CLEVELAND, October 12 — Yesterday, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a safety advisory to the railroad industry in an effort to help prevent employee injuries and fatalities when working between rail cars during switching operations.
In recent months, the railroad industry has experienced three employee fatalities that occurred when employees were between rolling equipment. Over the last two years, two additional employee fatalities have occurred in the same circumstances.
The most recent fatalities in 2011 happened on September 8, August 15 and July 15. In each case, the FRA’s preliminary investigations found evidence to “indicate that the workers involved either did not have enough room or time to avoid moving equipment, or were unaware that equipment was in motion.”
The FRA’s Safety Advisory seeks to raise awareness and ensure universal compliance with safety rules that protect employees who must physically place themselves between rolling equipment in the normal course of their work.
Highlights of the recommendations contained in the October 11 Safety Advisory include:
• Reviewing and revising existing switching operation safety rules as needed;
• Ensuring the use of sound communication protocols to notify employees when going between two pieces of rolling equipment;
• Emphasizing the shared obligation and responsibility of managers and employees in following established rules and procedures; and
• Encouraging heightened situational awareness and vigilance.
FRA Administrator Joe Szabo said: “Rail carriers must ensure a consistent and clear message throughout their organization that performing work safely takes priority over expediting a train movement.”
In 1998, at FRA’s request, a voluntary group comprised of industry stakeholders was formed to examine and address safety hazards in the yard operating environment. The Switching Operations Fatality Analysis (SOFA) Working Group, as it came to be known, includes representatives from the Association of American Railroads (AAR), the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), and the United Transportation Union (UTU). The Working Group has issued several reports, and notably five key “lifesaver tips,” which have been widely credited with bringing about tangible improvements in operating safety.
BLET National President Dennis Pierce thanked the FRA for its diligence in addressing this critical safety issue.
“I urge all BLET members to take the necessary time do their jobs safely,” President Pierce said. “Going home safely to your family is the top priority.”
Click here to view a copy of the Safety Advisory:
www.ble-t.org/pr/pdf/SA201102.pdf