BNSF News

Rules of the Week

2007-12-27

Transportation

Question: What is required when an air turbine ETD is used to replace an existing ETD?

Answer: The answer can be found in ABTH 100.9. After the air turbine ETD is placed on the train and operating, a brake pipe leakage test is required.

Important Issues to Remember

An air turbine ETD uses air from the brake pipe to operate the generator. A test of the brake pipe leakage is required to ensure connection and air flow remain within acceptable limits.

Engineering

Question: When you receive track authority behind a train, how do you ascertain the train’s location?

Answer: The answer can be found in SSI No. 15, MWOR 6.2.1 Train Location.

Employees who receive authority to occupy the track after the arrival of a train or to follow a train must ascertain the train’s location by one of the following methods:

·        Visual identification of the train.

·        Direct verbal communication with a crew member of the train.

·        Receiving information about the train from the train dispatcher or control operator.

An electronic device cannot be used to verify the train has passed the point where the track will be occupied.

Important Issues to Remember

Remember there are three ways to ascertain a train’s location

1.         Visual – you have seen the train go by and identified the engine number.

2.         Have called the train and have talked to a crew member for the location.

3.         Talked to the train dispatcher or control operator to receive the train’s location.

Also remember that an electronic device cannot be used to verify that a train has passed your location.

Mechanical

Question: Who must give signals to the operator of boomed equipment?

Answer: The answer can be found in Mechanical Safety Rules and Policies, S-17.6 Crane and Hoisting Signals. Only a designated employee (groundman) will give signals to the hoisting machine operator. Before work begins, the groundman must communicate with the operator to develop an understanding of all signals.

The crane operator must stop the move if a signal is not understood or if visual contact is lost with the groundman.  The groundman must continue to give signals until the move is complete.

When two or more hoisting machines are lifting the same load, only one designated employee will direct the movements.  

Accept signals for operating hoisting equipment only from the designated groundman, except in an emergency. An emergency stop signal must be accepted from anyone.

Important Issues to Remember

While this rule tells us that the operator must accept a stop signal from anyone, it is important to understand all of the requirements of the rule.  Be certain there is a designated signal person and that other employees understand they are not to give signals to the operator other than stop signals if there is an emergency situation.

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