March 15, 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)

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 7
March 15, 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: Fusses
S64.0 Fusees
S64.1 General
Fusees must be properly stored in the designated rack or container when they are not in use. Fusees
may not be stored in a flammable locker with other flammable hazardous materials.
CAUTION: WHEN IGNITING A FUSEE, BE ON GUARD AGAINST HOT SPARKS AND
MOLTEN MATERIAL.
S64.2 Lighting a Fusee
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Hold fusee near the base
Pull the tape over the top to expose the scratch surface on the end of the cap
Twist the cap away from the head of the fusee.
Hold the cap stationary, turn your face away, and rub the igniter on the head of the fusee
lightly against the scratch surface of the cap in a motion away from the body.
If the fusee does not light, pause momentarily before attempting to light it again. While
pausing, keep the fusee pointed away from your face and body to avoid possible injury from
a sudden flare-up of the fusee.
If you must drop an ignited fusee from a moving train or other equipment, hold the fusee
at arm’s length from the body for at least five, but not more than 10 seconds, after igniting.
This time allows the igniter to burn down inside the fusee. If dropped too soon or late, the
igniters may be extinguished and the fusee will not remain lit.
If a burning fusee must be held for more than 5 seconds, extra precautions must be taken
to prevent molten material from falling onto clothing or the body. The fusee should be
purged of molten material frequently by a quick shake of the burning fusee in a downward
motion near the ground.
When a fusee is used to give hand signals, point the burning end down and away from
yourself and others. Never hold a fusee near the flame. Avoid breathing the smoke produced
by the burning fuse, and do not look directly at the flame. The signals should be given with
even motions to avoid disturbing the burning layer of the flame’s composition.
Alaska Railroad ● Rules of the Week
Page 2 of 7
March 15, 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:
As an employee, what are my responsibilities regarding housekeeping and care of
the property?
ANSWER:
There are a couple of GCOR rules that govern. The short answer is, by looking out
for the company, you are also looking out for you AND the other person.
RULE:
GCOR 1.1.2 - Alert & Attentive
Employees must be careful to prevent injuring themselves or others.
They must be alert and attentive when performing their duties and plan their work to
avoid injury.
GCOR 1.24 – Clean Property
Railroad property must be kept in a clean, orderly, and safe condition.
Railroad buildings, facilities, or equipment must not be damaged or defaced. Only
information authorized by the proper manager or required by law may be posted on railroad
property.
DISCUSSION:
It is always good practice to be on the lookout for tripping hazards when switching cars. If you see one that
you can’t handle easily, ask for help, or notify someone that can have it removed for you. Good
housekeeping is imperative so that you aren’t injured, and neither is the person following you or your job.
Have that knuckle or pile of tie plates removed; notify someone about that loose handrail; don’t use that
hammer with the loose head; notify the yard about that metal banding swinging from the bulkhead flat you just
switched; and if that milepost is all shot up, say something…don’t let the next person get pinned, cut, bruised,
or killed because of something you could have mitigated by taking action yourself.
Look out for the person next to you, and those coming after.
John D. Brahaney
Manager of Operating Rules & Training
Alaska Railroad ● Rules of the Week
Page 3 of 7
March 15, 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 Week
Department: Mechanical
QUESTION: What should I know about Specialty Power Tools and Machinery Operation?
ANSWER: S-78.2 Power Tools and Machinery Operation (Hydraulic and Pneumatic Tools)
RULE: S-78.2 Power Tools and Machinery Operation
Hydraulic and Pneumatic Tools:
 Release pressure from hose before connecting or disconnecting.
 Do not use hoses on hydraulic or pneumatic tools for hoisting or lowering.
 Use safety clips or retainers to secure attachments on pneumatic tools.
 If pneumatic tool is equipped with “Chicago” fittings they must be wired together.
Alaska Railroad ● Rules of the Week
Page 4 of 7
March 15, 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: I have placed a temporary restriction that spans the Kenai and Central subdivisions.
