Train Crews: shorts allowed?

[william6]

Since we are having alot of very hot weather all over the USA, I got to wondering?: are train crews allowed to wear shorts on the job? I assume cabs on locomotives are air-conditioned, but do they work real well?

[Railfan1]

I think short are strictly prohibited.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Shorts are a potential safety hazard.  Long pants provide a manner of protection against any number of possible scrapes, cuts and other abrasions.

[CShaveRR]

That's right--no shorts for us railroaders.  Some people working my job wear them, and they don't get into too much trouble.  But they wouldn't be allowed to climb down from the tower and knock off an errant brake or open a knuckle (which I've done when necessary).

The "right" official is going to come along one day, and that will be the end of that.  One of the RCOs was written up and told to change when he had on a sleeveless shirt of some sort during the previous heat wave.  Short sleeves are OK, but no sleeves are not.

It gets really frustrating to see the Global 2 spotters in shorts, not to mention the over-the-road truckers.

[dldance]

Even with long pants - I have a continuing series of bruises and scrapes between my knees and the tops of my safety shoes.  I would never consider shorts for railroad work.

dd

[Anonymous]

OTR Truckers can wear shorts and short sleeves.

Just not around the main ternimal. I worked for an outfit years ago and came out of the south Gulf Coast where it was 110+ for days. It was a balmy 90 in Williamsport. Everyone inside the office were choking on suits and slacks. I got chewed out because someone has to say something with the "Official dress code" Reality sometimes demand proper clothing to stay cool or warm.

The heaviest thing besides lumping beef and seafood is pulling 5th wheels and sliding tandems. Some of the parts will go thru your body should they fail. Long pants or not. Especially on flatbed work.

I look at our Military in Iraq and other places wearing armor and carrying almost half thier own weight on other stuff in that heat. I salute them.

[Anonymous]

Another reason for Long Sleeves and Pants is to Prevent Immediate Skin Contact with Possibly Dangerous Lading such as Acids and Chemicals that may have Spilt from Tank Cars, etc. onto their Grab Irons or Hand Rails During Loading or Coupling.

[edblysard]

Yup,

No shorts, or sleeveless shirts allowed on my railroad.

Prevents just what SDR north was speaking off…nothing like getting splashed from a tankcar to ruin your day.

Some of the refineries and plants we work even go so far as to issue you a disposable overall with hood when you work their plant.

The acid plant requires it, period, and they are white, so any spill or splash will show up easily.

(The acid, full strength, is bright orange)

One requires a respirator…they have a “guest” box at the track gates with three of them in it for our use, they swap them out for fresh after we leave.

[Anonymous]

I will consider a MOPP Level 4 if the suit is climate controlled for heat and cold.

Then I can work all day in 65 degree weather inside the suit.

Been some time since I hauled Acid products but can remember you signed a waiver and hardly any protection back then other than what you already were taught. I had one load that was particularly onery and required TLC and decided that I will not haul any more of those. The facility I loaded it were filling bottles 10 feet from the dock itself and some minor splashing was going on. No thanks.

[cyeargin]

 

One requires a respirator…they have a “guest” box at the track gates with three of them in it for our use, they swap them out for fresh after we leave.

The LCP chlorine plant that used to be in my hometown did this, and in fact I remember reading in an old Southern / NS employee timetable that a RR employee could not accept a call to work this plant if he had a full beard that would prevent wearing said respirator.

[mudchicken]

To quote our instructor at AAR's HazMat training center at Rattlesnake Junction - Pueblo:

"Nikes, DON'T fail me now!"

[tree68]

I'm not even T&E and I wouldn't consider wearing shorts when on the railroad - There are just too many opportunities for scrapes, etc.  My shins are already a collection of scars, and not from the RR.  I even keep gloves with me, although my primary duty is keeping the customers safe and entertained...

Consider what I wear if I'm fighting fire, too.  Pants and coat with an outer shell, vapor barrier, and thermal barrier, boots, hood, helmet, gloves, perhaps an air pack (even though I'm Chief, I still go inside sometimes).  Many's the time I've left a fire scene with the outside of my gear perfectly dry, but the inside thoroughly soaked.

The answer is plenty of hydration - hence the large barrels of virtual Gatorade at the DD&CS.  I'll usually go through 4-5 bottles of water during a day on the RR in this summer weather. 

[locomutt]

I'm not even T&E and I wouldn't consider wearing shorts when on the railroad - There are just too many opportunities for scrapes, etc.  My shins are already a collection of scars, and not from the RR.  I even keep gloves with me, although my primary duty is keeping the customers safe and entertained...

Consider what I wear if I'm fighting fire, too.  Pants and coat with an outer shell, vapor barrier, and thermal barrier, boots, hood, helmet, gloves, perhaps an air pack (even though I'm Chief, I still go inside sometimes).  Many's the time I've left a fire scene with the outside of my gear perfectly dry, but the inside thoroughly soaked.

The answer is plenty of hydration - hence the large barrels of virtual Gatorade at the DD&CS.  I'll usually go through 4-5 bottles of water during a day on the RR in this summer weather. 

Imagine crawling inside an upside down vehicle from an MVA .(motor vehicle accident)
I had enough trouble getting glass shards out of my pants,let alone my knees. Shorts don't
seem to be an option there.  As much as we would have loved to have worn shorts, during
hot weather, I think common sense prevailed.  We had less scrapes, scratches and
abrasions on our legs wearing pants. (Sometimes we had to get into a vehicle before the
firefighters showed up.)

[cyeargin]

I'm not even T&E and I wouldn't consider wearing shorts when on the railroad - There are just too many opportunities for scrapes, etc.  My shins are already a collection of scars, and not from the RR.  I even keep gloves with me, although my primary duty is keeping the customers safe and entertained...

Consider what I wear if I'm fighting fire, too.  Pants and coat with an outer shell, vapor barrier, and thermal barrier, boots, hood, helmet, gloves, perhaps an air pack (even though I'm Chief, I still go inside sometimes).  Many's the time I've left a fire scene with the outside of my gear perfectly dry, but the inside thoroughly soaked.

The answer is plenty of hydration - hence the large barrels of virtual Gatorade at the DD&CS.  I'll usually go through 4-5 bottles of water during a day on the RR in this summer weather. 

Imagine crawling inside an upside down vehicle from an MVA .(motor vehicle accident)
I had enough trouble getting glass shards out of my pants,let alone my knees. Shorts don't
seem to be an option there.  As much as we would have loved to have worn shorts, during
hot weather, I think common sense prevailed.  We had less scrapes, scratches and
abrasions on our legs wearing pants. (Sometimes we had to get into a vehicle before the
firefighters showed up.)

Tree & Mutt: been a firefighter & paramedic for the last 22 years, and know right where you're coming from, LOL

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

The United States Navy learned early during WW2 that long pants and shirts, even if not fire resistant, provide a degree of protection against burns, so shorts were out, even in the tropics.  The Australian and New Zealand Navies were quick to pick up on this example.