Rio Grande Pacific Corporation
Contractor Orientation Course

This course is good for all four of the below Railroad Companies.

Equipment

            Operators Trained and Competent
            Operator's Manual
            Safety Equipment
            Parking Equipment
            Use of Orange Cones to Mark Overhead Power Lines
Task-Specific Requirements

Fall Protection 
Working on Bridges
Excavation Work
Tunnel Safety
Confined Spaces  

On-Track Safety and Roadway Workers Protection  

Safety is my/your responsibility

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The safety of personnel, property, rail operations, and the public is of paramount importance in the performance of any work on Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad.  As re info rcement and in furtherance of overall safety measures to be observed by the contractor (and not by way of limitation), the following special safety rules shall be followed.  The terms “contractor” and “employees” as used in this document refer to all employees of the contractor as well as all employees of any subcontractor.

It must be understood that, on Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad, SAFETY takes priority over all other considerations, including production and project deadlines.

General orders and System Special Instructions are periodically published that amend Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad Maintenance of Way Safety Rules and Maintenance of Way Operating Rules. Ask your Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad Project Representative daily about any changes that may be taking place.

Authority and Approval to work on Railroad property

1. Contractors must have a valid right of entry (ROE) agreement in place to enter Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad property. The ROE may be requested from the Real Estate Department in Ft. Worth at 817 737 5885 x16.

    2. Notify the railroad ‘s local General Manager or other designated representative at least 48 hours prior to commencing work on Rio Grande Pacific Corporation 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.

    3.   Ensure that all employees have received the required training for the work to be performed.

4. The following requirements listed in chart must be in place when working on Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad property.

1. Contractors must have a Safety Action Plan or (CFR pt 214) Roadway Protection Plan filed with the Rio Grande Pacific Headquarters Office. 
2.  List of employees trained in RWP, including date of last training and employee ID #
3. Emergency Contact Information filed with local General Manager.
4. Contractors must not operate Machines or Equipment on Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad’s right of way which fouls any track without required flag protection against trains or other on-track equipment by a Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad approved Flagman.
5. Contractors must obtain permission to perform work in Switching Yards or Terminals from the General Manager or his designee. 

Contractors must notify the Rio Grande Pacific Land and Lease office at 817 737 5885 X 16., prior to performing any excavation on Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad ROW or under any track, building or structure.

When creating a Safety Action Plan or Roadway Worker Protection Plan, consider items such as the following:  

Ø       Who is CPR qualified?

Ø       Who is first aid qualified?

Ø       What are the emergency numbers for outside emergency services and estimated response times?

Ø       Is there cellular, radio and/or land-line contact? If no, where does one need to go to establish this contact and who will be sent?

Ø       Can you competently give emergency services personnel directions to your location?

Remember: In yard areas, consider that access routes may, at times, be blocked by trains

Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment

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All employees of the contractor will be suitably dressed to perform their duties safely and in a manner that will not interfere with their vision, hearing, or free use of their hands or feet.  Specifically, the contractor’s employees must wear:

Ø       Waist length shirts with sleeves.

Ø       Trousers that cover the entire leg.  If flare-legged trousers are worn, the trouser bottoms must be tied to prevent catching.

Ø       Footwear that covers the ankles (six inch lace up) and has a defined heel and oil-resistant soles.  Workers shall not wear boots (other than work boots), sandals, canvas-type shoes, or other shoes that have thin soles or heels that are higher than normal.

Ø       Workers are not to wear/use items that impair hearing or vision. Listening to personal radios, CD players, or tape players is prohibited while on-site.

Ø       Do not wear jewelry, wrist watches, long watch or key chains, key rings, or other suspended jewelry when they present a hazard around machinery or electrical lines and equipment. 

Ø       Finger rings may not be worn on-site except in office areas when performing office tasks.

Required Personal Protective Equipment   

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Ø       Hi visibility reflective Safety Vest and Hard Hat (ANSI approved) with reflective stripe. Hard hats should be affixed with the contractor’s company logo or name.

Ø       Safety Glasses (ANSI approved) and /or goggles with side shields as required

Ø       Hearing protection that affords enough attenuation to give protection from noise levels that will be occurring on the job site.  Hearing protection, in the form of plugs or muffs, must be worn when employees are within:

o        100 feet of a locomotive or roadway/work equipment

o        15 feet of power operated tools

o        150 feet of jet blowers or pile drivers

Ø       Other types of personal protective equipment, such as respirators, fall protection equipment and face shields, must be worn as directed by the railroad’s EIC.

