Runaway
Train
February
10, 2007
Brothers and Sisters,
The attached
is an incident report of an occurrence from January 2, 2007 on
the Revelstoke Division. I had been trying to get information
on this incident for some time (and I appreciate that Scott paradise
and Doug McFarlane sent the attachement to me) , as we had heard
the rumour of a runaway train. But you know how rumours on the
railway are.... they are usually a lot worse than the facts. Not
so in this case.
A train's movement went out of control heading east down hill
from Stoney Creek. It attained speeds over half again the permissible
maximum, prior to being thrown into emergency. With brake application
at full service, the speed of the train continued to rise. It
would seem that the Locomotive Engineer, did everything humanly
possible to bring the train under control prior to placing the
train in emergency. And even once the train was thrown into emergency
it took over three (3) miles to stop!!!
I know the locomotive engineer who was on this train and there
are few better out there. He is long service, extremely competent
and extremely safe. But even he could not protect against this
system failure.
The company has told me they are releasing and reviewing this
information on the BC Interior, but I believe that due diligence
and true commitment to safety demands that we get the word out
as widespread as possible.
EXPECT TRAINS AND TRAIN MOVEMENT FROM ANY DIRECTION AT ANY TIME.
We are out there day and night, combating the winter conditions
and keeping the track safe for the movement of trains. We have
to also be constantly looking out for our own safety, especially
in the weather that was happening on this day.
I have said it before and I will re-state ...... I do not believe
there is any work foul of the track that should be done solely
with lookout protection. Get positive protection (a TOP, a rule
42, etc.). Though this may not be enough protection from a runaway,
if the line of sight or vision is blocked or limited, you should
have a lookout as well. Remember, there is no job that is so important
that it can not be done safely.
I read on a safety alert from the company that their opinion is
that:
I believe these things as well. But they are not all that I believe.
I also believe that the company should not simply shift all of
the obligation over to the employees. I believe, and the law supports
me, that the EMPLOYER must supply a safe and hazard free work
place.
So as much as I believe that your safety is far too important
to leave fully in the hands of management..... I also believe
and I demand, that management recognize their own necessary commitment
to safety and take accountability for the health and safety of
all of their employees, as well. Safety will only succeed with
commitment and co operation.
Stay aware. Stay safe. Management bonus incentives are not worth
your life. They never have been and they never will be.
Fraternally,
Bill Brehl
President
TCRC MWED
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