Slips, Trips and Falls
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, lower extremity injuries including the knee, ankle, and foot accounted for 29% of all injuries in 2018. Engineers working on and around railroad tracks are exposed to uneven walking surfaces throughout the day. By utilizing the proper fall protection equipment, slip-resistant footwear, and PPE the impact of the fall is greatly reduced, if not prevented altogether.
Contact with Objects and Equipment
Whether it’s being hit by falling tools, debris, or moving machinery, workers must be on high alert at all times. Workers can be struck by an object, struck against an object, or caught in an object, equipment, or material. When choosing the appropriate PPE, it’s important to include safety gear that protects an employee’s eyes, face, and head.
Hearing Protection
Workers who are exposed to high levels of noise on a regular basis are at risk for hearing damage as well as permanent hearing loss. OSHA requires all employees who are exposed to 85 decibels or higher over an eight-hour workday to wear hearing protection. Noise can also be distracting for employees and prevent them from being alert to other hazards such as malfunctioning machinery or approaching railcars.
Exposure to Extreme Working Conditions
Workers throughout the railroad industry are affected by working in harsh conditions such as extreme heat, cold, or storms. If you are working on a rip track, tie gang, or bridge gang you’re exposed to a variety of extreme work environments.
While these hazards are reported most frequently, rail workers are also exposed to many other dangers such as hearing loss, hand injuries, and eye injuries. Providing the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) isn’t enough. Employers must train their employees on the proper usage as well as monitor them to ensure 100% compliance.
