This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
11/24/2025
The National Transportation Safety Board earlier this month issued a safety alert about the risks associated with the unexpected movement of unsecured rail cars and equipment on railroad track.
Railroad employees face significant risk of serious injury or death when they enter the gauge of the track without first ensuring that all equipment on the track is stationary and properly secured against movement, the alert states. The NTSB investigated five accidents between July 2024 and July 2025 in which railroad employees were seriously injured or killed when they fouled the track and were then struck by unsecured equipment.
A track is fouled when an individual or equipment is in the gauge of the track or within 4 feet of the nearest rail of the track and can be struck by a moving train or on-track equipment.
The alert explains what can cause on-track railroad equipment to move unexpectedly and provides several actions that railroad employees can take to remain safe.
The alert and its recommendations can be found here.