MN SF4127

Class one and class two railroad carriers must conduct at least two live, non-computer-simulated rail-yard evacuation drills annually with employees on duty at specified yards.

Evacuation drills apply only at rail yards where carriers move hazardous material and more than 400 rail cars are moved or pass through each calendar week.

Carriers must include employees in evacuation planning, live drills, and post-drill reviews, identifying placarded hazardous materials and emergency actions for contact with such materials.

Carriers must post evacuation routes, lighted wind sock locations, and rally points or shelters at applicable yards, and may coordinate drills with public emergency response or chemical assessment teams.

Carriers must annually report evacuation drills to local emergency response authorities, the Minnesota Department of Transportation's Office of Commercial Freight Rail Inspections, hazardous material inspectors, and employee safety representatives under the Railway Labor Act.