Safety Bulletin. Federal Transit Administration. Office of Safety and Security JOB SAFETY BRIEFING. Federal Transit Administration

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1 JOB SAFETY BRIEFING Since October 2004, 18 rail transit wayside workers have been struck and killed by trains or rail maintenance machines or electrocuted. The In Memoriam table below identifies each of these workers who lost their lives while working to maintain the nation s rail transit infrastructure. These workers include track inspectors, ATC technicians and signal engineers, track maintainers and maintenance supervisors. In Memoriam Mr. Rodney Simons, CTA, Track Worker, October 14, 2004 Mr. Harold Dozier, NYCT, Track Worker, December 14, 2004 Mr. Michael Waldron, WMATA, Track Worker October 1, 2005 Mr. Obioma Hillary Nna, MBTA, Signal Engineer January 27, 2005 Mr. James Mulqueeny, Jr., CTA, Project Manager, January 17, 2006 Mr. Jong Won Lee, WMATA, Signal Technician May 14, 2006 Mr. Leslie Arvell Cherry, WMATA, Track Inspector November 30, 2006 Mr. Matthew Brooks, WMATA, Track Inspector November 30, 2006 Mr. Daniel Boggs, NYCT, Track Worker April 24, 2007 Mr. Marvin Franklin, NYCT, Track Worker April 29, 2007 Mr. Troy Steven Schafer, Sacramento RTD, Track Maintainer July 24, 2008 Mr. James Strickland, BART, Structures Inspector Oct 14, 2008 Mr. Joseph Bryant, Miami-Dade, Maintenance Supervisor June 19, 2009 Mr. Michael Nash, WMATA, Track Worker August 9, 2009 Mr. John Moore, WMATA, Track Worker September 10, 2009 Mr. Sung Oh, WMATA, Signal Technician January 26, 2010 Mr. Jeff Garrard, WMATA, Signal Technician January 26, 2010 Mr. James Knell, NYCT, Track Worker April 26, 2010 During this same period, injuries to wayside workers resulting from accidents in work zones have doubled to more than 50 each year. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), several of the rail transit agencies that experienced worker fatalities and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) have all found that the failure to perform effective Job Safety Briefings was a significant contributing factor in most of these tragic accidents. Since 2006, the NTSB has launched formal investigations into several of these accidents, and has reviewed the on-track safety practices of the rail transit industry as a whole. The NTSB has determined that at many rail transit agencies: The rules for safety job briefings are inadequate and do not ensure discussion of how and where employees would clear the tracks under different circumstances likely to be experienced. There are no requirements to conduct a job briefing every time the nature of the work changes or when the number of wayside workers changes. As a result, the NTSB recommended that the rail transit industry incorporate requirements for wayside Job Safety Briefings into their on-track safety programs. The NTSB also urged the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the rail transit industry to carefully review and incorporate where possible the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requirements for Job Safety Briefings specified in 49 CFR Part (a). To address NTSB concerns, FTA partnered with APTA to develop a new Roadway Worker Protection rail transit safety standard that emphasizes the importance of Job Safety Briefings ( and specifies minimum items for inclusion in these briefings. FTA also developed the training DVD A Knock at Your Door to fight complacency and reinforce the critical value of overall safety awareness on the rail transit right-of-way. This extends to the paramount importance of conducting and actively participating in Job Safety Briefings. Based on the results of this activity, FTA has prepared this Safety Bulletin to highlight the key components that should be included in an effective Job Safety Briefing program. Bulletin 3 November 2011 Page 1

2 Employee in Charge (EIC) On-track safety programs vary throughout the industry. A central requirement in most every program; however, is the designation of an individual trained and qualified in the rail transit agency s ontrack safety and operating rules to assume the responsibility for providing on-track protection to work crews and lone workers. The rail transit industry uses different terms for this person, ranging from Employee in Charge (EIC) to Roadway Worker in Charge (RWIC) to the more generic Qualified Protection Employee (QPE) used in the APTA rail transit standard on Roadway Worker Protection. This Safety Bulletin will use the acronym EIC to refer to this employee in charge who provides the protection necessary for the work crew s on-track safety. The EIC designation must be clearly understood by all group members in order to be effective. The EIC may generally be designated to be responsible for his or her group, but if two groups are working together or wayside workers of different crafts are assisting one another, it is imperative that