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FRA Statement concerning SOFA and Safety

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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan Good point Overmod. What about a kind of portable platform that is part of the equipment that comes with the engine crew. It attaches to 2 runs on the ladders and it folds like a step ladder. It would look like a suitcase when folded up and it would come out just enough for a person's foot. It should be light weight too. [/quote] On the NS there have been telescoping "Brake Sticks" for some time. Problem with them, although they are fiberglass (older aluminum ones were removed from service after several failed) and light, they are still one more thing to carry. When you are hanging on the side of a car you have to hold on with your feet (boots must have a defined heel to lock into the ladder rungs) and one hand and signal or use your radio with the other. Even though the "Suitcase" Step might seem like a good idea, what happens when you need to fix an air hose 20 cars deep and then shove the cut into the yard? No carman is on duty. You need your replacement hose, air hose wrench and then on top of that you must carry your "Suitcase" Step?!? That Step won't be coming with me. One illustration of the dangers of shove moves happened a few years ago at Selkirk Yard. A Conductor Trainee was riding a shove of MLs (Autoracks) back and was holding on with one hand. He was holding his radio in the other hand, having taken off the shoulder mike issued as he had been taught by an old head conductor (don't pick up bad habits like this). He slipped and dropped his radio losing communication with the crew and was unable to signal a stop as he came abreast of a locomotive protruding past the fouling point on the adjacent track. Luckily, the engineer followed the rule of stopping the move in half the given distance and although the Trainee was banged up a bit as he was rolled along the long hood of the locomotive, he fell onto the locomotive walkway and suffered only minor injuries. Photos of the locomotive were posted at terminals. The outline of the Trainees body was clearly visible in the dirt and grease on the locomotive. He quit the railroad the next day. LC
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