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 the corporation did not implement their Railroad Operating Rules Manual which resulted in gravel cars being shoved onto a neighboring business' track that resulted in an accident on or about July 25, 2003. a) At the Largo facility, the employer did not ensure that a locomotive operator was provided information or training regarding the movement of rail cars in accordance with the establishment's written instructions and directives governing the movement of gravel cars onto a neighboring business' railroad track. One feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct the hazard is to implement the corporation's written program that states "before occupying tracks of any other company or railroad, authority must be secured from proper authority;" "when cars are shoved and conditions require, an employee must protect the rear of the train;" and "before placing cars in a track, ascertain that there is sufficient room in the track to hold the cars. When there is a possibility of cars or engines being shoved the entire length of a track, an employee must protect the movement."