this formal designation be communicated to and understood by all affected employees. The EIC responsibilities should include: Communication with the Rail Control Center Communication with the Wayside Crew Primary contact responsible for track access On Track Safety compliance Job Safety Briefing(s) Watchman or supervision of the watchman(s) General site safety responsibility The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) believes that awareness will be enhanced and confusion limited by requiring railroads to formally designate a responsible person. Job Briefing Introduction A Job Safety Briefing provides information on the protections in place to ensure that workers may perform duties on or near the right-of-way with the maximum assurance of safety. Job Safety Briefings also clearly identify the work to be performed, explain the hazards within and near the work area, and ensure workers inspect all tools and equipment prior to entry into the work area. Job Safety Briefings offer a simple and effective way to help mitigate the hazards that lead to worker accidents. Job Safety Briefings should be conducted: When work begins When work changes When work becomes confusing When a rule violation is observed When Work Begins Prior to any work starting on the track, the EIC explains to crew when the work will begin and when work will be stopped. The EIC explains how he will notify the crew to stop work (air-horn, signal, etc.) and how the track should be cleared for oncoming trains (location to stage, equipment removal, etc.). The expected frequency (headways), speed and type of trains should be explained (out of service trains, Hirails). Above all, the EIC should clarify that anytime is train time! When work changes As critical elements discussed in the previous briefing changes, all workers of the group are reassembled for an additional briefing and notified of the change. Changes of work may include: Track allocation changes Change in train frequency or track occupancy Change of work equipment or equipment failure Additional or reduction of work staff Change of the EIC Work scope changes Hazard awareness, such as weather changes When work becomes confusing Without clear understanding of the work responsibilities and the safety protection, workers may at a minimum be less efficient and potentially result in a catastrophic occurrence. A number of events can lead to confusion and distraction on the right of way including: Change in work scope Change in the responsibility or task of workers New or unfamiliar personnel near the job site Unexpected jobsite occurrences (utility waterline break) Bulletin 3 November 2011 Page 2

3 When a rule violation is observed Rule violations should be immediately corrected in a constructive manner. The crew should be reassembled to discuss the observed violation and the proper manner work should be performed to avoid violating the rule. Common rule violations may include: Improper use of Personal Protective Equipment Right of Way encroachment with equipment Working beyond the specified limits Performing the Job Briefing Prior to the Job Safety Briefing, an EIC must be designated. The Job Safety Briefings are typically performed by the EIC and should be conducted faceto-face. When not practical or possible to do so, radio or telephone communication may be adequate. The Job Safety Briefing should be performed in a safe and quiet area so the crew can easily hear the instructions, away from the tracks. The Job Safety Briefing must include everyone that will be involved with the work. A Job Safety Briefing should include the following topics: Daily safety topic On-Track safety protection Job scope Employee responsibilities Tools and equipment inspections Awareness of potential hazards Protective equipment Emergency procedures Confirm understanding of each employee Safety Topic The briefing should begin with a safety topic relative to the work, an example might state, Rule X requires that cell-phones are not used within 25-ft of the track or the work area. The EIC should verify that the group understands the safety topic and reference the discussed topic or rule in their log. On-Track Safety Protection The EIC must inform the crew of the type of track protection (exclusive, stop and proceed at reduced speed, etc.) and the limits of authority. The crew must know the time under protection and have an understanding of the train traffic. The crew must understand the segment of protection and which track will have train traffic, if multiple-tracks are present. If nearby tracks are active, additional measures should Bulletin 3 November 2011 Page 3 be considered, such as a temporary barrier or stopping work and clearing all tracks upon train traffic. The EIC must explain the train warning procedures (air horn, hand signals, etc.) and safe clearance / staging areas. Depending on train traffic, train travel direction and crew size, multiple