The Federal Railroad Administration
and the railroad industry use the information to determine the
extent of alcohol and drug abuse on railroad property as well as to
curtail widespread alcohol and drug use. In response to Congress’
mandate in the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA), FRA has
expanded the scope of its drug and alcohol regulation to cover MOW
employees. The final rule published in 2016 codified guidance from
FRA compliance manuals, responds to National Transportation Safety
Board (NTSB) recommendations, and adopted substantive amendments
based upon FRA’s regulatory review of 30 years of implementation of
this part. FRA will use information collected to ensure that
railroads comply with all part 219 requirements that now covers
maintenance-of-way (MOW) employees. This information collection is
mandatory, submitted as needed, and there is a requirement for
record keeping.
US Code:
49
USC 20103 Name of Law: Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970
Currently, the OMB inventory
for this collection of information shows a total burden of 22,672
hours and 863,408 responses, while this updated submission reflects
a total burden of 3,132 hours and 427,661 responses. Overall, the
adjustments decreased the burden by 19,540 hours and 435,747
responses. FRA provided a thorough review of this package and
determined many of our initial figures were based on rough
estimates. Additionally, we realized some of the estimates were
double counted and others were outdated. Moreover, other estimates
were not Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) requirements, thus leading
to the increased figures, which were decreased accordingly in this
submission. Thus, our latest review has refined our estimates to be
more accurate. The chart below provides specific information on the
review of any that have changed.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.