Inspection Detail

Inspection: 101287977 - Ltv Steel Co.

Inspection Information - Office: Cleveland Area Office

Investigation Summary

EMPLOYEE #1 WAS EMPLOYED BY THE L.T.V. STEEL COMPANY AS A CONDUCTOR IN THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT FOR THE IN-PLANT RAILROAD. HE HAD WORKED FROM 1976 TO 1981 AS A BRAKEMAN; FROM 1981 TO 1986 AS AN ENGINEER; AND FROM 1986 TO THE PRESENT (1987) AS A CONDUCTOR. HE HAD BEEN TRAINED IN ALL THREE POSITIONS AND GIVEN UPDATES AS NEEDED. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT EMPLOYEE #1 WAS ENGAGED IN SWITCHING OPERATIONS INVOLVING 8 CARS AT THE 210 - 206 SWITCH. EMPLOYEE #1 CONTACTED THE ENGINEER BY 2-WAY RADIO AND TOLD HIM TO "STEADY, STEADY, STOP!" AFTER 30 OR 40 SECONDS THE CONDUCTOR (ACCORDING TO THE ENGINEER) GAVE ANOTHER ORDER TO BACK UP. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS FOUND PINNED BETWEEN THE COUPLER OF CARS 3819 AND 463. IMPACT OCCURRED 765 FEET BEFORE THE TRAIN WAS STOPPED. EMPLOYEE #1 SUFFERED A CRUSHED CHEST AND ABDOMEN, NUMEROUS INTERNAL INJURIES AND A NEARLY SEVERED RIGHT FOREARM. HE DIED OF HIS INJURIES.

Keywords: CHEST, ABDOMEN, RAILROAD CAR, CRUSHED, ARM, TRAIN, BACKING UP