As a child we learn from experience or being taught: we learn the oven is hot because we have touched it or were told it was hot by someone who had touched it. Common sense allows us to apply learned behavior to new situations, but not all new situations lend themselves to “common sense”. We … Read more

Railroad tracks are incredibly strong. They are composed of many tons of ballast (usually crushed stone) supporting heavy crossties (cement, steel or wooden timbers), massive steel rails (132 pounds per foot) on top of heavy steel plates with spikes that weigh one pound each. The structure is designed to last for years with very little … Read more

Remember, all crew members are equally responsible to see that a thorough job briefing is performed: at the beginning of the work and as the work changes. If other worker(s) join the crew, more job briefings are required!

A highway-rail grade crossing is a location where a public or private road, street, sidewalk or pathway, intersects railroad tracks at the same level. There are approximately 212,000 grade crossings in the U.S. State highway traffic safety laws generally require motorists to slow, yield or stop between 15 to 50 feet from highway-rail crossings and … Read more

FACT: Incidents that occur within private industries, and do not involve hazardous material or do not involve injury, are not required to be reported to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). FACT: Documentation from two Class 1 railroads testify to the fact that approximately 20% of their reported incidents occur while they are operating within private … Read more

Have you seen OSHA’s campaign to prevent heat illness?  STAY HEALTHY IN THE HEAT A railroad worker was working in the yard on a hot sunny morning. Two hours later, he complained of feeling ill and vomited. He continued working. At 3:00 p.m., when he climbed down the ladder, he was confused and unsteady. He missed a step and … Read more

Security is a good thing. You sleep better when things are secure. What I’m about to tell you may affect your sleep. It should. If your facility handles rail cars, it could be at risk for a catastrophic, cataclysmic event. Hazmat need not be involved: corn or beans (I’m a Midwestern boy, use your local … Read more

Crossing over Railcars Safety Tip: Place Hands and Feet Carefully Round the car carefully, using a sure grip. Remember: expect movement on any track, any time, in any direction. Note the position of the left foot and how it is slightly turned to utilize more surface area. Note the right foot placement and how the … Read more

If your facility has more than one track, you have at least one switch. A fairly simple device. The handle is interconnected with the points. When the handle is moved the points move, thereby aligning the switch from one track to the other. What could go wrong? The switch is the most vulnerable part of … Read more

Switch Operation: Manually operated railroad track switches are an important part of your railroad and facility infrastructure and should not be operated by untrained personnel. Incorrect operation can lead to equipment damage, derailments, injuries and fatalities. One of the principals of Rail Safe Training was acquainted with a co-worker who was fatally injured when he … Read more