guide, since it is not necessary for reporting decisions. A separate
manual is available, upon request, that contains the specifications for doing this, and is titled
“Companion Guide: Guidelines for Submitting Accident/Incident Reports by Alternative
Methods.”
To assist railroads in maintaining and submitting records and reports required by this rule, FRA
developed the software package Accident/Incident Report Generator (AIRG) for personal
computers that have Windows-based operating systems. FRA will provide you with a copy of
this software free of charge, upon request by the reporting officer. You can find an AIRG
Accident Incident Report Generator Request Form at:
http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety/publicsite/Forms.aspx
Railroads submitting electronically can either submit a printed copy of the signed Form FRA F
6180.55, or alternatively send in a scanned copy of the signed form in .pdf or .jpg format. The
railroad must maintain the original completed FRA Form F 6180.55 and the electronic
notification of receipt of the form, per 49 CFR 225.27.

Appendix K - 1

Electronic Submission of Reports

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX L
49 CFR 225

Appendix L - 1

49 CFR 225

PART 225-RAILROAD ACCIDENTS/INCIDENTS: REPORTS CLASSIFICATION, AND INVESTIGATIONS
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 103, 322(a), 20103, 20107, 20901-02, 21301, 21302, 21311; 28 U.S.C. 2461, note; and 49
CFR 1.49.
Source: 39 FR 43224, Dec. 11, 1974, unless otherwise noted.
Effective Date: June 1, 2011.
Published: November 9, 2010
§ 225.1 Purpose.
The purpose of this part is to provide the Federal Railroad Administration with accurate information concerning
the hazards and risks that exist on the Nation's railroads. FRA needs this information to effectively carry out its
regulatory responsibilities under 49 U.S.C. chapters 201-213. FRA also uses this information for determining
comparative trends of railroad safety and to develop hazard elimination and risk reduction programs that focus on
preventing railroad injuries and accidents. Any State may require railroads to submit to it copies of
accident/incident and injury/illness reports filed with FRA under this part, for accidents/incidents and
injuries/illnesses which occur in that State.
§ 225.3 Applicability.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), and (d), this part applies to all railroads except-(1) A railroad that operates freight trains only on track inside an installation which is not part of the general
railroad system of transportation or that owns no track except for track that is inside an installation that is
not part of the general railroad system of transportation and used for freight operations.
(2) Rail mass transit operations in an urban area that are not connected with the general railroad system of
transportation.
(3) A railroad that exclusively hauls passengers inside an installation that is insular or that owns no track
except for track used exclusively for the hauling of passengers inside an installation that is insular. An
operation is not considered insular if one or more of the following exists on its line:
(i) A public highway-rail grade crossing that is in use;
(ii) An at-grade rail crossing that is in use;
(iii) A bridge over a public road or waters used for commercial navigation; or
(iv) A common corridor with a railroad, i.e., its operations are within 30 feet of those of any
railroad.
(b) The Internal Control Plan requirements in § 225.33(a)(3) through (a)(11) do not apply to-(1) Railroads that operate or own track on the general railroad system of transportation that have 15 or
fewer employees covered by the hours of service law (49 U.S.C. 21101-21107) and
(2) Railroads that operate or own track exclusively off the general system.
(c) The recordkeeping requirements regarding accountable injuries and illnesses and accountable rail equipment
accidents/incidents found in § 225.25(a) through (g) do not apply to-(1) Railroads that operate or own track on the general railroad system of transportation that have 15 or
fewer employees covered by the hours of service law (49 U.S.C. 21101-21107) and
(2) Railroads that operate or own track exclusively off the general system.
(d) All requirements in this part to record or report an injury or illness incurred by any classification of person that
results from a non-train incident do not apply to railroads that operate or own track exclusively off the general
railroad system of transportation, unless the non-train incident involves in- service on-track equipment.
§ 225.5 Definitions.
As used in this part—

Accident/incident means:
(1) Any impact between railroad on-track equipment and a highway user at a highway-rail grade crossing. The
term “highway user” includes automobiles, buses, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, farm vehicles, pedestrians, and all
other modes of surface transportation motorized and un-motorized;
(2) Any collision, derailment, fire, explosion, act of God, or other event involving operation of railroad on-track
equipment (standing or moving) that results in reportable damages greater than the current reporting threshold to
railroad on-track equipment, signals, track, track structures, and roadbed;
(3) Each death, injury, or occupational illness that is a new case and meets the general reporting criteria listed in
§ 225.19(d)(1) through (d)(6) if an event or exposure arising from the operation of a railroad is a discernable cause
of the resulting condition or a discernable cause of a significant aggravation to a pre-existing injury or illness. The
event or exposure arising from the operation of a railroad need only be one of the discernable causes; it need not be
the sole or predominant cause.
Accountable injury or illness means any abnormal condition or disorder of a railroad employee that causes or
requires the railroad employee to be examined or treated by a qualified health care professional, regardless of
whether or not it meets the general reporting criteria listed in § 225.19(d)(1) through (d)(6), and the railroad
employee claims that, or the railroad otherwise has knowledge that, an event or exposure arising from the operation
of the railroad is a discernable cause of the abnormal condition or disorder.
Accountable rail equipment accident/incident means
(1) Any derailment regardless of whether or not it causes any damage or
(2) Any collision, highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident, obstruction accident, other impact, fire or
violent rupture, explosion-detonation, act of God, or other accident/incident involving the operation of railroad ontrack equipment (standing or moving) that results in damage to the railroad on-track equipment (standing or
moving), signals, track, track structures or roadbed and that damage impairs the functioning or safety of the railroad
on-track equipment (standing or moving), signals, track, track structures or roadbed.
Covered data means information that must be reported to FRA under this part concerning a railroad employee
injury or illness case that is reportable exclusively because a physician or other licensed health care professional-(1) Recommended in writing that-(i) The employee take one or more days away from work when the employee instead reports to work (or
would have reported had he or she been scheduled) and takes no days away from work in connection with
the injury or illness,
(ii) The employee work restricted duty for one or more days when the employee instead works unrestricted
(or would have worked unrestricted had he or she been scheduled) and takes no days of restricted work
activity in connection with the injury or illness, or
(iii) The employee take over-the-counter medication at a dosage equal to or greater than the minimum
prescription strength, whether or not the employee actually takes the medication; or
(2) Made a one-time topical application of a prescription-strength medication to the employee's injury.
Day away from work means a day away from work as described in paragraph (1) of this definition or, if
paragraph (1) does not apply, a day away from work solely for reporting purposes as described in paragraph (2) of
this definition. For purposes of this definition, the count of days includes all calendar days, regardless of whether
the employee would normally be scheduled to work on those days (e.g., weekend days, holidays, rest days, and
vacation days), and begins on the first calendar day after the railroad employee has been examined by a physician
or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP) and diagnosed with a work-related injury or illness. In
particular, the term means-(1) Each calendar day that the employee, for reasons associated with his or her condition, does not report to work
(or would have been unable to report had he or she been scheduled) if not reporting results from:
(i) A PLHCP's written recommendation not to work, or
(ii) A railroad's instructions not to work, if the injury or illness is otherwise reportable; or
(2) A minimum of one calendar day if a PLHCP, for reasons associated with the employee's condition,
recommends in writing that the employee take one or more days away from work, but the employee instead
reports to work (or would have reported had he or she been scheduled). This paragraph is intended to take into

account ``covered data'' cases and also those non-covered data cases that are independently reportable for some
other reason (e.g., ``medical treatment'' or ``day of restricted work activity''). The requirement to report ``a
minimum of one calendar day'' is intended to give a railroad the discretion to report up to the total number of
days recommended by the PLHCP.
Day of restricted work activity means a day of restricted work activity as described in paragraph (1) of this
definition or, if paragraph (1) does not apply, a day of restricted work activity solely for reporting purposes as
described in paragraph (2) of this definition; in both cases, the work restriction must affect one or more of the
employee's routine job functions (i.e., those work activities regularly performed at least once per week) or prevent
the employee from working the full workday that he or she would otherwise have worked. For purposes of this
definition, the count of days includes all calendar days, regardless of whether the employee would normally be
scheduled to work on those days (e.g., weekend days, holidays, rest days, and vacation days), and begins on the
first calendar day after the railroad employee has been examined by a physician or other licensed health care
professional (PLHCP) and diagnosed with a work-related injury or illness. In particular, the term means-(1) Each calendar day that the employee, for reasons associated with his or her condition, works restricted duty
(or would have worked restricted duty had he or she been scheduled) if the restriction results from:
(i) A PLHCP's written recommendation to work restricted duty, or
(ii) A railroad's instructions to work restricted duty, if the injury or illness is otherwise reportable; or
(2) A minimum of one calendar day if a PLHCP, for reasons associated with the employee's condition,
recommends in writing that the employee work restricted duty for one or more days, but the employee instead
works unrestricted (or would have worked unrestricted had he or she been scheduled). This paragraph is intended to
take into account ``covered data'' cases and also those non-covered data cases that are independently reportable for
some other reason (e.g., “medical treatment” or “day of restricted work activity”). The requirement to report “a
minimum of one calendar day'' is intended to give a railroad the discretion to report up to the total number of days
recommended by the PLHCP.
Discernable cause means a causal factor capable of being recognized by the senses or the understanding. An
event or exposure arising from the operation of a railroad is a discernable cause of (i.e., discernably caused) an
injury or illness if, considering the circumstances, it is more likely than not that the event or exposure is a cause of
the injury or illness. The event or exposure arising from the operation of a railroad need not be a sole, predominant
or significant cause of the injury or illness, so long as it is a cause (i.e., a contributing factor).
Employee human factor includes any of the accident causes signified by the train accident cause codes listed
under ``Train Operation--Human Factors'' in the current ``FRA Guide for Preparing Accidents/Incidents Reports,''
except for those train accident cause codes pertaining to non-railroad workers. For purposes of this definition
``employee'' includes the classifications of Worker on Duty--Employee, Employee not on Duty, Worker on Duty-Contractor, and Worker on Duty--Volunteer.
Establishment means a single physical location where workers report to work, where railroad business is
conducted, or where services or operations are performed. Examples are: a division office, general office, repair or
maintenance facility, major switching yard or terminal. For employees who are engaged in dispersed operations,
such as signal or track maintenance workers, an ``establishment'' is typically a location where work assignments are
initially made and oversight responsibility exists, e.g., the establishment where the signal supervisor or roadmaster
is located.
Event or exposure includes an incident, activity, or occurrence.
Event or exposure arising from the operation of a railroad means—
(1) With respect to a person who is not an employee of the railroad:
(i) A person who is on property owned, leased, maintained or operated by the railroad, an event or exposure
that is related to the performance of the railroad’s rail transportation business; or
(ii) A person who is not on property owned, leased, maintained or operated over by the railroad, an event or
exposure directly resulting from one or more of the following railroad operations:
(A) A train accident, a train incident, or a non-train incident involving the railroad; or

