Regulations last checked for updates: May 18, 2024

Title 49 - Transportation last revised: May 14, 2024
Appendix Appendix B - Appendix B to Part 1580—Security-Sensitive Functions for Freight Rail

This table identifies security-sensitive job functions for owner/operators regulated under this part. All employees performing security-sensitive functions are “security-sensitive employees” for purposes of this rule and must be trained.

Categories Security-sensitive job functions for
freight rail
Examples of job titles applicable to these functions *
A. Operating a vehicle1. Employees who operate or directly control the movements of locomotives or other self-powered rail vehiclesEngineer, conductor
2. Train conductor, trainman, brakeman, or utility employee or performs acceptance inspections, couples and uncouples rail cars, applies handbrakes, or similar functions
3. Employees covered under the Federal hours of service laws as “train employees.” See 49 U.S.C. 21101(5) and 21103.
B. Inspecting and maintaining vehiclesEmployees who inspect or repair rail cars and locomotivesCarman, car repairman, car inspector, engineer, conductor.
C. Inspecting or maintaining building or transportation infrastructure1. Employees who—
a. Maintain, install, or inspect communications and signal equipment.
b. Maintain, install, or inspect track and structures, including, but not limited to, bridges, trestles, and tunnels.
Signalman, signal maintainer, track-man, gang foreman, bridge and building laborer, roadmaster, bridge, and building inspector/operator.
2. Employees covered under the Federal hours of service laws as “signal employees.” See 49 U.S.C. 21101(3) and 21104
D. Controlling dispatch or movement of a vehicle1. Employees who—
a. Dispatch, direct, or control the movement of trains.
b. Operate or supervise the operations of moveable bridges.
Yardmaster, dispatcher, block operator, bridge operator.
c. Supervise the activities of train crews, car movements, and switching operations in a yard or terminal.
2. Employees covered under the Federal hours of service laws as “dispatching service employees.” See 49 U.S.C. 21101(2) and 21105
E. Providing security of the owner/operator's equipment and propertyEmployees who provide for the security of the railroad carrier's equipment and property, including acting as a railroad police officer (as that term is defined in 49 CFR 207.2)Police officer, special agent; patrolman; watchman; guard.
F. Loading or unloading cargo or baggageIncludes, but is not limited to, employees that load or unload hazardous materialsService track employee.
G. Interacting with travelling public (on board a vehicle or within a transportation facility)Employees of a freight railroad operating in passenger serviceConductor, engineer, agent.
H. Complying with security programs or measures, including those required by Federal law1. Employees who serve as security coordinators designated in § 1570.201 of this subchapter, as well as any designated alternates or secondary security coordinatorsSecurity coordinator, train master, assistant train master, roadmaster, division roadmaster.
2. Employees who—
a. Conduct training and testing of employees when the training or testing is required by TSA's security regulations.
b. Perform inspections or operations required by § 1580.205 of this subchapter.
c. Manage or direct implementation of security plan requirements.

* These job titles are provided solely as a resource to help understand the functions described; whether an employee must be trained is based upon the function, not the job title.

authority: 49 U.S.C. 114; Pub. L. 110-53 (121 Stat. 266, Aug. 3, 2007) secs. 1501 (6 U.S.C. 1151), 1512 (6 U.S.C. 1162) and 1517 (6 U.S.C. 1167)
source: 85 FR 16506, Mar. 23, 2020, unless otherwise noted.