High number of roadway worker fatalities occur in early afternoon, FAMES report shows

The Fatality Analysis of Maintenance-of-Way Employees and Signalmen (FAMES) Committee on Aug. 1 released a report that found a significant number of fatal roadway worker incidents since Jan. 1, 2012, have occurred during a one-hour period from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

In total, 42 roadway worker protection accidents occurred that caused 44 fatalities. The committee obtained data to analyze 39 of the accidents, which accounted for 41 of the roadway worker deaths. The fatalities involved multiple forms of on-track safety and different crafts, and occurred in single- and multiple-track territories, according to the report, which is titled "Fatal Accident Patterns — Hours of Day."

"Although the data reviewed by the FAMES Committee was not definitive as to the reasons for this alarming spike, the data indicates an elevated number of fatalities occurred following a typical meal period," the report states. "Several Class I railroads have identified a similar pattern on their properties and have developed programs to refocus roadway worker attention to the job demands prior to returning to duty from lunch and other periods of inactivity."

Various methods can be employed to enhance the mental and physical readiness of roadway workers after inactive periods, committee members believe. They recommend that roadway workers focus on the safety risk of transitioning from a sedentary period to active work environment, and participate in a job safety re-briefing after extended inactive periods, such as meal and travel times.

Committee members also recommend that railroad officials engage roadway workers in discussions concerning the spike in early afternoon fatalities to raise awareness and gain a better understanding of underlying causes.

The FAMES Committee includes safety representatives from rail labor organizations, railroads and federal regulators. The committee is charged with analyzing all fatalities and selected incidents to recommend ways to reduce the risk of future occurrences and eliminate roadway worker deaths.