Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: LACKTRAIN

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The %% employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to: (a) On or about September 18, 1993, and at times prior to that date, employees engaged in grain loading operations employing the use of railcars were exposed to the potential for serious injury and/or death while spotting railcars due to inadequate employee training and proper procedures to follow for railcar brake inspection and the moving of railcars prior to the commencement of loading operations. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to: 1) Ensure all employees are trained in the proper methods for railcar spotting to include instruction in brake inspection. This would include ensuring that the brake wheel assembly is functioning properly and that the brake pads are engaging and releasing on the railcar wheels. 2) Ensure that methods being used to move the railcars is an accepted industry practice, i.e., the use of a tractor to pull railcars, as recommended and prescribed by both the railroad and the Federal Railroad Administration.