Held: May 8, 2003, Revelstoke BC
Co-Chairman: Stan Bell
Members in Attendance:
Management: S. Bell, T. Marinier, B. Riches
Union Reps: J. Meloro (BMWE), K. Jones (B&B), P. Bede (BLE), B. Gardali (UTU), A. Stewart (BMWE)
Meeting called to order 0830. Minutes of April 10, 2003 meeting read and adopted.
Field Ops – Bi-Annual site inspections, Gas mask distribution complete, on target.
E/S – Block Training 80% complete
Item 0103-04: P. Bede inquired re possibility of increasing speed restriction for new potash cars from 15 to 20 mph.
Action (0305) Elevated to Policy Committee. Stan Bell to contact S. Sabatini to determine Risk Assessment. T. Marinier indicated as far as E/S is concerned, there are no track issues. Issues are with Mechanical and Accident Prevention. MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0204-03: P. Bede questioned re requirement of installation of sliding derails for setting off units at Rogers, Chase, Ducks and Moberly.
Action (0305) Rogers – hinged derail w/crowder to be installed #1 and #2 track (east end) Complete
Chase & Squilax – hinged derail w/crowder installation Complete.
Ducks – hinged derail w/crowder – installation Complete.
Moberly – Complete MOTION TO DELETE
Item 0207-04: K. Jones reported decals missing on signal masts at Stoney Creek West (and possibly other locations – Beavermouth?
Action (0305) Completed MOTION TO DELETE
Item 0301-04: P. Bede reported the reflective tape on switch handles – back tracks Shuswap Sub is wearing.
Action (0305) Mr. Dashko approved – Brad will proceed with TMS R. Miller MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0302-01: P. Bede questioned what procedures are in place when a one unit train fails enroute – send a BTMF truck out to get the crew?
Action: (0305) Committee inspected sample kit and agreed to put together 5 kits locally. P. Bede advised the BLE are pursing this on a system level. MOTION TO DELETE
Item 0302-04: J. Meloro reported fumes in the Mechanic Shop when machines are running.
Action (0305) B. Tully advised a Business Case should be made. B. Black indicated a thorough report was completed a few years ago – he will forward to Tim Marinier. Another option is Cranbrook has an exhaust system not currently being used there that Revelstoke could possibly obtain.
MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0304-01: Stan reported a request from the City of Revelstoke with concern from residents regarding dust from roadways when gangs are parked there. Request that employees park in the Victoria Road parking lot.
Action (0305) B. Black will investigate – he indicated there is monies allotted for improving parking conditions to avoid these situations when gangs are moving through territories. MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0304-02: J. Meloro reported concern from E/S crews when bulkhead lumber cars have scrap pieces sticking out and debris flying off because the car has not been cleaned up properly when unloading. Also, gondolas with scrap metal piled up so high pieces fall off, cables dragging, etc.
Action (0305) Committee discussed and recommended getting pictures of the cars for the purpose of tracing back to the customer for correction. Also, obtaining specific car numbers that will allow tracing and alerting crews to secure. Monitor. MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0304-04: K. Jones inquired about the E/S Hi-Vis Policy with regard to Welders. Welders should not wear bright colors (orange) when welding because of reflective concern causing overheating/burning.
Also, he questioned whether or not orange coveralls are adequate to wear during daylight hours.
Action (0305) B. Black will investigate. MOTION TO CARRY
CORRESPONDENCE & BUSINESS ARISING
Letter received from Locomotive Engineer G. Richardson (attached). S. Bell to investigate.
INCIDENT REVIEW
Incident Cause Prev.Measures
| Travelling in taxi, seat suddenly went backward, sore back |
MIR FOPS |
Taxi cab 04/12/03 1845 |
Latch released, seat supporting back suddenly went backward |
Equipment checked. |
| Car CP525080, came off its truck center pin |
NON FRA |
M.40.8 Shu 04/19/03 1000 |
Undetermined |
Car repaired by Mechanical Services |
| Derailment – 1 car |
NON FRA |
Golden Yard 04/20/03 1715 |
Bad order slack adjuster resulting in skidded wheels/tread buildup |
Mechanical Service repaired |
| Run Thru Switch |
NON FRA |
Golden Yard 04/21/03 1830 |
Switch not lined for intended movement |
Informal Investigation |
| Releasing handbrake, handle came up striking employee on left cheek |
MIR FOPS |
Mi.0.0 Mtn 04/26/03 0630 |
Undetermined – handbrake inspected and found to work as intended. |
Discuss with employee - IRR |
| Run Thru Switch |
NON FRA |
Rev Yard 04/27/03 1145 |
Switch not lined for intended movement |
Informal investigation |
SAFETY HAZARD REPORTS (Incomplete)
SHR0212-03: MU cables laying around on the ground at Ducks, Chase and Squilax
Action (0305) Chase has rack installed. Would like similar installation of racks at Greeley, Moblerly, Ducks and Squilax. Also include Stoney Creek and Rogers with start up of tunnel project. P. Bede/K. Jones to followup. MOTION TO CARRY
SHR0304-02: Smoking in locomotive cabs – instruct employees not to smoke in cab, remove ashtrays, install ‘no smoking’ decals.
