Walkway Safety Standards at Industrial Tracks

PURPOSE: This rule prescribes the minimum safety standards for the construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of walkways adjacent to railroad industrial trackage within Missouri. (1) For purposes of this rule, industrial railroad trackage means that trackage owned, leased, or used by any person, firm, or corporation, other than a railroad as defined by section 386.020, RSMo, which connects with the tracks of a railroad and on which a railroad switches or operates cars or locomotives within Missouri. (2) Except in cases in which the division finds that construction or reconstruction is impracticable, unnecessary, or where existing structures or tracks prevent construction, walkways shall be constructed along each side of industrial railroad trackage a minimum of eight feet, six inches (8'6") from the center of track measured at right angles to the center. Walkways shall be reasonably level with the top of the railroad ties and beginning at the end of the railroad ties, not exceed a drop of two inches (2") per foot to provide drainage and a surface reasonably level on which to walk as well as permit the safe performance of trackside duties, taking into consideration existing structures and tracks. (3) Walkways along industrial railroad trackage shall be constructed of and maintained with materials that conform to the specifications of the railroad corporation which switches or operates cars or locomotives on and over the trackage; if no specifications are available, walkways shall be constructed of suitable chat or fines not to exceed one inch (1") in diameter. (4) Walkways along industrial railroad trackage as well as the area between the rails shall be kept free of vegetation or debris that would interfere with the performance by railroad employees of normal trackside duties. (5) Each drainage or other water-carrying facility, under or immediately adjacent to the roadbed, must be maintained and kept free of obstruction in order to accommodate expected water flow for the concerned area. AUTHORITY: section 622.027, RSMo 2016.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 265-8.110. Emergency rule filed June 14, 1985, effective July 1, 1985, expired Oct. 28, 1985. Original rule filed Aug. 1, 1985, effective Oct. 29, 1985. Moved and amended: Filed March 9, 2018, effective Oct. 30, 2018. *Original authority: 622.027, RSMo 1985, amended 1993, 1995.