Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC)
@metrorailsafety.bsky.social
We are the independent entity responsible for direct safety oversight and enforcement on WMATA's Metrorail system in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. More at WMSC.gov
WMSC will continue to monitor each of these findings and the associated corrective action plans to completion and further evaluate their effectiveness in future inspections and audits.
December 4, 2025 at 2:04 PM
WMSC will continue to monitor each of these findings and the associated corrective action plans to completion and further evaluate their effectiveness in future inspections and audits.
Each finding and recommendation is fully outlined in the Audit Findings section of this report. WMATA is required to propose corrective action plans to address each finding no later than 30 days after the issuance of this report. wmsc.gov/wp-content/u...
wmsc.gov
December 4, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Each finding and recommendation is fully outlined in the Audit Findings section of this report. WMATA is required to propose corrective action plans to address each finding no later than 30 days after the issuance of this report. wmsc.gov/wp-content/u...
This audit also identified positive practices, some of which resulted from WMSC oversight.
December 4, 2025 at 2:03 PM
This audit also identified positive practices, some of which resulted from WMSC oversight.
The report includes 4 findings and 2 recommendations.
December 4, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The report includes 4 findings and 2 recommendations.
The audit scope included Metrorail’s communications systems (voice or data transmission systems and related equipment) presently in use or available for use (e.g. backup systems). This includes radio and public address (PA) systems.
December 4, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The audit scope included Metrorail’s communications systems (voice or data transmission systems and related equipment) presently in use or available for use (e.g. backup systems). This includes radio and public address (PA) systems.
The WMSC performed this audit of WMATA’s communication systems, through in-depth interviews, site visits, and document and data reviews conducted from March to June 2025.
December 4, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The WMSC performed this audit of WMATA’s communication systems, through in-depth interviews, site visits, and document and data reviews conducted from March to June 2025.
The audit includes 13 findings. Metrorail is required to propose corrective action plans to address each finding no later than 30 days after the issuance of this report wmsc.gov/wp-content/u...
wmsc.gov
July 31, 2024 at 8:06 PM
The audit includes 13 findings. Metrorail is required to propose corrective action plans to address each finding no later than 30 days after the issuance of this report wmsc.gov/wp-content/u...
During this audit, WMSC personnel observed unsafe practices contrary to Metrorail policies and procedures at every observation activity conducted wmsc.gov/wp-content/u...
wmsc.gov
July 31, 2024 at 8:05 PM
During this audit, WMSC personnel observed unsafe practices contrary to Metrorail policies and procedures at every observation activity conducted wmsc.gov/wp-content/u...
We performed this audit through in-depth interviews, field observations, and document and data reviews. Metrorail has established policies and procedures, rules, training, and oversight of its RWP program, but there are still deficiencies that put the safety of workers at risk.
wmsc.gov
July 31, 2024 at 8:05 PM
We performed this audit through in-depth interviews, field observations, and document and data reviews. Metrorail has established policies and procedures, rules, training, and oversight of its RWP program, but there are still deficiencies that put the safety of workers at risk.
WMATA is required to propose Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) to address each finding and respond to each recommendation no later than 30 days after the issuance of this report wmsc.gov/wp-content/u...
wmsc.gov
May 21, 2024 at 1:05 PM
WMATA is required to propose Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) to address each finding and respond to each recommendation no later than 30 days after the issuance of this report wmsc.gov/wp-content/u...
We encourage you to read the full report to understand these issues and the extensive work that led to each finding and recommendation: wmsc.gov/wp-content/u...
wmsc.gov
May 21, 2024 at 1:05 PM
We encourage you to read the full report to understand these issues and the extensive work that led to each finding and recommendation: wmsc.gov/wp-content/u...
The three recommendations relate to tracking shelf-life of railcar parts that decay, proactively sharing training records with supervisors, and conducting a railcar maintenance staffing assessment to account for current facilities, railcars, maintenance requirements, and other operational changes.
May 21, 2024 at 1:04 PM
The three recommendations relate to tracking shelf-life of railcar parts that decay, proactively sharing training records with supervisors, and conducting a railcar maintenance staffing assessment to account for current facilities, railcars, maintenance requirements, and other operational changes.
Other findings include: Metrorail is not following its operational certification requirements for Car Maintenance Road Mechanics, not following industry standard electrostatic discharge protection practices, and is using equipment that is not calibrated in accordance with its policies and procedures
May 21, 2024 at 1:04 PM
Other findings include: Metrorail is not following its operational certification requirements for Car Maintenance Road Mechanics, not following industry standard electrostatic discharge protection practices, and is using equipment that is not calibrated in accordance with its policies and procedures
The audit found that Metrorail is not meeting life-safety and occupational safety and health requirements in railcar maintenance facilities. These include requirements of Metrorail’s hot works program, fall protection requirements, and safe crane lifting practices.
May 21, 2024 at 1:03 PM
The audit found that Metrorail is not meeting life-safety and occupational safety and health requirements in railcar maintenance facilities. These include requirements of Metrorail’s hot works program, fall protection requirements, and safe crane lifting practices.
The findings include that Metrorail is not carrying out railcar maintenance and inspection tasks as specified by its procedures, is training personnel on outdated procedures, and is not identifying and mitigating hazards related to railcars and railcar personnel.
May 21, 2024 at 1:03 PM
The findings include that Metrorail is not carrying out railcar maintenance and inspection tasks as specified by its procedures, is training personnel on outdated procedures, and is not identifying and mitigating hazards related to railcars and railcar personnel.
This audit also includes seven findings and three recommendations: wmsc.gov/wp-content/u...
wmsc.gov
May 21, 2024 at 1:02 PM
This audit also includes seven findings and three recommendations: wmsc.gov/wp-content/u...
Digital indicator gauges and calibration blocks have been manufactured and are being used, and have successfully detected railcars with wheelsets beyond Metrorail’s safety requirements, allowing those wheelsets to be removed from service.
May 21, 2024 at 1:02 PM
Digital indicator gauges and calibration blocks have been manufactured and are being used, and have successfully detected railcars with wheelsets beyond Metrorail’s safety requirements, allowing those wheelsets to be removed from service.
Among the positive practices identified in this audit, Metrorail developed under the WMSC’s oversight a digital indicator gauge along with associated procedures for performing accurate back-to-back measurements.
May 21, 2024 at 1:02 PM
Among the positive practices identified in this audit, Metrorail developed under the WMSC’s oversight a digital indicator gauge along with associated procedures for performing accurate back-to-back measurements.
The scope of this audit includes Metrorail’s maintenance and engineering practices related to railcars, those vehicles designed to carry customers, and associated shop equipment.
May 21, 2024 at 1:01 PM
The scope of this audit includes Metrorail’s maintenance and engineering practices related to railcars, those vehicles designed to carry customers, and associated shop equipment.
The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission performed this audit through in-depth interviews, site visits, and document and data reviews conducted through December 2023
May 21, 2024 at 1:01 PM
The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission performed this audit through in-depth interviews, site visits, and document and data reviews conducted through December 2023