Metro News Release
For immediate release: December 12, 2006
Metro establishes stricter safety measures for track workers
Metro officials established new stricter measures to protect employees in the wake of the recent deaths of two track inspectors who were struck by a train last month. The new safety steps were instituted earlier today.
“These safety enhancements were designed with one goal in mind, to protect the safety of our employees,” said Jack Requa, Metro’s Acting General Manager. “We have an obligation to do what we can to protect our employees and we believe these additional safety measures will provide the added layers of protection so that at the end of the work day, everyone goes home to their families.”
Starting today, track inspectors will inspect the rails between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when fewer trains are on the tracks.
Starting tomorrow (Wednesday), track inspectors must call the Operations Control Center to alert officials when the workers are at a rail station. The inspectors will state that they are at a specific site location so that the control center staff will slow trains in that area to no greater than 20 mph when a train gets within 600 feet of the employees. The trains will not pass until they receive a signal from the track inspectors to do so and they will not resume their normal speeds until the entire train has passed the location where the track inspectors are working.
In locations where Metrorail trains share one track, the Operations Control Center will advise train operators that track inspectors are walking in the immediate area to allow train operators to pay closer attention to the sites where the inspectors are working. When there is a close clearance or near portals and/or curves that may obstruct a clear line of sight, the same rules apply when trains share one track, or “single-track.”
Additionally, flagmen will also be positioned at the specific work site to let train operators know personnel are in the area. Track inspectors can request to have a section of track closed down until the inspection is complete to ensure the workers are in an area clear of any trains.
“These are initial steps, coming out of our investigation,” Mr. Requa said. “We have worked very closely with the NTSB since November 30 to develop stronger safeguards, and if we come up with additional ways to enhance safety, we will do so. We shared these enhancements with ATU Local 689 leadership yesterday, including incoming Union President Jackie Jeter. We look forward to working with Local 689 and the Joint Labor Management Council.”
News release issued on December 12, 2006.