General Safety Requirements

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All employees must participate in daily or more frequent, depending on circumstances, job briefings. These briefings may be conducted by the railroad’s EIC or by the contractor.  If any participant has any questions or concerns about the work, he/she must voice them during the job briefing.  Additional job briefings will be conducted during the work as conditions, work procedures, or personnel change.

Never leave unattended equipment within 25 feet of track centerline, unless obtaining specific approval from the responsible Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad Project Representative.  Under no circumstances is equipment to be left where it is within 8' 6" of track centerline, or otherwise could be struck by a train or on-track equipment.

Conducting the Job Briefing

Safe and efficient work practices are enhanced with properly planned and conducted job briefings. Initiate a job briefing prior to any work to ensure complete understanding of all concerned who will be performing the specific task.  

·         Review the task to be accomplished as well as location and characteristics of the work area.

·         Divide the task into step-by-step procedures addressing existing and potential hazards of each task and list precautionary measures that are to be implemented..

·         Identify tool, equipment, and material requirements

·         Explain the task to the employees when conducting job briefings.

·         What, Why, When, Where, How, Who, and any special considerations pertaining to the task.

·         Consider existing / potential hazards (not all inclusive):

o        weather conditions tools, equipment and materials to be used train, vehicular and pedestrian traffic slip/trip/falls

·         If the task is more complex than routinely performed, advise the employees and brief only a portion of the job. Give additional briefings as the job progresses.

·         Ensure complete understanding of the task, clearly define work assignments, and other requirements at hand by obtaining an acknowledgment from each employee.

·         Conduct additional briefings as necessary due to change in plans, protection afforded, or workplace conditions.

·         Examples of Changes:

o        changes in personnel*

o        changes in weather conditions

o        assignment changes

o        changes of equipment  

·         Supervisor or employee in charge should follow up to determine that:

o        plans are being followed;

o        each employee is performing his assigned task;

o        additional hazards have been identified and action initiated to protect employees; and

o        employees are performing duties in a safe, efficient, and responsible manner.

All employees are responsible to see that the work plan is being carried out in accordance with the job safety briefing, and that the plan is modified when conditions change.

 Job De-Briefings 

Ø       review what went well

Ø       review opportunities for improvement

Ø       prepare workers mentally for the trip home or back to headquarters

Ø       identify slip/trip/fall hazards that may be encountered when leaving the job-site

Ø       emphasize safe driving

Ø       advise of local hazards; e.g. boat trailers in recreational areas and hay carts in farming areas that may not have adequate taillights, etc..  

Housekeeping

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Good housekeeping is critical to the prevention of many slip, trip and fall, and struck-on injuries. Contractors need to maintain clean work areas. 

 The contractor shall keep the job site free from safety and health hazards and ensure that its employees are competent and properly trained in all safety and health aspects of the job.

Specifically, the contractor must ensure that:

• The railroad is promptly notified of any reportable injury (as defined by the U. S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration - OSHA) to an employee that occurs during the performance of work at the job site.  The railroad must also be promptly notified of any and all inspections conducted at the work site by any federal, state or local government agency.

• The railroad is promptly notified of any damage to railroad property.

• Employees do not use, be under the influence of, or have in their possession any alcoholic beverage or illegally obtained drug, narcotic, or other substance while on railroad property.

• All waste is properly disposed of in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations.  No open fires are permitted on railroad property.

• All contractor vehicles stop at all railroad crossings to ascertain the way is clear.

• All track work performed by the contractor meets the minimum safety requirements established by the Federal Railroad Administration’s Track Safety Standards 49CFR213.

• All excavations, holes, and trenches are protected to prevent injuries to other workers, railroad employees, or the public.

• All employees comply with all federal and state regulations concerning workplace safety.

• All employees comply with the following safety procedures when working around any railroad track:

·         Always be on the alert for moving equipment.  Employees must always expect movement on any track, at any time, in either direction.

·          Do not step or walk on the top of the rail, frog, switches, guard rails, or other track components.

