1. travel
2. tourist destinations
3. national parks

March 1, 2015
Rules of the Week
Understanding Safety Rules and achieving Safety Goals go hand in hand.
By Working Together Safely, we can reach our safety goals.
2015 Corporate Safety Goals
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ARRC Overall Injury Reduction Goals
o 13% overall reduction in injuries (includes “major” and top 3)
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Operational Safety Goals
o No Authority Violations
o No On Track Protection Violations
o No On Track Equipment Collisions
o No Run Away Cars
o No FRA Reportable Derailments
YTD Incident Comparison by Department
2014 - 2015
YTD Incident Comparison by Type
2014 – 2015
Safety Issue Resolution Process: S.I.R.P.
Overview: Employees recognizing a workplace hazard must take immediate steps to correct the problem. If
immediate correction is not possible then protect the hazard so no one will get hurt. Report the situation so
the problem gets addressed. SIRP assists in correcting safety issues through to resolution.
How do I generate a SIRP?
 Get a SIRP form from the intranet or your supervisor
SIRPs to date:
 Complete the SIRP reporting form
 Give the form to your supervisor or the Safety Department
11 Open SIRPs
How can I follow the status of my SIRP or any other SIRP?
 On the ARRC Home Page click the SIRP link
382 Closed SIRPs
 Click on “Access SIRP”
 Username = SIRP and Password = SIRP (must be ALL CAPS)
 Enter the SIRP # or search by area to locate the SIRP
Alaska Railroad ● Rules of the Week
Page 1 of 6
March 1, 2015
Rules of the Week
Understanding Safety Rules and achieving Safety Goals go hand in hand.
By Working Together Safely, we can reach our safety goals.
SAFETY DEPARTMENT MESSAGE: Forklifts
S62.0 Forklifts
S62.1 General
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Operate fork lift truck only if you are certified.
Hearing protection shall be worn while operating a forklift.
Always wear the seat belt when operating the forklift.
Regulate speed to ensure safe operations.
Lower forks when going through low overhead clearance areas.
Operate fork lift truck with load on the uphill side of slope when possible.
Ground forks and apply parking brake prior to dismounting fork lift.
Turn off and disconnect propane cylinders (if equipped) at the end of each shift
Sound horn to protect movement, when:
o Approaching people standing or walking.
o Turning a corner.
o Backing up.
o Approaching doors, driveways, or congested places.
If your vision is obstructed, protect the movement by:
o Facing the direction of movement, or
o Assigning a co-worker to precede movement or provide protection.
Never exceed the rated capacity of the forklift.
Verify that rated capacity of transfer plates, station trucks, gang planks, and skids are
adequate for load to be carried.
Secure transfer plates, gang planks, and skids, before use.
Remove nails, cleats, or other fasteners before removing transfer plates, gangplanks, or skids.
Properly store or dispose of fasteners.
Do not load or unload a tractor trailer while tractor is being coupled or uncoupled.
Trailers must be secured with wheel chocks or other approved securing mechanism prior to
loading or unloading with a forklift.
When loading or unloading standalone trailers with a forklift ensure there is a jack stand
properly positioned under the front of the trailer.
When operating a forklift with a spotter;
o Maintain constant contact.
o Cease operations if contact with operator or spotter is lost.
Alaska Railroad ● Rules of the Week
Page 2 of 6
March 1, 2015
Rules of the Week
Understanding Safety Rules and achieving Safety Goals go hand in hand.
By Working Together Safely, we can reach our safety goals.
Rule of the Week
Department: Transportation
QUESTION: When switching into stub-ended tracks, are there any special provisions I must look
out for in addition to 6.27 or 6.28?
ANSWER:
Yes.
RULE:
GCOR 7.12 – Movement into Spur Tracks
When shoving cars into a spur track, control movement to prevent
damage at the end of the track, and do the following:
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Stop movement 150 feet from the end of the track.
Apply hand brakes, when necessary, to control slack.
Have a crew member precede any further movement when it can be done
safely.
Move only on the crew member’s signal.
DISCUSSION:
In short, make a stop as required, especially if you’re looking at a block or wheel stops at the end of track.
Look where you are headed, and know the way is clear by preceding the move and giving your engineer a
safe shove.
It never hurts to wind up a brake or two and lean on them either.
If you are servicing a customer, be on the lookout for hazards that might not have been there yesterday when
you spotted them up. Someone might have even parked equipment closer to the track today. If you see
something, say something.
