One of the most pressing and perplexing questions in railroads is this: Why might a railroad worker step out in front of a moving train?
There are no easy answers.
That same railroader would never think of crossing a busy street without carefully looking both ways, but time and again rail workers fail to exercise the same simple caution at work, and they pay for it with their lives.
Since January 2004, there have been 51 fatalities by rail workers engaged in switching operations, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.
Of the 51, nine were the result of operating employees struck by trains operating on the main track.
Seven of the nine fatalities were clustered during the months of December, January and February. (The other two werent far off: September and November).
Learn from the fatal mistakes of your brothers and sisters:
On Nov. 1, 2004, a 47-year-old conductor was struck by a passing train when he got off his standing train and crossed over in front of the approaching train to observe the opposite side, according to the FRA.
On Dec. 17, 2004, at Radium, Colo., a 47-year-old BNSF conductor was struck by a passing UP train when he got off of his standing train and walked into the path of an approaching UP train, according to the FRA.
On Jan. 10, 2005, at Buena Vista, Ark., a 53-year-old UP conductor was struck by light engines that were operating down the main track to the head end of his train that was standing on the siding, according to the FRA.
On Jan. 8, 2008, at Waukegan, Ill., a 59-year-old UP conductor, assigned to a METRA commuter train, was struck by another METRA commuter train while he was stooped over the main track crossover switch located just south of the passenger station, according to the FRA.
On Feb. 3, 2008, in Chicago, a 28-year-old NS brakeman, working between cars in his train, stepped out from between the cars and into the path of a Canadian Pacific train that was passing on the main track, according to the FRA.
On Sept. 23, 2008, a 46-year-old conductor was securing his train on one main track when he was struck by another train operating on the adjacent main track, according to the FRA.
On Jan. 28, 2009, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, a 41-year-old UP switch foreman (conductor) was working in the yard when he was struck by a passing train operating on an adjacent main track, according to the FRA.
On Feb. 7, 2009, at Holbrook, Ariz., a 43-year-old BNSF conductor was releasing hand brakes on his train when he was struck by another train operating on the adjacent main track, according to the FRA.
On Feb. 8, 2009, at Herington, Kan., a 26-year-old UP conductor was using hand signals to bring his engines back onto his train when he was struck by another train operating on the adjacent main track, according to the FRA.
What are some of the issues common to December, January and February that might have caused the loss of attention, or situational awareness, that resulted in these employees being struck by trains operating on main tracks?
Situational awareness can be affected by the holiday season; drowsiness (perhaps from a heated locomotive control compartment); bundles of winter clothing that affects hearing, field of vision and mobility; environmental conditions that reduce the focus on the job, such as poor footing; poor visibility; shorter daylight hours and colder temperatures.
Situational awareness can also be affected by the loss of a family member; unfamiliar territory; unfamiliarity with co-workers; disagreements at home or at work; stress; depression; cell phone use, fatigue and a variety of other causes.
Note these five lifesaving switching tips, which are based on operating recommendations made by the Switching Operations Fatality Analysis working group. They could save your life, or the life of one of your fellow employees:
1. Secure equipment before action is taken.
2. Protect employees against moving equipment.
3. Discuss safety at the beginning of a job or whenever work changes.
4. Communicate before action is taken.
5. Mentor less-experienced employees to perform service safely.
...and be aware of what may come blasting by on an "adjacent track". I worked the checker position as a clerk for a few years. It was always scary/unnerving standing between tracks with traincars moving one direction or another. Their just isn't a "comfortable" place to be between tracks. With virtually every switch/ train movement made these days via radio, you would think any kind of danger or warning could be relayed immediately. While all the above came to a tragic end, it was the way it was supposed to be. There is no such thing as an accidental death.
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If you are in a horror movie, you make bad decisions, its what you do.