(B) A release of a hazardous material from a railcar in the possession of the railroad or of another
dangerous commodity that is related to the performance of the railroad’s rail transportation
business.
(2) With respect to a person who is an employee of the railroad, an event or exposure that is work-related.
FRA representative means the Associate Administrator for Safety, FRA; the Associate Administrator's delegate
(including a qualified State inspector acting under part 212 of this chapter); the Chief Counsel, FRA; or the Chief
Counsel's delegate.
General reporting criteria means the criteria listed in § 225.19(d)(1) through (6).
Highway-rail grade crossing means:
(1) A location where a public highway, road, or street, or a private roadway, including associated sidewalks,
crosses one or more railroad tracks at grade; or
(2) A location where a pathway explicitly authorized by a public authority or a railroad carrier that is dedicated
for the use of non-vehicular traffic, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and others, that is not associated with a public
highway, road, or street, or a private roadway, crosses one or more railroad tracks at grade. The term “sidewalk”
means that portion of a street between the curb line, or the lateral line of a roadway, and the adjacent property line
or, on easements of private property, that portion of a street that is paved or improved and intended for use by
pedestrians.
Injury or illness means an abnormal condition or disorder. Injuries include cases such as, but not limited to, a
cut, fracture, sprain, or amputation. Illnesses include both acute and chronic illnesses, such as but not limited to, a
skin disease, respiratory disorder, or poisoning. A musculoskeletal disorder is also an injury or illness. Pain is an
injury or illness when it is sufficiently severe to meet the general reporting criteria listed in § 225.19(d)(1) through
(6).
Joint operations means rail operations conducted on a track used jointly or in common by two or more railroads
subject to this part or operation of a train, locomotive, car, or other on-track equipment by one railroad over the
track of another railroad.
Medical removal means medical removal under the medical surveillance requirements of the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration standard in 29 CFR part 1910 in effect during calendar year 2002, even if the case does
not meet one of the general reporting criteria.
Medical treatment means any medical care or treatment beyond “first aid” regardless of who provides such
treatment. Medical treatment does not include diagnostic procedures, such as X-rays and drawing blood samples.
Medical treatment also does not include counseling.
Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) means a disorder of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage,
and spinal discs. The term does not include disorders caused by slips, trips, falls, motor vehicle accidents, or other
similar accidents. Examples of MSDs include: Carpal tunnel syndrome, Rotator cuff syndrome, De Quervain's
disease, Trigger finger, Tarsal tunnel syndrome, Sciatica, Epicondylitis, Tendinitis, Raynaud's phenomenon, Carpet
layers knee, Herniated spinal disc, and Low back pain.
Needlestick or sharps injury means a cut, laceration, puncture, or scratch from a needle or other sharp object that
involves contamination with another person's blood or other potentially infectious material, even if the case does
not meet one of the general reporting criteria.
New case means a case in which either the injured or ill person has not previously experienced a reported injury
or illness of the same type that affects the same part of the body, or the injured or ill person previously experienced
a reported injury or illness of the same type that affected the same part of the body but had recovered completely
(all signs and/or symptoms disappeared) from the previous injury or illness, and an event or exposure arising from
the operation of a railroad discernably caused the signs and/or symptoms to reappear.

Non-train incident means an event that results in a reportable casualty, but does not involve the movement of ontrack equipment nor cause reportable damage above the threshold established for train accidents.
Occupational hearing loss means a diagnosis of occupational hearing loss by a physician or other licensed health
care professional, where the employee's audiogram reveals a work-related Standard Threshold Shift (STS) (i.e., at
least a 10-decibel change in hearing threshold, relative to the baseline audiogram for that employee) in hearing in
one or both ears, and the employee's total hearing level is 25 decibels or more above audiometric zero (averaged at
2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz) in the same ear(s) as the STS.
Occupational illness means any abnormal condition or disorder, as diagnosed by a physician or other licensed
health care professional, of any person who falls under the definition for the classification of Worker on Duty-Employee, other than one resulting from injury, discernably caused by an environmental factor associated with the
person's railroad employment, including, but not limited to, acute or chronic illnesses or diseases that may be
caused by inhalation, absorption, ingestion, or direct contact.
Occupational tuberculosis means the occupational exposure of an employee to anyone with a known case of
active tuberculosis if the employee subsequently develops a tuberculosis infection, as evidenced by a positive skin
test or diagnosis by a physician or other licensed health care professional, even if the case does not meet one of the
general reporting criteria.
Privacy concern case is any occupational injury or illness in the following list:
(1) Any injury or illness to an intimate body part or the reproductive system;
(2) An injury or illness resulting from a sexual assault;
(3) Mental illnesses;
(4) HIV infection, hepatitis, or tuberculosis;
(5) Needlestick and sharps injuries; and
(6) Other injuries or illnesses, if the employee independently and voluntarily requests in writing to the railroad
reporting officer that his or her injury or illness not be posted.
Person includes all categories of entities covered under 1 U.S.C. 1, including, but not limited to, a railroad; any
manager, supervisor, official, or other employee or agent of a railroad; any owner, manufacturer, lessor, or lessee of
railroad equipment, track, or facilities; any passenger; any trespasser or nontrespasser; any independent contractor
providing goods or services to a railroad; any volunteer providing goods or services to a railroad; and any employee
of such owner, manufacturer, lessor, lessee, or independent contractor.
Qualified health care professional is a health care professional operating within the scope of his or her license,
registration, or certification. In addition to licensed physicians, the term includes members of other occupations
associated with patient care and treatment such as chiropractors, podiatrists, physicians assistants, psychologists,
and dentists.
Railroad means a railroad carrier.
Railroad carrier means a person providing railroad transportation.
Railroad transportation means any form of non-highway ground transportation that run on rails or electromagnetic guideways, including commuter or other short-haul railroad passenger service in a metropolitan or
suburban area, as well as any commuter railroad service that was operated by the Consolidated Rail Corporation as
of January 1, 1979, and high speed ground transportation systems that connect metropolitan areas, without regard to
whether they use new technologies not associated with traditional railroads. Such term does not include rapid transit
operations within an urban area that are not connected to the general railroad system of transportation.
Significant aggravation of a pre-existing injury or illness means aggravation of a pre-existing injury or illness
that is discernably caused by an event or exposure arising from the operation of a railroad that results in:

(1) With respect to any person:
(i) Death, provided that the pre-existing injury or illness would likely not have resulted in death but
for the event or exposure;
(ii) Loss of consciousness, provided that the pre-existing injury or illness would likely not have
resulted in loss of consciousness but for the event or exposure; or
(iii) Medical treatment in a case where no medical treatment was needed for the injury or illness
before the event or exposure, or a change in the course of medical treatment that was being
provided before the event or exposure.
(2) With respect to a railroad employee, one or more days away from work, or days of restricted work, or
days of job transfer that otherwise would not have occurred but for the event or exposure.
Significant change in the damage costs for reportable rail equipment accidents/incidents means at least a tenpercent variance between the damage amount reported to FRA and current cost figures.
Significant change in the number of reportable days away from work or days restricted means at least a tenpercent variance in the number of actual reportable days away from work or days restricted compared to the
number of days already reported.
Significant illness means an illness involving cancer or a chronic irreversible disease such as byssinosis or
silicosis, if the disease does not result in death, a day away from work, restricted work, job transfer, medical
treatment, or loss of consciousness.
Significant injury means an injury involving a fractured or cracked bone or a punctured eardrum, if the injury
does not result in death, a day away from work, restricted work, job transfer, medical treatment, or loss of
consciousness.
Suicide data means data regarding the death of an individual due to the individual’s commission of suicide as
determined by a coroner, public police officer or other public authority or injury to an individual due to that
individual’s attempted commission of suicide as determined by a public police office or other public authority.
Only the death of, or injury to, the individual who committed the suicidal act is suicide data. Therefore, casualties
to a person caused by the suicidal act of another person are not considered suicide data.
Train accident means any collision, derailment, fire, explosion, act of God, or other event involving operation of
railroad on-track equipment (standing or moving) that results in damages greater than the current reporting
threshold to railroad on-track equipment, signals, track, track structures, and roadbed.
Train incident means any event involving the movement of on-track equipment that results in a reportable
casualty but does not cause reportable damage above the current threshold established for train accidents.
Work environment means the establishment and other locations where one or more railroad employees are
working or present as a condition of their employment. The work environment includes not only physical
locations, but also the equipment or materials processed or used by an employee during the course of his or her
work, and activities of a railroad employee associated with his or her work, whether on or off the railroad’s
property.
Work related means related to an event or exposure occurring within the work environment. An injury or illness
is presumed work-related if an event or exposure occurring in the work environment is a discernable cause of the
resulting condition or a discernable cause of a significant aggravation to a pre-existing injury or illness. The causal
event or exposure need not be peculiarly occupational so long as it occurs at work. For example, a causal event or
exposure may be outside the employer’s control, such as a lightning strike; involve activities that occur at work but
are not directly productive, such as horseplay; or involve activities that are not peculiar to work, such as walking on
a level floor, bending down, climbing stairs or sneezing. Such activities, along with other normal body movements,
are considered events. So long as the event or exposure occurred at work and is a discernable cause of the injury or
illness, the injury or illness is work-related. It does not matter whether there are other or bigger causes as well, or

