CLEVELAND, July 15 — With changes to the federal hours of service laws taking effect on Thursday, July 16, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) as provided an interpretation concerning the effect of hours worked prior to the changes.
One provision of the new law provides that an operating employee who initiates an on duty period on six consecutive calendar days must have a minimum of 48 hours off duty before being permitted to perform any additional service; in certain circumstances an operating employee may initiate an on duty period on the seventh consecutive calendar day, but then must have a minimum of 72 hours off duty before being permitted to perform any additional service. FRA advises that initiation of an on-duty period prior to July 16 does not count in making the 6- or 7-day calculation.
Other provisions of the law establish monthly maximums – or “caps” – of 40 hours “excess” limbo time, and 276 hours of on duty, excess limbo time and other time spent in mandatory service. FRA has ruled that all on duty time, excess limbo time and other time spent in mandatory service prior to 12:01 a.m. on July 16 are excluded from calculating the caps for the month of July.
More detailed information, including other FRA interpretations can be found at
https://www.ble-t.org/hos.