FRA Issues Advisory Based on CSX Dewitt Yard Fataility

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Safety advisory issued for yard movementsA fatal Dec. 14, 2006, railyard switching accident in Manlius, N.Y., caused by what the Federal Railroad Administration says was human error in a locomotive remote control operation has resulted in the FRA issuing a Safety Advisory.

In the December accident, railcars being moved by a remote control locomotive struck a pickup truck backinging up over a yard grade crossing, killing the driver, a railroad employee. "The remote control operator did not maintain continuous supervision of the movement, resulting in a fatal accident instead of a minor incident," FRA said. "Compounding the incident was a radio communications failure involving other yard personnel who were attempting to notify the operator to stop the movement."

The advisory recommends that railroads "assess their existing rules addressing safety at yard grade crossings," FRA said. The agency also "urges railroads to review, or as necessary, amend, their rules governing yard movements to clarify what actions employees must take under various circumstances to fully adhere to operating procedures." FRA said that, should railroads and employees fail to take these steps, "it may take additional more stringent actions or corrective measures under its regulatory authority."