watchmen/flaggers maybe necessary to assure crew is cleared of the foul area. In addition to train traffic protection, rail transit electrification must be considered depending on the work. The EIC should include high-voltage electric protection, lock-out / tag-out considerations and other related concerns. Job Scope The crew should be informed of the work scope and the equipment used. The job scope discussion should include: What is to be done Why is it to be done When is it to be done Where is it to be done How is it to be done Who is to do it What safety precautions are necessary Any precautions for the equipment should be explained, such as additional time or personnel needed for the equipment to clear the foul area. Lock out / Tag out procedures should be explained and areas that are locked out, such as track switches. Employee Responsibility The work crew s job duties and responsibilities should be reviewed. The crew must have an understanding of how their tasks must be safely performed to minimize creating additional hazards. The briefing should also explain the EIC s role and the EIC s tasks and responsibilities. All employees are responsible to see that work is performed according to the Job Briefing. Tool and equipment inspections The crew should understand the tools and equipment being used to perform the work. The crew must understand the safety hazards of the equipment, such as clearance requirements, failure scenarios (including lack of fuel or power), proper maintenance, certification, etc. The equipment should be inspected for working order and any anomalies should be addressed prior to work.

4 The area of equipment use should also be inspected to assure hazards are mitigated, such as soft soil under a ladder or water around electrical equipment. If special tools are needed, the EIC should verify that the employee understands how to safely use the tool. Onsite supplies and materials should also be examined for defects that may damage the equipment or create hazardous situations. Awareness of Hazards Prior to work, a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), which could be contained in a work plan, should be performed that list specific hazards and mitigations for the work performed. The JHA and the mitigations should be reviewed by the crew. In addition to the hazards associated with working around trains and electrification of rail systems, the crew must be aware of the surroundings. Weather, such as rain, snow and heat can create hazards including slip, trip and falls, hypothermia and heat stroke. Time of Day may impair vision. Surrounding automobile traffic also present significant hazards and should be addressed. Uncommon hazards may need to be addressed such as blood-borne pathogens and other hazardous materials. Mitigations should be provided for the Hazards discussed during the Job Briefing. During work, it is important to maintain a clean site and account for all materials and tools to prevent introducing additional hazards, such as tripping or electric shock, into the work area. The EIC should discuss scenarios when it will be necessary to clear the track foul area, regardless of train traffic. Track clearance may be necessary for: Line-of-sight restrictions (of watchmen/flagger, oncoming trains, work-crew, etc.) Use of cell phone or communication devices for other then dispatch control Injury or equipment damage Hazards affecting the work condition presented by anyone Conducting (or re-conducting) the job briefing For complex work, multiple Job Briefings may be performed as work progresses to ensure the crew understands the scope of work during each period. At any time, any employee should have the freedom to make a good faith challenge of the onsite safety provisions without repercussion of discipline. A good faith challenge form is a useful tool to document and address these hazards Protective Equipment Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required for wayside work, including safety vests, safety boots, hardhats and eyewear protection must be used. Additional PPE may also be required depending on the equipment used, such as gloves and face shields. The equipment itself may require protective equipment such as guards, fire extinguishers and enclosures. If safety training is required for wayside work, the EIC should confirm that all employees completed the necessary training. Emergency Procedures A site safety plan should be developed for the specific area of work. The plan should contain: Site description Site safety hazards and mitigations Training / toolbox talks Access/Egress locations Injury/ Illness management General emergency protocols and relevant site safety plan procedures must discussed such as nearby hospitals, CPR trained personnel, etc. Personnel and back-up personnel should be designated for calling 911. In the event the EIC is unable to perform its duties, emergency procedures should also include