49 CFR § 270.401 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s270.401"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 270.401 - Definitions."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "270.401"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
part_number: "270"
part_name: "SYSTEM SAFETY PROGRAM"
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. 20103, 20106-20107, 20118-20119, 20156, 21301, 21304, 21311; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; and 49 CFR 1.89."
regulatory_source: "81 FR 53896, Aug. 12, 2016, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "270"
---


# 270.401 Definitions.

As used in this subpart—

*Contributing factor* means a circumstance or condition that helps cause a result.

*Fatigue* means a complex state characterized by a lack of alertness and reduced mental and physical performance, often accompanied by drowsiness.

*Fatigue-risk analysis* means a railroad's analysis of its operations that:

(1) Identifies and evaluates the fatigue-related railroad safety hazards on its system(s); and

(2) Determines the degree of risk associated with each of those hazards.

*FRMP* means a Fatigue Risk Management Program.

*FRMP plan* means a Fatigue Risk Management Program plan.

*Safety-related railroad employee* means:

(1) A person subject to 49 U.S.C. 21103, 21104, or 21105;

(2) Another person involved in railroad operations not subject to 49 U.S.C. 21103, 21104, or 21105;

(3) A person who inspects, installs, repairs or maintains track, roadbed, signal and communication systems, and electric traction systems including a roadway worker or railroad bridge worker;

(4) A hazmat employee defined under 49 U.S.C. 5102(3);

(5) A person who inspects, repairs, or maintains locomotives, passenger cars, or freight cars; or

(6) An employee of any person who utilizes or performs significant railroad safety-related services, as described in § 270.103(d)(2), if that employee performs a function identified in paragraphs (1) through (5) of this definition.