Fatalities trigger yard safety advisory

Three fatalities in recent months led Federal Railroad Administrator Joe Szabo to issue a safety advisory Tuesday to the railroad industry “to help prevent injuries and fatalities from employees working between rail cars during switching operations and other dangerous or unsafe workplace behaviors.”

FRA said the three recent fatalities occurred when employees were between rolling equipment, and during the last two years two additional employee fatalities occurred in the same circumstances.

“FRA understands that multiple factors can contribute to fatal events,” said the agency. “While the railroad industry and its employees have longrecognized the need to take adequate safety precautions and remain alert at all times, recent incidents 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.”

Highlights of the recommendations contained in the 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.