Subd. 1. Requirements.

A motor vehicle designed for highway use and used by a railroad company operating in this state for transporting employees, tools, and supplies must be equipped to provide:

1. (1) adequate heating in all kinds of inclement weather;
2. (2) adequate, safe seating facilities so that each employee transported may be seated;
3. (3) a communication system between the cab and the rear compartment;
4. (4) suitable and adequate containers or boxes to hold tools, equipment, and supplies, so located and attached to the vehicle that the containers or boxes and the tools, equipment, or supplies will not shift, topple, or roll; and
5. (5) toilet facilities if the motor vehicle is used to transport more than nine employees to and from headquarters.

Subd. 1a. Exception for emergency.

For an emergency arising from common disaster or adverse weather such as flooding, washout, excessive snow or icing, or derailment or defect in track requiring prompt repair, motor vehicles which do not meet the standards in subdivision 1 may be used only during the emergency.

Subd. 2.

[Repealed, 1975 c 282 s 2]

Subd. 3. Dispute.

Should a dispute arise as to the adequacy of the facilities provided for in subdivision 1, it may be submitted for final determination to the commissioner of transportation after notice of the hearing to affected parties.

Subd. 4. Penalty.

A railroad company, or its officer or agent, violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.