WMSC directs WMATA to address improper power restoration practices

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has been directed to revise its practices surrounding power restoration when work crews are present after the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) determined “Metrorail is continuing to put its personnel at risk of serious injury or death by repeatedly bypassing safety redundancies in power restoration procedures.”

The WMSC directive calls for WMATA to reduce the number of work locations requiring power de-energization until a series of safety stand downs take place to ensure familiarization with the required redundant safety procedures and re-emphasize to roadway worker protection-trained personnel the importance of following procedures to ensure safety when performing their work.

WMATA will also need to submit a revised corrective action plan (CAP) within 30 days of what corrective action will be taken to ensure power is not restored prematurely. Metrorail is also required to properly conduct a safety certification process, including a renewed review by the Safety Certification Review Committee, and must develop a new Power Desk Safety Certification Verification Report that demonstrates that the Power Desk process is properly completed and safely implemented.

In May 2020, WMSC found “third power restoration is routinely rushed” by the authority’s control center management, which WMSC says is focused on service restoration rather than safety procedures.

WMATA proposed a CAP following the May 2020 finding, but WMSC says these interim safety measures were regularly bypassed and “that elements of Metrorail have a culture that accepts noncompliance.”

The safety directive brings more bad news WMATA’s way this week following reports that half of its Metrorail operators were not in compliance with recertification followed by the immediate resignation of General Manager and CEO Paul Wiedefeld and COO Joe Leader.

Interim General Manager and CEO Andy Off issued a statement saying he was focused on the authority’s safety challenges, returning the 7000-series railcars to service and advancing the second phase of the Silver Line.

“On my first day on the job, I met with the executive management team, the operations senior leadership team and got briefed on the status of several key safety matters. As I told Chair Smedberg and Randy Clarke, the team here is united in our commitment to safety and getting riders back on Metro. We are determined not to miss a step, and everyone I have spoken to externally and internally today has offered their support and assistance,” said Off.

WMSC's 16-page directive and background information can be found WMSC's website.