Metro News Release
For immediate release: August 30, 2010
New Metro Roadway Worker Protection Manual targets improved employee safety
New guide reinforces agency's policies on safety in track areas
Metro has a new safety tool to guide its employees who work along the tracks.
Interim General Manager Richard Sarles, Chief Safety Officer James Dougherty and Deputy General Manager Dave Kubicek officially signed the agency’s new Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) Manual making it Metro’s primary guide for safe operations along the tracks, which is commonly referred to as the “roadway.”
The manual is a comprehensive guide to practices, procedures and equipment for promoting a safe and efficient work environment.
A multi-departmental team of Metro employees developed the manual during the past several months. The team combed through existing internal safety documents, talked with federal and regional transit authorities, and networked with transit agencies in the United States and Canada to help identify “best practices” in the transit community, which Metro benchmarked for its operations.
“This new manual is evidence of this entire agency’s commitment to making our roadway area as safe as possible,” Dougherty said.
The purpose of the manual is to foster a safer working environment to reduce the risk of accidents and prevent injuries. The manual establishes specific responsibilities for operating departments and all workers who perform their duties along the tracks.
Areas covered in the manual include work limits, work zone conduct, challenges to protective measures, watchman and lookout procedures, hot spots, no clearance zones, third rail power, hand signals, train detection, and employee training, among many others.
The first step in implementing the manual will occur this fall when employees will begin training on the manual and program. The training consists of several course levels. For each level, employees will have to complete an annual computer-based refresher course. Requalification training will be required every five years for course level one and every two years for levels two through four.
The new manual meets American Public Transportation Association program standards for roadway worker protection.
News release issued at 12:51 pm, August 30, 2010.