---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 C.F.R. § 299.443"
title: "49"
number: "299.443"
heading: "Safety appliances."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/49/299.443"
---

# §299.443. Safety appliances.

- (a) **Couplers.**
  - (1) The leading and trailing ends of each trainset shall be equipped with an automatic rescue coupler that couples on impact.
    - (i) Uncoupling of the rescue coupler shall be done only at a trainset maintenance facility or other location where personnel can safely get under or between units.
    - (ii) The leading and the trailing ends of a trainset are not required to be equipped with sill steps or end or side handholds.
  - (2) The leading and trailing end couplers and uncoupling devices may be stored within a removable shrouded housing.
  - (3) Leading and trailing automatic couplers of trainsets shall be compatible with the railroad's rescue vehicles. A coupler adaptor can be used to meet this requirement.
  - (4) The railroad shall develop and implement rescue procedures that assure employee safety during rescue operations and shall be contained in the railroad's operating rules.
  - (5) Each unit within a trainset shall be semi-permanently coupled and shall only be uncoupled at a trainset maintenance facility or other locations identified by the railroad where the protections afforded in [subpart B of part 218](/cfr/49/part218-subpartB.md) of this chapter can be applied.
  - (6) The ends of units in a trainset that are semi-permanently coupled are not required to be equipped with automatic couplers, sill steps, end handholds or side handholds.
- (b) **Crew access.**
  - (1) Each trainset shall provide a minimum of two (2) locations per side, where crew members can board or disembark the trainset safely from ground level.
  - (2) Each location used for crew access shall be equipped with retractable stairs with handrails designed for safe access to the trainset from ground level.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 20103, 20107, 20133, 20141, 20302-20303, 20306, 20701-20702, 21301-21302, 21304; 28 U.S.C. 2461, note; and 49 CFR 1.89.

### Source

Source: 85 FR 69731, Nov. 3, 2020, unless otherwise noted.