OSHA Inspection: RESERVE IRON & METAL CO.

Issued

Jan 5, 1996

Abate by

Jan 21, 1996

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,500

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from
recognized hazards that
were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees in that employees
were exposed to:
The hazards associated with the movement of locomotive(s) and/or rail
car(s).  On or before July
6, 1995, employees of Reserve Iron & Metal Co., 4431 West 130th Street,
Cleveland, OH were
engaged in a rail car switching operation which involved the movement of
3-4 empty CSX rail
cars from one track (curve) to another (straight) on company property
using a 25 ton G.E.
Diesel Electric locomotive.  The crew assigned to this task included a
switcher operator who had
never previously operated the equipment without a trained overseer in the
cab and a ground man
who had minimal exposure to rail equipment and no previous experience in
switching operations.
The task necessitated close coordination between the switcher locomotive
operator and the
ground man prior to and during movement of the equipment to insure the
ground man's safety.
Although both crew members were equipped with walkie talkies, they did not
have the necessary
familiarity with the task at hand to insure proper communication to
coordinate the movement of
the equipment with the actions of the ground man.  The ground man was,
consequently, exposed
to the hazards of a crushing and/or amputation-type injury.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to control the
hazard is to establish
a policy requiring mandatory training of all switching crew members in all
aspects of the job
prior to their assignment to such work unless working under direct and
constant supervision.
Workers previously trained in such work but inactive due to a change in
regular work activities
shall receive refresher training prior to being assigned work involving
the operation of
locomotive switcher(s) and activities associated with the movement of rail
cars.
Training shall
include the following:
a.  The proper method of coupling and uncoupling locomotives and cars.
b.  The proper method of mounting and dismounting locomotives and cars.
c.  The use of hand brakes on cars and its proper application.
d.  The policy regarding crossing over and between standing locomotives
and cars.
e.  Riding locomotives and cars.
f.  Proper communication between switcher operator and the ground crew
member(s) to include
use of walkie talkies, positioning of the ground man in relation to
switcher operator, use of hand
signals, etc.
g.  Operating instructions for locomotive operation, i.e., operating
handles, pre-starting checks,
starting the engine, moving the locomotive, stopping the locomotive,
reversing
the locomotive,
changing operating stations, leaving the locomotive, protective devices on
the equipment, etc.
Training shall involve not only the coverage of the above elements, but
include actual on-the-job
training and observation involving trainees performing the duties of a
switcher operator and/or
ground man under direct supervision.  Also, job briefings shall be
conducted prior to work
activity to insure that crew members understand the task at hand and how
it will be
accomplished.