FRA issues safety advisory for rail workers at passive grade crossings

The Federal Railroad Administration today issued a safety advisory to emphasize the importance of determining that "track is clear" before shoving or pushing movements across grade crossings that are equipped only with flashing lights or passive warning systems.

The advisory focuses specifically on the need for adequate job briefings and visual assessments before rail equipment traverses a crossing, the action required if a track-is-clear determination cannot be made, and the need for railroads to evaluate certain crossings to determine if it is feasible for an employee riding a shove move to make the track-is-clear determination.

The FRA recommends that railroads and their employees take steps to improve the safety of shoving or pushing movements over crossings equipped only with flashing lights or passive warning devices.

The FRA posted the advisory in today's Federal Register, which can be viewed here.