RSC Information with Privacy Act Statement

Rail Security Rule-Frequently Asked Questions

1st Edition

Frequently Asked Questions about the TSA Rail Security Rule
101.001

Answer

In section 1580.101, freight rail carriers, hazardous materials
shippers, and hazardous materials receivers in a high threat
urban area are required to submit the name and contact
information for their Rail Security Coordinator. How do
companies subject to the rule submit their Rail Security
Coordinator information?
RSC information can be e-mailed to TSA at
[email protected], and should include the following:
1. Names of the designated RSC and alternate(s), and for
each:
 Titles
 Name of the facility or facilities for which the
RSCs are responsible, including address
information
 Phone numbers (primary office, fax, mobile, and
emergency, if applicable)
 E-mail addresses
2. Phone number for which TSA can call to obtain location and
shipping information, as required by 49 CFR 1580.103
Please include in the subject line, “RSC Information for [company name]”.
The RSC information can also be submitted to TSA by sending a
letter to:
Transportation Security Administration
Freight Rail Security Division, TSA-28
601 South 12th Street
Arlington, VA 20598-6028

Privacy Act Statement
AUTHORITY: 49 U.S.C. § 114(f), (l). PRINCIPAL PURPOSE(S): This information will be used to
establish a rail security coordinator point of contact in the event of an emergency. ROUTINE USE(S):
This information may be shared with contractors and their agents, grantees, experts, consultants, and
others performing or working on a contract, service, grant, cooperative agreement, or other assignment
for DHS, when necessary to accomplish an agency function related to this system of records, or for
routine uses identified in the Department of Homeland Security’s system of records notice, DHS/ALL002 Department of Homeland Security Mailing and Other Lists System of Records.
DISCLOSURE: Mandatory; freight rail carriers, hazardous material shippers, and hazardous material
receivers are required to provide this information pursuant to 49 CFR 1580.101.

1

Rail Security Rule-Frequently Asked Questions
105.001
Answer

100.001
Answer

1st Edition

Who is required to report significant security incidents to the
TSA Freedom Center?
Those persons or companies that meet the definitions of those
described in 1580.100. This includes freight rail carriers, shippers of
rail security-sensitive materials and receivers of rail security-sensitive
materials that are located in high threat urban areas.

Are facilities that do not ship rail security-sensitive materials
subject to the rule?
No. Only those facilities that ship one or more of the commodities
described in 1580.100(b) are subject to the rule. For example, if a
facility only ships tank cars loaded with flammable liquids, they would
not be subject to the rule.

1580.001 My company is responsible for performing inspections of tank
cars containing rail security-sensitive materials. How can I
obtain a copy of training materials for my employees who will be
conducting the inspections?
Answer
You may request a copy of the TSA produced CD-ROM on IED
recognition and identification by going to
http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/tsnm/freight_rail/index.shtm . There
you will find an order form which can be used to request a free copy
of the training program.
103.001

Answer

005.001

In section 1580.103, all railroad carriers, all rail hazardous
materials shippers, and rail hazardous materials receivers
located in an HTUA are required to provide TSA with a phone
number to contact to obtain shipping and location information.
Can I provide TSA with the phone number of a third-party
contact center to be the initial point of contact for this purpose?
Yes, provided that the third-party contact or call center has the ability
to contact your company’s designated representative, obtain the
required information, and then forward that information to TSA within
the mandatory timeframe. It is the responsibility of the railroad carrier,
rail hazardous materials shipper or receiver to ensure that the
process put in place meets all of the requirements outlined in section
1580.103.
The rule states under inspection authority, "In order to fulfill TSA
directed duties, TSA and DHS officials working with TSA may be
present within any area or conveyance without access or
identification media issued or approved by the inspected entity."

2

Rail Security Rule-Frequently Asked Questions

Answer

1st Edition

Does this mean that inspectors cannot be required to wear
visitor passes or sit for a safety briefing?
TSA inspectors will, whenever possible, comply with the existing
safety policies and procedures of the property they are inspecting. If it
is the policy of the facility for first-time visitors to view a safety video
or sit for a briefing then TSA inspectors will comply with the policy, as
long as it does not interfere with their duties.

1580.002 When does the rule go into effect?
Answer
The following provisions are effective December 26, 2008: 1580.101,
1580.103, and 1580.105.
The provisions of 1580.107 are effective April 1, 2009.
101.002

Answer

103.002

Answer

49 CFR Part 1580 allows a railroad to have a primary RSC and at
least one alternate RSC. When it becomes necessary for the TSA
to contact the primary RSC and he or she cannot be reached will
the TSA call the second name supplied, then the third and so on
until an alternate RSC is contacted?
Yes, TSA will attempt to contact the rail security coordinators in the
order in which they were supplied to TSA.
In Section 1580.103 “Car Location Reporting” it states that
covered parties must provide TSA with a phone number to
contact to request security-sensitive car information. How will
persons called by TSA know that the request is genuine?
TSA will be providing guidance in the near future to all rail security
coordinators on the procedures that TSA will use for requesting this
information. This guidance will include the protocols that TSA will use
to indicate that a request is legitimate.

3