The TGBO shows the restriction as two bulletins, one on the Kenai subdivision and one on the
Central subdivision. Will I be required to place flags for each bulletin?
ANSWER: No, only one set of flags for the entire restriction will be required.
RULE: 5.4.1 Temporary Restrictions
Track bulletins, Mandatory directives, or general orders may restrict or stop train or track car
movements because of track conditions, structures or men or equipment. Yellow flags are used to
indicate temporary speed restrictions. Yellow-red flags are used to indicate when a train or track car
may be required to stop. When flags are not displayed, that information will be included in the track
bulletin, mandatory directive, or general order.
When a restriction spans adjoining subdivisions, separate temporary restrictions may be
issued on each subdivision. Only one set of flags may be displayed in advance of the entire
restriction in each direction.
When track conditions require protection, this protection must be established through the use of
M.O.M. Rule 6.19 (Flag Protection) until track bulletin or mandatory directive can be issued.
Only flags or lights that meet ARRC standards will be used with temporary track conditions to
restrict or stop the movement of trains or on-track equipment.
Track Bulletins and Mandatory Directives
When a condition exists that requires a train to be restricted, advise the train dispatcher of the
location of the restriction by using mile posts and tenths of a mile. Unless approved electronic
method is used, a request for a Track Bulletin Form B must be made by providing the required
information to the maintenance technician before 1500 the day prior to planned work.
Speed Restrictions
See also 15.2 (Protection by Track Bulletin Form B)
Speed restrictions will only be given to trains by the train dispatcher, except as outlined in M.O.M.
Rule 5.4.7 (Display of Red Flag or Light) or Rule 15.2 (Protection by Track Bulletin Form B).
Comparing Track Bulletin Form B
Employees must verify with the train dispatcher that the Form B is in effect. Additionally, the
employee must record time compared information on the Track Bulletin Form B. This form must be
retained until the Track Bulletin Form B has been voided to the Train Dispatcher and track flags
have been removed.
Alaska Railroad ● Rules of the Week
Page 5 of 7
March 15, 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.
DISCUSSION: When temporary restrictions span subdivision lines the computer aided dispatching
system requires an individual bulletin for each subdivision. While there may be two bulletins, the
affected area remains to be a single restriction. Employees placing this type of restriction MUST
pay careful attention to the TGBO to make certain that all bulletins referencing the restriction are
voided or modified when making changes to the restriction. Employees acting as the EIC for a
Track Bulletin form B must make certain that they reference all bulletins when allowing or instructing
movements within their form B limits or voiding the form B. A listing of the current subdivisions, and
the boundary limits, can be found in TTSI No. 138 under 82.32.1 Subdivisions.
Alaska Railroad ● Rules of the Week
Page 6 of 7
March 15, 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
“Headers” and Air Tests
QUESTION: You’re building a Whittier freight. Part of your train is a block of
cars that just came in on a south freight from Fairbanks and has been off air
for less than two hours. Do these cars need a class 1 air test?
ANSWER: Most likely, YES.
What is a ‘Header’? It is the information located on the top of train lists
showing: Originating Station, Final Destination Station, Train I.D., Crew, Date
and On Duty time for the crew. This information is used by train dispatchers,
customer service and operations to schedule and move trains.
Once cars have arrived at the final destination shown in the header, they have
terminated their trip and their air test is no longer valid. Regardless of how
long the cars have been off air, if the header information shows the destination
station to be Anchorage, those cars need to be retested just like the rest of the
train and the 4-hour rule does not apply.
Stations named in the header can only be terminals where a QMP (Qualified
Mechanical Person) is on duty and can inspect and certify rail cars are safe
and mechanically acceptable to move in trains. At these locations, 100% of
the brakes must work properly or be removed from the train prior to departure.
Be a Student of your Craft!
Brett Brown, RFE
Alaska Railroad ● Rules of the Week
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