·         In passing around the ends of standing cars, engines, roadway machines or work equipment, leave at least 20 feet between yourself and the end of the equipment. 

·         Do not go between pieces of equipment if the opening is less than one car length (50 feet).

·         Do not walk or stand on a track unless authorized by the railroad’s EIC.

·         Before stepping over or crossing tracks, look in both directions.

·         Do not sit on, lie under, or cross between cars except as required in the performance of your duties and only when equipment has been protected against movement and authorized by the railroad’s EIC.

·         Do not walk, step, sit or stand on the rail.

·         Be aware that rails may conduct electrical current designed in as an integral part of the railroad’s operating system. Devices that could shunt current are not to be laid across rails. No hand or portable power tools are to be left against the rails. Use a wooden lath to provide separation when taking measurements adjacent to rails.

Horseplay will not be tolerated. Remember that personnel witnessing such actions have the responsibility to intervene.  

The use of pocket knives as tools is prohibited. Personnel need to be challenged to find the right tool/procedure for the specific job.

The possession and use of drugs, alcohol and weapons is prohibited.

Environment

Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad is committed to operate in a manner which will protect and enhance the environment. Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad will work to minimize hazardous material releases to the air, land and water:

·         Take action to protect the environment, in general.

·         Protect wetlands and watersheds.

·         Protect government, railroad and private property

·         Protect overhead and underground utilities from sustaining damage

Prior to initiating work activities in right-of-way areas, contractors should consider taking photographs or careful notes to document any existing damaged fence lines or out-buildings on adjacent properties.

All employees protect the environment by:

·         Conducting a daily clean-up of the work area

·         Properly disposing of any waste, including hazardous waste

·         Not dumping, burying or burning waste material on Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad property

·         Labeling all containers as to contents and hazards

·         Storage of all drums, buckets, or containers (empty or full) must be made in a designated storage area that complies with governmental and company policies.

·         Providing a means to capture any fluids leaking from equipment

·         Providing adequate dust control

·         Containing any runoff from washing work equipment

·         Comply with instructions printed on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) prior to handling any hazardous material.  In the event of an emergency, clear the area and notify the proper authorities.

·         Appropriate respirator and/or mask will be used within the manufacturer’s recommendation.  

·         Compressed gases must be transported in secured upright position

o        All compressed gas cylinders and gas tanks must be capped when not in use

·         Compressed gases should not be mixed when stored and a distance of at least 20 feet must be maintained between the different gases.

·         Handle, store, and transport all flammable and combustible liquids in approved containers.  Porta­ble containers must be color-coded:

o         Red – Gasoline

o        Blue – Kerosene

o        Green – Diesel

Actions that can be taken to protect the property of others:

• keep vehicles off landlords’ property

• keep gates closed at all times

• obtain access permission in writing

• protect all utilities

Where applicable, a contractor's Safety Action Plan needs to document that personnel have successfully completed required training relating to the handling of hazardous waste. 

Do not encroach on areas that could be considered wetland or watershed areas without proper authority. Do not place any materials in or immediately alongside waterways where materials may wash into waterways.

Initiate appropriate erosion control to protect wetlands from storm run-off

Local jurisdictions may have specific regulations relating to:

1. burning
2. erosion control
3. material storage
4. extensive hauling
5. general work permits

Hazardous Chemicals 

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The contractor must ensure compliance with OSHA's Hazard Communication regulations 29 CFR 1910.1200.  This regulation requires employers to establish hazard communication programs to transmit information on the hazards of chemicals to their employees by means of labels on containers, material safety data sheets, and training programs. Implementation of these hazard communication programs will ensure all employees have the "right-to-know" the hazards and identities of the chemicals they work with, and will reduce the incidence of chemically - related occupational illnesses and injuries.

Contractors shall provide Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad with copies of MSDS for any hazardous chemicals that will be used prior to bringing them into a Rio Grande Pacific Corporation facility or using them on Rio Grande Pacific Corporation property. 

Compressed gas cylinders of fuel gas and oxygen, whether full or “empty”, need to be separated in storage by a distance of 20 feet or by a barrier having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour. Cylinders are to be secured in the upright position.

Note: Have a labeling system in place to distinguish full and in-use from empty cylinders.

In the event of a spill involving hazardous chemicals, the contractor must immediately call Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad’s General Manager.

