RTD Contractor Orientation Course
Contractor Operating Guidelines

Part 1 - General Safety Rules

Once you have read this course and completed  the evaluation you will be forwarded a course completion card (within 14 days) and will be placed on the administration database page (within 48 hours). You must be on the administration database page to be allowed to work on-site at Conrail , for/with Conrail  work groups, unless, as in the case of emergency or short notice work, special provisions are made to cover safety issues in a thorough on-site job safety briefing.  

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If you have not yet registered, please make sure that you go to the registration page and register. If you take this course and are not properly registered it may slow our response down in placing your name on the completion database.

A Message from RTD’s Chief Safety and Environmental Officer

At RTD, the health and safety of every one of our employees, of our contractors’ employees, and of communities we serve is our first priority.  We believe that all accidents are preventable through individual effort and by creating an environment that promotes a culture of safety.

Our company policies, and governmental regulations, require that every person who works on our property be thoroughly trained in all safety requirements.  As a contractor to RTD, it is the responsibility of your employer to ensure that you are properly trained.  RTD is providing this program as a service to you.  The course covers the minimum safety requirements that you must follow.  In cases where your company’s safety rules are different than Conrail’s, you must always follow the more restrictive rule. 

It is your personal responsibility to know and comply with all applicable safety rules at all times while on our property.  

RTD On-Track Safety  

The purpose of the On-Track Safety Training is to prevent accidents and injuries that result from rail vehicles striking roadway workers and other machinery.

GENERAL

• Railroads and ALL Roadway Workers share the responsibility for ensuring that On-Track Safety is provided and that proper On-Track Safety Procedures are followed when roadway workers are in the Right of Way.

• While working around Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s and/or Union Pacific’s Right of Way Roadway Workers are responsible for obtaining the proper safety training.  This training is only valid for RTD’s light rail system.

COURSE  OVERVIEW

• REVIEW PROJECT SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

• REVIEW  TRAINING  REQUIREMENTS

• REVIEW  ROLES / RESPONSIBILITIES

• REVIEW  ON-TRACK SAFETY  PROCEDURES

• QUESTIONS / COMMENTS / QUIZ

• LIGHT RAIL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS/REFERENCES

• RAILROAD REQUIREMENTS

• FRA, 49 CFR 214

• SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

• OSHA, 29 CFR 1910 & 1926

RTD - ON TRACK SAFETY TRAINING

• RTD  ON-TRACK SAFETY IS  THE CULMINATION  OF  THE  FOLLOWING:

  • FEDERAL  RAILROAD  REQUIREMENTS

  • BNSF AND UP SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

  • RTD ON-TRACK SAFETY MANUAL  

Roadway Worker Protection Requirements

• The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) adopted the Roadway Worker Protection rules in 1997 (49 CFR 214).

• On-Track Safety Requirements apply to railroads regulated by the FRA and contractors working on railroad property.

• RTD’s light rail is not regulated by FRA, but there are specific RTD Light Rail Safety Requirements.

   DEFINITIONS

• ROADWAY WORKER -    Any employee of the railroad/RTD, any employee of a contractor to the railroad/RTD, or any subcontractor to the above that has the potential of fouling the track.

• FOULING THE TRACK - Any employee who is working within 4 ft of the nearest track OR any machinery/vehicles that are working within 10 ft of the nearest track. (distances from the nearest rail)

• EMPLOYEE IN CHARGE -  Qualified employee that has completed safety training and oversees any work that is being completed within the Right of Way.

• RIGHT OF WAY- Any piece of equipment\person within 25 ft of the track is in the RIGHT OF WAY.

 General Track Safety Rules

• Do not step or stand on the rails, switches, or frogs.  Some are operated remotely or could be slick.

• Keep your distance from rail vehicles, even while not in motion.

• Expect train movement on any track, in any direction, at any time.

• Maintain a minimum 10ft distance from the Overhead Catenary System.

RTD - ON TRACK SAFETY TRAINING

• TRAINING

• PRIOR TO WORKING, ALL EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF BEING IN THE ROW (WITHIN 25FT OF THE TRACK) NEED TO HAVE COMPLETED ON-TRACK SAFETY TRAINING.

DOCUMENTATION

• EVERY ROADWAY WORKER MUST HAVE THEIR ASSOCIATED PROOF OF TRAINING WALLET CARD WITH THEM AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN THE ROW.

• TRAINING DOCUMENTATION WILL BE MAINTAINED BY THE RTD PUBLIC SAFETY DIVISION.

• FOR CONTRACTORS, AS TRAINING IS COMPLETED, ALL DOCUMENTATION WILL BE SUBMITTED TO A DESIGNATED CONTRACTOR REPRESENATIVE.

