Advocate Jim Cameron said the NTSB can suggest railroads test for sleep disorders, but it can't compel them to do it.
The National Transportation Safety Board released a report Wednesday recommending better training for the nation's doctors in identifying and treating sleep disorders. This follows last year's deadly Metro-North derailment in the Bronx that it blames on an engineer's sleepiness.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said the NTSB report shows a "railroad in turmoil."
"Most disturbing in all of this chilling picture," Blumenthal said, "is the find that the Federal Railroad Administration has been sitting on dozens of critical safety recommendations from the NTSB as well as mandates from Congress that would have saved lives."
One recommendation is for railroads to routinely screen those employees who perform "safety-sensitive" functions, for sleep disorders. The Federal Railroad Administration regulates railroads.
Commuter rail advocate Jim Cameron said the NTSB can suggest railroads test for sleep disorders, but it can’t compel them to do it.
"The NTSB can only recommend this kind of testing," Cameron said. "It’s the Federal Railroad administration that can require it, and there’s quite a tension between those two agencies."
The FRA issued a statement on Wednesday saying that although it did not reach a consensus, it’s working on making rules to address fatigue and sleep disorders.
WSHU Public Radio contributed to this report.