Actions to take in the event of the release of hazardous materials:

Ø       Secure the Area!  

Ø       Protect yourself, stay upwind!

Ø       Attempt to determine the hazard level

Ø       Low-level hazard: Report the spill/release to the local General Manager and clean up as directed by MSDS

Ø       High hazard: Report the spill/release to the local General Manager and secure the area until help arrives.

Be prepared to provide the following information:

·         spill/release location

·         material and amount of spill/release

·         time spill/release discovered   

·         estimate distance to the nearest public waters  

·         any actions taken to contain spill/release

·         Be sure to notify your Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad Project Representative as soon as the spill or release situation is stabilized.

Asbestos 

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The contractor must ensure that all employees comply with OSHA's Asbestos regulations 29 CFR 1926.1101 when working with any materials known to contain asbestos.  The contractor must review with the railroad's employee in charge their plan to protect all personnel from the hazards of airborne asbestos.

Lead

The contractor must ensure that all employees who are exposed to lead comply with OSHA's Lead regulations 29 CFR 1926.62.  Each contractor must have a program that protects its employees and others who are in or near the work site from the hazards of airborne lead.  Work processes covered in this program include but are not limited to routine and emergency maintenance of bridges, buildings, overhead cranes, sand towers, tanks, scales and other steel structures with lead-based coatings. 

The contractor must review with the railroad's employee in charge their plan for protecting all personnel from exposure to lead before commencing work.    

On, About, or Crossing Tracks

Ø       You must remain alert at all times for the move­ment of cars, locomotives, or equipment at any time, from either direction, on any track.  Look in both directions before getting close to tracks.

Ø       Always cross tracks at a right angle.

Ø       Do not cross within 25 feet of the end of a standing car or 50 feet from between equipment or locomo­tive, except when proper protection is provided.

Ø       Avoid walking closer than 4 feet from the field side of the rail.  When it is necessary to perform your task in proximity to the rail, be aware and expect movement on any track, from any direction, at any time.

Ø       Ensure that the area required for your footing is free of any debris.

            Do not:

Ø       cross over  freight cars;

Ø       step or sit on rail, switch, frog, retarder, or switch machine unless protection has been provided and then only when repairs have to be made;

Ø       take refuge under any car, equipment, or loco­motive;

Ø       go under any car, equipment, or locomotive

Use verbal communication, hand signals, or warning whistles to warn others that trains or equipment are approaching.

When observing passing trains or equipment, always look in the direction from which the train or equipment is coming.  

Equipment 

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It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that all equipment is in a safe condition to operate.  If, in the opinion of the railroad’s EIC, any of the contractor’s equipment is unsafe for use, the contractor shall remove such equipment from the railroad’s property.  In addition, the contractor must ensure that:

·         The operators of all equipment are properly trained and competent in the safe operation of the equipment.  In addition, operators must be:

o        Familiar and comply with Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Raiload’s rules on lockout/tagout of equipment.  

o        Trained in and comply with the applicable operating rules if operating any hi-rail equipment on-track.

o        Trained in and comply with the applicable air brake rules if operating any equipment that moves rail cars or any other rail-bound equipment.

o        The operator’s manual, which includes instructions for safe operation, is kept with each machine.

o        All self-propelled equipment is equipped with a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and audible back-up warning device.

o         Unless otherwise authorized by the railroad’s EIC, all unattended equipment must be parked a minimum of 25 feet from any track and a minimum of 250 feet from any road crossing.  Before leaving any equipment unattended, the operator must:

§          Stop the engine and properly secure the equipment against movement. 

§         Verify that the master battery switch is left in the off or disconnect position and padlocked.

§          Where equipment has an enclosed cab, padlock the cab access doors.          

o        Cranes are equipped with three orange cones that will be used to mark the working area of the crane and the minimum clearances to overhead power lines.  All overhead lines are considered to be high voltage.

o        All moves are well communicated and coordinated with other employees at the job site.  Emergency signals to stop movements made by given by anyone.

o        Seat belt use is required when operating machines so equipped and when driving or riding in vehicles.  This requirement applies whether the vehicle or machine is on or off the rail.

