§ 271.103 Risk-based hazard management program.

(a) General. (1) An RRP shall include an integrated, system-wide, and ongoing risk-based HMP that proactively identifies hazards and mitigates the risks resulting from those hazards. (2) A risk-based HMP shall be fully implemented (i.e., activities initiated) within 36 months after FRA approves a railroad's RRP plan pursuant to § 271.301(d). (b) Risk-based hazard analysis. As part of its risk-based HMP, a railroad shall conduct a risk-based hazard analysis that addresses, at a minimum, the following aspects of a railroad's system: Infrastructure; equipment; employee levels and work schedules; operating rules and practices; management structure; employee training; and other areas impacting railroad safety that are not covered by railroad safety laws or regulations or other Federal laws or regulations. A railroad shall make the results of its risk-based hazard analysis available to FRA upon request. At a minimum, a risk-based hazard analysis shall: (1) Identify hazards by analyzing: (i) Aspects of the railroad's system, including any operational changes, system extensions, or system modifications; and (ii) Accidents/incidents, injuries, fatalities, and other known indicators of hazards; (2) Calculate risk by determining and analyzing the likelihood and severity of potential events associated with identified risk-based hazards; and (3) Compare and prioritize the identified risks for mitigation purposes. (c) Mitigation strategies. (1) As part of its risk-based HMP, a railroad shall design and implement mitigation strategies that improve safety by: (i) Mitigating or eliminating aspects of a railroad's system that increase risks identified in the risk-based hazard analysis; and (ii) Enhancing aspects of a railroad's system that decrease risks identified in the risk-based hazard analysis. (2) A railroad may use pilot projects, including pilot projects conducted by other railroads, to determine whether quantitative data suggests that a particular mitigation strategy has potential to succeed on a full-scale basis.