This is actually the result of the Union Pacific's request for the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) to become involved as a result of yet another tragic fatality at our San Antonio facility, which has had five fatalities since May.
In this one, a non-UP employee was killed and another seriously injured while a UP train crew was shoving cars into a cold-storage (customer) facility. The deceased and injured were employees of that facility.
Within the last three weeks, though, there have been two fatalties of Union Pacific crewmen.
A conductor with just one year's service was "riding the point" of a shove-- that is, riding on the leading car as engines shoved cars ahead of them-- when the car derailed. The young man was thrown from the car and crushed beneath it.
In another incident, a conductor with 27 years on the job was about to do a roll-by inspection of a passing train.
(When a train is sitting idle on a track and another passes, we are required to exit our train and inspect the passing train from a safe distance, looking for dragging equipment, shifted loads, unbalanced cars... anything out of the ordinary.)
As the conductor was exiting his train he stepped right into the path of the oncoming train he was going to roll-by, killing him instantly.
Most railroad fatalities and injuries could be avoided with more care and caution.
People have NO IDEA how quickly a car can move, how quietly they move, or how unforgivingly deadly they are! CARELESSNESS AND COMPLACENCY will cost you your life on the railroad.
I've caught myself taking some shortcuts from time to time... and I have reaffirmed my personal committment to the safety of Ol' BJD, believe me!
Every time I go to work, I say a prayet that God will work by our sides, watch over and protect us, and return us home safely and soundly at the end of our shift.
And when I reach the depot, I thank Him for granting my prayers.
Railroaders make a good living because of the lousy hours, the lack of adequate rest, the terrible eating habits... and the DANGER of the profession.
I equate it to military combat pay.
Every time I go to work could be my last.
I trust no one but myself-- and sometimes, I need to be reminded that I'M not that trustworthy as regards my own safety.
The winter is here... and cars move silently and deadly on snow covered tracks. One's head must be on a swivel at all times, expecting the unexpected, and a trainman has GOT to be AWARE of what's going on around him every second he's outside the engine.
Old timers get complacent because nothing serious has ever happened to them, so they get careless-- and killed.
New hires don't have the respect for the danger that they'll eventually develop and must be watched over carefully... especially the young ones, who've never been in a life-or-death situation. They think they're invincible and quick enough to dodge danger.
It just don't happen that way!
So when you say your prayers, I'd appreciate it if you'd add a little one for my crews and me every once and awhile.
I love the work... and part of it is the excitement that comes from working within a potentially lethal environment.
But I view my job the same way I do my passion for firearms: carelessness, complacency and inattention will get me killed.
BJD
News & Blogs
Home
Posts
Recent Posts
Help
Business Directory
Calendar
Advertising Rates
Contact Us
Login
Register
