2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 81.40.040: Train employees — Hours of service — Penalty — Enforcement.

(1) It is unlawful for any common carrier by railroad or any of its officers or agents, to require or permit any employee engaged in or connected with the movement of any train to remain on duty more than twelve consecutive hours, except when by casualty occurring after such employee has started on his or her trip; or, except by accident or unavoidable delay of trains scheduled to make connection with the train on which such employee is serving, he or she is prevented from reaching his or her terminal; or, to require or permit any such employee who has been on duty twelve consecutive hours to go on duty without having had at least ten hours off duty; or, to require or permit any such employee who has been on duty twelve hours in the aggregate in any twenty-four hour period to continue on duty without having had at least eight hours off duty within the twenty-four hour period.

     (2) Any such common carrier, or any of its officers or agents violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred or more than one thousand dollars for each and every such violation to be recovered in a suit or suits to be brought by the attorney general.

     (3) It shall be the duty of the attorney general to bring such suits upon duly verified information being lodged with him or her of such violation having occurred, in any superior court.

     (4) It shall also be the duty of the commission to fully investigate all cases of the violation of this section, and to lodge with the attorney general information of any such violation as may come to its knowledge.

[2003 c 53 § 387; 1977 c 70 § 1; 1961 c 14 § 81.40.040. Prior: 1907 c 20 § 1; RRS § 7652.]

Intent -- Effective date -- 2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.