[19970211]97-224_铁路职业残疾：标准冲突.pdf

97-224 EPW February 11, 1997 Railroad Occupational Disability: Conflict Over Standards Dennis Snook Specialist for Social Legislation Education and Public Welfare Summary Introduction. Many Member offices have been contacted by constituents concerned about efforts to establish new standards by which staff of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) would adjudicate occupational disability claims. Such claims can be advanced by eligible workers w-ho believe they are unable to perform their railroad jobs because of a disability. Occupational disabilities are not sustained on the job, but do limit the capacity to perform the job. Occupational is also distinguished from total disability; the former is tied to requirements of specific jobs while the latter generally applies to all jobs. Occupational disability payments are a part of the rail industry pension system; total disability payments are paid through the Social SecurityIRailroad Retirement social insurance structure (Tier I) Origin of the Railroad Occupational Disability Program. The 1946 legislation that added occupational disability benefits to the federally-administered railroad benefit package called for the establishment and app