WASHINGTON – The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a safety advisory for portable derails in the wake of an Aug. 29 fatal switching accident on Union Pacific.
“FRA is issuing Safety Advisory 2022-01 to emphasize the importance of, first, ensuring that portable derails are clearly visible to train crews and operators of other on-track equipment, particularly at night and in other low-light conditions; and, second, having processes in place to ensure portable derails are removed when not necessary for on-track safety,” the FRA said in an Oct. 28 notice published in the Federal Register. “This Safety Advisory recommends that railroads, and railroad contractors, review and revise their on-track safety manuals, as necessary, to ensure they include procedures and rules for the use of portable derails.”
The conductor of UP train ISIEP-29 was killed the night of Aug. 29 when two cars of the train derailed while performing a westward reverse movement near UP’s Alfalfa Yard in El Paso, Texas, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Maintenance of way employees had placed the portable derail on the track while they were installing a switch at the east end of the yard, the NTSB said.
“The train crew, which did not see the derail, operated their train directly into the derail, striking it at approximately 9 mph and derailing the first two cars of their train,” the FRA said. “The conductor, who was riding the lead car, was fatally injured when the car rolled over.”
The conductor who was killed, Mario Navarro, 49, is survived by his wife, Monique; a son, Matix; and a daughter, Mia. He had been a member of the SMART-TD union for 11 years.
The FRA recommends that railroads:
- Review the circumstances of the UP wreck with their employees
- Make sure their on-track safety manuals properly address use of portable derails
- Equip portable derails with a light or reflectors
- Include procedures to ensure portable derails are removed when no longer necessary
Switch to that track Should have been locked and blue flagged
This is so sad may God bless his family and may changes be made that help protect all of those out there working in the rail industry.