REVELSTOKE
WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
MINUTES – April 10, 2003
Held: April 10, 2003
Co-Chairman: Bob Gardali
Members in Attendance:
Management: S. Bell, T. Marinier, B. Riches
Unions Reps: B. Gardali (UTU), P. Bede (BLE), K. Jones (B&B), A. Stewart (BMWE), J. Meloro (BMWE)
Meeting called to order 0835. Minutes of March 13, 2003 meeting read and adopted.
Field Ops – Gas mask distribution almost complete RTE. 12 masks issued E/S
- Site Inspections, SOFA Audits.
- Safety Framework on target
E/S – Safety Framework on target.
- Marking hazards
- B&B good progress on Safety Framework
Item 0103-04: P. Bede inquired re possibility of increasing speed restriction for new potash cars from 15 to 20 mph.
Action (0304) 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 (0304) 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 – hinged derail w/crowder to be installed. Tim reported waiting for ground to thaw to allow installation of ties – expected to be complete by end of week. MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0207-04: K. Jones reported decals missing on signal masts at Stoney Creek West (and possibly other locations – Beavermouth?
Action (0304) New decals received, however should not be applied in cold weather. MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0211-05: Request from Locomotive Engineers to be supplied with headlamps.
Action (0304) Stan reported L/E have been supplied with headlamps. MOTION TO DELETE
Item 0212-01: W. Hayman inquired with regard to progress on mid train SBU’s for tailend remote coal trains.
Action (0304) Testing complete – in place. Monitor. MOTION TO DELETE
Item 0301-04: P. Bede reported the reflective tape on switch handles – back tracks Shuswap Sub is wearing.
Action(0304) B. Riches reported tape has been ordered but indicated that Russ Dashko has advised application of reflective tape should only be on switches in the yard, not main line according to Standards. Committee felt this is beneficial for switches on the main line. Brad will check with Mr. Dashko 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: (0304) S. Bell to advised he has a sample ‘survival kit’ coming from Chapleau. P. Bede advised the BLE are pursing this on a system level. MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0302-04: J. Meloro reported fumes in the Mechanic Shop when machines are running.
Action (0304) 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 0302-05: J. Meloro requested E/S crews be trained in Avalanche Training. He reported there is a local training course provided.
Action (0304) A conference call was held – an Instructor will be invited in for training in the Fall to review Avalanche Hazards and safety procedures. MOTION TO DELETE
Item 0303-02: K. Jones inquired if track machinery is utilizing “Environmental Friendly” oil.
Action (0304) B. Riches reported that issues involved with cost due to the fact that the oil breaks down, generates more heat which will involve modifying the machines. Also, switching oil on new machines will void the warranty on the machine. It was also felt that the risk involved in hoses breaking, etc is small compared to the costs in the changing over. MOTION TO DELETE
CORRESPONDENCE & BUSINESS ARISING
Discussed the CRV Pilot Program Implementation.
INCIDENT REVIEW
Incident Cause Prev.Measures
| Diesel exhaust fumes riding 4th unit / headache (2) |
MIR FOPS |
Train 470-11 03/13/03 0410 |
Hiway closure req’d to D/H 4th unit – fumes |
Utilized gas mask should have used earlier. |
| Run Thru Switch |
NON FRA |
Golden Yard 03/15/03 1015 |
Conductor did not hear Stop instruction on radio |
Informal investigation |
| Releasing lever on handbrake, chain struck leg |
MIR FOPS |
M. 43.0 Mtn 03/17/03 1145 |
Improper standing position, handbrake over-tightened |
Discussed with employee / IRR |
| Units (2) derailed |
NON FRA |
Golden Yard 03/27/03 1015 |
Wide gauge from tie Condition |
ES repaired track |
| Entering unit bumped knee on frame of door |
MIR FOPS |
Unit CP6069 03/31/03 2020 |
Employee had to avoid chair (not a swivel) |
Change of units more suitable for switching |
SAFETY HAZARD REPORTS (Incomplete)
SHR 0202-06: Do we require local exhaust ventilation in B&B welding shop (for welding).
Action (0304) B. Tully to advised that this is not required as it relates to the ‘8 hour exposure limits’ and also a supply of fresh air (open door) is provided. MOTION TO DELETE
SHR0212-03: MU cables laying around on the ground at Ducks, Chase and Squilax
Action (0304) Chase has rack installed. Would like similar installation of racks at Greeley, Moblerly, Ducks and Squilax. P. Bede/K. Jones to followup. MOTION TO CARRY
SHR0303-01: Revelstoke Yard parking lot – slip/trip on icy surfaces. Slush and snow, lots of water.
Action (0304) Due to avalanches at the time, the loader was not available. Warmer weather did arrive and melted the snow. MOTION TO DELETE
SAFETY HAZARD REPORTS (New)
SHR0304-01: Field East Yard – hold in ground 6” round, 6-8 feet deep on north side of track on walking path across from #2 track.
