Section 3. Operations, Practices and Procedures

Section 3.

OPERATIONS, PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES

Basic Skills

The recommended practices contained herein shall not be considered as all inclusive.

Situations not covered require sound judgment in applying correct principles of safety.

Exercising good judgment and avoiding carelessness are paramount to any safe operation.

a. General Guidelines.

(1) Proper clothing is necessary to work safely. Personnel shall wear clothing that will

not interfere with vision, hearing or free use of hands and feet; shoes shall be suitable for duties in

which engaged. The wearing of thin soled shoes or unbuckled overshoes, loose, torn or baggy

clothing, or clothing soaked with oil, grease or solvents, is unsafe. Safety shoes are

recommended. Safety equipment shall be worn as required by local railroad operating directives

(Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Station Instructions, etc.). For example, local operating

directives may require personnel to wear gloves to protect their hands and engineers to wear

goggles or safety glasses to protect their eyes from airborne particles in and around the

locomotive compartment.

(2) When working with moving equipment, secure hand grips and footing are

essential. Always expect a movement in any direction at any time and be prepared for severe

jolts.

(3) Railroad work often requires heavy lifting of awkward objects. Protecting your

back requires personnel to remain physically fit and to follow accepted safe lifting methods. See

Figure 3-1 for the correct method of lifting.

(4) When watching for signals in the direction opposite the train movement, exercise

extreme care to avoid being struck by obstacles. Train work frequently involves close clearances.

(5) Walking near tracks and crossing tracks on foot:

Avoid standing or walking on the track except when necessary.

When in the vicinity of any track, personnel should maintain constant vigilance for

any train movements.

When crossing over tracks, look in both directions for approaching trains,

locomotives, or cars before crossing tracks, and step over the rails - not on them.

When possible, cross over tracks in areas designated for that purpose.

When crossing over tracks, always leave at least 20 feet between yourself and the

end of a cut of cars.

If crossing between two cuts of cars is necessary, cross midway between the cuts.

3-1