[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 244 (Friday, December 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 66714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33178]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Petition for a Waiver of Compliance
In accordance with Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Secs. 211.9 and 211.41, notice is hereby given that the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) has received a request for a waiver of
compliance with certain requirements of the Federal railroad safety
regulations. The individuals petition is described below, including the
party seeking relief, the regulatory provisions involved, the nature of
the relief being sought and the petitioner's arguments in favor of
relief.
Northeast Illinois Railroad Corporation
[FRA Waiver Petition No. WPS 97-10]
Northeast Illinois Railroad Corporation, (``Metra,'') seeks a
permanent waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal
Roadway Worker Protection Standards, Subpart C of 49 CFR, part 214.
Metra requests relief of 49 CFR 214.337 to the extent that lone
workers would be permitted to use individual train detection as a
method of on-track safety while operating powered snow blowers on and
near the tracks at station platforms and related crosswalks.
In support of the petition, Metra states that:
``Snowfalls which begin prior to or during the rush hours require
extensive lone worker participation utilizing powered snow blowers to
make the platforms and crosswalks safe for our customers * * *
During the times when lone workers utilize I.T.D. (Individual train
detection) as their form of protection with powers tools being used the
following procedure is required:
1. Will conduct a statement of on track safety. Will contact the
train dispatcher and determine if any unscheduled trains are in the
area.
2. Will determine that scheduled trains are on time.
3. When blowing snow from the platform within the 4 foot envelope
will face the direction a train will approach from and keep a vigilant
lookout for such trains.
4. Will blow snow from crosswalks only when safe to do so.
FRA should look at the safety risks to passengers as platforms
where snow removal is not completed within the envelope of danger due
to the constraints placed on lone workers when using power tools.''
Interested parties are invited to participate in this proceedings
by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate
scheduling a public hearing in connection with this proceeding since
the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested party
desires an opportunity for oral comment, they should notify FRA, in
writing, before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for
their request.
All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the
appropriate docket number (e.g., Waiver Petition Docket Number WPS-97-
10) and must be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Clerk, Office of
Chief Counsel, FRA, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20590. Communications received within 30 days of the
date of this notice will be considered as far as practicable. All
written communications concerning this proceeding are available for
examination during regular business hours (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) at
FRA's temporary docket room located at 1120 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Room
7051, Washington, D.C. 20005.
Issued in Washington, D.C. on December 15, 1997.
Grady C. Cothen,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Standards and Program
Development.
[FR Doc. 97-33178 Filed 12-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-M
