WMSC audit finds welding, fire‑extinguisher and inspection gaps; agency issued notices of non‑compliance

WMSC auditors presented a February 26, 2026 report that identified both positive practices and safety gaps in WMATA’s track and structures and roadway worker protection programs.

Auditors said they found several productive changes — improved training materials, completion of bridge structural inspections within the required two‑year window, and newly dedicated personnel for rail lubrication — but also six findings that require corrective actions. The track and structures audit included four findings and the roadway worker protection (RWP) portion included two.

Notable findings:

• Welding and respiratory protection: auditors reported welders saying they had not been consistently provided personal respiratory protection. The report notes Metro’s existing respiratory protection program but says welders interviewed during the audit indicated they were not receiving necessary respiratory equipment.

• Fire extinguishers on roadway equipment: auditors observed a prime mover missing its designated onboard fire extinguisher and found inspection records not updated for several extinguishers on maintenance equipment. WMSC staff said station‑focused corrective actions (CAP C298) exist but must be modified to address roadway equipment.

• Heat rides: ‘‘heat ride’’ inspections conducted when ambient temperatures reach about 90°F are being performed at speeds that may prevent visual identification of heat‑related rail defects; some heat rides occurred while trains were operating in automatic train operation (ATO), limiting visual effectiveness.

• Gauge calibration: Metro could provide calibration records for only one of two types of manual track gauges; auditors said analog gauge accuracy checks must follow manufacturer recommendations to ensure track measurements are reliable.

Roadway worker protection findings included inadequate documentation of worker‑in‑charge qualifications (issued as an urgent hazard Sept. 4, 2025) and the practice of TGV operators relying on an absolute block not formally recognized as an allowable RWP form; Metro approved CAP C310 Sept. 30, 2025 and has completed 11 of 18 required actions, including retesting and requalifying 192 affected roadway workers.

When some issues were not addressed collaboratively, the WMSC issued four notices of non‑compliance on Feb. 5, 2026. One notice concerns preservation of Microsoft Teams chat records that can be critical evidence in safety investigations; three relate to elevator/escalator audit findings that WMATA declined to address while asserting legal or jurisdictional challenges. WMSC staff said the notices are intended to ensure Metro understands the issues and the need to resolve them.

WMSC staff told commissioners the next audits will cover automatic train control, signals and communications and that preliminary results from a vehicles and maintenance‑machine audit will be shared with Metro on April 7.

Why it matters: the findings touch on occupational safety (welders, fire protection), inspection integrity (gauge calibration, culvert inspections), and program compliance. Notices of non‑compliance signal ongoing disputes about corrective actions, elevating issues for further oversight or potential enforcement.

"We remain at this stage and hope that Metro will appreciate the safety concerns that are going unaddressed," the WMSC said when announcing the notices of non‑compliance.

The WMSC continues to monitor implementation of corrective action plans and to use the CAP process to close safety gaps.