Safety Alert: Inaccessible Track

According to the FAMES data base, 8 fatalities have involved inaccessible track protection. FRA and available Class 1 data further indicate roadway workers often use improper controls when utilizing inaccessible track protection.

Key recommendations to prevent these types of incidents include:

Before starting any work, make sure to

•Conduct a thorough on-track safety job briefing—re-brief when warranted.

•If necessary to foul a track when establishing inaccessible track protection, ensure to establish on-track safety.

•Never use a trailing point switch for protection.

•Install portable derails per manufacturer and railroad instructions.

•RWIC is responsible to ensure appliances are properly installed to prevent movement into working limits.

To read more about the FAMES Committee recommendations, check out the FAMES website at:

https://railroads.dot.gov/divisions/partnerships-programs/fatality-analysis-maintenance-way-employees-and-signalmen-fames

Dedication: The FAMES Committee dedicates its efforts to all roadway workers who have lost their lives in the performance of duty and to the families, loved ones, and coworkers they have left behind.

Mission Statement: The Mission of the Fatality Analysis of Maintenance-of-way Employees and Signalmen (FAMES) Committee is to analyze all fatalities and selected related incidents in order to make recommendations to reduce the risk of future occurrences and eliminate fatalities to roadway workers.