instructions for stopping train traffic and clearing the crew to the designated egress location. Confirm Each Employee Understands The job briefing is considered complete when everyone understands the briefing and track protection. The EIC should maintain an attendance roster with each employee s signature acknowledging they understand the Job Briefing. A Job Briefing Acknowledgement form (a sample shown in the figure below) is a good practice to ensure the critical job briefing elements are discussed and the personnel understands the briefing. Job Briefing Assessments The wayside worker track protection program should perform Job Safety Briefing assessments. Various methods should be used to conduct job-briefing assignments, such as attending briefings both anonymously and identified, random site visits and interviews with job safety briefing participants. Among other items, the assessments should include onsite safety inspections to evaluate the work practices, rule Bulletin 3 November 2011 Page 4

5 violations and overall housekeeping. The assessments should be routinely performed and documented to allow for trend analysis of items such as common rule violations. Identifying the known hazards within the work area Explaining the intended use and hazards of the Roadway Maintenance Machines (RMMs) within or near the work zone Explaining adjacent track protection Tips for the EIC Conducting the Job Briefing While conducting a Job Safety Briefing, the EIC should pay particular attention to the following: Ensuring he or she has everyone's attention and participation Clearly identifying the type of on-track protection Clearly identifying the working limits and track speeds Discussing and demonstrating (if necessary) how and where employees would clear the tracks under the different circumstances likely to be experienced while the work is being conducted, Identifying ALL hot spots and no clearance areas within and near the work area Ensuring that all equipment and tools are inspected prior to entering the track and that hazards related to equipment and tool failure are clearly understood Reviewing the following: o Safety Rule of the day o Where and/or how to get medical attention o Placement of Watchman/Lookout o Placement of Roadway Flag Person o Personal Protective Equipment o Rotation and Relief Policy, if necessary o o Weather conditions/visibility Policy for re-briefing when there is a change in the work, when work becomes confusion or when a rule violation is observed Soliciting questions, comments or concerns regarding on-track safety and protection Documenting the work crew member s understanding by obtaining their signatures on the completed the Roadway Job Safety Briefing Form Conclusion The industry has taken steps to improve its wayside worker safety protection programs. However, NTSB investigations have cited the failure to perform Job Safety Briefings as a primary cause in several fatal accidents. Additionally, for agencies under FRA s jurisdiction, the job briefing is required by Rule 49 CFR Part (a). Agencies and/or individuals that do not conduct a job safety briefing or conduct an incomplete briefing may be fined $2,000 to $10,000 by FRA for each occurrence. To ensure the safety of wayside workers, a Job Safety Briefing must be conducted before anyone enters the track. The briefing must include information on how on-track safety is to be provided and level(s) of protection(s) to be followed. When multiple work gangs are included within the Working Limits, each person must participate in the Job Safety Briefing. Bulletin 3 November 2011 Page 5

6 Workers arriving AFTER the initial Job Safety Briefing must complete the same process involved in the initial briefing. The EIC may designate another EIC qualified individual to provide the subsequent briefing. A Job Safety Briefing for on-track safety is deemed complete ONLY AFTER each Roadway worker acknowledges by signing the Job Safety Briefing form. Job Safety Briefings must be performed: When work begins When work changes When work becomes confusing When a rule violation is observed There is no job so important that it cannot be done safely The Job Safety Briefing is finished when everyone understands the briefing and the track protection. References 49 CFR Part 214, Railroad Workplace Safety APTA Standard for Work Zone Safety, 7/26/04 APTA-RT-S-OP Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) Best Practice Job Briefings 4/4/2010 United Signal on track worker safety program Provided by the Federal Transit Administration s (FTA) Office of Safety and Security: Jerry Powers Acting Director (202) Gerald.Powers@dot.gov Levern McElveen Senior Safety and Security Specialist (202) Levern.McElveen@dot.gov DON T TAKE SHORTCUTS!! Ryan Frigo Transit Safety and Security Specialist (202) ryan.frigo@dot.gov Maria Wright Transit Safety & Security Specialist (202) maria1.wright@dot.go Bulletin 3 November 2011 Page 6