WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., says sleepy-eyed engineers and mechanics are a major safety concern on U.S. railroads. On Thursday, he introduced legislation that, among other safeguards, would limit the hours that train crews can work, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported.
“Rail safety affects all of us,” said Oberstar, the top Democrat on the House Transportation Committee. “When crews work too many hours on too little rest . . . lives are placed at risk.”
At a news conference to introduce the bill, Oberstar cited a National Transportation Safety Board study showing that train crews work as much as 432 hours a month, compared with 360 hours for truck drivers and 100 hours for airline pilots.
The bill would also provide protection against harassment or job retaliation for whistleblowers who disclose potential safety hazards. In addition, it would establish a toll-free hot line for problems at rail crossings and require more emergency exit windows in train cars.
Oberstar said recent train derailments underscore the need for the safety precautions. The House Railroad Subcommittee will hold a hearing on railroad safety next month.