OSHA Inspection: WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Issued

Jul 22, 2010

Abate by

Jul 29, 2010

General-duty citation text

Labor and Employment Article, Section 5-104(a): 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:
(a)Date of Violation:01/26/10
Location:Redline Track A2, at Chain Marker A2 852+28, One Mile North of the
Rockville Metro Station
Condition:The employer did not provide or implement an effective means of
communication between the Operations Control Center (OCC), a
maintenance crew, and an Automatic Train Control (ATC) crew, working
on the track and exposed to being struck by a hi-rail vehicle.
A clear and effective means of communication had not been established
between the OCC, the ATC crew, and the maintenance crew. The two
work crews occupied the same section of tracks between the Rockville and
Shady Grove stations and were not fully cognizant of each other's work
locations.
The OCC did not ensure that all work crews, prior to accessing the tracks,
had radio communication and fully understood and acknowledged radio
transmissions. The ATC crew, working on the tracks, did not have
effective radio contact with the OCC or the maintenance crew. The
operational status of the ATC crew was not known to OCC; they did not
know if a constant lookout was maintained while the crew was on the
tracks, the physical location of crew members at all times whether on or
off the track, nor work progress or tasks being performed. The helper
with the ATC crew did not have a radio, but performed other duties and
was not continuously with the ATC crew.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is to ensure that established communication procedures
are used.
Abatement documentation (photographs, receipts, copies of programs,
training
certification, etc.) is required for this item.

Issued

Jul 22, 2010

Abate by

Jul 29, 2010

General-duty citation text

Labor and Employment Article, Section 5-104(a): 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:
(a)Date of Violation:01/26/10
Location:Redline, Track A2, at Chain Marker A2 852+28, One Mile North of
Rockville Metro Station
Condition:The employer did not ensure that a constant lookout, in the
direction of
travel, was maintained by the operator of a hi-rail vehicle, that was
equipped with a back-up alarm, and where the view to the rear was
obstructed.
A maintenance crew was traveling in a hi-rail vehicle on the same section
of track where the ATC crew was working. The hi-rail vehicle was being
operated in reverse so the covers on the third rail could be inspected as
they traveled toward the Rockville Metro Station to set up their work
zone. The operator of the vehicle did not maintain a constant lookout in
the direction the vehicle was traveling. The vehicle had an obstructed view
to the rear and was not equipped with a back up alarm. The occupants of
the
vehicle did not know what was on the tracks, in the direction of travel,
and were unaware that the ATC crew was working on the section of
tracks they were traveling.
Among other methods, one feasible means of abatement to correct this
hazard is to ensure that
all rail vehicles maintain a constant lookout in the direction the vehicle
is
traveling as established
in the Metrorail Safety and Procedures Handbook.
Abatement documentation (photographs, receipts, copies of programs,
training
certification, etc.) is required for this item.

Issued

Jul 22, 2010

Abate by

Jul 29, 2010

General-duty citation text

Labor and Employment Article, Section 5-104(a): 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:
(a)Date of Violation:01/26/10
Location:Redline, Track A2, at Chain Marker A2 852+28, One Mile North of
Rockville Metro Station
Condition:The employer did not ensure that employees of an Automatic Train
Control (ATC) crew performing work on a railroad track, maintained a
constant lookout in both directions of travel to warn of approaching trains
on all rail maintenance vehicles.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct
this hazard is
to ensure that work crews working within the rail right-of-way maintain a
constant lookout in
both directions as established in the Metrorail Safety Rules and
Procedures Handbook.
Abatement documentation (photographs, receipts, copies of programs,
training
certification, etc.) is required for this item.

Issued

Jul 22, 2010

Abate by

Jul 25, 2010