# 49 CFR § 271.103: Risk-based hazard management program

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.103

## Section

- **Citation:** 49 CFR § 271.103
- **Heading:** Risk-based hazard management program
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 49—Transportation > Subtitle B—Other Regulations Relating to Transportation > CHAPTER II—FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION > PART 271—RISK REDUCTION PROGRAM > Subpart B—Risk Reduction Program Requirements

## Text

(a) General. (1) An RRP shall include an integrated, system-wide, and ongoing risk-based HMP that proactively identifies hazards and mitigates the risks resulting from those hazards.
(2) A risk-based HMP shall be fully implemented (i.e., activities initiated) within 36 months after FRA approves a railroad's RRP plan pursuant to § 271.301(d).
(b) Risk-based hazard analysis. As part of its risk-based HMP, a railroad shall conduct a risk-based hazard analysis that addresses, at a minimum, the following aspects of a railroad's system: Infrastructure; equipment; employee levels and work schedules; operating rules and practices; management structure; employee training; and other areas impacting railroad safety that are not covered by railroad safety laws or regulations or other Federal laws or regulations. A railroad shall make the results of its risk-based hazard analysis available to FRA upon request. At a minimum, a risk-based hazard analysis shall:
(1) Identify hazards by analyzing:
(i) Aspects of the railroad's system, including any operational changes, system extensions, or system modifications; and
(ii) Accidents/incidents, injuries, fatalities, and other known indicators of hazards;
(2) Calculate risk by determining and analyzing the likelihood and severity of potential events associated with identified risk-based hazards; and
(3) Compare and prioritize the identified risks for mitigation purposes.
(c) Mitigation strategies. (1) As part of its risk-based HMP, a railroad shall design and implement mitigation strategies that improve safety by:
(i) Mitigating or eliminating aspects of a railroad's system that increase risks identified in the risk-based hazard analysis; and
(ii) Enhancing aspects of a railroad's system that decrease risks identified in the risk-based hazard analysis.
(2) A railroad may use pilot projects, including pilot projects conducted by other railroads, to determine whether quantitative data suggests that a particular mitigation strategy has potential to succeed on a full-scale basis.

## Nearby sections

- [49 CFR § 271.1 § 271.1 Purpose and scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.1.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.3 § 271.3 Application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.3.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.5 § 271.5 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.5.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.9 § 271.9 Penalties and responsibility for compliance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.9.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.11 § 271.11 Discovery and admission as evidence of certain information.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.11.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.13 § 271.13 Determination of inadequate safety performance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.13.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.15 § 271.15 Voluntary compliance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.15.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.101 § 271.101 Risk reduction programs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.101.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.103 § 271.103 Risk-based hazard management program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.103.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.105 § 271.105 Safety performance evaluation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.105.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.107 § 271.107 Safety outreach.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.107.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.109 § 271.109 Technology analysis and technology implementation plan.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.109.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.111 § 271.111 Implementation and support training.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.111.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.113 § 271.113 Involvement of railroad employees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.113.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.103. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.