Action (0304) TMS Sadek advised hole has been filled. MOTION TO DELETE
SHR0304-02: Smoking in locomotive cabs – instruct employees not to smoke in cab, remove ashtrays, install ‘no smoking’ decals.
Action (0304) 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 (0304) B. Gardali / P. Bede to investigate. MOTION TO CARRY
SHR0304-04: West leg of wye Tappen, clean up area near track.
Action (0304) B. Gardali / P. Bede to site inspect and advise. MOTION TO CARRY
SHR0304-05: Ducks back track off south track – rail laying between N&S track. Also handrailing should be extended westward on walkway.
Action (0304) B. Gardali / P. Bede to site inspect and advise. MOTION TO CARRY
REPORTS OF SUB-COMMITTESS
- Mt. Macdonald – gas mask distribution almost complete. Waiting for shipment of some items.
- Connaught Tunnel – Investigate haze monitor, second fan (see attachment)
- Emergency Evacuation Plan – ongoing
DISTRICT SAFETY ADVISOR REPORT - N/A
NEW BUSINESS
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 (0304) 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 (0304) 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. MOTION TO CARRY
Item 0304-03: J. Meloro reported now that employees are permitted to park in the west end of the station parking lot, they are encroaching beyond the CPR parking sign which is blocking the crossing for ES crews to obtain access to the track with their hi-rail equipment.
Action (0304) A bulletin will be issued advising vehicles will be towed if they are found parking in this area.
Brad will look to installing a sign advising not to park in this area. MOTION TO DELETE
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 (0304) B. Black will investigate. MOTION TO CARRY
Meeting adjourned 1050. Next meeting 0830 – May 8, 2003.
L. Sali for
S.W. Bell/ B. Gardali
Connaught Tunnel
This is in regard to the Connaught Tunnel. At present we are using a timed purge as a means of ensuring the tunnel is clear of diesel exhaust. It has come to our attention that using only one fan there are no guarantees that the purge has successfully cleared the tunnel of fumes from the preceding train. It has been acknowledged that prevailing atmospheric conditions can prevent a complete purge when only one fan is in operation. The Workplace Committee feels that the ventilation system in the Connaught is antiquated. While we have issued respiratory protection to Mountain Sub RTE’s, these masks are not intended to allow users to enter hazardous areas. Rather, they are meant as protection in unexpected situations such as ventilation failure or for example, a train stalling. We would like to investigate the feasibility of two items. One being the installation of haze detectors in order to determine the completeness of the purge process. The second being the operation of both fans in order to more readily ensure the complete dispersal of diesel exhaust. We question as to whether the present system best protects RTEs from exposure. From a budgetary point of view replacement canisters are both expensive and hard to come by.
With regard to another issue involving diesel exhaust. In 2002 the Revelstoke Workplace Committee had requested further exhaust tests by the Occupational Hygienist. These were scheduled to take place but due to structural problems in the Shaughnessy, had to be put off. We would stil like to see these tests take place. The tests we would llike to see conducted would be for oxygen content during a full fan failure in the Macdonald. We would like to conduct exhaust levels on trailing units and tailend remotes and in addition, feel it would be beneficial to test exhaust levels in the Connaught under different scenarios such as one fan/two fan operations. We would like to see these tests conducted sometime this summer. It is felt it could coincide with work scheduled in the Shaughnessy Tunnel. This would probably entail “capturing” a locomotive consist for parts of several days.
Thank you,
Revelstoke Workplace H&S Committee
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Feb 24, 2003
To: H&S Committee
From: Steve Peters
There are no haze detectors in the Connaught tunnel. For the past several months due to a transformer failure at the Glacier substation, the Connaught tunnel’s electric motor powered fan has not been operating. It has been operating on the diesel powered fan. You are correct in your understanding of what can occur when operating with one fan and a strong updraft (westward natural airflow).
Haze detectors cost close to $10K each to purchase, installation and maintenance would be additional to that. The Connaught tunnel currently has no provisions for haze detectors and would need numerous changes to accommodate same.
Feb 21, 2003
To: Steve Peters
From: H&S Committee
Steve, several items came up at our 4 Hour Safety Meeting 03/02/17. There was much interest in the operations of the Connaught. Please correct me if I’m wrong on any of the following. I told the audience to the best of my knowledge there were no haze detectors in the Connaught. I also informed them, again to the best of my knowledge, that presently there was only one fan working in the Connaught. This came up because of instances when despite waiting the required purge time upon entering the tunnel, crews have come across much exhaust. It is my understanding that when atmospheric conditions are not favourable (ie wind in the wrong direction) that one operational fan is not capable of purging the tunnel and in fact is counter productive to any natural purge that might occur due to prevailing winds…again we come back to the haze detectors. First, are they expensive to purchase, install, maintain or operate? If not, are you aware of any good reasons why they shouldn’t be in place?….Just wanted to pick your brain a bit, Steve. We would like to have some info for our members at the next 4 Hour meeting. Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.
Bob, Revelstoke Workplace Committee