Task-Specific Requirements

Fall Protection 

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The contractor must ensure that its employees comply with fall protection requirements contained in:

o        FRA's Bridge Worker Safety regulations 49 CFR 214, Subpart B when working on railroad bridges, and

o        OSHA's Fall Protection regulations 29 CFR 1926, Subpart M when working on all other elevated structures.

The contractor must review the fall protection plan with the railroad's employee in charge before commencing work.

Fall Protection for Railroad Bridges

FRA Bridge Worker Safety Standards were published in late 1992. With limited exceptions, fall protection equipment is to be worn when on railroad bridges where the distance to the top of the deck to the ground or water surface below is 12 feet or more.

·         Waist belts are not to be used for fall arrest on Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad

·         The use of nets for fall protection purposes requires the specific approval of the responsible Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad  Project Representative

·         Be sure to have procedures in place to address fall concerns below threshold heights.

·         Affected contractor personnel will need to have training in the inspection, maintenance and use of fall arrest/protection equipment. This training is to be documented in the Safety Action Plan submitted by affected contractors.  

Exemptions may apply:

·         when walking or working between the rails performing inspections completing minor repairs   Note: Where rail is changed-out, this exemption cannot be used as rail change out is beyond the scope of minor work

·         where walkways are present, and no deck openings exist through which a worker can fall

·         where installation/use of a fall protection system poses a greater exposure to risk than the work to be performed e.g. some bridge inspection activities, complete thorough risk assessments.

·         Workers need to maintain a minimum of 6 foot clearance from longitudinal openings in the deck through which a worker could fall. Whenever possible such openings need to be covered.

When the deck height of a railroad bridge is 12 feet or more), a fall protection system needs to be in place. 

Do not limit your concern to falls from elevations above height thresholds established by governmental agencies. Consider potential for falls from all elevations. Also include in your risk assessments the potential for slip/tip and falls on rip-rap, or steep slopes along the track structure and trips over old materials and tree roots in right-or-way areas.

All items of fall arrest equipment need to be inspected prior to use. This includes personal fall arrest equipment such as full-body harnesses and lanyards, as well as, items such as vertical and horizontal lifelines. It is critical that any horizontal lifeline systems be inspected after absences from the job-site, as unauthorized personnel may have tampered with the equipment.  

Inspections of fall protection equipment must  be documented.

 Inspections are conducted in accordance with the guidelines of equipment manufacturers. Equipment found to be defective is to be immediately removed from service. “Out of Service”, tags or the equivalent, need to be used to prevent defective equipment from inadvertently being used.  

Where fall arrest equipment is in use on railroad bridges, plans must be developed for prompt rescue

Specialized rescue equipment, and related training, is necessary, for example, where horizontal lifelines are in use.  A worker tied-off to a horizontal lifeline may be left suspended several feet below the bridge deck following the arrest of a fall.

After a fall, even where an injury has not been sustained, all involved fall arrest equipment is to be immediately removed from service. Depending on the situation, equipment may be able to be returned to service after thorough inspection by the manufacturer. In other situations, equipment may have to be set aside and maintained for potential legal proceedings, or simply retired from service.

The responsible Rio Grande Pacific Corporation Railroad Project Representative is to be immediately notified of any falls from railroad bridges.

Life vests must be worn when working over or adjacent to water four feet or more in depth, or where the danger of drowning is otherwise determined to exist.

Exemptions are:

·         when walking or working between the rails performing inspections completing minor repairs

·          where walkways are present, and no deck openings exist through which a worker can fall

·         where wearing of life vests poses a greater exposure to risk e.g. when climbing the structure to perform bridge inspection activities

·         life vests are not required to be worn when wearing fall arrest equipment.  

 Where personnel are wearing life vests, ring buoys with 90 feet of line need to be readily available  (spaced at 200’ intervals) and a small boat (skiff) needs to be available. A risk assessment needs to be completed to determine whether the skiff needs to be manned and in the water, or standing by.

Flotation equipment needs to be inspected in the same manner as fall protection equipment.

The FRA Bridge Worker Safety Standards specify that safety shoes, eye protection and head protection be worn at all times when on railroad bridges .

Again, remember that the FRA Bridge Worker Safety Standards apply only to work activities on railroad bridges. OSHA General Industry or Construction fall protection regulations are to be applied to other activities and situations, where personnel are exposed to falls from elevation.     

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Revised: December 14, 2009 .