49 CFR § 214.503 - Good-faith challenges; procedures for notification and resolution.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s214.503"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 214.503 - Good-faith challenges; procedures for notification and resolution."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "214.503"
section_name: "Good-faith challenges; procedures for notification and resolution."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "214"
part_name: "RAILROAD WORKPLACE SAFETY"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 20102-20103, 20107, 21301-21302, 31304; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "57 FR 28127, June 24, 1992, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "214"
---
# 214.503 Good-faith challenges; procedures for notification and resolution.
(a) An employee operating an on-track roadway maintenance machine or hi-rail vehicle shall inform the employer whenever the employee makes a good-faith determination that the machine or vehicle does not comply with FRA regulations or has a condition that inhibits its safe operation.
(b) Any employee charged with operating an on-track roadway maintenance machine or hi-rail vehicle covered by this subpart may refuse to operate the machine or vehicle if the employee makes a good-faith determination that it does not comply with the requirements of this subpart or has a condition that inhibits its safe operation. The employer shall not require the employee to operate the machine or vehicle until the challenge resulting from the good-faith determination is resolved.
(c) Each employer shall have in place and follow written procedures to assure prompt and equitable resolution of challenges resulting from good-faith determinations made in accordance with this section. The procedures shall include specific steps to be taken by the employer to investigate each good-faith challenge, as well as procedures to follow once the employer finds a challenged machine or vehicle does not comply with this subpart or is otherwise unsafe to operate. The procedures shall also include the title and location of the employer's designated official.