Rail safety group urges more caution during switching operations

A cross-industry rail safety group is reminding rail workers to remain vigilant in light of three switching fatalities that occurred between August and November.

The Switching Operations Fatality Analysis Working Group (SOFA) has published its most recent safety alert, which raises concerns about injuries to, and fatalities of, railroad workers that have occurred this year. The fatalities occurred Aug. 13 in Crossett, Arkansas; Oct. 11 in Richmond, Virginia; and Nov. 11 in Tuscola, Illinois, according to a press release issued by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), which is a member of the SOFA Working Group.

"While these cases have not yet been analyzed, the SOFA Working Group is concerned by the 159 injuries that occurred this year through Aug. 31, 2020, and reminds all employees to remain vigilant during switching operations by not only protecting shove movement, but also protecting themselves by avoiding close or no clearances hazards," the group's alert stated, according to the BLET. "Last but not least, remember to always hold a job briefing whenever the job or situation changes."

The group issues safety alerts to help eliminate switching injuries and fatalities. SOFA was formed in 1998 at the request of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to review switching operations and accident reports and develop recommendations for reducing injuries and fatalities.

In addition to the BLET, other entities represented in the group are the FRA, Association of American Railroads, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, SMART-Transportation Division and the U.S. Department of Transportation's Volpe Center.

The safety alert can be downloaded from this link.