that the activity at work is no different from actions performed outside work. If an injury is within the presumption
of work-relatedness, the employer can rebut work-relatedness only by showing that the case falls within an
exception listed in § 225.15. In cases where it is not obvious whether a precipitating event or exposure occurred at
work or outside work, the employer must evaluate the employee’s work duties and environment and decide whether
it is more likely than not that an event or exposure at work was at least one of the causes of the injury of the injury
or illness.
§ 225.6 Consolidated reporting.
A parent corporation may request in writing that FRA treat its commonly controlled railroad carriers, which
operate as a single, seamless, integrated United States rail system, as a single railroad carrier for purposes of this
part.
(a) The written request must include the following:
(1) A list of the subsidiary railroads controlled by the parent corporation; and
(2) An explanation as to how the subsidiary railroads operate as a single, seamless, integrated United States
railroad system.
(b) The request must be sent to the FRA Docket Clerk, Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of
Transportation, RCC-10, Mail Stop 10, West Building 3rd Floor, Room W31-109, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590. Each request received shall be acknowledged in writing. The acknowledgment shall
contain the docket number assigned to the request and state the date the request was received.
(c) FRA will notify the applicant parent corporation of the agency’s decision within 90 days of receipt of the
application.
(d) If FRA approves the request, the parent corporation must enter into a written agreement with FRA specifying
which subsidiaries are included in its railroad system, agreeing to assume responsibility for compliance with this
part for all named subsidiaries making up the system, and consenting to guarantee any monetary penalty
assessments or other liabilities owed to the United States government that are incurred by the named subsidiaries
for violating Federal accident/incident reporting requirements. Any change in the subsidiaries making up the
railroad system requires immediate notification to FRA and execution of an amended agreement. Executed
agreements will be published in the docket.
§ 225.7 Public examination and use of reports.
(a) Accident/Incident reports made by railroads in compliance with these rules shall be available to the public in the
manner prescribed by part 7 of this title. Accident/Incident reports may be inspected at the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Safety, West Building 3rd Floor, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Written requests for a copy of a report should be addressed to the Freedom
of Information Act Coordinator, Office of Chief Counsel, Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of
Transportation, RCC-10, Mail Stop 10, West Building 3rd Floor, Room W33-437, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590, and be accompanied by the appropriate fee prescribed in part 7 of this title. To facilitate
expedited handling, each request should be clearly marked "FOIA Request for Accident/Incident Report." For
additional information on submitting a FOIA request to FRA see FRA’s website at http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/foia.
(b) 49 U.S.C. 20903 provides that monthly reports filed by railroads under § 225.11 may not be admitted as
evidence or used for any purpose in any action for damages growing out of any matters mentioned in these monthly
reports. The Employee Human Factor Attachment, Notice, and Employee Supplement under § 225.12 are part of
the reporting railroad's accident report to FRA pursuant to the 49 U.S.C. 20901 and, as such, shall not ``be admitted
as evidence or used for any purpose in any suit or action for damages growing out of any matter mentioned in said
report * * *.'' 49 U.S.C. 20903.
§ 225.9 Telephonic reports of certain accidents/incidents and other events.

(a) Types of accidents/incidents and other events to be reported-(1) Certain deaths or injuries. Each railroad must report immediately, as prescribed in paragraphs (b)
through (d) of this section, whenever it learns of the occurrence of an accident/incident arising from the
operation of the railroad, or an event or exposure that may have arisen from the operation of the railroad,
that results in the-(i) Death of a rail passenger or a railroad employee;
(ii) Death of an employee of a contractor to a railroad performing work for the railroad on property
owned, leased, or maintained by the contracting railroad; or
(iii) Death or injury of five or more persons.
(2) Certain train accidents or train incidents. Each railroad must report immediately, as prescribed in
paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section, whenever it learns of the occurrence of any of the following
events that arose from the operation of the railroad:
(i) A train accident that results in serious injury to two or more train crewmembers or passengers
requiring their admission to a hospital;
(ii) A train accident resulting in evacuation of a passenger train;
(iii) A fatality resulting from a train accident or train incident at a highway-rail grade crossing
when death occurs within 24 hours of the accident/incident;
(iv) A train accident resulting in damage (based on a preliminary gross estimate) of $150,000 or
more to railroad and nonrailroad property; or
(v) A train accident resulting in damage of $25,000 or more to a passenger train, including railroad
and nonrailroad property.
(3) Train accidents on or fouling passenger service main lines. The dispatching railroad must report
immediately, as prescribed in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section, whenever it learns of the
occurrence of any train accident reportable as a rail equipment accident/incident under § § 225.11 and
225.19(c)—
(i) That involves a collision or derailment on a main line that is used for scheduled passenger
service; or
(ii) That fouls a main line used for scheduled passenger service.
(b) Method of reporting.
(1) Telephonic reports required by this section shall be made by toll-free telephone to the National
Response Center, Area Code 800-424-8802 or 800-424-0201.
(2) Through one of the same telephone numbers (800-424-0201), the National Response Center (NRC) also
receives notifications of rail accidents for the National Transportation Safety Board (49 CFR part 840) and
the Research and Special Programs Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation (Hazardous
Materials Regulations, 49 CFR 171.15). FRA Locomotive Safety Standards require certain locomotive
accidents to be reported by telephone to the NRC at the same toll-free number (800-424-0201). 49 CFR
229.17.
(c) Contents of report. Each report must state the:
(1) Name of the railroad;
(2) Name, title, and telephone number of the individual making the report;
(3) Time, date, and location of the accident/incident;
(4) Circumstances of the accident/incident;
(5) Number of persons killed or injured; and
(6) Available estimates of railroad and non-railroad property damage.
(d) Timing of report.
(1) To the extent that the necessity to report an accident/incident depends upon a determination of fact or an
estimate of property damage, a report will be considered immediate if made as soon as possible following
the time that the determination or estimate is made, or could reasonably have been made, whichever comes
first, taking into consideration the health and safety of those affected by the accident/incident, including
actions to protect the environment.
(2) NTSB has other specific requirements regarding the timeliness of reporting. See 49 CFR part 840.

§ 225.11 Reporting of accidents/incidents.
(a) Each railroad subject to this part shall submit to FRA a monthly report of all railroad accidents/incidents
described below:
(1) Highway-rail grade crossing accidents/incidents described in § 225.19;
(2) Rail equipment accidents/incidents described in § 225.19; and
(3) Death, injury and occupational illness accidents/incidents described in § 225.19.
(b) The report shall be made on the forms prescribed in § 225.21 in hard copy or, alternatively, by means of optical
media or electronic submission via the Internet, as prescribed in § 225.37, and shall be submitted within 30 days
after expiration of the month during which the accidents/incidents occurred. Reports shall be completed as required
by the current FRA Guide. A copy of the FRA Guide may be obtained from the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Safety Analysis, RRS-22, Mail Stop 25 West Building
3rd Floor, Room W33-107, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590 or downloaded from FRA’s
Office of Safety Analysis website at http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/officeofsafety/, and click on “Click Here for
Changes in Railroad Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting.”
§ 225.12 Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Reports alleging employee human factor as cause; Employee
Human Factor Attachment; notice to employee; employee supplement.
(a) Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report alleging employee human factor as cause; completion of Employee
Human Factor Attachment. If, in reporting a rail equipment accident/incident to FRA, a railroad cites an employee
human factor as the primary cause or a contributing cause of the accident; then the railroad that cited such
employee human factor must complete, in accordance with instructions on the form and in the current ``FRA Guide
for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports,'' an Employee Human Factor Attachment form on the accident. For
purposes of this section, ``employee'' is defined as a Worker on Duty--Employee, Employee not on Duty, Worker
on Duty--Contractor, or Worker on Duty--Volunteer.
(b) Notice to identified implicated employees. Except as provided in paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section, for each
employee whose act, omission, or physical condition was alleged by the railroad as the employee human factor that
was the primary cause or a contributing cause of a rail equipment accident/incident and whose name was listed in
the Employee Human Factor Attachment for the accident and for each such railroad employee of whose identity the
railroad has actual knowledge, the alleging railroad shall-(1) Complete part I, ``Notice to Railroad Employee Involved in Rail Equipment Accident/Incident
Attributed to Employee Human Factor,'' of Form FRA F 6180.78 with information regarding the accident,
in accordance with instructions on the form and in the current ``FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident
Reports''; and
(2) Hand deliver or send by first class mail (postage prepaid) to that employee, within 45 days after the end
of the month in which the rail equipment accident/incident occurred-(i) A copy of Form FRA F 6180.78, ``Notice to Railroad Employee Involved in Rail Equipment
Accident/Incident Attributed to Employee Human Factor; Employee Statement Supplementing
Railroad Accident Report,'' with part I completed as to the applicable employee and accident;
(ii) A copy of the railroad's Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report and Employee Human
Factor Attachment on the rail equipment accident/incident involved; and
(iii) If the accident was also reportable as a highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident, a copy
of the railroad's Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident/Incident Report on that accident.
(c) Joint operations. If a reporting railroad makes allegations under paragraph (a) of this section concerning the
employee of another railroad, the employing railroad must promptly provide the name, job title, address, and
medical status of any employee reasonably identified by the alleging railroad, if requested by the alleging railroad.
(d) Late identification. Except as provided in paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section, if a railroad is initially unable to
identify a particular railroad employee whose act, omission, or physical condition was cited by the railroad as a

primary or contributing cause of the accident, but subsequently makes such identification, the railroad shall submit
a revised Employee Human Factor Attachment to FRA immediately, and shall submit the Notice described in
paragraph (b) of this section to that employee within 15 days of when the revised report is to be submitted.
(e) Deferred notification on medical grounds. The reporting railroad has reasonable discretion to defer notification
of implicated employees on medical grounds.
(f) Implicated employees who have died by the time that the Notice is ready to be sent.
(1) If an implicated employee has died as a result of the accident, a Notice under paragraph (b) addressed to
that employee must not be sent to any person.
(2) If an implicated employee has died of whatever causes by the time that the Notice is ready to be sent, no
Notice addressed to that employee is required.
(g) Employee Statement Supplementing Railroad Accident Report (Supplements or Employee Supplements).
(1) Employee Statements Supplementing Railroad Accident Reports are voluntary, not mandatory;
nonsubmission of a Supplement does not imply that the employee admits or endorses the railroad's
conclusions as to cause or any other allegations.
(2) Although a Supplement is completely optional and not required, if an employee wishes to submit a
Supplement and assure that, after receipt, it will be properly placed by FRA in a file with the railroad's Rail
Equipment Accident/Incident Report and that it will be required to be reviewed by the railroad that issued
the Notice, the Supplement must be made on part II of Form FRA F 6180.78 (entitled ``Notice to Railroad
Employee Involved in Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Attributed to Employee Human Factor; Employee
Statement Supplementing Railroad Accident Report''), following the instructions printed on the form. These
instructions require that, within 35 days of the date that the Notice was hand delivered or sent by first class
mail (postage prepaid) to the employee (except for good cause shown), the original of the Supplement be
filed with FRA and a copy be hand delivered or sent by first class mail (postage prepaid) to the railroad that
issued the Notice so that the railroad will have an opportunity to reassess its reports to FRA concerning the
accident.
(3) Information that the employee wishes to withhold from the railroad must not be included in this
Supplement. If an employee wishes to provide confidential information to FRA, the employee should not
use the Supplement form (part II of Form FRA F 6180.78, “Notice to Railroad Employee Involved in Rail
Equipment Accident/Incident Attributed to Employee Human Factor; Employee Statement Supplementing
Railroad Accident Report”), but rather provide such confidential information by other means, such as a
letter to the employee's collective bargaining representative, or to the U.S. Department of Transportation,
Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Safety Analysis, RRS-22, Mail Stop 25 West Building 3rd
Floor, Room W 33-306, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. The letter should include
the name of the railroad making the allegations, the date and place of the accident, and the rail equipment
accident/incident number.
(h) Willful false statements; penalties. If an employee chooses to submit a Supplement to FRA, all of the
employee's assertions in the Supplement must be true and correct to the best of the employee's knowledge and
belief.
(1) Under 49 U.S.C. 21301, 21302, and 21304, any person who willfully files a false Supplement with FRA
is subject to a civil penalty. See appendix A to this part.
(2) Any person who knowingly and willfully files a false Supplement is subject to a $5,000 fine, or up to
two years'' imprisonment, or both, under 49 U.S.C. 21311.
§ 225.13 Late reports.
Whenever a railroad discovers that a report of an accident/incident, through mistake or otherwise, has been
improperly omitted from or improperly reported on its regular monthly accident/incident report, a report covering
this accident/incident together with a letter of explanation must be submitted immediately. Whenever a railroad
receives a partially or fully completed Employee Statement Supplementing Railroad Accident Report (part II of
Form FRA F 6180.78), in response to a Notice to Railroad Employee (part I of Form FRA F 6180.78) issued by the

