La. Admin. Code tit. 70 § IX-1509

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section IX-1509 - Oversight of RTA Safety Plans and Internal Safety Reviews

A. RTA Safety Plan Review. The RTA is required to develop and submit a safety plan to the SSOA for its review and written approval. The safety plan must be compliant with the SSOPS, any federal rules (i.e., 49 C.F.R. Part 673 and 49 U.S.C. 5329(d)) specifically addressing RTA safety plans, any specific guidance found in the SSOA procedures manual, and other guidance provided through FTAs national public transportation safety plan. The SSOA may require changes to safety plan based on changes in federal or state requirements, audit results, inspections, investigations, or findings based on safety data analysis. After written notification from the SSOA for safety plan modifications, the RTA and SSOA will determine a reasonable timeline for completing the revision(s). The RTA must assess its safety plan annually and revise it as needed to reflect changes in the organization, procedures, equipment, facilities, and operating environment. The RTA must submit any revisions to the SSOA to ensure compliance with the SSOPS. The SSOA will complete a compliance review of the safety plan within 30 calendar days of receipt, or notify the RTA if additional time is needed. If the RTA safety plan complies with the SSOPS and other guidance as necessary, the SSOA will issue a written approval of the safety plan (along with appropriate checklists) and request that the RTA send a final copy of the safety plan with appropriate signatures and other endorsements as required. The safety plan and any revisions to the safety plan must be approved by the RTA Board of Commissioners and signed by a designee of the RTA Board of Commissioners. The approved RTA safety plan remains in effect until another such safety plan or revisions to the existing safety plan is/are submitted and approved in accordance with this SSOPS. If the SSOA determines that the submitted safety plan does not meet the requirements of the SSOPS or other appropriate guidance, a written rejection of the safety plan will be sent to the RTA along with a description (comments and appropriate checklists) of necessary changes to gain approval. The RTA will make such changes in an expeditious manner, unless otherwise specified in the rejection letter. The RTA may request a meeting with the SSOA to discuss the safety plan review comments. In the event the RTA objects to a noted deficiency or requested change from the SSOA, a written notice of the objections and suggested alternatives will be provided to the SSOA within 30 days. Both the SSOA and the RTA must agree on an appropriate course of action or the SSOA will follow the escalation procedures.

B. RTA Internal Reviews. The RTA must develop and document a process for the performance of on-going internal safety audits that assess the elements and implementation of the RTA safety plan. Each element of the safety plan must be audited at least once during a three-year cycle. The audit process must at a minimum; describe a process used by the RTA to determine if all identified elements of the safety plan are performing as intended; determine if areas of non-compliance and hazards are being identified in a timely manner; ensure that all elements are being reviewed in an on-going manner and over a three-year cycle; and, ensure that no unit leads its own internal audit. The RTA will notify the SSOA in writing at least 30 days prior to any internal audit and will provide audit checklists, procedures, and other documents as necessary. The RTA will coordinate any comments on the checklists and schedule with the SSOA. On or before February 15th of each year, the RTA will submit a report detailing all internal safety audits performed during the preceding calendar year. The report, signed by the RTA accountable executive, must contain at a minimum; a listing of the internal safety audits conducted the previous calendar year; an updated schedule for audits that will be conducted in the current three-year cycle; a status of all findings; and, recommendations and corrective actions resulting from the audits conducted the previous calendar year. The SSOA will review and approve the internal audit report submitted by the RTA prior to submission to the FTA each year on or before March 15th.

La. Admin. Code tit. 70, § IX-1509

Promulgated by the Department of Transportation and Development, Office of Multimodal Commerce, LR 44924 (5/1/2018), Amended LR 482187 (8/1/2022).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 48:214; 49 C.F.R Part 674 ; 49 U.S.C. § 5329.