WASHINGTON, D.C., June 6 — The Switching Operations Fatality Awareness (SOFA) Working Group is urging railroad workers engaged in switching operations to stay vigilant in the coming weeks. June and July have high switching fatality rates when compared to the other months of the year.
There have been no switching fatalities in 2007, as of May 25. However, historically June and July are high months for switching fatalities. Out of 153 switching fatalities that have occurred since 1992, 32 have occurred in June and July.
The original SOFA Report was released in October 1999. Prior to the release, there were 47 Switching Fatalities related to the Five Operating Recommendations in the 7.75-year period January 1992 through September 1999. Expressed as a rate, there were 6.07 Switching Fatalities per year related to Operating Recommendations. In the post-SOFA Report period of 7.65 years, October 1, 1999 through May 25, 2007, there were 21 Switching Fatalities related to the Five Operating Recommendations. Expressed as a rate, there were 2.75 Switching Fatalities per year related to Operating Recommendations, a reduction of nearly 55%.
In 2006, SOFA-defined severe injuries were historically low. Severe Injuries are defined by the SOFA Working Group as (1) potentially life threatening; (2) high likelihood of permanent loss of function, permanent occupational limitation, or other permanent disability; (3) likely to result in significant work restrictions; and (4) result from a high-energy impact to the human body. ‘Severe Injuries’ include amputation, dislocation of the neck, loss of eye, electric shock or burn, and fracture to any bone except the lower arm, fingers, foot, and toes.
However, there were seven switching fatalities in 2006 and six of these fatalities involved special switching hazards. The following is a list of the seven fatalities:
1) April 02, 2006…Lake Superior & Ishpeming Railroad…Palmer, Michigan
A conductor, while riding the leading end of a shove move, fell off and was struck and killed by the car he had been riding. (Special Switching Hazard: Tripping, Slipping, Falling)
2) August 21, 2006…Florida East Coast Railroad…Bonaventure, Florida
A 45-year-old conductor was riding the leading end of a cut of cars into a plant and over a road crossing in the plant when the movement struck a truck fatality injuring the conductor. (Special Switching Hazard: Struck by Motor Vehicle…)
3) August 25, 2006…Norfolk Southern Railroad…Chicago, Illinois
During a flat switching operation, the conductor attempted to couple cars attached to his locomotive with 2 cars standing on a track. The coupling did not occur and a short time later, the conductor was found run over by one of the two standing cars.
4) September 10, 2006…Alton & Southern Railroad…East St. Louis, Illinois
A two-person crew was in the process of making up a locomotive consist using two adjacent tracks. After having set over one of the locomotives, the conductor was riding the lending end of the two locomotives into the adjacent track when his hand signals went out of sight, the movement was stopped and the engineer went back to discover the conductor had been crushed between the locomotive he had just set out and the locomotive he was riding. (Special Switching Hazard: Close Clearance)
5) October 13, 2006…Union Pacific Railroad…Pajaro, California
A two-person crew, performing switching operations with a remote control locomotive, were in the process of shoving three cars with the intent of cutting them off and letting them free roll into a track at Watsonville Junction. The two men were working on opposite sides of the on-track movement. The cars were cut off, the conductor noticed something under the cars and, upon further investigation determined that his helper had been run over. (Special Switching Hazard: Tripping, Slipping, Falling)
6) December 4, 2006…Union Pacific …Carson, California
A two-person crew, performing switching operations with a remote control locomotive, was in the process of shoving six cars over a highway-rail grade crossing equipped with an active warning system. The conductor was riding the leading end of the shove move and struck a truck cab that drove in front of the move. As a result of the collision, the conductor died days later. (Special Switching Hazard: Struck by Motor Vehicle…)
7) December 28, 2006…Union Pacific…Sioux City, Iowa
A conventional yard switching crew, had just “kicked” cars into one track and as the next cut of cars was “kicked” toward another track, the 57-year-old conductor with 39 years of service noticed that the second cut of cars would not clear the first cut. He tried to board the second cut of cars to stop them from rolling but was caught and crushed between the first and second cuts of cars. (Special Switching Hazard: Free Rolling Cars)
The accident in Chicago resulted in the Working Group making the following recommendation: Any crew member intending to foul track or equipment must notify the locomotive engineer before such action can take place. The locomotive engineer must then apply locomotive or train brakes, have the reverser centered, and then confirm this action with the individual on the ground. Additionally, any crew member that intends to adjust knuckles/drawbars, or apply or remove EOT device, must insure that the cut of cars to be coupled into is separated by no less than 50 feet. Also, the person on the ground must physically inspect the cut of cars not attached to the locomotive to insure that they are completely stopped and, if necessary, a sufficient number of hand brakes must be applied to insure the cut of cars will not move.
According to the SOFA Working Group, there has been a shift in proportion among the two general reasons the SOFA Working Group has identified as causing Switching Fatalities: Operating Recommendations and Special Switching Hazards. Most Switching Fatalities now involve one or more Special Switching Hazards. The SOFA Working Group (SWG) believes the industry’s emphasis on Applying SOFA Operating Recommendations has had a positive effect – as will continued emphasis. But to make switching fatality free, additional emphasis is needed in recognizing Special Switching Hazards.
The Working Group, which is comprised of representatives of the Association of American Railroads, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, the Federal Railroad Administration, and the United Transportation Union, also urges employees to apply SOFA recommendations and to recognize special switching hazards. Employees must remain vigilant during June and July to prevent fatalities and injuries.
SOFA Operating Recommendations
* secure equipment before action is taken
* protect against moving equipment
* discuss safety at the beginning of the job and when the work changes
* communicate before action is taken
* coach less experienced workers to perform service safely
SOFA Special Switching Hazards
* close clearances
* free rolling rail cars
* exposure to main line trains
* tripping, slipping or falling exposures
* adverse environmental conditions
* shoving movements
* unsecured cars
* unexpected movement of cars
* equipment defects
* motor vehicles or loading devices
* drugs and alcohol