Safety Alerts, Reports and Advisories

The FAMES Committee
(Fatality Analysis of Maintenance-of-Way Employees and Signalmen)

One of the most active initiatives in the railroad industry has been analyzing the issues of roadway worker protection. The FAMES (Fatality Analysis of Maintenance-of-Way Employees and Signalmen) Committee, the industry-wide group that has focused on this important issue, is a voluntary committee of labor, management and government formed to review and analyze Roadway Worker Fatalities.

Following are safety notices published by the FAMES Committee. Safety Alerts are posted to the right.

FAMES Safety Alerts:

For more information, contact JR Gelnar at (202) 585-3436.

Switching & Operations Fatality Analysis (SOFA) Working Group

Together with other industry associations, government agencies and labor bodies, the ASLRRA is engaged in the Switching & Operations Fatality Analysis (SOFA) working group. The goal of SOFA is to identify and eradicate the causes of switching and operations fatalities.

Following are recommendations and the most recent quarterly SOFA reports:

Safety Advisories

FRA Safety Advisory, October 18, 2024 — Roadway Maintenance Machines-Importance of Communications and Compliance With Red Zone Procedures
FRA Safety Advisory, July 17, 2024 — Evaluation of Policies and Procedures Related to the Use and Maintenance of Hot Bearing Wayside Detectors
FRA Safety Advisory, November 20, 2023 — Review and Implement New Predictive Weather Modeling and Proactive Safety Processes Across the National Rail Network to Prevent Weather-Related Accidents and Incidents
FRA Safety Advisory, September 26, 2023 — Roadway Maintenance Machines – Importance of Clear Communications and Compliance with Applicable Rules and Procedures
FRA Safety Advisory, September 25, 2023 — King Pin Assemblies in Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Warning Systems
FRA Safety Advisory, September 7, 2023 — High-Impact Wheels Causing Damage to Rails and Track Structures
PHMSA Safety Advisory, July 11, 2023 — 911 Call Centers

FRA Safety Bulletins

Safety Bulletin September 27, 2024 - Conductor Main Track Fatality

Safety Bulletin September 20, 2024 - Switching Injury Involving Going In-Between Equipment

Safety Bulletin September 3, 2024 - Conductor Struck by Railcar while Gravity Switching in a Yard

Safety Bulletin - August 1, 2024 - Riding Equipment Shoving Fatality

Safety Bulletin - April 24, 2024 - Employee Fatality – Working Around On-Track Equipment

Safety Bulletin - April 16, 2024 - Positive Train Control Error and Malfunction – Train May Not be Protected

Safety Bulletin - April 16, 2024 - Employee Fatality – Securement of Rolling Equipment

Safety Bulletin - September 29, 2023 - Employee Fatality – Crossing Tracks

Safety Bulletin - September 8, 2023 - Employee Amputation – Flat Switching, Kicking Operations and Securement

Safety Bulletin - July 6, 2023 - Trainee Switching Fatality Involving a Shove Movement in a Yard

Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C³RS)

The Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C³RS) is a partnership between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), in conjunction with participating railroad carriers and labor organizations. The program is designed to improve railroad safety by collecting and analyzing reports which describe unsafe conditions and events in the railroad industry. Employees are able to report safety issues or “close calls” voluntarily and confidentially. From time to time, Alerts will be made public based on information supplied through the C³RS System.