November 30, 2008

Aaron Weatherholt, PE
Engineer of Traffic Operations
Bureau of Operations, Illinois DOT
217-782-2076
Aaron.Weatherholt@Illinois.gov

On November 21, 2008, the FHWA issued an  interim  final rule revising the Worker Visibility rule (23CFR 634) to create an exemption fo r the firefighting community.  This interim Final rule allows f irefighters or other emergency responders working within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway and engaged in emergency operations that directly expose them to flame, fire, heat, and/or hazardous materials to wear retroreflective turn-out gear that is specified and regulated by other organizations, such as the National Fire Protection Association .  Firefighters or other emergency responders working within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway and engaged in any other types of operations shall wear high-visibility safety apparel  as defined in this rule.   The FHWA decided to issue this interim final rule to address safety concerns raised by fire fighting community.   The interim final rule was published in the Federal Register today and goes in effect on November 24, 2008.  This rule can be accessed  at the following link:

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-27671.pdf

Please share this information with others that may be interested in this matter.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or Ken Wood at 708-283 -4340 or Ken.Wood@dot.gov .  

Hari Kalla, P.E.
MUTCD Team Leader  
FHWA,   Office of Operations (HOTO-1)
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, E84-316
Washington, DC 20590
Tel.: (202) 366-5915
Fax: (202) 366-3225  
Web: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/