Trains and railroads represent a massive public transportation component. According to a 2022-2026 industry report, the Global Rail Transportation Market is projected to reach nearly $562 billion by 2026.
Concurrent with this exponential economic growth, most Americans feel that freight rail and public transit help reduce the transportation industry’s negative climate change impacts—and 81% approve of congressional funding to improve railroad crossing safety when polled by the OneRail Coalition.
However, railroad safety often goes unnoticed. According to EHSInsight, “Railroad workers… are at unusually high risk of injury in the workforce.” Factors such as “…heavy machinery…” and high-speed trains play a big role in accidents and injuries.
In addition to pedestrian and motorist awareness, employees working around trains and railroad infrastructure face unique safety challenges performing their jobs.
National Safety Council 2021 Numbers
- There were 5,781 non-fatal injuries.
- There were 893 railroad fatalities
- 617 involved unauthorized personnel trespassing on railroad property, and only 11 involved railroad employees.
- Railroad crossings constituted 236 fatalities and 666 injuries—149 of these fatalities and 602 injuries involved a vehicle.
Safety Tips for Workers
Railroad employees are exposed to a multitude of hazards on the job. Some of the most common hazards railroad employees must face are:
- Struck by train (rollover) – EHSInsight says that employees should work with a watchman to alert workers when a train approaches.
- Caught between railcars – Workers should not walk between railcars, which can shift and crush a worker in the wrong place at the wrong time.
- Slip and falls – Workers should always wear protective footwear and avoid walking on the metal rails as they can be slippery when wet.
- Electric shock/electrocution – Rail systems have a lot of electrical components. Only certified employees should attempt to work on them.
- Toxic chemical exposure – Since trains often transport regulated substances, workers need to know the types of cargo transported and proceed safely—contact your supervisor if you have any questions.
Don’t Become a Statistic
Whether driving or walking, look both ways before crossing railroad tracks and obey safety signals at crossings. Most injuries and deaths occur outside of designated railroad crossings.
- Never stop your vehicle on railroad tracks.
- Never drive across railroad tracks when a train is approaching
- Stay alert when near railroad tracks—eliminate distractions by putting your phone away.
- Only cross at designated railroad track crossings when signals indicate it’s safe to proceed.