Eastern Railroad Discussion > Working Conditions for Train Crews to Improve

Working Conditions for Train Crews to Improve with New Federal Regulations to Help Prevent Hearing Loss

Friday, October 27, 2006 (Washington, DC) Train crews will be less likely to suffer problems with hearing loss as the result of revised federal standards aimed to enhance the safety and well being of railroad employees by limiting locomotive cab noise, announced Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph H. Boardman.

“Locomotive engineers, conductors, and other rail employees shouldn’t have to run the risk of hearing loss just for doing their jobs,” said Boardman, noting that the final rule on Occupational Noise Exposure for Railroad Operating Employees is published in today’s Federal Register. “Reducing noise will safeguard train crews and can help improve overall rail safety,” he added.

Boardman explained that the final rule will directly affect approximately 80,000 rail employees and amends existing federal noise standards to require that railroads perform routine noise monitoring and provide training to employees in hearing loss prevention. In addition, train crews are required to use hearing protection.

The final rule also requires the integration of noise reduction features into the design, manufacturing and maintenance of locomotives, Boardman said. This includes standards for better insulation, relocation of air brake exhaust piping, and a reduction in vibration from cab equipment. Some of these features are already being incorporated into newer locomotives.

Also, FRA strongly believes these changes will reduce the incidence of noise-induced hearing loss, which may improve train crew communication as well as reduce the risk of accidents caused by occupational stress and fatigue, said Boardman.

FRA’s Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC), a consensus oriented rulemaking body comprising representatives of the railroad industry, rail labor, manufacturers, suppliers and others, examined the issue of occupational noise exposure and recommended the new standards. In developing the final rule, FRA incorporated comments from many interested parties, including locomotive engineers, audiologists, and rail labor organizations.


http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/press-releases/119

And if the FRA enforces it as much as they do the cab bathroom/sanitation rules, nothing will ever come of this change.

dsktc Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Working Conditions for Train Crews to Improve with
> New Federal Regulations to Help Prevent Hearing
> Loss
>
> Friday, October 27, 2006 (Washington, DC) Train
> crews will be less likely to suffer problems with
> hearing loss as the result of revised federal
> standards aimed to enhance the safety and well
> being of railroad employees by limiting locomotive
> cab noise, announced Federal Railroad
> Administrator Joseph H. Boardman.
>
> “Locomotive engineers, conductors, and other rail
> employees shouldn’t have to run the risk of
> hearing loss just for doing their jobs,” said
> Boardman, noting that the final rule on
> Occupational Noise Exposure for Railroad Operating
> Employees is published in today’s Federal
> Register. “Reducing noise will safeguard train
> crews and can help improve overall rail safety,”
> he added.
>
> Boardman explained that the final rule will
> directly affect approximately 80,000 rail
> employees and amends existing federal noise
> standards to require that railroads perform
> routine noise monitoring and provide training to
> employees in hearing loss prevention. In addition,
> train crews are required to use hearing
> protection.
>
> The final rule also requires the integration of
> noise reduction features into the design,
> manufacturing and maintenance of locomotives,
> Boardman said. This includes standards for better
> insulation, relocation of air brake exhaust
> piping, and a reduction in vibration from cab
> equipment. Some of these features are already
> being incorporated into newer locomotives.
>
> Also, FRA strongly believes these changes will
> reduce the incidence of noise-induced hearing
> loss, which may improve train crew communication
> as well as reduce the risk of accidents caused by
> occupational stress and fatigue, said Boardman.
>
> FRA’s Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC), a
> consensus oriented rulemaking body comprising
> representatives of the railroad industry, rail
> labor, manufacturers, suppliers and others,
> examined the issue of occupational noise exposure
> and recommended the new standards. In developing
> the final rule, FRA incorporated comments from
> many interested parties, including locomotive
> engineers, audiologists, and rail labor
> organizations.
>
>
> http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/press-releases/119


Maybe with this we will see the return of the calf units?

I've often wondered why the radio wouldn't be outfitted with a full headset/microphone like what you see NFL coaches using. The technology exists to combine an intercom and radio, maybe the cost to outfit every unit, or hygiene concerns ??

NS8552 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've often wondered why the radio wouldn't be
> outfitted with a full headset/microphone like what
> you see NFL coaches using. The technology exists
> to combine an intercom and radio, maybe the cost
> to outfit every unit, or hygiene concerns ??


The USAF issues crew members a headset and it is kept in the helmet bag - don't leave home without it. An aircraft will have a spare headset or two for strap hangers but everyone who normally flies carries their own. Would seem simple enough to issue one to every engineer and conductor and put it in a grip.

now if david clark can just make another 100,000 headsets a year . . .

NS8552 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've often wondered why the radio wouldn't be
> outfitted with a full headset/microphone like what
> you see NFL coaches using. The technology exists
> to combine an intercom and radio, maybe the cost
> to outfit every unit, or hygiene concerns ??


Ok, but I want a Billy Kilmer-style single-bar facemask on my helmet.

Not word one referring to the single biggest threat to my hearing, the one that CSX can't be bothered to relocate away from the cab roof. And perhaps someday before I retire in 2030 we will have a maximum cab temperature standard?

Hmm how come when heat works and cab is 100 degrees its just fine.
but in summer when cab is 100 degrees is unworkable.

Are ear plugs an option?

yes most railroads allow earplugs or (h)earmuffs.
Some of newer locomotives do have the IC radio interface for the David Clark type headsets.

NS8552 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've often wondered why the radio wouldn't be
> outfitted with a full headset/microphone like what
> you see NFL coaches using. The technology exists
> to combine an intercom and radio, maybe the cost
> to outfit every unit, or hygiene concerns ??

That's all very well until you need to hear something other than what comes thru the headset.

Jaap Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hmm how come when heat works and cab is 100
> degrees its just fine.
> but in summer when cab is 100 degrees is
> unworkable.


It's 2006: why is a working heater an FRA requirement when an air conditioner is not required equipment? I can put on lots of clothes to stay warm, but the railroads limit what you can take off to stay cool.

Amen to the hogger who said the horns should be relocated to anywhere except over your head on the short hood of the cab!!
(What'd you say???... can't hear ya)

Diddle_E._Squat Wrote:
>
> Ok, but I want a Billy Kilmer-style single-bar
> facemask on my helmet.

Damn you're going back a few years.

Al Moran,
The SD80MACKing