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SDM 2024 TSI Security Integrators’ Brands of Choice

Here are the vendors and distributors that earned the trust of the top 100 security integrators in 2023.




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Lack of Positive Train Control system a factor in fatal rail incident, NTSB concludes

Washington — Fully operational Positive Train Control technology “would have intervened” to stop a fatal Amtrak passenger train derailment in which crew members were inadequately trained and tested on various aspects of a new route, the National Transportation Safety Board has concluded after its investigation into the December 2017 incident in DuPont, WA.




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FRA seeks further delay of rule on passenger railroad safety programs

Washington — Nearly two years after the Federal Railroad Administration first published a final rule requiring commuter and intercity passenger railroads to develop and implement system safety programs, the process has hit another hurdle.




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‘Finish the job’: NTSB member leads push on Positive Train Control implementation

New Haven, CT — National Transportation Safety Board member Jennifer Homendy, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and railroad safety advocates repeated their call for full implementation of Positive Train Control – emergency slowing and stopping systems designed to help prevent train crashes and derailments caused by human error.




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Defying federal agency, Illinois governor signs bill requiring two-person crews on freight trains

Springfield, IL — Legislation signed into law Aug. 9 by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) requires freight trains operating in the state to have at least two crew members, challenging the Federal Railroad Administration’s recent effort to prevent states from regulating train crew sizes.




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FRA again delays rule on passenger railroad safety programs

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration has extended until March 4 its stay on publishing a final rule requiring commuter and intercity passenger railroads to develop and implement system safety programs.




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Positive Train Control implementation: Update planned for upcoming Railroad Safety Advisory Committee meeting

Washington — An update on the implementation of Positive Train Control – emergency slowing and stopping systems designed to help prevent train crashes and derailments caused by human error – is on the preliminary agenda for the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee’s next meeting, set for Nov. 26.




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FRA seeks to delay implementation of training for safety-related railroad workers

Washington — In response to a petition for rulemaking, the Federal Railroad Administration is seeking to further delay by 16 months the implementation dates of its proposed Training, Qualification, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees regulation.




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FRA delays implementation of training for safety-related railroad workers

Washington — In response to a petition for rulemaking, the Federal Railroad Administration is delaying by 16 months the implementation dates of its Training, Qualification, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees regulation.




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DeFazio: Final rule on railroad risk reduction programs fails to address fatigue

Washington — Effective April 20, the Federal Railway Administration is requiring the nation’s largest freight railroads – known as Class I – and smaller freight railroads with “inadequate safety performance” to develop and implement a formal risk reduction program. However, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, says the final rule does not fulfill a congressional mandate to address rail worker fatigue.




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FRA amending final rule on commuter, passenger railroad safety programs

Washington — More than three years after the Federal Railroad Administration published a final rule that requires commuter and intercity passenger lines to develop and implement system safety programs, FRA is amending the rule.




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Rail crossing safety for concrete, garbage and dump truck drivers: New video available

Washington — A new video from a rail safety education group is aimed at helping drivers of concrete, garbage and dump trucks safely navigate rail crossings.




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Cranes and derricks in railroad roadway work: OSHA clarifies final rule; lists exemptions

Washington — OSHA is providing specific exemptions and clarifications for railroad roadway work in its Cranes and Derricks in Construction Standard.




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FRA revises rule on highway rail-grade crossing safety plans

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a final rule revising the agency’s regulation on highway rail-grade crossing action plans to require 40 states and the District of Columbia to develop and implement – and update, if applicable – FRA-approved action plans.




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Short line railroad safety group launches free hazmat training

Washington — The Short Line Safety Institute has published a series of free videos designed to provide railroad workers with an overview of key elements of hazardous materials safety regulations.




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FRA proposes changes to Positive Train Control regulations

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration wants to revise its regulations governing Positive Train Control systems – emergency slowing and stopping systems designed to help prevent train crashes and derailments caused by human error – and reporting on their function.




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NTSB satisfied with railroads’ progress on Positive Train Control recommendations

Washington — The National Transportation Safety Board is closing three safety recommendations related to the installation of Positive Train Control – emergency slowing and stopping systems designed to help prevent train crashes and derailments caused by human error.




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NTSB: Speeding, ‘misinterpretation of requirements’ led to 2018 fatal train collision

Washington — A railway crew’s failure to operate within safe speed requirements and the Federal Railroad Administration’s interpretation of a safety regulation were factors in a fatal collision between a BNSF intermodal train and a work train in 2018, the National Transportation Safety Board has concluded.




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FRA issues final rule amending Positive Train Control regs

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration is revising its regulations governing Positive Train Control systems – emergency slowing and stopping systems designed to help prevent train crashes and derailments caused by human error – and reporting on their function.




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Design issue could allow Positive Train Control systems to be disabled, FRA warns

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a safety advisory to railroads and rail employees regarding a recently identified interface design issue that relates to how Positive Train Control systems interface with locomotive and cab car braking systems.




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FRA announces advisory committee’s charter renewal, Dec. 8 meeting

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration recently renewed the two-year charter of its Railroad Safety Advisory Committee and has scheduled a virtual public meeting for Dec. 8, according to a notice published in the Nov. 23 Federal Register.




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Senate confirms Amit Bose as head of Federal Railroad Administration

Washington — The Senate has confirmed Amit Bose as administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, with a 68-29 vote Jan. 12.




