CLEVELAND, March 21 — As the United States moves ahead with the war in Iraq, the BLE is asking its members to do their part in the war effort by remaining safe, vigilant and alert behind the throttle.
Operating crew members are asked to be on high alert and to look for anything suspicious or out of the ordinary while on duty. But more importantly, they must do their part to make sure they are well-rested before going to work in order to avoid fatigue related incidents.
According to railroad accident statistics, several fatigue-related incidents took place on U.S. railroads in the days after the Desert Storm initiative in 1991 and the September 11 terrorist attacks against the U.S. in 2001.
“Train crews staying in dormitories and other away-from-home locations must make sure they get proper rest and avoid the temptation of getting sucked into the 24-hour, non-stop television coverage of the war,” said Vice-President Paul Wingo, who serves as the BLE’s Security Officer. “I realize that many of our members have friends, family, and loved ones serving in the Middle East, and they understandably wish to stay on top of what’s happening over there. However, the BLE urges you to not sacrifice your own safety, and the safety of your co-workers, by going to work fatigued.
“I urge all BLE members, as well as all other train crew members, to do their part in the war effort by staying sharp, focused and attentive while on duty. The railroads’ first line of defense in Homeland Security is a well-rested and vigilant train crew.”