​A law (P.L. 110-432) designed to improve railroad safety will reduce stress on workers by decreasing overall work hours and increasing the amount of time off between shifts. The measure also provides whistleblower protections for those employees who cooperate with a safety investigation, furnish rail accident information, or refuse to authorize the use of safety equipment, tracks, or structures that are in a hazardous condition. Employees will be entitled to damages if subjected to mistreatment because of their whistleblower activity. Those guilty of safety violations under the bill would face criminal penalties.