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

29 CFR 1960.8(a): The Agency head did not furnish employment and a place of employment to each employee that were free from recognized hazards that caused or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm: a) On, or about June 6, 2012, the employer failed to identify the load capacity of the rail car tow bars and determine whether there was a safe and secure attachment between a hi-rail truck and trailers loaded with railroad ties. A job manufactured tow bar did not have any load markings and subsequently failed while in use at the worksite. The tow bar failure resulted in a runaway rail car that rolled into areas where employees replaced rails and were exposed to impact from the runaway rail trailer. One feasible and acceptable method of abatement is to comply with 49 CFR 214.525 which require all towing bars or other coupling devices to provide a safe and secure attachment.