SECTION 7.82. System Safety Program Plan

(a) Each rail transit agency shall develop and implement a written system safety program plan that complies with the requirements of this section.

(b) A system safety program plan developed pursuant to 49 C.F.R. part 659 may serve as the rail transit agency's safety plan until July 20, 2020.

(c) The system safety program plan must include, at a minimum:

(1) a policy statement, signed by the agency's chief executive, that endorses the safety program and describes the authority that establishes the system safety program plan;

(2) a clear definition of the goals and objectives for the safety program and stated management responsibilities to ensure that those goals and objectives are achieved;

(3) an overview of the management structure of the rail transit agency, including:

(A) an organization chart;

(B) a description of how the safety function is integrated into the rest of the rail transit organization; and

(C) clear identification of the lines of authority used by the rail transit agency to manage safety issues;

(4) a description of the process used to control changes to the system safety program plan, which must include:

(A) an annual assessment of whether the system safety program plan should be updated in accordance with §7.87 of this subchapter (relating to Rail Transit Agency's Annual Review); and

(B) coordination with the department, including timeframes for submission, revision, and approval;

(5) a description of the specific activities required to implement the system safety program, including:

(A) tasks to be performed by the rail transit agency as its safety function, by position and management accountability, specified in matrices or a narrative format; and

(B) safety-related tasks to be performed by other rail transit departments, by position and management accountability, specified in matrices or a narrative format;

(6) a description of the process used by the rail transit agency to implement its hazard management program, which must include activities for:

(A) hazard identification;

(B) hazard investigation, evaluation, and analysis;

(C) hazard control and elimination;

(D) hazard tracking; and

(E) requirements for on-going reporting to the department relating to hazard management activities and status;

(7) a description of the process used by the rail transit agency to ensure that safety concerns are addressed in modifications to existing systems, vehicles, and equipment that do not require formal safety certification but may have safety impacts;

(8) a description of the safety certification process required by the rail transit agency to ensure that safety concerns and hazards are adequately addressed before the initiation of passenger operations and before subsequent major projects to extend, rehabilitate, or modify an existing system, or to replace vehicles and equipment;

(9) a description of the process used to collect, maintain, analyze, and distribute safety data to ensure that the safety function within the rail transit organization receives the necessary information to support implementation of the system safety program;

(10) a description of the process used by the rail transit agency to perform accident notification, investigation, and reporting, which must include:

(A) notification thresholds for internal and external organizations;

(B) accident investigation process and references to procedures;

(C) the process used to develop, implement, and track corrective actions that address investigation findings;

(D) reporting to internal and external organizations; and

(E) coordination with the department;

(11) a description of the process used by the rail transit agency to develop an approved, coordinated schedule for all emergency management program activities, which must include:

(A) meetings with external agencies;

(B) emergency planning responsibilities and requirements;

(C) the process used to evaluate emergency preparedness, such as annual emergency field exercises;

(D) after action reports and implementation of findings;

(E) revision and distribution of emergency response procedures;

(F) familiarization training for public safety organizations; and

(G) employee training;

(12) a description of the process used by the rail transit agency to ensure that planned and scheduled internal safety reviews are performed to evaluate compliance with the system safety program plan, which must include:

(A) identification of departments and functions subject to review;

(B) identification of responsibility for scheduling reviews;

(C) the process used for conducting reviews, including the development of checklists and procedures and the issuing of findings;

(D) review of reporting requirements;

(E) tracking the status of implemented recommendations; and

(F) coordination with the department;

(13) a description of the process used by the rail transit agency to develop, maintain, and ensure compliance with rules and procedures having a safety impact, which must include:

(A) identification of operating and maintenance rules and procedures subject to review;

(B) techniques used to assess the implementation of operating and maintenance rules and procedures by employees, such as performance testing;

(C) techniques used to assess the effectiveness of supervision relating to the implementation of operating and maintenance rules; and

(D) the process used for documenting results and incorporating them into the hazard management process;

(14) a description of the process used for facilities and equipment safety inspections, which must include:

(A) identification of the facilities and equipment subject to regular safety related inspection and testing;

(B) techniques used to conduct inspections and testing;

(C) inspection schedules and procedures; and

(D) a description of how results are entered into the hazard management process;

(15) a description of the maintenance audits and inspections program, which must include identification of the affected facilities and equipment, maintenance cycles, documentation required, and the process for integrating identified problems into the hazard management process;

(16) a description of the training and certification program for employees and contractors, which must include:

(A) the categories of safety-related work requiring training and certification;

(B) a description of the training and certification program for employees and contractors in safety-related positions;

(C) the process used to maintain and access employee and contractor training records; and

(D) the process used to assess compliance with training and certification requirements;

(17) a description of the configuration management control process, which must include:

(A) the authority to make configuration changes;

(B) the process used for making changes; and

(C) assurances necessary for formally notifying all involved departments;

(18) a description of the safety program for employees and contractors that incorporates the applicable local, state, and federal requirements, which must include:

(A) the safety requirements that employees and contractors must follow when working on, or in close proximity to, rail transit agency property; and

(B) the processes used for ensuring that the employees and contractors know and follow the requirements;

(19) a description of the hazardous materials program, which must include the process used to ensure knowledge of and compliance with program requirements;

(20) a description of the drug and alcohol program and the process used to ensure knowledge of and compliance with program requirements; and

(21) a description of the measures, controls, and assurances in place to ensure that safety principles, requirements, and representatives are included in the rail transit agency's procurement process.

Source Note: The provisions of this §7.82 adopted to be effective September 1, 2018, 43 TexReg 5238; amended to be effective February 19, 2020, 45 TexReg 1041