railroad and mailed or hand delivered to the employee, the railroad must promptly review that Supplement; based
on that review, reassess the accuracy and validity of the railroad's Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report and of
any other reports and records required by this part concerning the same accident, including the Employee Human
Factor Attachment; make all justified revisions to each of those reports and records; submit any amended reports to
FRA; and submit a copy of any amended Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report, Employee Human Factor
Attachment, and Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident/Incident Report on the accident to the employee. A
second notice under § 225.12 is not required for the employee. If an employee who was never sent a notice under §
225.12 for that accident is implicated in the revised Employee Human Factor Attachment, the railroad must follow
the procedures of § 225.12(d).
§ 225.15 Accidents/incidents not to be reported.
The following accidents/incidents are not reportable:
(a) With respect to persons other than railroad employees. A railroad need not report injuries that occur at
highway-rail grade crossings that do not involve the presence or operation of on-track equipment, or the presence of
railroad employees then engaged in the operation of a railroad;
(b) With respect to railroad employees on duty. A railroad is not to report the following injuries to or illnesses of a
railroad employee as Worker on Duty – Employee (Class A), if any of the conditions in this paragraph (b) are met.
(These exceptions apply only to Worker on Duty – Employee (Class A) and do not affect a railroad’s obligation to
report these injuries and illnesses as other types of persons (Employee Not On duty (Class B); Passenger on Trains
(Class C); Nontrespassers-On Railroad Property (Class D); Trespassers (Class E)), or a railroad’s obligation to
maintain a “Railroad Employee Injury/Illness Record” (Form FRA F 6180.98 or alternative railroad-designed
form)).
(1) The injury or illness occurred in or about living quarters and an event or exposure not arising from the
operation of a railroad was the cause;
(2) At the time of the injury or illness, the employee was present in the work environment as a member of
the general public rather than as an employee; or
(3) The injury or illness is caused by a motor vehicle accident and occurs on a company parking lot or
company access road while the employee is commuting to or from work.
(c) With respect to railroad employees on or off duty. A railroad is not to report the following injuries to or illnesses
of a railroad employee, Worker on Duty – Employee (Class A) or Employee Not On duty (Class B), if any of the
following conditions in this paragraph (c) are met:
(1) The injury or illness involves signs or symptoms that surface at work but result solely from a non-workrelated event or exposure that occurs outside the work environment;
(2) The injury or illness results solely from voluntary participation in a wellness program or in a medical,
fitness, or recreational activity such as blood donation, physical examination, flu shot, exercise class,
racquetball, or baseball;
(3) The injury or illness is solely the result of an employee eating, drinking, or preparing food or drink for
personal consumption. However, if the employee is made ill by ingesting food contaminated by workplace
contaminants (such as lead), or gets food poisoning from food supplied by the employer, the case would be
considered work-related and reported as either a Worker on Duty – Employee (Class A) or Employee Not
On duty (Class B) depending on the employees duty status;
(4) The injury or illness is solely the result of an employee doing personal tasks (unrelated to their
employment) at the establishment outside of the employee's assigned working hours;
(5) The injury or illness is solely the result of personal grooming, self medication for a non-work-related
condition, or is intentionally self-inflicted (except that for FRA reporting purposes a railroad shall not
exclude an accountable or reportable injury or illness that is the result of a suicide or attempted suicide);

(6) The illness is the common cold or flu (Note: contagious diseases such as tuberculosis, brucellosis,
hepatitis A, or plague are considered work-related if the employee is infected at work); or
(7) The illness is a mental illness. Mental illness will not be considered work-related unless the employee
voluntarily provides the employer with an opinion from a physician or other licensed health care
professional with appropriate training and experience (psychiatrist, psychologist, psychiatric nurse
practitioner, etc.) stating that the employee has a mental illness that is work-related.
(d) With respect to contractors and volunteers. A railroad is not to report injuries to contractors and volunteers that
are listed in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. For purposes of this paragraph only, an exception listed in
paragraphs (b) and (c) referencing “work environment” is construed to mean for contractors and volunteers only, on
property owned, leased, operated over or maintained by the railroad.
(e) With respect to rail equipment accident/incidents. A railroad is not to report rail equipment accidents/incidents if
the conditions in this paragraph are met. (This exception does not affect a railroad’s obligation to maintain records
of accidents/incidents as required by § 225.25 (Form FRA F 6180.97, “Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident
Record”)).
(1) Cars derailed on industry tracks by non-railroad employees or non-railroad employee vandalism,
providing there is no involvement of railroad employees; and
(2) Damage to out of service cars resulting from high water or flooding (e.g., empties placed on a storage or
repair track). This exception does not apply if such cars are placed into a moving consist and as a result of
this damage a reportable rail equipment accident results.
§ 225.17 Doubtful cases.
(a) The reporting officer of a railroad will ordinarily determine the reportability or nonreportability of an
accident/incident after examining all evidence available. The FRA, however, cannot delegate authority to decide
matters of judgment when facts are in dispute. In all such cases the decision shall be that of the FRA.
(b) Even though there may be no witness to an accident/incident, if there is evidence indicating that a reportable
accident/incident may have occurred, a report of that accident/incident must be made.
(c) All accidents/incidents reported as “claimed but not admitted by the railroad” are given special examination by
the FRA, and further inquiry may be ordered. Accidents/incidents accepted as reportable are tabulated and included
in the various statistical statements issued by the FRA. The denial of any knowledge or refusal to admit
responsibility by the railroad does not exclude those accidents/incidents from monthly and annual figures. Facts
stated by a railroad that tend to refute the claim of an injured person are given consideration, and when the facts
seem sufficient to support the railroad's position, the case is not allocated to the reporting railroad.
(d)[Redesignate as § 225.18(a)]
§ 225.18 Alcohol or drug involvement.
(a) In preparing a Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report under this part, the railroad shall make such specific
inquiry as may be reasonable under the circumstances into the possible involvement of alcohol or drug use or
impairment in such accident or incident. If the railroad comes into possession of any information whatsoever,
whether or not confirmed, concerning alleged alcohol or drug use or impairment by an employee who was involved
in, or arguably could be said to have been involved in, the accident/incident, the railroad shall report such alleged
use or impairment as provided in the current FRA Guide. If the railroad is in possession of such information but
does not believe that alcohol or drug impairment was the primary or contributing cause of the accident/incident,
then the railroad shall include in the narrative statement of such report a brief explanation of the basis of such
determination.

(b) For any train accident within the requirement for post-accident testing under § 219.201 of this chapter, the
railroad shall append to the Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report any report required by 49 CFR § 219.209(b)
(pertaining to failure to obtain samples for post-accident toxicological testing).
(c) For any train or non-train incident, the railroad shall provide any available information concerning the possible
involvement of alcohol or drug use or impairment in such accident or incident.
(d) In providing information required by this paragraph, a railroad shall not disclose any information concerning
use of controlled substances determined by the railroad's Medical Review Officer to have been consistent with 49
CFR 219.103.
§ 225.19 Primary groups of accidents/incidents.
(a) For reporting purposes reportable railroad accidents/incidents are divided into three groups:
Group I--Highway-Rail Grade Crossing;
Group II--Rail Equipment;
Group III--Death, Injury and Occupational Illness.
(b) Group I--Highway-rail grade crossing. Each highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident must be reported to
the FRA on Form FRA F 6180.57, regardless of the extent of damages or whether a casualty occurred. In addition,
whenever a highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident results in damages greater than the current reporting
threshold to railroad on-track equipment, signals, track, track structures, or roadbed, that accident/incident shall be
reported to the FRA on Form FRA F 6180.54. For reporting purposes, damages include labor costs and all other
costs to repair or replace in kind damaged on-track equipment, signals, track, track structures, or roadbed, but do
not include the cost of clearing a wreck.
(c) Group II--Rail equipment. Rail equipment accidents/incidents are collisions, derailments, fires, explosions, acts
of God, and other events involving the operation of on-track equipment (standing or moving) that result in damages
higher than the current reporting threshold (i.e., $6,700 for calendar years 2002 through 2005, $7,700 for calendar
year 2006, $8,200 for calendar year 2007, $8,500 for calendar year 2008, $8,900 for calendar year 2009 and $9,200
for calendar year 2010) to railroad on-track equipment, signals, tracks, track structures, or roadbed, including labor
costs and the costs for acquiring new equipment and material. Each rail equipment accident/incident must be
reported to the FRA on Form FRA F 6180.54. If the property of more than one railroad is involved in an
accident/incident, the reporting threshold is calculated by including the damages suffered by all of the railroads
involved. See § 225.23, Joint Operations. The reporting threshold will be reviewed periodically, and, if necessary,
will be adjusted every year.
(d) Group III--Death, injury, or occupational illness. Each death, injury, or occupational illness that is a new case
and meets the general reporting criteria listed in paragraphs (d)(1) through (6) of this section shall be reported to
FRA on Form FRA F 6180.55a, “Railroad Injury and Illness Summary (Continuation Sheet)” if an event or
exposure arising from the operation of a railroad is a discernable cause of the resulting condition or a discernable
cause of a significant aggravation to a pre-existing injury or illness. The event or exposure arising from the
operation of a railroad need only be one of the discernable causes; it need not be the sole or predominant cause.
The general injury/illness reporting criteria are as follows:
(1) Death to any person;
(2) Injury to any person that results in:
(i) Medical treatment;
(ii) Significant injury diagnosed by a physician or other licensed health care professional even if it
does not result in death, medical treatment or loss of consciousness of any person; or
(iii) Loss of consciousness;
(3) Injury to a railroad employee that results in:

