Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1492082.015 - National Cement Company Of Alabama, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Atlanta East

Investigation Summary

At 12:00 noon on September 9, 2020, an employee, a temporary worker, was performing the duties of ground man, directing movement of railcars on the railroad spur, a task he had performed multiple times per day over a 9-month period. The employee's job was to throw the first rail switch once it was cleared by the four empty cars and Trackmobile, Titan railcar mover. Upon clearing the switch, the employee gave the all clear over the radio, signaling to the operator. The operator was new and had a trainer in the cab with him. The employee then walked approximately 140-feet to the next switch, threw the switch and gave the all clear. The 2nd switch is on the left side of the tracks. It was expected of the ground man to mount the left side ladder rung or walk on the left side of the cars to the next point of contact with the operator to signal distances to the all stop point. The train cars moved at approximately 1-1? MPH and the rungs are uniform, 27-inches off of the ground. The operator did not receive contact from the ground man at an expected point on the track and attempted to call the employee on the radio with no response. At this time, the trainer directed the operator to bring the train to all stop. Upon stopping the cars the trainer and operator exited the Trackmobile and observed the employee caught up in the wheel well of the left side of the Trackmobile. The employee had been slowly dismembered to death up to below his ribcage, along the tracks a

Keywords:railroad car, railroad track, struck by, train