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Key DOT Compliance Trends: What Transportation Businesses Need to Know

As we progress towards 2025, staying updated on Department of Transporation (DOT) compliance trends is crucial for transportation businesses. Key DOT Compliance Trends: What Transportation Businesses ...

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Comprehensive Product Features for Superior Compliance and Efficiency

At Spark TS, we pride ourselves on offering a suite of leading-edge tools and services designed to streamline and enhance your compliance, safety, and operational efficiency. Our products are crafted ...

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Navigating USDOT Compliance: A Guide for Small and Midsize Enterprises

For small to midsize businesses, understanding the labyrinth of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) regulations is as critical as it is challenging. These rules can seem like roadblocks, ...

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Why Training is to Blame for Railroad Fatalities and Incidents

When was the last time you discussed the root causes behind railroad incidents? Stick with me here… many of you who know me, know that I am passionate about what I do, the people I work with, and the ...

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Assess Your FTA Compliance

FTA Drug and Alcohol Program Management It's a piece of cake being a Drug and Alcohol Program Manager (DAPM) or Designated Employer Representative (DER) for Transit, right? Wrong. Ensuring compliance ...

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10 Steps to Collection Site Security and Integrity To Help Collectors

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has done a good job providing collection agents with information on maintaining the integrity of a collection event. As a DOT employer, how good of a job have ...

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Updating your 243 Plan Just Got Easier

It's been almost a year since 49 CFR Part 243 has gone into effect for contractors and short line railroads. And for many, there is already a need to update your FRA 243 submissions, which just got ...

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Effective March 4th: Mechanical Employees Included in Part 219

On February 2, 2022, FRA published a Final Rule updating 49 CFR Part 219 to include Mechanical Employees. This post provides a brief update on what is changing and when. Several changes to PAT ...

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What Records Must be Maintained for 243?

Compliance is all about your ability to show your company is compliant with regulatory requirements. While this regulation is focused on training, there are a handful of records you should be ...

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243 Oversight and 217 Operational Tests

While railroads can use their operational testing program for the required periodic oversight in 243, there are some differences you should be aware of. What are the Periodic Oversight Requirements ...

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243 is here and I just hired someone, now what?

Your 243 submission is done. But now you are hiring, are you ready to implement your plan? Here are a couple of ideas to help make the transition from planning to implementation easier. Document your ...

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243 Compliance Checklist

The deadline to submit initial training programs is just days away. But what about the other 243 requirements? Here is a checklist that breaks down what you have to do to be compliant with the ...

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Do Railroad Contractors Need an FRA Approval Letter?

This has recently become the most common question I am asked by contractors There are a couple of points to consider in order to determine if an FRA approval letter is required. Some FRA programs ...

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How to Submit Your 243 Programs

Are you almost ready to submit your 243 training programs but having questions about what to submit or not to submit or how to use the FRA's portal? This article will walk you through that process. ...

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Grandfathering-in Existing Employees Under 49 CFR Part 243

Do you need to re-train your existing employees under 49 CFR Part 243? The answer is probably not. However, I have talked to several railroads in the last month that thought they did. While I wanted ...

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Can you use your 217 program for 243? Yes, BUT (and it is a big BUT)

There has been a flurry of activity as short line railroads and railroad contractors prepare for the May 1st Part 243 implementation deadline. Amongst this activity, I have seen growing confusion ...

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