(i) A day away from work;
(ii) Restricted work activity or job transfer; or
(iii) Significant injury diagnosed by a physician or other licensed health care professional even if it
does not result in death, medical treatment, loss of consciousness, a day away from work, restricted
work activity or job transfer of a railroad employee;
(4) Occupational illness of a railroad employee that results in:
(i) A day away from work;
(ii) Restricted work activity or job transfer;
(iii) Loss of consciousness; or
(iv) Medical treatment;
(5) Significant illness of a railroad employee diagnosed by a physician or other
licensed health care professional even if it does not result in death, a day away from work, restricted work
activity or job transfer, medical treatment, or loss of consciousness;
(6) Illness or injury that:
(i) Meets the application of any of the following specific case criteria:
(A) Needlestick or sharps injury to a railroad employee;
(B) Medical removal of a railroad employee;
(C) Occupational hearing loss of a railroad employee;
(D) Occupational tuberculosis of a railroad employee;
(E) Musculoskeletal disorder of a railroad employee if this disorder is reportable under one or more
of the general reporting criteria; or
(ii) Is a covered data case.
(e) The reporting threshold is $6,700 for calendar years 2002 through 2005, $7,700 for calendar year 2006, $8,200
for calendar year 2007, $8,500 for calendar year 2008, $8,900 for calendar year 2009 and $9,200 for calendar year
2010. The procedure for determining the reporting threshold for calendar years 2006 and beyond appears as
paragraphs 1-8 of appendix B to part 225.
§ 225.21 Forms.
The following forms and copies of the FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports may be obtained
from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Office of Safety Analysis, RRS-22,
Mail Stop 25, West Building 3rd Floor, Room W33-107 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590 or
downloaded from FRA’s Office of Safety Analysis website at http://safetydata.fra.dot.gov/officeofsafety/, and click
on “Click here for Changes in Railroad Accident/Incident Recordkeeping and Reporting.”
(a) Form FRA F 6180.54--Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report. Form FRA F 6180.54 shall be used to report
each reportable rail equipment accident/incident which occurred during the preceding month.
(b) Form FRA F 6180.55--Railroad Injury and Illness Summary. Form FRA F 6180.55 must be filed each month,
even though no reportable accident/incident occurred during the month covered. Each report must include an oath
or verification, made by the proper officer of the reporting railroad, as provided for attestation on the form. If no
reportable accident/incident occurred during the month, that fact must be stated on this form. All railroads subject
to this part, shall show on this form the total number of freight train miles, passenger train miles, yard switching
train miles, and other train miles run during the month.

(c) Form FRA 6180.55a--Railroad Injury and Illness (Continuation Sheet). Form FRA 6180.55a shall be used to
report all reportable fatalities, injuries and occupational illnesses that occurred during the preceding month.
(d) Form FRA 6180.56--Annual Railroad Report of Manhours by State. Form FRA 6180.56 shall be submitted as
part of the monthly Railroad Injury and Illness Summary (Form FRA F 6180.55) for the month of December of
each year.
(e) Form FRA F 6180.57--Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident/Incident Report. Form FRA F 6180.57 shall be
used to report each highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident which occurred during the preceding month.
(f) Form FRA F 6180.81--Employee Human Factor Attachment. Form FRA F 6180.81 shall be used by railroads, as
a supplement to the Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report (Form FRA F 6180.54), in reporting rail equipment
accidents/incidents that they attribute to an employee human factor. This form shall be completed in accordance
with instructions printed on the form and in the current ``FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports.'' The
form shall be attached to the Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report and shall be submitted within 30 days after
expiration of the month in which the accident/incident occurred.
(g) Form FRA F 6180.78--Notice to Railroad Employee Involved in Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Attributed
to Employee Human Factor; Employee Statement Supplementing Railroad Accident Report. When a railroad
alleges, in the Employee Human Factor Attachment to a Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report, that the act,
omission, or physical condition of a specific employee was a primary or contributing cause of the rail equipment
accident/incident, the railroad shall complete part I of Form FRA F 6180.78 to notify each such employee identified
that the railroad has made such allegation and that the employee has the right to submit a statement to FRA. The
railroad shall then submit the entire form, parts I and II, to the employee. The Employee Statement Supplementing
Railroad Accident Report (Employee Supplement) is completely at the option of the employee; however, if the
employee desires to make a statement about the accident that will become part of the railroad's Rail Equipment
Accident/Incident Report, the employee shall complete the Employee Supplement form (part II of Form FRA F
6180.78) and shall then submit the original of the entire form, parts I and II, and any attachments, to FRA and
submit a copy of the same to the railroad that issued the Notice in part I.
(h) Form FRA F 6180.98--Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record. Form FRA F 6180.98 or an alternative
railroad-designed record shall be used by the railroads to record all reportable and accountable injuries and illnesses
to railroad employees for each establishment. This record shall be completed and maintained in accordance with the
requirements set forth in § 225.25.
(i) Form FRA F 6180.97--Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record. Form FRA F 6180.97 or an alternative
railroad-designed record shall be used by the railroads to record all reportable and accountable rail equipment
accidents/incidents for each establishment. This record shall be completed and maintained in accordance with the
requirements set forth in § 225.25.
(j) Form FRA 6180.107--Alternative Record for Illnesses Claimed To Be Work-Related. Form FRA F 6180.107 or
an alternative railroad-designed record may be used by a railroad in lieu of Form FRA F 6180.98, “Railroad
Employee Injury and/or Illness Record” (described in paragraph (h) of this section), to record each illness claimed
by an employee to be work-related that is reported to the railroad for which there is insufficient information for the
railroad to determine whether the illness is work-related. This record shall be completed and retained in accordance
with the requirements set forth in § 225.25 and § 225.27.
(k) Form FRA F 6180.150 – Highway User Injury Inquiry Form – Form FRA F 6180.150 shall be sent to every
potentially injured highway user, or their representative, involved in a highway-rail grade crossing
accident/incident. If a highway user died as a result of the highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident, a railroad
must not send this form to any person. The railroad shall hand deliver or send by first class mail the letter within a
reasonable time period following the date of the highway-rail grade crossing accident/incident. The form shall be
sent along with a cover letter and a prepaid preaddressed return envelope. The form and cover letter shall be
completed in accordance with instructions contained in the current “FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident

Reports.” Any response from a highway user is voluntary and not mandatory. A railroad shall use any response
from a highway user to comply with part 225’s accident/incident reporting and recording requirements.
§ 225.23 Joint operations.
(a) Any reportable death, injury, or illness of an employee arising from an accident/incident involving joint
operations must be reported on Form FRA F 6180.55a by the employing railroad.
(b) In all cases involving joint operations, each railroad must report on Form FRA F 6180.55a the casualties to all
persons on its train or other on-track equipment. Casualties to railroad employees must be reported by the
employing railroad regardless of whether the employees were on or off duty. Casualties to all other persons not on
trains or on-track equipment must be reported on Form FRA F 6180.55a by the railroad whose train or equipment is
involved. Any person found unconscious or dead, if such condition arose from the operation of a railroad, on or
adjacent to the premises or right-of-way of the railroad having track maintenance responsibility must be reported by
that railroad on Form FRA F 6180.55a.
(c) In rail equipment accident/incident cases involving joint operations, the railroad responsible for carrying out
repairs to, and maintenance of, the track on which the accident/incident occurred, and any other railroad directly
involved in the accident/incident, each must report the accident/incident on Form FRA F 6180.54.
§ 225.25 Recordkeeping.
(a) Each railroad shall maintain either the Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record (Form FRA F 6180.98)
or an alternative railroad-designed record as described in paragraph (b) of this section of all reportable and
accountable injuries and illnesses of its employees for each railroad establishment where such employees report to
work, including, but not limited to, an operating division, general office, and major installation such as a
locomotive or car repair or construction facility.
(b) The alternative railroad-designed record may be used in lieu of the Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness
Record (Form FRA F 6180.98) described in paragraph (a) of this section. Any such alternative record shall contain
all of the information required on the Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record. Although this information
may be displayed in a different order from that on the Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record, the order of
the information shall be consistent from one such record to another such record. The order chosen by the railroad
shall be consistent for each of the railroad's reporting establishments. Railroads may list additional information on
the alternative record beyond the information required on the Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record. The
alternative record shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
(1) Name of railroad;
(2) Case/incident number;
(3) Full name of railroad employee;
(4) Date of birth of railroad employee;
(5) Gender of railroad employee;
(6) Employee identification number;
(7) Date the railroad employee was hired;
(8) Home address of railroad employee; include the street address, city, State, ZIP code, and home
telephone number with area code;
(9) Name of facility where railroad employee normally reports to work;
(10) Address of facility where railroad employee normally reports to work; include the street address, city,
State, and ZIP code;
(11) Job title of railroad employee;
(12) Department assigned;
(13) Specific site where accident/incident/exposure occurred; include the city, county, State, and ZIP code;
(14) Date and time of occurrence; military time or AM/PM;
(15) Time employee's shift began; military time or AM/PM;

(16) Whether employee was on premises when injury, illness, or condition occurred;
(17) Whether employee was on or off duty;
(18) Date and time when employee notified company personnel of condition; military time or AM/PM;
(19) Name and title of railroad official notified;
(20) Description of the general activity this employee was engaged in prior to the injury/illness/condition;
(21) Description of all factors associated with the case that are pertinent to an understanding of how it
occurred. Include a discussion of the sequence of events leading up to it; and the tools, machinery,
processes, material, environmental conditions, etc., involved;
(22) Description, in detail, of the injury/illness/condition that the employee sustained, including the body
parts affected. If a recurrence, list the date of the last occurrence;
(23) Identification of all persons and organizations used to evaluate or treat the condition, or both. Include
the facility, provider and complete address;
(24) Description of all procedures, medications, therapy, etc., used or recommended for the treatment of the
condition.
(25) Extent and outcome of injury or illness to show the following as applicable:
(i) Fatality--enter date of death;
(ii) Restricted work; number of days; beginning date;
(iii) Occupational illness; date of initial diagnosis;
(iv) Instructions to obtain prescription medication, or receipt of prescription medication;
(v) If one or more days away from work, provide the number of days away and the beginning date;
(vi) Medical treatment beyond ``first aid'';
(vii) Hospitalization for treatment as an inpatient;
(viii) Multiple treatments or therapy sessions;
(ix) Loss of consciousness;
(x) Transfer to another job or termination of employment;
(xi) Significant injury or illness of a railroad employee;
(xii) Needlestick or sharps injury to a railroad employee, medical removal of a railroad employee,
occupational hearing loss of a railroad employee, occupational tuberculosis of a railroad employee,
or musculoskeletal disorder of a railroad employee which musculoskeletal disorder is reportable
under one or more of the general reporting criteria.
(26) Each railroad shall indicate if the Railroad Injury and Illness Summary (Continuation Sheet) (FRA
Form F 6180.55a) has been filed with FRA for the injury or illness. If FRA Form F 6180.55a was not filed
with FRA, then the railroad shall provide an explanation of the basis for its decision.
(27) The reporting railroad shall indicate if the injured or ill railroad employee was provided an opportunity
to review his or her file; and
(28) The railroad shall identify the preparer's name; title; telephone number with area code; and the date the
record was initially signed/completed.
(c) Each railroad shall provide the employee, upon request, a copy of either the completed Railroad Employee
Injury and/or Illness Record (Form FRA F 6180.98) or the alternative railroad-designed record as described in
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section as well as a copy of forms or reports required to be maintained or filed under
this part pertaining to that employee's own work-related injury or illness.
(d) Each railroad shall maintain the Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record (Form FRA F 6180.97) or an
alternative railroad-designed record as described in paragraph (e) of this section of reportable and accountable
collisions, derailments, fires, explosions, acts of God, or other events involving the operation of railroad on-track
equipment, signals, track, or track equipment (standing or moving) that result in damages to railroad on-track
equipment, signals, tracks, track structures, or roadbed, including labor costs and all other costs for repairs or
replacement in kind for each railroad establishment where workers report to work, including, but not limited to, an
operating division, general office, and major installation such as a locomotive or car repair or construction facility.
(e) The alternative railroad-designed record may be used in lieu of the Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident
Record (Form FRA F 6180.97). Any such alternative record shall contain all of the information required on the
Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record. Although this information may be displayed in a different order

