Railroad Yard Safety: Perspectives from Labor and Management

Abstract

Safety in the U.S. railroad industry has improved markedly over the last two decades. Train accident and employee injury rates have both declined sharply. While current railroad accident and injury rates are low in comparison to other modes of transportation, these rates in railroad yards far exceed the overall accident and injury rates across the entire railroad industry. To assist the U.S. railroad industry in its efforts to improve safety, the Federal Railroad Administration initiated research to examine worker safety issues in yards. Part of this research effort involved conducting structured interviews with railroad management and focus groups with railroad labor. A number of safety-related topics were addressed, such as overall safety climate, safety incentive programs, and training. Methods of data collection are described, results of the structured interviews and focus groups are presented, and opportunities for improving safety in the railroad industry are identified.