Introduction to the FAMES Committee

The Fatal Accidents Involving Roadway Workers-In-Charge and Lone Workers

FAMES Safety Alert:
A comparison of roadway worker fatality data over a span of 21 years (1986–1994 and 1997–2010) indicates that the highest number of roadway worker incidents occur in the 4th Quarter.

The Importance of Effective On-Track Safety Briefings
An On-Track Safety Briefing informs roadway workers of their on-track protection at the jobsite and is a vital component of the job briefing. On-Track Safety Briefings and Re-Briefings are interactive discussions intended to provide an opportunity for roadway workers to ask questions, raise any concerns, and verify their understanding of the on-track protection.

Fatal Accident Patterns — Hours of Day

Following the implementation of the Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) Rule in 1997, there have been a total of 42 fatal RWP accidents, in which 44 roadway workers have perished, as of January 1, 2012. The FAMES Committee was able to obtain data to analyze 39 fatal RWP accidents, which accounted for 41 of the 44 fatalities. The FAMES Committee analysis is based on the available data.

Click here to view/download the FAMES Committee analysis

Safety Alert: Use of Electronic Devices

The inappropriate use of electronic devices has been linked to accidents and fatalities, both on railroads and highways.

Electronic devices such as cellular telephones, notebook computers, electronic notepads, etc. are widely used in today’s culture. These devices can enhance railroad safety, operational efficiency, and communication when used appropriately, but may also introduce an element of distraction. Any distraction while performing a safety-critical task can be hazardous.

Fourth Quarter Safety Alert

Twenty-one years of data shows 4th Quarter spike in fatal roadway worker incidents
A comparison of roadway worker fatality data over a span of 21 years (1986–1994 and 1997–2010) indicates that the highest number of roadway worker incidents occur in the 4th Quarter.

Fatal Striking Accidents with Roadway Maintenance Machines Present

Following the implementation of the Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) Rule in 1997, there have been a total of 42 fatal RWP accidents, in which 44 roadway workers have perished, as of January 1, 2012. The FAMES Committee was able to obtain data to analyze 39 fatal RWP accidents, which accounted for 41 of the 44 fatalities. The FAMES Committee analysis is based on the available data.

Fatalities on Adjacent Tracks

FAMES — Fourth Quarter Safety Alert

Twenty-five years of data shows 4th Quarter spike in fatal roadway worker incidents
A comparison of available roadway worker fatality data over a span of 25 years (1986–1994 and 1997–2012) indicates that the highest number of roadway worker incidents occur in the 4th Quarter.

Fatalities Involving Roadway Maintenance Machine Strikes

Since the implementation of the Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) regulations in 1997, there have been too many RWP accidents in which Roadway Workers were killed or injured. To date, FAMES has analyzed 41 Roadway Worker fatalities; 7 involved strikes by Roadway Maintenance Machines (RMMs), which includes hi-rail vehicles.

Fatalities in Controlled Points/Manual Interlockings

Safety Alert: Use of Electronic Devices

Safety Alert: Roadway Worker Good Faith Challenge

The Importance of Effective On-Track Safety Briefings

In light of recent fatalities involving roadway workers, the FAMES Committee is reissuing the On-Track Safety Briefings recommendations as a reminder to all roadway workers of their responsibilities and rights when fouling a track. It is imperative that every roadway worker understands what protections are in place before fouling a track and whenever on-track safety protections change. If you don’t understand the protection, ask for clarification; if you don’t think the on-track safety is sufficient, bring it up so it can be discussed and resolved.

Worker Safety at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

Safety on Railroad Bridges
The FAMES Committee has reviewed the available data from 14 railroad bridge fall accidents, in
which 12 fatalities and 2 serious injuries occurred. Given that bridge workers constitute a small
percentage of the railroad worker population, this is a significant number.

Fourth Quarter Safety Alert
Twenty-seven years of data shows 4th Quarter spike in fatal roadway worker incidents
A comparison of available roadway worker fatality data over a span of 27 years (1986–1994 and
1997–2014) indicates that the highest number of roadway worker incidents occur in the 4th Quarter.
Roadway worker fatality data reviewed by FAMES for the 9-year period 1986–1994 (pre-RWP rule) indicates 43 fatal roadway worker incidents. Of these 43 fatal incidents, 34.8 percent (15 of 43) occurred in the 4th Quarter (October–December).

Fatal Accidents Under Train Approach Warning (Watchman/Lookout)

Fourth Quarter Safety Alert
Nineteen years of data shows 4th Quarter spike in fatal roadway worker incidents

Fatal Accident Patterns — Hours of Day

The FAMES Committee analysis identified that a significant number of fatal incidents occurred in the one-hour period from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. These fatalities occurred across multiple forms of On-Track Safety, different crafts, and on single and multiple track territories.
Although the data reviewed by the FAMES Committee was not definitive as to the reasons for this alarming spike, the data indicates an elevated number of fatalities occurred following a typical meal period.

Fatal Accidents Involving Boom/Crane Usage on RMMs

The FAMES Committee reviewed available data from 9 fatal railroad accidents occurring since 1997 in which a boom on an RMM was in use.

Roadway workers and machine operators can become engrossed in their tasks when assigned to work with or near boom-equipped RMMs  and various tasks often require ground workers to be in close proximity to the swing radius.

The available data indicates that noise, communication challenges, machine operator line of sight, and the presence of moving loads increase the complexity of the task. These factors warrant heightened safety awareness and hazard mitigation.

Roadway Workers Fatally Injured by Trains or On Track Equipment in Multiple Track Territory

On February 10, 2021, the Fatality Analysis of Maintenance-of-Way Employees and Signal (FAMES) Committee released an alert highlighting the unique hazards associated with working on, or near multiple tracks. This alert provides statistical findings, and recommendations for staying safe based on the analysis of 46 fatalities.

The FAMES Committee dedicates its efforts to all Roadway Workers who have lost their lives in the performance of duty and to the families, loved ones, and coworkers they have left behind.

https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/fames-multiple-track-alert

FAMES ALERT — December 8, 2021
December 8, 2021: At approximately 11:50AM EST a 27 year old male contractor with 2 years of service was walking within the gauge of an out of service track marking rails for scrap. A spiker, made a reverse move and fatally struck the employee.

Fatal Accidents Involving Roadway Workers-In-Charge and Lone Workers

One of the statistics from the data reviewed by the FAMES Committee was the high incidence of fatalities that occurred to Roadway Workers-In-Charge (RWIC) and Lone Workers.

For this report, RWICs are persons responsible for providing on-track safety for members of a work group. Lone workers are persons responsible for providing on-track safety for themselves while working alone. Both RWICs and Lone Workers must have a higher level of training and qualifications to determine and provide on-track safety; yet as a group, statistics indicate that RWICs and Lone Workers are at higher risk of fatality than any other roadway worker designation. In the study, 24 fatally injured roadway workers were RWICs or Lone Workers responsible for establishing on-track safety. This represents 26% of the 89 fatalities. In 17 of the 24 fatalities, the RWIC was responsible for providing on-track safety for a roadway work group. In the remaining 7 fatalities, the Lone Worker was responsible for determining and establishing their own on-track safety.