Five Considerations for Rail Safety
Rail freight is critical to American industry and commerce. Nearly everything we use to keep our nation afloat has at least a portion of its components moved by rail. Trains move everything from fertilizer for our food to crude oil, natural gas, coal, ethanol, grains, and many different kinds of ore to heavy machinery, components for wind turbines, and even waste materials. With so many important components of our lives dependent on the rail system, it is important to minimize the risks associated with the process. In fact, safety is so important that a number of different agencies are tasked with ensuring safe operation of our nation's railways. These agencies range from the Occupational Safety and Health …show more content…
The key is to properly evaluate your specific needs and tailor a custom safety plan to your operation. That said, there are some common guidelines to follow regardless of your rail safety situation.
Evaluate Your Needs
1. The first step to devising a rail safety plan is to honestly evaluate your current situation. Where are your particular areas of weakness or need? From proper signage to railcar gangways, aluminum platforms, and other fall prevention solutions, you need to identify the dangers that are specific to your operation. Once identified, do you have a plan in place to meet the safety requirements established by local, state, and federal law? Are all of your equipment and safety materials up-to-date, properly maintained, and highly visible?
Even the world's best vendor of safety equipment cannot help protect your employees, goods, and bottom line if you order the wrong equipment. This is why it is imperative that you work with a vendor who knows the right questions to ask, has a real-world understanding of your business, and works with you to formulate a plan that is specific to your individual
Rail freight is critical to American industry and commerce. Nearly everything we use to keep our nation afloat has at least a portion of its components moved by rail. Trains move everything from fertilizer for our food to crude oil, natural gas, coal, ethanol, grains, and many different kinds of ore to heavy machinery, components for wind turbines, and even waste materials. With so many important components of our lives dependent on the rail system, it is important to minimize the risks associated with the process. In fact, safety is so important that a number of different agencies are tasked with ensuring safe operation of our nation's railways. These agencies range from the Occupational Safety and Health …show more content…
The key is to properly evaluate your specific needs and tailor a custom safety plan to your operation. That said, there are some common guidelines to follow regardless of your rail safety situation.
Evaluate Your Needs
1. The first step to devising a rail safety plan is to honestly evaluate your current situation. Where are your particular areas of weakness or need? From proper signage to railcar gangways, aluminum platforms, and other fall prevention solutions, you need to identify the dangers that are specific to your operation. Once identified, do you have a plan in place to meet the safety requirements established by local, state, and federal law? Are all of your equipment and safety materials up-to-date, properly maintained, and highly visible?
Even the world's best vendor of safety equipment cannot help protect your employees, goods, and bottom line if you order the wrong equipment. This is why it is imperative that you work with a vendor who knows the right questions to ask, has a real-world understanding of your business, and works with you to formulate a plan that is specific to your individual