Railroad Safety and Accident Reporting Rules_2016.pdf

RAILROAD SAFETY AND ACCIDENT REPORTING RULES IDAPA 31.71.03
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THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION--AGENCY 31

TITLE 71
CHAPTER 3
RAILROAD SAFETY AND ACCIDENT REPORTING RULES
IDAPA 31.71.03

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RULES 0 THROUGH 100. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................ 1 
000. LEGAL AUTHORITY (RULE 0) ............................................................................................ 1 
001. TITLE AND SCOPE (RULE 1)................................................................................................ 1 
01. Title ...................................................................................................................................... 1 
02. Scope .................................................................................................................................... 1 
002. WRITTEN INTERPRETATIONS -- AGENCY GUIDELINES (RULE 2) ........................... 1 
004. PUBLIC RECORDS ACT COMPLIANCE (RULE 4) ......................................................... 1 
006. CITATION (RULE 6) ............................................................................................................... 2 
007. EFFECTIVE DATE – HISTORY OF RULES (RULE 7) ....................................................... 2 
008.  INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE – CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS (RULE
8) .............................................................................................................................................. 2 
009.-- 100. (RESERVED) ............................................................................................................. 2 
RULES 101 THROUGH 200 -- SAFETY, SANITATION CONDITIONS, AND
ACCIDENT REPORTING FOR RAILROADS ........................................................................ 2 
101. FIRST AID KIT REQUIRED (RULE 101).............................................................................. 2 
01. First Aid Kit ......................................................................................................................... 2 
02. Removal of First Aid Kit .................................................................................................... 3 
102. SANITARY CUPS AND SANITARY DRINKING WATER (RULE 102) .......................... 3 
01. Water .................................................................................................................................... 3 
02. Water Containers ................................................................................................................. 3 
03. Cleansed and Sterilized ....................................................................................................... 3 
04. Common Drinking Cup Prohibited .................................................................................... 3 
103. TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL BY RAIL (RULE 103) .................. 3 
01. Hazardous Material Defined ............................................................................................... 3 
02. Adoption of Federal Safety Regulations ............................................................................ 3 
03. Recognition of Federal Exemptions ................................................................................... 4 
104. REPORTING OF RAILROAD ACCIDENTS (RULE 104) ................................................... 4 
105. -- 999. (RESERVED) ............................................................................................................. 4 

RAILROAD SAFETY AND ACCIDENT REPORTING RULES IDAPA 31.71.03
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RULES 0 THROUGH 100. INTRODUCTION

000. LEGAL AUTHORITY (Rule 0).
These rules are adopted under the general authority of the Idaho Public Utilities Law, Chapters 1-7,
Title 61, Idaho Code, and the specific authority of Sections 61-515 and 61-515A, Idaho Code.
(3-30-01)
[Amended, G.O. 205.]
Statutory Reference: Idaho Code §§ 61-515, 61-515A.

001. TITLE AND SCOPE (Rule 1).
01. Title. The title of these rules is “Railroad Safety and Accident Reporting Rules.”
(4-2-08)

02. Scope. The scope of these rules set safety, sanitation, and accident reporting standards
that railroads must meet while operating in Idaho. (4-2-08)
[Amended, 31-7103-0701.]

002. WRITTEN INTERPRETATIONS -- AGENCY GUIDELINES (Rule 2).
The Public Utilities Commission does not have written interpretations or agency guidelines for these
rules. (7-1-93)

003. ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS (Rule 3).
There are no administrative appeals under these rules. (7-1-93)

004. PUBLIC RECORDS ACT COMPLIANCE (RULE 4).
Most documents regarding these rules are public records. Accident investigative reports by the
Commission or the Commission Staff may be investigatory records exempt from disclosure
under Section 74-105(1), Idaho Code. Accident reports required by these rules and the results of
further investigations by the Commission are prohibited from admission into evidence in any
action for damages based on or arising out of the loss of life or injury to the person or property
pursuant to Section 61-517, Idaho Code. (4-2-08)
[Amended, 31-7103-0701.]
Statutory Reference: Idaho Code §§ 74-105(1) and 61-517.

005. DEFINITION (Rule 5).
The terms “railroad” has the meaning given to it by statute in Chapter 1, Title 61, Idaho Code, orders
of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, and decisions of the Supreme Curt of Idaho construing
these statutes. (7-1-93)

RAILROAD SAFETY AND ACCIDENT REPORTING RULES IDAPA 31.71.03
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006. CITATION (Rule 6).
The official citation of these rules is IDAPA 31.71.03.000 et seq. For example, this rule is cited as
IDAPA 31.71.03.006. In documents submitted to the Commission or issued by the Commission,
these rules may be cited by their short title of Railroad Safety and Accident Reporting Rules (RSR)
and the parenthetical rule number. For example, this rule may be cited as RSR 6. (4-2-08)
[Amended, 31-7103-0701.]

007. EFFECTIVE DATE – HISTORY OF RULES (Rule 7).
The Commission adopted predecessors to these rules dating back at least to 1977. Prior to 1993,
they were codified at IDAPA 31.H and IDAPA 31.L. They were readopted and reformatted by
rulemaking decision in Docket Number 31-7103-9301, effective July 1, 1993. The history of
rulemaking proceedings preceding the initiation of the publishing of the Idaho Administrative
Bulletin and the Idaho Administrative Code is available from the Commission Secretary. (4-2-08)
[Amended, 31-7103-0701.]

008. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE – CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS
(Rule 8).
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is referred to in Rules 103 and 104. The annual
volumes of the CFR may be obtained on the web from the U.S. Government Bookstore at
http://bookstore.gpo.gov/ and click on “Code of Federal Regulations,” or by calling toll-free
866-512-1800. The full text of the CFR is also available in electronic format at
www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html. The incorporated CFR Parts are also available for
inspection and copying at the office of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission and the Idaho State
Law Library. Whenever a federal regulation is adopted by reference in these rules, subsequent
annual recompilations are also adopted by reference, but subsequent amendments to the CFR are
not adopted by reference. (4-7-11)
[Adopted, G.O. 205; amended, 31-7103-0701; amended, 31-7103-1001.]
Cross Reference: Rules 103, 104.

009.-- 100. (RESERVED).

RULES 101 THROUGH 200 -- SAFETY, SANITATION CONDITIONS, AND
ACCIDENT REPORTING FOR RAILROADS

101. FIRST AID KIT REQUIRED (Rule 101).
01. First Aid Kit. A First Aid Kit required under Section 61-515A, Idaho Code, will as a
minimum consist of the following or its equivalent: (7-1-93)
a. One (1) package aromatic spirits of ammonia ampoules. (7-1-93)
b. Two (2) triangle bandages. (7-1-93)
c. Four (4) three inch by three inch (3" x 3") or four inch by four inch (4" x 4")
compresses. (7-1-93)
RAILROAD SAFETY AND ACCIDENT REPORTING RULES IDAPA 31.71.03
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d. Ten (10) yards of two inch (2") roller bandage. (7-1-93)
e. One (1) package (minimum sixteen three-fourths inch (16-3/4") band-aids. (7-1-93)
f. Five (5) yards one-half inch (1/2") adhesive tape. (7-1-93)
g. One (1) package burn ointment or other burn compound. (7-1-93)
h. First Aid Book. (7-1-93)
02. Removal of First Aid Kit. No person or employee of any railroad company shall
remove, carry away from its proper place or use any emergency first aid kit provided in locomotives
or cabooses as required by Section 61-515A, Idaho Code, except for the purpose of administering
first aid in the event of injury to any employee or other person in an accident. (7-1-93)
Statutory Reference: Idaho Code § 61-515A.

102. SANITARY CUPS AND SANITARY DRINKING WATER (Rule 102).
01. Water. An adequate supply of cool, clean, sanitary water, satisfactory for drinking
purposes, shall be made available to all employees. Drinking water shall be obtained only from
sources approved by the State Department of Health or an approved water line. (7-1-93)
02. Water Containers. When necessary, this water shall be provided in suitable, clean,
sterilized and sanitary containers conveniently placed for the use of employees, but not in toilet
rooms. Each container shall be equipped with an approved type of fountain, approved faucet, or
other approved dispenser. (7-1-93)
03. Cleansed and Sterilized. All containers used to furnish drinking water shall be
thoroughly cleansed and sterilized as often as necessary to assure a clean and sanitary water supply.
(7-1-93)
04. Common Drinking Cup Prohibited. The common drinking cup for public use is
prohibited; either single service containers or drinking fountains with sanitary angle head, shall be
used in lieu thereof. (7-1-93)

103. TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL BY RAIL (Rule 103).
01. Hazardous Material Defined. “Hazardous material” means a substance or material
which has been determined by the United States 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 by the Secretary of Transportation. The term includes hazardous substances,
hazardous wastes, marine pollutants, elevated temperature materials as defined in 49 C.F.R. Section
171.8, materials designated as hazardous under the provisions of 49 C.F.R. Section 172.101, and
materials that meet the defining criteria for hazardous classes and divisions in 49 C.F.R. Part 173.
(3-30-01)

02. Adoption of Federal Safety Regulations. The Commission hereby adopts by
reference 49 C.F.R. Parts 107, 171, 172, 173, 174, 178, 179, and 180 (October 1, 2014). All
customers offering hazardous materials for shipment by rail and all railroads operating in Idaho
RAILROAD SAFETY AND ACCIDENT REPORTING RULES IDAPA 31.71.03
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that transport hazardous materials listed in, defined by, or regulated by the adopted federal safety
regulations must comply with 49 C.F.R. Parts 107, 171, 172, 173, 174, 178, 179 and 180.
(3-25-16)
03. Recognition of Federal Exemptions. Whenever a railroad or shipper has applied
to a federal agency and has been granted an exemption from the transportation or packaging
requirements of the federal safety regulations adopted in Subsection 103.02, the federal
exemption will also be recognized under these rules. The Commission shall not administer a
program to duplicate consideration or approval of federal exemptions on a state level. (3-30-01)
[Adopted, G.O. 205; amended, 31-7103-0301; amended, 31-7103-0501; amended, 31-7103-0701; amended, 31-7201-
1001; amended, 31-7103-1101; amended, 31-7103-1301; amended, 31-7103-1501.]
Federal Statutory Reference: 49 C.F.R. Parts 107, 171, 172, 173, 174, 178, 179, 180.

104. REPORTING OF RAILROAD ACCIDENTS (Rule 104).
The Commission incorporates by reference 49 C.F.R. Part 225 (October 1, 2014). Pursuant to 49
C.F.R. 225.1, all railroads that are required to file a copy of any accident/incident report with the
Federal Railroad Administration shall also file a copy of such report with the Commission Secretary
for accidents or incidents occurring in Idaho. Copies of accident or incident reports shall be mailed
to: Commission Secretary, Idaho Public Utilities Commission, PO Box 83720, Boise, Idaho 83720-
0074 ([phone]). Copies of such reports may also be provided by facsimile at [phone]
or by electronic mail to [e-mail]. (3-25-16)
[Adopted, 31-7103-0701; amended, 31-7103-1001; amended, 31-7103-1301; amended, 31-7103-1501.]
Federal Statutory Reference: 49 C.F.R. Part 225.

105. -- 999. (RESERVED).