OSHA Hazard Information Bulletins
August 8, 1988
| MEMORANDUM FOR: |
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS |
| THRU: |
LEO CAREY
Director
Office of Field Programs |
| FROM: |
EDWARD BAIER
Director
Directorate of Technical Support |
| SUBJECT: |
Hazard Information Bulletin on Remote Control Plant
Locomotives |
The purpose of this bulletin is to alert field personnel to potentially
hazardous situations arising with the use of remotely controlled industrial
plant locomotives.
From an employer's point of view, part of the attractiveness of the use of
this type of equipment is that it allows an operator almost complete freedom
of movement and eliminates the need for a flagman. The early literature
promoting the use of radio control locomotives cites the operator's freedom
of movement and the attendant's ability to observe all locomotive movements
with no blind spots as a safety feature of the operation. Unfortunately,
accidents are occurring because of unsafe work practices on the part of
locomotive operators, usually because of limited line of sight operations and
operations with blind spots in congested areas.
The Federal Railroad Administration has not published regulations or
guidelines specifically for remote control locomotives. Further, no American
National Standards Institute or American Railway Engineering Association
standards currently exist to provide guidelines for the safe operation of
remote control locomotives. Attached is a copy of the National Safety
Council Data Sheet 1-707-85 on Radio-Remote-Control locomotives. This
discusses as a general guide various training aspects, preoperation
inspections, safety features and precautions involved in the operations of
remote control plant locomotives.
Please distribute this bulletin to all Area Offices, State Plan States and
Consultation Programs.
Attachment
(For Attachment, see printed copy)
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