from that on the Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record, the order of the information shall be consistent
from one such record to another such record. The order chosen by the railroad shall be consistent for each of the
railroad's reporting establishments. Railroads may list additional information in the alternative record beyond the
information required on the Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record. The alternative record shall contain,
at a minimum, the following information:
(1) Date and time of accident;
(2) Reporting railroad, and accident/incident number;
(3) Other railroad, if applicable, and other railroad's accident/incident number;
(4) Railroad responsible for track maintenance, and that railroad's incident number;
(5) Type of accident/incident (derailment, collision, etc.);
(6) Number of cars carrying hazardous materials that derailed or were damaged; and number of cars
carrying hazardous materials that released product;
(7) Division;
(8) County and nearest city or town;
(9) State;
(10) Milepost (to the nearest tenth);
(11) Specific site;
(12) Speed (indicate if actual or estimate);
(13) Train number or job number;
(14) Type of equipment (freight, passenger, yard switching, etc.);
(15) Type of track (main, yard, siding, industry);
(16) Total number of locomotives in train;
(17) Total number of locomotives that derailed;
(18) Total number of cars in train;
(19) Total number of cars that derailed;
(20) Total amount of damage in dollars to equipment based on computations as described in the ``FRA
Guide for Preparing Accidents/Incidents Reports'';
(21) Total amount of damage in dollars to track, signal, way and structures based on computations as
described in the ``FRA Guide for Preparing Accidents/Incidents Reports'';
(22) Primary cause;
(23) Contributing cause;
(24) Persons injured, persons killed, and employees with an occupational illness, broken down into the
following classifications: worker on duty--employee; employee not on duty; passenger on train;
nontrespasser--on railroad property; trespasser; worker on duty--contractor; contractor--other; worker on
duty--volunteer; volunteer--other; and nontrespasser-off railroad property;
(25) Narrative description of the accident;
(26) Whether the accident/incident was reported to FRA;
(27) Preparer's name, title, telephone number with area code, and signature; and
(28) Date the record was initially signed/completed.
(f) Each railroad shall enter each reportable and accountable injury and illness and each reportable and accountable
rail equipment accident/incident on the appropriate record, as required by paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section,
as early as practicable but no later than seven working days after receiving information or acquiring knowledge that
an injury or illness or rail equipment accident/incident has occurred.
(g) The records required under paragraphs (a) through (e) of this section may be maintained at the local
establishment or, alternatively, at a centralized location. If the records are maintained at a centralized location, but
not through electronic means, then a paper copy of the records that is current within 35 days of the month to which
it applies shall be available for that establishment. If the records are maintained at a centralized location through
electronic means, then the records for that establishment shall be available for review in a hard copy format within
four business hours of FRA's request. FRA recognizes that circumstances outside the railroad's control may
preclude it from fulfilling the four-business-hour time limit. In these circumstances, FRA will not assess a monetary
penalty against the railroad for its failure to provide the requested documentation provided the railroad made a
reasonable effort to correct the problem.

(h) Except as provided in paragraph (h)(15) 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 § 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. This listing shall be posted and shall remain continuously displayed for
the next twelve consecutive months. Incidents reported for employees at that establishment shall be displayed in
date sequence. The listing shall contain, at a minimum, the information specified in paragraphs (h)(1) through (14)
of this section.
(1) Name and address of the establishment;
(2) Calendar year of the cases being displayed;
(3) Incident number used to report case;
(4) Date of the injury or illness;
(5) Location of incident;
(6) Regular job title of employee injured or ill;
(7) Description of the injury or condition;
(8) Number of days employee absent from work at time of posting;
(9) Number of days of work restriction for employee at time of posting;
(10) If fatality--enter date of death;
(11) Annual average number of railroad employees reporting to this establishment;
(12) Preparer's name, title, telephone number with area code, and signature (or, in lieu of signing each
establishment's list of reportable injuries and illnesses, the railroad's preparer of this monthly list may sign a
cover sheet or memorandum which contains a list of each railroad establishment for which a monthly list of
reportable injuries and illnesses has been prepared. This cover memorandum shall be signed by the preparer
and shall have attached to it a duplicate copy of each establishment's list of monthly reportable injuries and
illnesses. The preparer of the monthly lists of reportable injuries and illnesses shall mail or send by
facsimile each establishment’s list to the establishment in the time frame prescribed in paragraph (h) of this
section.); and
(13) Date the record was completed.
(14) When there are no reportable injuries or occupational illnesses associated with an establishment for
that month, the listing shall make reference to this fact.
(15) The railroad is permitted not to post information on an occupational injury or illness that is a privacy
concern case.
(i) Claimed Occupational Illnesses.
(1) Each railroad may maintain a Form FRA F 6180.107, “Alternative Records for Illnesses Claimed to be
Work-Related,” or an alternate railroad-designed record as described in paragraph (j) of this section, in
place of Form FRA F 6180.98, “Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record,” only for those claimed
occupational illnesses for which the railroad has not received information sufficient to determine whether
the occupational illness is work-related.
(2) Each railroad shall enter each illness claimed to be work-related on the appropriate record, as required
by paragraph (i)(1) of this section, as early as practicable, but no later than seven working days after

receiving information or acquiring knowledge that an employee is claiming they have incurred an
occupational illness.
(3) When a railroad does not receive information sufficient to determine whether a claimed occupational
illness case is accountable or reportable, the railroad shall make a good faith effort to obtain the necessary
information by December 1 of the next calendar year.
(4) Within 15 calendar days of receiving additional information regarding a claimed occupational illness
case, each railroad shall document receipt of the information, including date received and type of
document/information received, in narrative block 19 of Form FRA F 6180.107, “Alternative Record for
Illnesses Claimed to be Work-Related.”
(5) Within 45 calendar days of receiving additional information regarding a claimed occupational illness,
each railroad shall re-evaluate the claimed occupational illness to determine work-relatedness, taking into
account the new information, and document any findings resulting from the re-evaluation in narrative block
19 of Form FRA F 6180.107, “Alternative Record for Illnesses Claimed to be Work-Related.”
(6) For any claimed occupational illness case determined to be accountable or reportable, each railroad
shall:
(i) Complete a Form FRA F 6180.98, “Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record” or
alternative railroad-designed form within seven days of making such determination;
(ii) Retain the Form FRA F 6180.98, “Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record,” in
accordance with § 225.27; and
(iii) Report the occupational illness, as applicable, in accordance with § 225.11.
(7) For any claimed occupational illness case determined not to be accountable or reportable, each railroad
shall include the following information in narrative block 19 of Form FRA F 6180.107, “Alternative
Record for Illnesses Claimed to be Work-Related” or alternative railroad-designed form:
(i) Why the case does not meet reporting criteria;
(ii) The basis upon which the railroad made this determination; and
(iii) The most authoritative information the railroad relied upon to make the determination.
(8) Although Form FRA 6180.107, “Alternative Record for Illnesses Claimed to be Work-Related” (or the
alternate railroad-designed form), may not include all supporting documentation, such as medical records,
the alternative record shall note the custodian of those documents and where the supporting documents are
located so that they are readily accessible to FRA upon request.
(j) An alternative railroad-designed record may be used in lieu of the Alternative Record for Illnesses Claimed to be
Work-Related (Form FRA F 6180.107). Any such alternative record shall contain all of the information required
on the Alternative Record for Illnesses Claimed to be Work-Related. Although this information may be displayed
in a different order from that on the Alternative Record for Illnesses to be Work-Related, the order of the
information shall be consistent from one such record to another such record. The order chosen by the railroad shall
be consistent for all of the railroad 's reporting establishments. Railroads may list additional information in the
alternative record beyond the information required on the Alternative Record for Illnesses Claimed to be WorkRelated. The alternative record shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
(1) Name of Reporting Railroad;
(2) Case/Incident Number;
(3) Employee’s Name (first, middle, last);
(4) Employee’s Date of Birth (mm/dd/yy);
(5) Employee’s Gender;
(6) Employee Identification Number;
(7) Date Employee was Hired (mm/dd/yy);
(8) Employee’s Home Address (include street address, city, State and Zip code);
(9) Employee’s Home Telephone Number (with area code);
(10) Name of Facility Where Railroad Employee Normally Reports to Work;

