Fact  Fact Sheet

PERSONNEL SAFETY ZONES FOR ON-DOCK CONTAINER RAIL OPERATIONS

The intent of this Fact Sheet is to create a safer work environment for
longshore and other workers engaged in on-dock rail operations by
establishing guidelines for a buffer zone between the workers and
vehicles.  

An increasing number of marine cargo handling facilities are being
serviced by longshoremen employed to load intermodal containers on
specialized rail cars.  During these operations on-foot workers engaged
in on-dock rail operations are exposed to the hazards of being struck by
mobile equipment or transiting vehicles.  This type of work requires
workers' full attention to the task at hand, leaving little room for
distractions by passing equipment/vehicles.  Such equipment/vehicles,
which normally operate in close proximity to rail lines include:
top/side handlers, reach stackers, rail mounted gantry cranes (RMG's),
rubber tired gantry cranes (RTG's), straddle carriers, semi-tractors,
and pick-up trucks.  

A Personnel Safety Zone (buffer zone) should be established when a
hazard exists of an on-dock rail worker being struck by a vehicle
operating in the yard.   When established, the Personnel Safety Zone
should be wide enough to allow workers to safely walk around all
mechanical equipment (e.g. pope mobile) required for the operation
without stepping into the traffic lane.

Personnel Safety Zones should be marked and readily visible for work
conditions and can be created in a number of ways.  These include:

Painted lines on the dock surface;

Safety cones or flares;

Barricading with a vehicle or other objects; and

Use of a flag man or other devices or methods that will ensure the
workers safety.      

Traffic lanes that pass in close proximity to rail operations may
require the use of a Personnel Safety Zone.  This will help to slow
traffic near rail operations and to ensure that traffic does not pass in
close proximity to an active rail operation.  When a Personnel Safety
Zone is established near a traffic lane, employers need to ensure that
the traffic lane is wide enough to accommodate all equipment (including
cargo) that is expected to transit the area without impinging on the
safety of on-dock rail workers.

The following procedures are also recommended or required for increased
safety during 

on-dock rail operations:

  

Supervisors should give a “safety talk” at the beginning of each
shift that includes the layout of the yard, projected rail activity,
and/or individual responsibility to control speed and maintain a safe
distance from on-dock rail operations.

The traffic pattern at the rail facility should be well established and
known to the drivers and workers on foot. 

Employers should have a written procedure for notifying supervisory
personnel and workers of scheduled and unscheduled train movement.

Employers must ensure that employees know and follow applicable OSHA
vehicle requirements (e.g., 29 CFR 1917.43, 1917.44 and 1910.178(l)) and
must ensure that only trained and authorized employees are permitted to
operate vehicles in marine terminals as required in 29 CFR 1917.27(a). 

 

All employees must wear and properly use all provided personal
protective equipment (PPE) necessary for the work being performed.  (see
29 CFR 1917 subpart E).

	

