NTSB issues urgent safety recommendations to protect ROW workers

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued two urgent safety recommendations to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to protect track workers.

 

The recommendations urge the FTA to issue a directive to all rail transit agencies to require redundant protection for railway right-of-way workers, such as positive train control, secondary warning devices or the use of a shunt. The letter to FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff also urges a directive to require transit agencies to review track worker rules and procedures to eliminate any work authorization that depends solely on the track worker to provide protection from trains and moving equipment.

“Having redundant protection measures in place for track workers is not only a best practice but common sense,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman. “A positive safety culture is not a solo act, everyone needs to look out for each other.”

The NTSB says that all rail transit systems are at risk for roadway worker fatalities and serious injuries.

 

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