(11) Location, or Last Know Facility, Where Employee Reports to Work;
(12) Job Title of Railroad Employee;
(13) Department to Which Employee is Assigned;
(14) Date on Which Employee or Representative Notified Company Personnel of Condition (mm/dd/yy);
(15) Name of Railroad Official Notified;
(16) Title of Railroad Official Notified;
(17) Nature of Claimed Illness;
(18) Supporting Documentation;
(19) Custodian of Documents (Name, Title, and Address);
(20) Location of Supporting Documentation;
(21) Narrative;
(22) Preparer’s Name;
(23) Preparer’s Title;
(24) Preparer’s Telephone Number (with area code); and
(25) Date the record was initially signed/completed (mm/dd/yy).
§ 225.27 Retention of records.
(a)
(1) Five-year retention period. Each railroad shall retain the following forms for at least five years after the
end of the calendar year to which they relate:
(i) Form FRA F 6180.98, “Railroad Employee Injury and/or Illness Record;”
(ii) Form FRA F 6180.107, “Alternative Record for Illnesses Claimed to be Work-Related;”
(iii) Monthly List of Injuries and Illnesses required by § 225.25; and
(iv) Form FRA F 6180.150, “Highway User Injury Inquiry Form.”
(2) Two-year retention period. Each railroad shall retain the following forms for at least two years after the
end of the calendar year to which they relate:
(i) Form FRA F 6180.97, “Initial Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Record,” required by § 225.25;
(ii) The Employee Human Factor Attachments (Form FRA F 6180.81, “Employee Human Factor
Attachment”) required by § 225.12, that have been received by the railroad;
(iii) The written notices to employees required by § 225.12 (Part I of Form FRA F 6180.78,
“Notice to Railroad Employee Involved in Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Attributed to
Employee Human Factor; Employee Statement Supplementing Railroad Accident Report”), that
have been received by the railroad; and
(iv) The Employee Statements Supplementing Railroad Accident Reports described in § 225.12(g)
(Part II of Form FRA F 6180.78, “Notice to Railroad Employee Involved in Rail Equipment
Accident/Incident Attributed to Employee Human Factor; Employee Statement Supplementing
Railroad Accident Report”), that have been received by the railroad.
(b) Each railroad must retain a duplicate of each form it submits to FRA under § 225.21, for at least 2 years after
the calendar year to which it relates.
(c) Each railroad must retain the original hard copy of each completed and signed Form FRA F 6180.55 that the
railroad submits to FRA on optical media (CD-ROM) or electronically via the Internet to [email protected]
for at least five years after the calendar year to which it relates. If the railroad opts to submit the report to FRA
electronically via the Internet, the railroad must also retain a hard copy print out of FRA’s electronic notice
acknowledging receipt of the railroad’s submission for a period of at least five years after the calendar year to
which the report acknowledged relates.
(d) Railroads may retain accident/incident records as required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section in hard copy
format or in electronic format. After October 31, 2011, accident/incident records, retained by railroads as required

by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, in hard copy format or electronic format are subject to the following
system requirements:
(1) Design Requirements. Any electronic record keeping system used to retain a record required to be
retained by this part shall meet the following design parameters:
(i) The electronic record system shall be designed such that the integrity of each record is retained
through appropriate levels of security such as recognition of an electronic signature, or other
means, which uniquely identify the initiating person as the author of that record. No two persons
shall have the same electronic identity;
(ii) The electronic system shall ensure that each record cannot be modified, or replaced, once the
record is submitted to FRA;
(iii) Any amendment to a record shall be electronically stored apart from the record which it
amends. Each amendment to a record shall uniquely identify the person making the amendment
and the date the amendment was made;
(iv) The electronic system shall provide for the maintenance of reports as originally submitted to
FRA without corruption or loss of data; and
(v) Policies and procedures must be in place to prevent persons from altering electronic records, or
otherwise interfering with the electronic system.
(2) Accessibility and availability. Any electronic record system used to create, maintain, or transfer a
record required to be maintained by this part shall meet the following access and availability parameters:
(i) Paper copies of electronic records and amendments to those records that may be necessary to
document compliance with this part shall be provided to any representative of the FRA or of a State
agency participating in investigative and/or surveillance activities under part 212 of this chapter or
any other authorized representative for inspection and photocopying upon request in accordance
with § 225.35; and
(ii) Paper copies provided to FRA or of a State agency participating in investigative and/or
surveillance activities under part 212 of this chapter or any other authorized representative shall be
produced in a readable text format and all data shall be identified by narrative descriptions (e.g.,
“accident/incident number,” “number of days away from work,” “date of occurrence,” etc.).
§ 225.29 Penalties.
Any person (an entity of any type covered under 1 U.S.C. 1, including but not limited to the following: a
railroad; a manager, supervisor, official, or other employee or agent of a railroad; any owner, manufacturer, lessor,
or lessee of railroad equipment, track, or facilities; any independent contractor providing goods or services to a
railroad; and any employee of such owner, manufacturer, lessor, lessee, or independent contractor) who violates
any requirement of this part or causes the violation of any such requirement is subject to a civil penalty of at least
$650 and not more than $25,000 per violation, except that: Penalties may be assessed against individuals only for
willful violations, and where a grossly negligent violation or a pattern of repeated violations has created an
imminent hazard of death or injury to persons, or has caused death or injury, a penalty not to exceed $27,000 per
violation may be assessed. Each day a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense. See appendix A to this
part for a statement of agency civil penalty policy. A person may also be subject to the criminal penalties provided
for in 49 U.S.C. 21311.
§ 225.31 Investigations.
(a) It is the policy of the FRA to investigate rail transportation accidents/incidents which result in the death of a
railroad employee or the injury of five or more persons. Other accidents/incidents are investigated when it appears
that an investigation would substantially serve to promote railroad safety.
(b) FRA representatives are authorized to investigate accidents/incidents and have been issued credentials
authorizing them to inspect railroad records and properties. They are authorized to obtain all relevant information
concerning accidents/incidents under investigation, to make inquiries of persons having knowledge of the facts,
conduct interviews and inquiries, and attend as an observer, hearings conducted by railroads. When necessary to

carry out an investigation, the FRA may authorize the issuance of subpoenas to require the production of records
and the giving of testimony.
(c) Whenever necessary, the FRA will schedule a public hearing before an authorized hearing officer, in which
event testimony will be taken under oath, a record made, and opportunity provided to question witnesses.
(d) When necessary in the conduct of an investigation, the Federal Railroad Administrator may require autopsies
and other tests of the remains of railroad employees who die as a result of an accident/incident.
(e) Information obtained through FRA accident investigations may be published in public reports or used for other
purposes FRA deems to be appropriate.
(f) Section 20903 of title 49 of the United States Code provides that no part of a report of an accident investigation
under section 20902 of title 49 of the United States Code may be admitted as evidence or used for any purpose in
any suit or action for damages growing out of any matter mentioned in the accident investigation report.
§ 225.33 Internal Control Plans.
(a) Each railroad shall adopt and comply with a written Internal Control Plan that shall be maintained at the office
where the railroad's reporting officer conducts his or her official business. Each railroad shall amend its Internal
Control Plan, as necessary, to reflect any significant changes to the railroad's internal reporting procedures. The
Internal Control Plan shall be designed to maintain absolute accuracy and shall include, at a minimum, each of the
following components:
(1) A policy statement declaring the railroad's commitment to complete and accurate reporting of all
accidents, incidents, injuries, and occupational illnesses arising from the operation of the railroad, to full
compliance with the letter and spirit of FRA's accident reporting regulations, and to the principle, in
absolute terms, that harassment or intimidation of any person that is calculated to discourage or prevent
such person from receiving proper medical treatment or from reporting such accident, incident, injury or
illness will not be permitted or tolerated and will result in some stated disciplinary action against any
employee, supervisor, manager, or officer of the railroad committing such harassment or intimidation.
(2) The dissemination of the policy statement; complaint procedures. Each railroad shall provide to all
employees, supervisory personnel, and management the policy statement described in paragraph (a)(1).
Each railroad shall have procedures to process complaints from any person about the policy stated in
paragraph (a)(1) being violated, and to impose the appropriate prescribed disciplinary actions on each
employee, supervisor, manager, or officer of the railroad found to have violated the policy. These
procedures shall be disclosed to railroad employees, supervisors, managers, and officers. The railroad shall
provide ``whistle blower'' protection to any person subject to this policy, and such policy shall be disclosed
to all railroad employees, supervisors and management.
(3) Copies of internal forms and/or a description of the internal computer reporting system used for the
collection and internal recording of accident and incident information.
(4) A description of the internal procedures used by the railroad for the processing of forms and/or
computerized data regarding accident and incident information.
(5) A description of the internal review procedures applicable to accident and incident information
collected, and reports prepared by, the railroad's safety, claims, medical and/or other departments engaged
in collecting and reporting accident and incident information.
(6) A description of the internal procedures used for collecting cost data and compiling costs with respect to
accident and incident information.
(7) A description of applicable internal procedures for ensuring adequate communication between the
railroad department responsible for submitting accident and incident reports to FRA and any other
department within the railroad responsible for collecting, receiving, processing and reporting accidents and
incidents.
(8) A statement of applicable procedures providing for the updating of accident and incident information
prior to reporting to FRA and a statement of applicable procedures providing for the amendment of
accident and incident information as specified in the “FRA Guide for Preparing Accidents/Incidents
Reports.”

(9) A statement that specifies the name and title of the railroad officer responsible for auditing the
performance of the reporting function; a statement of the frequency (not less than once per calendar year)
with which audits are conducted; and identification of the site where the most recent audit report may be
found for inspection and photocopying.
(10)(i) A brief description of the railroad organization, including identification of:
(A) All components that regularly come into possession of information pertinent to the preparation
of reports under this part (e.g., medical, claims, and legal departments; operating, mechanical, and
track and structures departments; payroll, accounting, and personnel departments);
(B) The title of each railroad reporting officer;
(C) The title of each manager of such components, by component; and
(D) All officers to whom managers of such components are responsible, by component.
(ii) A current organization chart satisfies paragraphs (a)(10)(i) (B), (C), and (D) of this section.
(11) In the case of the Form FRA F 6180.107 or the alternate railroad-designed form, a statement that
specifies the name(s), title(s), and address(es) of the custodian(s) of these records, all supporting
documentation, such as medical records, and where the documents are located.
(b) [Reserved]
§ 225.35 Access to records and reports.
(a) Each railroad subject to this part shall have at least one location, and shall identify each location, where any
representative of the Federal Railroad Administration or of a State agency participating in investigative and
surveillance activities under part 212 of this chapter or any other authorized representative, has centralized access to
a copy of any record and report required under this part, for examination and photocopying in a reasonable manner
during normal business hours.
(b) Each railroad subject to this part shall also provide to any representative of the Federal Railroad Administration
or of a State agency participating in investigative or and surveillance activities under part 212 of this chapter or any
other authorized representative access to relevant medical and claims records for examination and photocopying in
a reasonable manner during normal business hours. Such representatives shall display proper credentials when
requested. Each railroad shall identify the locations where a copy of any record and report required under this part
is accessible for inspection and photocopying by maintaining a list of such establishment locations at the office
where the railroad's reporting officer conducts his or her official business. A copy of any record and report required
under this part shall be accessible within four business hours after the request. The Form FRA F 6180.107 or the
alternate railroad-designed form need not be provided at any railroad establishment within 4 hours of a request.
Rather, the Form FRA F 6180.107 or the alternate railroad-designed form must be provided upon request, within
five business days, and may be kept at a central location, in either paper or electronic format. FRA will not assess a
monetary penalty against the railroad for its failure to provide the requested documentation when circumstances
outside the railroad's control preclude it from fulfilling the four-business-hour time limit and the railroad has made
a reasonable effort to correct the problem. Should a railroad assert a legal privilege with respect to certain claims
and medical records, failure to provide FRA access to such records would not constitute a violation of this section.
FRA retains the right to issue a subpoena to obtain such records under 49 U.S.C. § § 20107 and 20902 and § §
209.7(a) and 225.31(b) of this title, and the railroad may contest that subpoena.
§ 225.37 Optical media transfer and electronic submission.
(a) A railroad has the option of submitting the following reports, updates, and amendments by way of optical media
(CD-ROM), or by means of electronic submission via the Internet:
(1) The Rail Equipment Accident/Incident Report (Form FRA F 6180.54);
(2) The Railroad Injury and Illness Summary (Form FRA F 6180.55);
(3) The Railroad Injury and Illness Summary (Continuation Sheet) (Form FRA F 6180.55a);
(4) The Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Accident/Incident Report (Form FRA F 6180.57); and
(5) The Employee Human Factor Attachment (Form FRA F 6180.81) (the Employee Human Factor
Attachment must be in .pdf or .jpg format only).