Safety is our job.
Alaska Railroad ● Rules of the Week
Page 3 of 6
March 1, 2015
Rules of the Week
Understanding Safety Rules and achieving Safety Goals go hand in hand.
By Working Together Safely, we can reach our safety goals.
Rule of the Week
Department: Mechanical
QUESTION: I just got done working under a locomotive, when I get out from under the locomotive, I
see that I’m covered in dirt and oil, can I use to compressed air to blow my clothes off?
ANSWER: No.
RULE: S53.0
Compressed Air / S53.1 General
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At no time shall any employee point at or discharge any type of compressed air equipment
on themselves or others.
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Direct airflow away from clothing, body and open containers
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Air nozzles shall meet OSHA requirements
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Verify all fittings are sure prior to use.
DISCUSSION: None.
Alaska Railroad ● Rules of the Week
Page 4 of 6
March 1, 2015
Rules of the Week
Understanding Safety Rules and achieving Safety Goals go hand in hand.
By Working Together Safely, we can reach our safety goals.
Rule of the Week
Department: Maintenance of Way
QUESTION: How often should brake testing be performed for on track equipment?
ANSWER: Immediately after starting the track car, giving sufficient time for air systems to
charge if so equipped, and periodically during your tour of duty.
RULE:
22.11 Testing and Operating Brakes
Test and operate track car brakes as follows:
1. Immediately after starting the track car, apply the brakes and make sure they are
working properly.
2. During the tour of duty, make emergency brake applications frequently to
determine stopping distance.
3. Allow a greater distance and more time to stop when:
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Pulling a heavy load.
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Operating on oily, wet, frosty, or slippery rail.
DISCUSSION Given the increased stopping distances and the complexity of some of
the braking systems of on track equipment, inspections and testing must be
thorough and often. It is important to fully understand how the individual systems
function and what the inspection and testing requirements are for each system.
When operating on track, consideration must be given when any condition
changes that could affect your stopping distance and a stop test must be
performed. Keep in mind that when stopping distances increase following
distances also must be increased. Speed must also be considered with
increased stopping distances, we must be able to stop within less than one half
the range of vision at all times.
Alaska Railroad ● Rules of the Week
Page 5 of 6
March 1, 2015
Rules of the Week
Understanding Safety Rules and achieving Safety Goals go hand in hand.
By Working Together Safely, we can reach our safety goals.
Rule of the Week
Department: Operating Practices - Air Brake and Train Handling
QUESTION: You are the engineer in Whittier with 3 GP Locomotives, heavy tonnage, and the conditions are
wet. During your departure out of Whittier your speedometer fluctuates, you eventually hear a tone, and your
PCS opens resulting in a head-end brake application. What does this signify?
ANSWER: The locomotive experienced an Overspeed. When an Overspeed is activated the PCS
trips and a penalty brake application is initiated. The Overspeed control is a safety device on the
locomotive that prevents the locomotive from running faster than the safe mechanical limits of the
traction motors. This most commonly occurs due to excessive train speed, wheel slip or
speedometer malfunctions.
102.33 Overspeed Control
The overspeed control prevents the train from running faster than the safe mechanical limits of the
traction motors. It functions as follows:
• If train speed increases to an unsafe level, the safety control device sounds a warning.
• If the train does not slow within 6 to 12 seconds of the first warning sound, the overspeed control
device applies the train brakes and trips the PCS switch.
104.9 Penalty Brake Application
A penalty brake application is initiated by one of the following safety control devices:
• Alertness Device
• Overspeed
• Collision Avoidance System (CAS)
• Distributed Power failures
When a penalty brake application occurs, observe the following procedures:
STEP
DESCRIPTION
1
Move the automatic brake valve handle to SUPPRESSION position.
2
If independent brake cylinder pressure is needed, control it by moving the handle
into the application zone and actuating. (If in power, return throttle to IDLE position.)
3
Reset PCS after train stops.
4
After PCS closes, release brakes if operating conditions allow.
Figure 104-51. Responding to a Penalty Brake Application.
Glossary:
Pneumatic Control Switch (PCS)
An air-operated switch, activated by an emergency or penalty brake application, that drops the
engine speed to idle on EMD locomotives.
Penalty Brake Application
An automatic full service brake application caused by various safety devices
Alaska Railroad ● Rules of the Week
Page 6 of 6