Railroad Safty

[Anonymous]

While watching for trains at the local depot, I noticed some track welders working on the track. One was welding and the other was standing about 20 ft. away. The one that was standing near the welder had his helmet on but was holding his safty glasses not wearing them. Out of nowhere this chevy suburban pulls up, and a man jumps out wearing a white shirt, white helmet, and safty glasses. He walked up to the man who was standing with out the classes on. I over heard him say "Next time it will be three day's". It sounds to me the railroads are very strict when it comes to safty.
Now in comparison, if you look in the latest issue of trains magazine on page 28 you will see some workers iceing a train. How many safty violations can you spot in that picture useing today's standards?? I count about 6.
TIM A

[Anonymous]

While watching for trains at the local depot, I noticed some track welders working on the track. One was welding and the other was standing about 20 ft. away. The one that was standing near the welder had his helmet on but was holding his safty glasses not wearing them. Out of nowhere this chevy suburban pulls up, and a man jumps out wearing a white shirt, white helmet, and safty glasses. He walked up to the man who was standing with out the classes on. I over heard him say "Next time it will be three day's". It sounds to me the railroads are very strict when it comes to safty.
Now in comparison, if you look in the latest issue of trains magazine on page 28 you will see some workers iceing a train. How many safty violations can you spot in that picture useing today's standards?? I count about 6.
TIM A

[JoeKoh]

Railroads have done alot to improve safety.Where I work in a warehouse no safety glasses?level 1 write up.No seat belt while driving a tow motor level 2 etc.I would think the guy would want to save his sight to see his grandkids someday.
stay safe
joe

[JoeKoh]

Railroads have done alot to improve safety.Where I work in a warehouse no safety glasses?level 1 write up.No seat belt while driving a tow motor level 2 etc.I would think the guy would want to save his sight to see his grandkids someday.
stay safe
joe

[edblysard]

Hi Tim, and Joe, and Matt,
The railroads are serious about your personal safety appliances.
The number of eye injuries has droped almost 95% in the last 5 years, due in part to the carriers enforcing the safety glasses rule.
They didnt do so because of their caring or compassion for the crews, they did so because of the voulme of lost time, and claims made.
Railroads are dirty, dangerous places, in yard, lots of debris are thrown up by moving cars, you ride on the sides of cars and outside on locomotives, and the chances of getting something in your eye is great.
Reflective belts and vest, lantrens, eye glasses and gloves are required under the safety portion of the GCOR, and the FRA does fine the carriers if they catch a employee with out them.
One of those things that benifit both sides, labor and management.
We stay safer, they dont pay as many injury settlements.
I wear prescription eyeglasses anyway, the carrier kicked in $100.00 towards the purchase of poloycarbonate(shatter resistant) lenses, you cant beat that.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[edblysard]

Hi Tim, and Joe, and Matt,
The railroads are serious about your personal safety appliances.
The number of eye injuries has droped almost 95% in the last 5 years, due in part to the carriers enforcing the safety glasses rule.
They didnt do so because of their caring or compassion for the crews, they did so because of the voulme of lost time, and claims made.
Railroads are dirty, dangerous places, in yard, lots of debris are thrown up by moving cars, you ride on the sides of cars and outside on locomotives, and the chances of getting something in your eye is great.
Reflective belts and vest, lantrens, eye glasses and gloves are required under the safety portion of the GCOR, and the FRA does fine the carriers if they catch a employee with out them.
One of those things that benifit both sides, labor and management.
We stay safer, they dont pay as many injury settlements.
I wear prescription eyeglasses anyway, the carrier kicked in $100.00 towards the purchase of poloycarbonate(shatter resistant) lenses, you cant beat that.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[CliqueofOne]

Up here in Canada with the Canadian National Railways safety has gone to the point of harassment and intimidation. It's not about safety but image. The image of safety to the general public. Yet the infrastructure has been allowed to degrade to the point that many of the employees fear for their lives whenever a train passes by. They realise that all of the eye candy they are forced to wear will not protect them if that train derails. Also this eye candy looks very pretty in the company Annual Report propaganda magazines sent out to the shareholders. If only they took the time to open their eyes if they even cared and see that the CNR is just floating being buoyed by job cuts, line abandonment and deferred maintenance. I now have 33+ years on the CNR with the Signal Department and have never missed a day in my life because of a job related injury. I'm still alive in spite of the company. Gene B.

[CliqueofOne]

Up here in Canada with the Canadian National Railways safety has gone to the point of harassment and intimidation. It's not about safety but image. The image of safety to the general public. Yet the infrastructure has been allowed to degrade to the point that many of the employees fear for their lives whenever a train passes by. They realise that all of the eye candy they are forced to wear will not protect them if that train derails. Also this eye candy looks very pretty in the company Annual Report propaganda magazines sent out to the shareholders. If only they took the time to open their eyes if they even cared and see that the CNR is just floating being buoyed by job cuts, line abandonment and deferred maintenance. I now have 33+ years on the CNR with the Signal Department and have never missed a day in my life because of a job related injury. I'm still alive in spite of the company. Gene B.