Action (0305) S. Bell advises policies are well in place for employees not to smoke on units. M/S will investigate possibility of removing ashtrays and/or applying ‘no smoking’ decals in the units.
MOTION TO CARRY
SHR0304-03: Ducks back track – install light for switching.
Action (0305) B. Gardali / P. Bede investigated. Installing a light is not feasible. Investigate testing of a personal marker/strobe light will be done. MOTION TO DELETE
SHR0304-04: West leg of wye Tappen, clean up area near track.
Action (0305) B. Gardali / P. Bede inspected – area cleaned up. MOTION TO DELETE
SHR0304-05: Ducks back track off south track – rail laying between N&S track. Also handrailing should be extended westward on walkway.
Action (0305) B. Gardali / P. Bede inspected, cleaned up. Note: Work Programs now in area, will ensure area left in tidy condition upon completion. MOTION TO DELETE
SAFETY HAZARD REPORTS (New)
SHR0304-06: West back track switch at Chase – a hazard sign is in front of the switch. The yellow hazard sign over-rides the green of the switch (eastward movement)
Action (0305) Al Stewart will advise. MOTION TO CARRY
SHR0304-07: Journals on cars – red caps on journal covers – when you see red you think it is hot.
Action (0305) K. Sali advises the proper method for testing for overheated bearings is outlined in the GOI, Section 5, Items 11.1 & 11.2. This could be an item of discussion @ safety meetings & thru coaches. MOTION TO DELETE
SHR0304-08: Unit 9716 – windows (Conductor & Engineer) both very hard to open.
Action (0305) W. Hayman reported unit to MS for repair. GE are aware of problem and are repairing as units are periodically shopped. In the interim, similar units should continue to be reported to MS
MOTION TO DELETE
SHR0305-01: Mechanic Shop – Revelstoke. Improper lighting in container that stores small engine and hydraulic parts. High potential for slips & trips. Also ramp going into container.
Action (0305) Progress with Dave Turner. MOTION TO CARRY
SHR0305-02: Mechanic Shop – Revelstoke. Hydraulic press table has manual lift – very heavy and high potential for back injury when being used with big items. Press wants to tip.
Action (0305) G. Meloro reported TP&E Supervisor approved purchase of the proper hydraulic press.
Progress with Dave Turner. MOTION TO CARRY
SHR0305-03: Unit 9013 – poor seating resulting in sore back. Should not be used as leaders.
Action (0305) S. Bell to investigate. MOTION TO CARRY
REPORTS OF SUB-COMMITTEES
- Mt. Macdonald Tunnel – distribution of gas masks complete. Investigate possible / necessity of having oxygen available in bays.
- Connaught Tunnels – progressing need for haze detectors/2 fans
- Emergency Evacuation Plan – proposed mock-up with local police and fire department (after Yardmaster is gone).
DISTRICT SAFETY ADVISOR REPORT – N/A
NEW BUSINESS
Item 0305-01: Paul Bede inquired with regard to necessity of fall protection on units for crews when cleaning windows and checking for sand.
Action (0305) S. Bell to investigate.
Item 0305-02: P. Bede inquired about stretchers in deployed position – can’t get person on stretcher off unit.
Action (0305) S. Bell to investigate.
Item 0305-03: Al Stewart reported welders are getting overworked – 55 hours a week – do we need more welders?
Action (0305) T. Marinier to advise.
Item 0305-04: J. Meloro reported Hi-Rail truck needs triangles, road flares and first aid kit.
Action (0305) S. Bell to advise.
Item 0305-05: Requirement of a new yard plan (Revelstoke) with the abolishment of the Yardmaster position.
Action (0305) P. Bede/B. Gardali will complete a Risk Assessment.
Meeting adjourned 1100 – Next meeting 0830 – June 12, 2003.
L. Sali for
S.W. Bell/ B. Gardali
Correspondence
Paul Bede
Revelstoke
S&H Rep
On April 23/03 Conductor Ken MacInnis and I were called for 03:45 on 267-21.
As we departed Squilax, RTC Woo gave us instructions to pick up Unit 8569 at Chase. Period.
The 8569 was not running, and after trying to start it in conventional manner we discovered that the knife switch in the back lower panel had been opened.
The unit still wouldn’t start. Further searching found the MU shutdown switch was left open.
Now the unit started and was added to the train and it was noted by MacInnis and I that loud clanging noses and unusual exhaust fumes were emitting.
RTC Woo was contacted and asked if there was anything he could inform us of the unit’s state, getting passed onto the Diesel Dr, we were informed that the unit was NOT to be started on account of HIGH crankcase pressure!! It had been booked to the Diesel Dr 12 hours earlier.
So, who ever set off the B/O unit did not leave a note, the RTC office apparently knew nothing and us employees could have suffered after an explosion.
Do you think things could have been done differently?
Glen Richardson