YardLimits.com

Quote:

"I apologize for the delay in getting this to you. I know you have gotten reports about the briefings on the decision by Messrs. Pendergrass & King to treat a series of rules as “serious” that have previously been handled at different levels from division to division and have had some conversation with senior management on this. However, JD mentioned that you had not been given a list of the changes.

Earlier this week, my crew was briefed on the decision. The justification given was to provide consistent handling across the system. We were also told that we could not have a copy of the written list that the trainmaster was reading from, so I asked for a notepad & pen instead. Here are my notes, which include a list of the rules and the example or specific item in the rule that is being addressed by this decision.

ABTH 5501 – Train Handling: The example given was a broken knuckle with a clean break and accompanied by a download suggesting poor train handling.
GS-18 – Switch Awareness: This involves the operation test using a “simulated switch obstruction device”.
TS-16 – Safety Stop
ABTH 5357 – Locomotive securement – The specific item mentioned was failure to open the battery knife.
GS-6 – The specific item mentioned was failure to wear a safety vest on or about tracks.
Op. Rule D-1 – Sleeping
ABTH 5301 & 5308 – Calendar day inspection
Op. Rule 913-A – Activating remote control zones
Op. Rule 15 – Sounding warning when passing workers
GR 55 – Failure of engineer or RCO to carry certificate
GS-20 – Reaching over a drawhead
Op. Rule 912A and 103 – Protecting a movement or operating a remote while also operating a moving vehicle
Op. Rule 90 – Failure to report train in emergency
GS-24 – Failure to wear seatbelt while operating company vehicle
HazMat Rule 6104 – Car placement

It is important to note that a number of these rules cover a lot more ground than just the specific item mentioned. For example, GR-55 is the catch-all rule on engineer & conductor responsibilities; the requirement that the engineer carry his/her license is just one little piece of it. Rule GS-20 is handling air hoses; the prohibition against reaching over the drawhead is just one item. Rule 90 is another one with multiple parts, not just language on dispatcher notification. So, even if the intent of senior management is to deal with the particular issues mentioned, you can be sure that it will be the whole rule that becomes “serious”, not just the particular piece that is currently in the spotlight."