[Anonymous]

I hear ya bro!
Ken

[Anonymous]

I hear ya bro!
Ken

[Anonymous]

Safety is our number one priority!

[Anonymous]

Safety is our number one priority!

[wabash1]

glasses lantern are a must on the railroad belts and vest that are reflective are not. they are there for are use but not mandated for use to wear. when i was a conductor the trainmasters would get me for not wearing my saftey glassess. i would argue with them in that it was more of a saftey hazard wearing them than not having them . of course i would lose the battle. they only knew one thing it says to have them on. so i would walk ahead 5-6 cars bring the train back then stop him and do it again til we was coupled. this seem to please them. why was it done this way you might be asking. simple when its pouring down rain you cant see out of the things. but you must wear them. the other thing that ed did not mention is ear plugs. they are required anytime you are on or around a loading engine. most officials want to say a running engine a idling engine is fine when you start to move one then the ear protection must be used.

[wabash1]

glasses lantern are a must on the railroad belts and vest that are reflective are not. they are there for are use but not mandated for use to wear. when i was a conductor the trainmasters would get me for not wearing my saftey glassess. i would argue with them in that it was more of a saftey hazard wearing them than not having them . of course i would lose the battle. they only knew one thing it says to have them on. so i would walk ahead 5-6 cars bring the train back then stop him and do it again til we was coupled. this seem to please them. why was it done this way you might be asking. simple when its pouring down rain you cant see out of the things. but you must wear them. the other thing that ed did not mention is ear plugs. they are required anytime you are on or around a loading engine. most officials want to say a running engine a idling engine is fine when you start to move one then the ear protection must be used.

[edblysard]

See, thats one thing most dont catch, that each railroad has different safety rules.
Down here, our safety rule says you must have your belt on after dusk, and it cant be hidden under clothing. We are allowed to remove the safety glasses if its raining, and ear plugs are not required, althought they are offered.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by wabash1

glasses lantern are a must on the railroad belts and vest that are reflective are not. they are there for are use but not mandated for use to wear. when i was a conductor the trainmasters would get me for not wearing my saftey glassess. i would argue with them in that it was more of a saftey hazard wearing them than not having them . of course i would lose the battle. they only knew one thing it says to have them on. so i would walk ahead 5-6 cars bring the train back then stop him and do it again til we was coupled. this seem to please them. why was it done this way you might be asking. simple when its pouring down rain you cant see out of the things. but you must wear them. the other thing that ed did not mention is ear plugs. they are required anytime you are on or around a loading engine. most officials want to say a running engine a idling engine is fine when you start to move one then the ear protection must be used.

[edblysard]

See, thats one thing most dont catch, that each railroad has different safety rules.
Down here, our safety rule says you must have your belt on after dusk, and it cant be hidden under clothing. We are allowed to remove the safety glasses if its raining, and ear plugs are not required, althought they are offered.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by wabash1

glasses lantern are a must on the railroad belts and vest that are reflective are not. they are there for are use but not mandated for use to wear. when i was a conductor the trainmasters would get me for not wearing my saftey glassess. i would argue with them in that it was more of a saftey hazard wearing them than not having them . of course i would lose the battle. they only knew one thing it says to have them on. so i would walk ahead 5-6 cars bring the train back then stop him and do it again til we was coupled. this seem to please them. why was it done this way you might be asking. simple when its pouring down rain you cant see out of the things. but you must wear them. the other thing that ed did not mention is ear plugs. they are required anytime you are on or around a loading engine. most officials want to say a running engine a idling engine is fine when you start to move one then the ear protection must be used.

[Anonymous]

While in the cab, are safty glasses, helmet and Ear plugs required? I read somewhere that most railroad injuries happen when switchmen are riding car ladders or jumping on or off them. Is this true? Why would a switchman have a need to ride on a ladder? I take it good ankle high boots are a must for conductors and switchmen.
TIM A

[Anonymous]

While in the cab, are safty glasses, helmet and Ear plugs required? I read somewhere that most railroad injuries happen when switchmen are riding car ladders or jumping on or off them. Is this true? Why would a switchman have a need to ride on a ladder? I take it good ankle high boots are a must for conductors and switchmen.
TIM A

[wabash1]

yes good ankle support is a must. and on our railroad you must wear safty glasses at all times. wearing helmet never saw any and ear plugs are required on all engines except wide body units.. injuries happens from getting on and off moving equipment. that is the reason for good ankle support. you ride to keep from walking . since they made us stop getting on and off moving equipment most guys just walk everywhere.

[wabash1]

yes good ankle support is a must. and on our railroad you must wear safty glasses at all times. wearing helmet never saw any and ear plugs are required on all engines except wide body units.. injuries happens from getting on and off moving equipment. that is the reason for good ankle support. you ride to keep from walking . since they made us stop getting on and off moving equipment most guys just walk everywhere.