(b) Each railroad utilizing the optical media option shall submit to FRA a computer CD-ROM containing the
following:
(1) An electronic image of the completed and signed hard copy of the Railroad Injury and Illness Summary
(Form FRA F 6180.55) in .pdf or .jpg format only; and
(2) The completed accident/incident report submissions.
(c)
(1) Each railroad utilizing the electronic submission via the Internet option shall submit to FRA at
[email protected]:
(i) An electronic image of the completed and signed hard copy of the Railroad Injury and Illness
Summary (Form FRA F 6180.55) in .pdf or .jpg format only; and
(ii) The completed accident/incident report submissions.
(2) FRA will provide to the railroad an electronic notice acknowledging receipt of submissions filed
electronically via the Internet.
(d) Each railroad employing either the optical media or electronic submission via the Internet option, shall submit
its monthly reporting data for the reports identified in paragraph (a) of this section in a year-to-date file format as
described in the FRA Guide.
(e) A railroad choosing to use optical media or electronic submission via the internet must use one of the approved
formats specified in the Companion Guide. FRA will reject submissions that do not adhere to the required formats,
which may result in the issuance of one or more civil penalty assessments against a railroad for failing to provide
timely submissions of required reports as required by § 225.11.
§ 225.39 FRA policy on covered data.
FRA will not include covered data (as defined in § 225.5) in its periodic summaries of data on the number of
occupational injuries and illnesses.
§ 225.41 Suicide Data.
FRA does not include suicide data (as defined in § 225.5) in its periodic summaries of data on the number of
injuries and illnesses associated with railroad operations. FRA will maintain suicide data in a database that is not
publicly accessible. Suicide data will not be available on FRA's website for individual reports or downloads.
Suicide data will be available to the public in aggregate format on FRA’s website and via requests under the
Freedom of Information Act.

APPENDIX A TO PART 225—SCHEDULE OF CIVIL PENALTIES 1

Section2

Willful
Violation

Violation

2,500

5,000

225.6: Failure to comply with consolidated reporting requirements..
225.9:
(1) Failure to report …………………......................................
(2) Failure to immediately report……………………………..
(3) Failure to accurately report……………………………….

2,500
1,000
1,000

5,000
2,000
2,000

2,500

5,000

1,000

2,000

2,500

5,000

2,500
1,000

5,000
2,000

2,500
2,500

5,000
5,000

information properly……………………………………

1,000

2,000

(1) Failure to revise report ..…………………………
(2) Failure to notify after late identification…………

2,500

5,000

2,500

5,000

225.11:
(1) Failure to report accident/incident………………………...
(a) Highway-rail grade crossing…………………………
(b) Rail Equipment………………………………………
(c) Death, Injury, or occupational illness………………..
(2) Report is incomplete……………………………….……..

225.12: Failure to file Railroad Employee Human Factor form……

(a) Failure to file Railroad Employee Human Factor
Attachment correctly:
(1) Employee identified……………………………
(2) No employee identified………………………..

(b)
(1) Failure to notify employee properly………….......
(2) Notification of employee not involved in accident.

(d)

Section2

Violation

(f) Submission of notice if employee dies as result of the
reported accident…………………………………………….

2,500

(g) Willfully false accident statement by employee……….

Willful
Violation

5,000

225.13

(1) Failure to Late reports…………………………………..
(2) Failure to Review Employee Statement…………………
(3) Failure to Amend Report……………………………….

2,500
2,500
1,000

5,000
5,000
2,000

225.18 Alcohol or drug involvement …………………………..

2,500

5,000

225.23 Joint operations

(1)

225.25:
(1) Recordkeeping ………………………………….
(2) Failure to post list……………………………………….
(3) Posting Prohibited Information…………………………
(4) Missing fields……………………………………………

2,500
1,000
1,000
1,000

5,000
2,000
2,000
2,000

(1) Failure to retain records……………………………….
(2) Failure to retain electronic receipt………………………
(3) Failure to comply with electronic recordkeeping

1,000
1,000

2,000
2,000

requirements……………………………………………
(4) Failure to provide access to records……………………

1,000
1,000

2,000
2,000

225.27:

225.33:

(1) Failure to adopt Internal Control Plan or more than two
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

missing/outdated/incorrect components….....……........
Internal Control Plan with less than three
missing/outdated/incorrect components….……………..
Failure to comply with Internal Control Plan ….………
Failure to comply with the intimidation/harassment
policy in Internal Control Plan…………………………
Failure to comply with requirements associated with
Form FRA F 6180.150………………………………….

2,500

1,000
2,500
2,500
2,500

5,000

2,000
5,000
5,000
5,000

Section2

Violation

225.35 Access to records and reports ……………………………..

2,500

Willful
Violation

5,000

A penalty may be assessed against an individual only for a willful violation. The Administrator reserves the
right to assess a penalty of up to $100,000 for any violation where circumstances warrant. See 49 CFR part 209,
appendix A. A failure to comply with § 225.23 constitutes a violation of § 225.11. For purposes of §§ 225.25 and
225.27 of this part, each of the following constitutes a single act of noncompliance: (1) a missing or incomplete log
entry for a particular employee's injury or illness; or (2) a missing or incomplete log record for a particular rail
equipment accident or incident. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense.
2
The penalty schedule uses section numbers from 49 CFR part 225. If more than one item is listed as a type of
violation of a given section, each item is also designated by a “penalty code,” which is used to facilitate assessment
of civil penalties, and which may or may not correspond to any subsection designation(s). For convenience,
penalty citations will cite the CFR section and the penalty code, if any. FRA reserves the right, should litigation
become necessary, to substitute in its complaint the CFR citation in place of the combined CFR and penalty code
citation, should they differ.

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX M
Telephonic Notification Chart

Appendix M - 1

Telephonic Notification Chart

Is Telephone Notification Required?

Was there a death

involved4?

Yes

Was the fatality to
Railroad Employee2,Contractor2
on Railroad Property, Passenger3,
Highway User due to
collision with railroad
rolling stock?

Telephonic
notification
required.

Yes

Was there a train accident1?

Yes

Two or more crew or
passengers requiring hospital
admission?

Yes

Telephonic
notification
required.

No
Passenger train (with
passengers on board)?

No telephonic
notification
required.

Yes

Was there an evacuation
of the train?

Yes

Telephonic
notification
required.

B
Page 1 of 3

Is Telephone Notification Required?
(Continued from Previous Page)
A

B
No

Damage in excess of $25,000
(including non railroad
property)?

Yes

Telephonic
notification
required.

No
No

No telephonic
notification
required.

Damage in excess of $150,000
(including non railroad
property)?

Yes

Telephonic
notification
required.

Page 2 of 3

Is Telephone Notification Required?
(Continued from Previous Page)
A
No

Was the accident
a collision or derailment?

Yes

Scheduled passenger service
on track affected?

Yes

Telephonic
notification
required by
freight railroad.

No
No telephonic
notification
required.

Fouls a main line used for
scheduled passenger service?

Yes

Telephonic
notification
required by
freight railroad.

No telephonic
notification
required.

Using the FRA Criteria for determination of an accident.

Even due to natural causes not related to rail operations, later the railroad may deem the fatality is not reportable to the FRA.

See FRA Definition.

Within 24 hours of the event, see instructions.

Page 3 of 3

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

APPENDIX N
Sample Cover Letter to Accompany Highway User Injury Inquiry Form
(Form FRA F 6180.150)

[Railroad Name]
[Railroad Address]
[Date]
[Highway User Name]
[Highway User Address]

Dear [Highway User],
[Railroad’s Name] records show that you may have been involved in the highway-rail grade
crossing accident/incident described in Part I of the attached form (Form FRA F 6180.150,
“Highway User Injury Inquiry Form”). (The term “highway-rail grade crossing” includes a
pathway crossing explicitly authorized by a public authority or a railroad carrier that is dedicated
for the use of non-vehicular traffic, not associated with a public highway, road, or street, or a
private roadway, that cross one or more railroad tracks at grade.)
[Railroad’s Name] is required by the Federal Railroad Administration (“FRA”) to send a
Highway User Injury Inquiry Form to every person potentially injured in a highway-rail grade
crossing accident/incident. However, you are not required to complete the Highway User Injury
Inquiry Form (your response is completely voluntary and not required by law). Your response
will be retained by [Railroad’s Name] as part of its accident/incident records pursuant to 49
C.F.R. § 225.27.
As background, railroads are required by Federal law to provide the FRA with information about
certain accidents and incidents occurring as a result of railroad operations. Information collected
from Highway User Injury Inquiry Forms will enable railroads to provide FRA with more
accurate information about such accidents/incidents. FRA uses this information to understand
and eliminate railroad safety hazards. You may learn more about FRA’s reporting regulations
by visiting www.fra.dot.gov.
If you decide to complete the Highway User Injury Inquiry Form, please review and complete
Part II of Highway User Injury Inquiry Form. [Railroad’s Name] has completed Part I; however,
if you have any corrections, please mark them directly on the Highway User Injury Inquiry
Form. When completing the narrative sections in 15(b) and 16(b) of the Highway User Injury

Sample Letter to Accompany

Appendix N - 1

Highway User Injury Inquiry Form

FRA Guide for Preparing Accident/Incident Reports

Inquiry Form, please describe the events that gave rise to your injury or injuries, discuss the
medical treatment, if any, you received as a result of your injury or injuries, and provide any
additional information about the box or boxes you checked in 16(a). For example, please
describe your location and activities at the time of the accident/incident, the type of injury or
injuries that you sustained and the medical care that you received following the
accident/incident. Once you have completed Part II, please sign and date the Highway User
Injury Inquiry Form, and return it to [Railroad’s Name] in the enclosed prepaid and preaddressed
return envelope.
If you have any questions, please contact me, [Railroad’s Name]’s Reporting Officer. I may be
reached at (___) ___-____.

Thank you,

[Reporting Officer’s Name]

Sample Letter to Accompany

Appendix N - 2

Highway User Injury Inquiry Form

File Type	application/pdf
File Title	Microsoft Word - FRAGuide_10 22 10 rev _clean__Gahan_.doc
Author	dakumu
File Modified	2010-11-05
File Created	2010-11-02