RAIL FATALITIES UP IN 2008-2009; FRA CALLS FOR HELP

By Jo Strang
Federal Railroad Administration
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety/ Chief Safety Officer

While we have made outstanding progress together in improving the rate of safety-related accidents, injuries and fatalities over the past decade, 2008 was one of the worst years for employee on-duty fatalities (other than train accident or highway-rail grade crossing fatalities), with 19. If we do not turn back this trend, we will shatter that record; a record that none of us will cherish. As we ask your organization to publish this letter with only 3 months behind us in 2009, the industry has already witnessed seven fatalities in both the operating and non-operating crafts. That is why we are asking all rail employees for their help in reversing this trend.

As members of your union and employees of the railroads, please be on constant alert for the risk and dangers associated with your work. Compliance with all operating rules and Federal regulations must be your first priority. Be mindful that you do not put yourselves in unsafe situations or act in an unsafe manner just to accomplish your work. If you believe that your coworkers are putting you or your team at danger, you have a right to use the railroad's empowerment policies and good faith challenges that are afforded to you by regulation.

Understanding situational awareness at all times throughout your tour of duty should be a top priority. Your daily safety briefings should serve as the cornerstone for the day's work. That time should be spent making sure that everyone has a full understanding of the task at hand, and reinforcing the dangers associated with the work and the actions that are needed to maintain a safe work environment.

If a culture exists whereby workers feel they are put in situations where they are making poor decisions for fear of losing their jobs, we must work together to change this culture. The elimination of fatalities, injuries, and accidents depends upon it. As individuals, we have a responsibility to maintain a safe work environment not just for ourselves, but for all those who work with us to help maintain the safety of the Nation's railroads and the communities we serve.