Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act of 2025

This bill would set limits on how long railroad yardmasters can be on duty, adding them to the same type of work-hour rules that already apply to train crews. The goal is to cut down on fatigue, improve safety in rail yards, and make schedules more predictable for these workers.

It updates federal rail safety law to include yardmasters under the “limitations on duty hours” section, so railroads must manage shifts and rest time for yardmasters in line with these protections.

• Who is affected: Railroad yardmasters, rail yards, and rail carriers.
• What changes: Yardmasters would be covered by federal limits on daily duty hours and required off-duty rest, similar to train employees.
• Why it matters: Aims to reduce fatigue-related risks and improve safety for workers and nearby communities.