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FRA revises regs on roadway worker protection, maintenance machine

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration has finalized amendments to a pair of regulations related to roadway worker safety and on-track roadway maintenance machines and hi-rail vehicles.




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FRA lays out requirements for railroads’ fatigue risk management programs

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a final rule requiring certain railroads to develop and implement a fatigue risk management program as a component of their larger safety risk reduction program.




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FRA seeks comment on proposal to codify train crew size requirements

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration is requesting public comment on a proposed rule that would require at least two crew members for most trains.




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More time to comment on FRA proposal to codify train crew size requirements

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration has extended until Dec. 2 the comment period on a proposed rule that would require at least two crew members for most trains.




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FRA requests input on provision in Risk Reduction Program final rule

Washington — Responding to a petition for reconsideration of a final rule on its Risk Reduction Program, the Federal Railroad Administration is seeking comment on whether to keep or remove a provision clarifying that certain contractors are considered a railroad’s directly affected employees.




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Train crew size requirements: FRA to host public hearing in December

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration has scheduled a public hearing on a proposed rule that would require at least two crew members for most trains.




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Fatal incident in Texas train yard involving a portable derail spurs FRA safety advisory

Washington — In response to a recent fatal derailment at a Texas train yard, the Federal Railroad Administration has issued a safety advisory on the use of portable derails.




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Unintended train brake release spurs FRA advisory

Washington — In response to an incident involving the unintended release of a train’s automatic air brakes while stopped at a signal, the Federal Railroad Administration has issued a safety advisory.




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PHMSA issues safety advisory on aluminum rail tank car covers

Washington — The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is alerting hazmat rail tank car owners and others of “the potential for certain manway assemblies with aluminum protective housing covers to melt when exposed to extreme heat.”




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Railroad association announces new safety measures

Washington — Spurred by the Feb. 3 train derailment and fire in East Palestine, OH, the freight rail industry says it’s taking several “initial steps” to improve safety.




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Special meeting of FRA safety advisory committee set for March 27

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration has scheduled a special meeting of its Railroad Safety Advisory Committee, to focus on the recent freight train derailment in East Palestine, OH.




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Railroad safety agency calls for caution on train car placement

Washington — Although recent technologies can improve train handling and fuel efficiency, “they cannot replace the need for correct car placement and assembly,” the Federal Railroad Administration says in a recent safety advisory.




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FRA providing funding for rail safety research

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration is making available $5 million in grants for the creation of a rail research and development Center of Excellence.




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FTA proposal aimed at strengthening transit worker safety

Washington — Alarmed by a recent spike in assaults against transit workers, the Federal Transit Authority is proposing a rule designed to protect workers and passengers.




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PHMSA proposal calls on railroads to provide real-time hazmat info to emergency responders

Washington — The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is set to publish a proposed rule that would require railroads to maintain and update information about hazardous material shipments.




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PHMSA extends comment period on proposed railroad hazmat information rule

Washington — The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has extended until Oct. 27 the comment period on a proposed rule that would require railroads to maintain and update hazardous material shipment information.




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Railroad safety agency raises the alarm on roadway maintenance machines

Washington — Concerned by the deaths of two workers struck by roadway maintenance machines in separate instances within the past two years, the Federal Railroad Administration has issued a safety advisory.




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Pipeline safety agency awards grants for hazmat training

Washington — Enhancing first responders’ education and training on hazardous materials is the focus of more than $30 million in recent Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration grant funding.




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Railroad agency issues safety recommendations about severe weather

Washington — Spurred by 123 rail incidents linked to severe weather over the past three years, the Federal Railroad Administration has issued a safety advisory.




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Transit agency aims to make workers safer near train tracks

Washington — The Federal Transit Administration is accepting comment on a proposed rule that would establish mandatory minimum safety standards for rail transit employees who work on or near tracks.




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FRA says new rule will ensure freight trains are ‘safely staffed’

Washington — Large freight trains must have at least two crew members on board, under a recently announced Federal Railroad Administration final rule.




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Railroad association white paper touts safety improvements

Washington — The railroad industry says its investment in safety is paying off with significant decreases in train incidents and rail worker injuries.




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OSHA amends hazcom standard to remove 'MSDS' references

Washington – OSHA issued a correction and technical amendment to its Hazard Communication Standard to change references of “Material Safety Data Sheets” to the updated “Safety Data Sheets.”




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Program to test safety impact of paperless hazcom system for shippers

Washington – The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has announced plans for a pilot program to evaluate the safety and security impacts of a paperless hazard communications system for shippers and carriers.




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OSHA extends comment period for draft ‘weight of evidence’ guidance

Washington – OSHA has extended, to May 2, the deadline to submit comments on the agency’s draft document on using the “weight of evidence” approach to classifying hazardous chemicals.




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OSHA, Health Canada create work plan for coordinated hazcom effort

Washington – OSHA and Health Canada have developed a work plan intended to align U.S. and Canadian requirements for classifying, and sharing information about, work-related chemical hazards.




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OSHA schedules informal meeting to discuss updates to hazcom standard

Washington – OSHA has scheduled an informal public meeting to discuss potential updates to its Hazard Communication Standard. The meeting is set to take place Nov. 16 at the Mine Safety and Health Administration headquarters in Arlington, VA.




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OSHA schedules meeting to solicit comments on GHS before UN conference

Washington – OSHA has scheduled a public meeting on June 20 in advance of the 33rd session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.