Conrail
Contractor Orientation Course

From: Conrail Safety Department

The following web-site has been designed for you, your employees, and your sub-contractors to obtain your orientation for Contractor Safety while working on Conrail property. This site can be used as an individual study course or as a group facilitated course.

You must be registered for this course and complete this course to be placed on the administrative database. 

This orientation course is required to be completed annually.  

These materials are based on Conrail’s safety and operating rules.  They are provided for use by contractors of Conrail only, to serve as guidance in training their employees.  No part of this manual may be reprinted or used for any other purpose without written permission.

A Message to Our Contractors

As an approved contractor on Conrail, you are responsible to ensure that anyone you require to enter Conrail’s property or work on Conrail’s equipment understands and complies with all safety rules that apply to their work.  That includes your employees, foremen and supervisors, managers, and subcontractors, as well as any other individuals that you might require to inspect or participate in your work.

You must have a safety plan in place that ensures the safety of everyone under your control, which reflects and complies with your safety rules, Conrail’s safety and operating rules, and the rules of all regulatory agencies.

This web site is designed as a service to you, to provide you and your employees with info rmation about Conrail’s rules and policies.  It is designed as a basic review of Conrail’s safety rules and requirements, and those of the regulatory agencies.

It is your responsibility to ensure that every one of your employees successfully completes this program, understands the requirements thoroughly, and complies with the rules at all times while working on Conrail property.

You may choose to have your employees take this course on the computer, or you may want to print it out and conduct it in a group session.  Either way, it is your responsibility to ensure that every person understands how to work safely prior to beginning his or her work

Upon successful completion of the course, each employee must pass a written exercise.  A copy of the form and related info rmation will be transmitted to Conrail to confirm their qualifications to work on the property.

This course provides only an overview of the rules and regulations.  In addition, prior to beginning work, someone from your company must read and study the sections of the Conrail documents that apply to your work, and ensure that the requirements are communicated to and understand by your employees.  Copies of most of those documents are found on this web site.  Click next to the appropriate document to download a copy in .pdf format.

• Conrail Safety Rules and General Responsibilities for All Employees  S-7.  A copy should be secured from the office of the Chief Safety and Environmental Officer and reviewed prior to beginning work on the project.

• Conrail On-Track Safety Manual  R-3  Click here.

• Conrail Job Briefing Guidelines Cards  Click here.

Conrail and federal On-Track Safety rules and regulations govern your employees or others working along the right-of-way. 

You must assign an employee-in-charge for every work gang, who is thoroughly knowledgeable of the rules and ensures that every employee receives training in the procedures they need to stay safe.  The info rmation on this web site is not sufficient for that employee, who must read and understand the Conrail On-Track Safety Manual prior to accepting that responsibility.

Conrail’s Operating Department management will monitor your work and safety practices.  Failure to adhere to our rules and policies may result in your project being shut down until you can exhibit compliance.  Flagrant, continuous or willful violations may result in termination of your contract.

• If you have any questions regarding Conrail’s rules or project requirements, please contact the following individuals.

• For immediate problems or questions, contact the Conrail Operating Department management for your work location. For questions or guidance about safety or operating rules or training, contact Neil P. Ferrone , Chief Safety Officer, Mt. Laurel , NJ .  (856) 231-2007

Authority to Work on Conrail Property

Before beginning work on Conrail property, a contractor must:

• Have a valid right-of-entry agreement from Conrail.
• Notify the Conrail Operating Department management representative at least 48 hours prior to commencing work on Conrail property, and at least 24 hours prior to commencing work that will require any person or equipment (including boom extensions) to be closer than 25 feet to any track.
• Have in place an On Track Safety program and safety procedures, and provide copies of them to Conrail.
• Train all employees in, and be sure they thoroughly understand, the operating and safety requirements for the work to be performed.
• Have trained supervision and procedures in place to continually monitor the work site, to identify hazards that could result in injury or incident, to monitor the safe and efficient work of all employees, and to take immediate action in case any situation may jeopardize safety.
• Have an employee-in-charge on site that is thoroughly knowledgeable about Conrail Roadway Worker Safety and government regulations; and that continuously ensures that protection briefings and training are provided to all roadway workers at the site.

Course Overview

• A Message to Our Contractors (Above)

• Authority to Work on Conrail Property (Above)

• Course Overview (Below)

Part 1 – General Requirements

• A Message from the Chief Safety and Environmental Officer

• Job Safety Briefings

• Overview of On-Track Protection Requirements

• Conrail General Safety Requirements

• Reporting Incidents or Injuries

• Working Around the Right – of – Way

• Basic Information About Track Structures

Part 2 - On-Track Protection for Roadway Workers

• Overview of On-Track Protection

• Who Are Roadway Workers?

• Your Responsibilities as a Roadway Worker

• Roadway Worker Job Briefings

• Challenging Roadway Protection

• How Does Roadway Protection Work?

• Methods of Roadway Protection

• Safety Rules and Procedures for Roadway Workers

• Challenges to On-Track Safety Procedures

Part 3 - On-Track Protection for Employees in Charge, Lone Workers, Watchmen, Flagmen, and Roadway Maintenance Machine Operators

• Responsibilities of Employee in Charge

• Responsibilities of Lone Workers

• Responsibilities of Watchmen and Advanced Watchmen

• Responsibilities of Flagmen

• Responsibilities of Roadway Maintenance Machine Operators

Part 4 – Environmental Requirements

Part 5 – Task Specific Safety Requirements

Where would you like to go?

Conrail Course

Conrail Exercise

Conrail Course

Course Exercise

Additional Information

Reference Material