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

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: a) Employees were exposed to injuries from vehicular/pedestrial/train accidents due to increased stopping distance for locomotive number 16 caused by the locomotive's eight brakes being in severe mis- adjustment. The locomotive had been in the repair shop approximately 10 days prior to the inspection for brake adjustment. Only two brakes were adjusted when a supervisory person on anothershift released number 16 lcoomotive to replace the "in service" locomotive that also had developed problems. For the last 3 days, the locomotive was used with 4 brakes 100% out of adjustment and the other 4 indicated the need for adjustment which increased the stopping distance from approximately 15 to 30 feet to 50 to 80 feet. Supervisory personnel did not reduce plant operating speed for locomotive number 16 nor was the third locomotive, number 14, put into service. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard are to assure: 1) Locomotives placed into repair shops for repairs during one shift and by one group of supervisors be identified as to the safety problem and condition for use in the event it is to be released by supervisory personnel on other shifts who may not be aware of the problem's severity. 2) Locomotives with reduced braking ability only be used with specifically established operating speeds and specific methods for controlling crossings be established and followed.