To help prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued Emergency Order (EO) No. 32 to require compliance with the mask requirements of the Order of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Emergency Order No. 32 mandates that Railroad carriers must require their personnel to wear a mask in compliance with the CDC Order while engaged in railroad operations. For the purposes of this Emergency Order, the term “personnel” includes employees, contractors, probationary employees, and volunteers.

The EO notes:

“Taking into consideration the unique and exigent circumstances presented by the COVID-19 pandemic (particularly the recent emergence of variants with increased transmissibility), as well as the inconsistent use of masks observed by FRA inspectors through FRA inspection and investigation during railroad operations, FRA has determined that the COVID-19 pandemic has created an unsafe condition or practice involving a hazard of death or personal injury—not only to railroad personnel, but also to FRA and participating State rail safety inspectors who interact with railroad personnel during the performance of their essential railroad safety duties. This EO is necessary to abate this emergency situation…”

Questions regarding the face mask requirement for railroads may be submitted via email to the FRA at the following email address:

railroadsMaskup@dot.gov

FRA Emergency Order No. 32 can be found by clicking here