While the overall safety of railroad operations has improved in recent years. However, a series of events over the past 24 months highlight the need to review current railroad procedures and practices. This safety advisory emphasizes the need for railroads to review and update their current procedures relating to situational awareness, alertness when working on or near main tracks and job briefings whenever there is a change in situation.

FRA wishes to reiterate concerns previously expressed to the railroad industry in a letter dated January 26, 2010. In the present era of "instant communications and technology and information overload," railroad employees need to maintain complete situational awareness and avoid distractions. Railroad employees should keep cell phones and other distracting devices turned off and focus their full attention on the task at hand. Even slight lapses in situational awareness can lead to tragedy.

FRA recommends that railroads:

(1) Develop processes that promote safety mentoring of fellow workers regardless of their titles or positions.

(2) Develop procedures that address the need for dialogue between coworkers when exiting equipment near tracks or moving equipment.

(3) Review their current process regarding job briefings and determine best practices that encourage constant communication about the activities at hand.

(4) Assess their current rules addressing personal safety and employee behavior when on or near tracks, with particular emphasis on main tracks.

(5) Review current rules pertaining to activities that could cause employees to become distracted, including rules pertaining to the use of electronic devices, with the view of strengthening and expanding them to include all employees when they are on or near tracks.

(6) Review current rules pertaining to sounding the locomotive horn, with the view of requiring the horn to be sounded when approaching and passing standing trains, especially at or near grade crossings, regardless of whether such crossings are located in quiet zones.

FRA encourages railroad industry members to take action consistent with the preceding recommendations and to take other actions to help ensure the safety of the Nation's railroad employees. FRA may modify this Safety Advisory 201003, issue additional safety advisories, or take other appropriate actions necessary to ensure the highest level of safety on the Nation's railroads, including pursuing other corrective measures under its rail safety authority.