• PRIOR TO WORKING IN THE RIGHT OF WAY AN ACCESS PERMIT REQUEST MUST BE SUBMITTED TO AND RECEIVED FROM LRT CONTROL.

PPE  REQUIREMENTS

• HARD HATS

• SAFETY GLASSES (Z87.1)

• PRESCRIPTION SAFETY GLASSES WITH SIDESHIELDS

• WORK BOOTS

• HIGH VISIBILITY VEST WITH REFLECTIVE STRIPING       

TRACK  SAFETY

• PRIOR  TO  ENTERING  THE ROW:

• EMPLOYEES NEED TO HAVE COMPETED ON-TRACK SAFETY TRAINING

• ROW ACCESS PERMIT HAS BEEN ISSUED PRIOR TO WORK BEGINNING.

• LRT CONTROL MUST BE NOTIFIED PRIOR TO ENTERING THE AREA ON THE DAY WORK IS STARTING.

• A JOB BRIEFING NEEDS TO HAVE OCCURRED WITH ALL CREW MEMBERS BY  THE EMPLOYEE IN CHARGE.

DAILY  JOB  BRIEFINGS

• Must be conducted prior to any roadway worker entering the Right of Way.

• All individuals involved with the work in that area must be present.

• DAILY JOB BRIEFINGS  WILL  INCLUDE:

• Designation of the Employee in Charge (EIC)

• Work zone will be identified.

• Time limits of track work that was authorized.

• Identification of tracks that will be considered “Fouled”, if any.

• Instructions on BNSF or UP procedures, if needed.

• Means  by which the Flagger or EIC will warn workers to clear track when a train is coming.

• Designated place of safety where workers clear to let trains pass.

“FOLLOW  UP”  JOB  BRIEFINGS:

• These will be conducted when:

• Working conditions change

• Other workers enter the work area

• On-Track Safety is changed, extended

ROLES  & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Railroads and ALL Roadway Workers share the responsibility for ensuring that On-Track Safety is provided and that proper On-Track Safety Procedures are followed when roadway workers are in the Right of Way.

• RAILROADS/RTD:

• Provide proper On-Track Safety

• Trains MUST  sound their horn and/or ring their bell when approaching roadway workers that are on or close to the track.

RTD:

• Provide annual On-Track Safety Training to RTD employees and key personnel of RTD contractors and subcontractors.

• Revise RTD’s On-Track Safety Manual as necessary and provide copies to employees and contractors.

ROADWAY  WORKER:

• Each roadway worker is responsible for contacting the Railroad Flagger or the EIC to obtain On-Track Safety and receive a job-briefing PRIOR to entering the ROW.

• Follow BNSF, UPRR and RTD On-Track Safety Rules and Procedures.

• Avoid fouling a track except when necessary to perform their duties.

• Wear the appropriate reflective high visibility vest

• Make sure On-Track Safety is being provided before entering the Right of Way

• Refuse any directive to violate On-Track Safety rules.

• Promptly notify the EIC if any persons direct any employee to violate the On-Track Safety Rules.

CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Implement procedures to protect workers.

• Comply with applicable regulations and railroad/RTD requirements and procedures.

• Ensure that all employees and subcontractors employees receive annual on-track safety training.

• Ensure subcontractor compliance with all requirements.

• Keep and maintain all On-Track Safety Records.

ROLES  & RESPONSIBILITIES

EMPLOYEE   IN   CHARGE

• Ensure all employees that will be in the ROW have been through On-Track Training.

• Conduct a Job Briefing with all persons before entering the ROW.

• Will determine when tracks need to be cleared and when it is safe to resume work.

Step by Step for Working on a Fouled Track

• Train approaches

• Flagger or EIC will alert the workers fouling the track to clear the area.

• Flagger will use hand signals to tell the train to stop, slow down, or proceed.

• Flagger or EIC will give an all clear to resume work, once the train passes.

• 12a – STOP – swung across track at a right angle

• 12b – SLOW – hold horizontal at a right angle to track or slight vertical movement.

• 12c – PROCEDE – vertical movement

• Any violent hand movement directed to the train will signal to the operator to stop.

RTD Light Rail Right of Way Access Request / Permit Form      click here

• RTD ROW access permit  process is very simple when compared to BNSF and UP’s Right of Way process.

• 48 HOUR NOTICE IS REQUIRED!  

CONTACT INFORMATION

• LRT CONTROL: 303/299-3480* EMERGENCY CONTACT

• CAL SHANKSTER: 303/299-3415

• TERRY EMMONS: 303/299-3439

Course Evaluation