REVELSTOKE SAFETY & HEALTH COMMITTEE
MINUTES - June 14, 2001


Held:          June 14, 2001
Co-Chairman:   Bob Gardali

Members in Attendance:
Management:         E. Palasz, J. Galloway, D. Zatko
Union Reps:         B. Gardali (UTU), P. Bede (BLE), K. Jones(B&B), W. Patrauchuk(BMWE),
               J. Wells(BMWE)
Guests:             B. Black, BMWE Safety & Health Rep,
               T. Bergstrom, Field Safety Coordinator


Meeting called to order 0835.  Minutes of May 10, 2001 meeting read and adopted.


SAFETY ACTION PLANS


Field Ops: Away from Home Safety Meeting and Site Inspections completed.
(attached hard copies)

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Item 0103-01: Letter received from L/E P. Mason concerning route indicator for intermediate
signal, Notch Hill.
Action (0106) S&C (G. Mullally) investigating costs. MOTION TO CARRY

Item 0103-02: High Visibility Apparel - many Safety Hazard Reports submitted concerning
vests becoming caught on equipment.
Action (0106) A new Hi-Vis Policy will be implemented (July) which will have summer and
winter optional safety apparel. More information forthcoming. MOTION TO CARRY

Item 0103-04: P. Bede inquired re Laurie Shed repeaters for locotrol.
Action(0106) System has been upgraded, still encountering some problems. Crews should
check system going through sheds. MOTION TO CARRY

Item 0103-05: P. Bede inquired possibility of increasing speed restriction for new potash
cars from 15 mph to 20 mph.
Action(0106) Issue elevated to senior E/S management. MOTION TO CARRY

Item 0104-03: K. Jones advised re spill response containers are not marked for tare weight.
Requested that they be weighed and decal applied.


Action(0106) Committee discussed and recommended smaller containers should be obtained to ensure loading would not exceed carrying weight limit of vehicle. Extra stock should be stored separately. Investigate. Spill response containers should be marked to identify contents and ensure supplied. Tappen container needs to be identified.

MOTION TO CARRY

Item 0105-01: P. Bede advises Williamette crossing and airport (Golden) has whistle posts missing.
Action(0106) TMS Sadek advises posts have been installed. MOTION TO DELETE

Item 0105-02: P. Bede reported back track switch east end Moberly hard to throw.
Action(0106) TMS Sadek advises switch adjusted. MOTION TO DELETE

Item 0105-03: K. Jones reported possible hazard at Bell Pole where there is a chain gate difficult to see.
Action(0106) TMS Palasz reported gate has reflectors/marker applied. MOTION TO DELETE


CORRESPONDENCE & BUSINESS ARISING

Letter received from Policy Committee requesting recommendation on how our S&H Committee can get more involved. Bob recommended that representation from our Committee attend their meetings. Bob will send letter.

INCIDENT REVIEW


|---------------------------------------------------------------------|
|Incident
|Type |Location
|Cause
|Prev.Measures
|

|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|Slack ran in while in caboose, injured wrist on corner of sink counter
|MIR |M.15.0 Mountain Sub
|Slack ran in, not prepared
|Discussed with employee need to be
|
|
|FOPS |05-24-01 1200
|for sudden jolt
|prepared for sudden movement
|

|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|Setting off unit, riding on platform, surge of movement - shoulder contacted grab iron.
|LTI |M.111.4 Shu Sub
|Sudden movement,
|IRR - discuss with employee need to be
|
|
|FOPS |05-25-01 0030
|not prepared, lost
|prepared for sudden movement
|
|
| |
|balance
|
|

|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|Run Thru Switch
|NON |Golden Yard
|Failure to ensure switch
|Formal investigation
|
|
|FRA |05-26-01 0530
|lined for movement
|
|

|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
|Derailment CP 204048
|NON |Golden Yard
|Equipment - centre plate
|MS to inspect cars and effect necessary
|
|
|FRA |05-29-01 1045
|defective-metal fatigue
|repairs
|

|--------------------------------------------------------------------
|Cleaning ditch, tripped and fell into open pit
|MIR |Revelstoke Yard
|Failure to ensure firm footing
|Employee reminded to ensure firm footing.
|
|
|B&B |05-30-01 0845
|be aware of surroundings
|Portable handrailing to be applied when grating removed from pit area.
|

|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|Using track pick, struck right index finger on rail, causing laceration
|MIR |Revelstoke Yard
|Fingers in pinch point area
|Employee reminded the need to ensure pinch point area is free
|
|
|ES |06-01-01 0944
|while using track pick
|
|

|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Crushed hand between door and frame on unit. Rocking motion caused door to slam shut.
|MIR |M.16.0 Mtn Sub
|Fingers in pinch point area
|Employee reminded to ensure pinch point area is free.
|
|
|FOPS |06-01-01 2230
|when door slammed shut
|
|

|---------------------------------------------------------------------------
|Climbing stairs into cab area of unit, bumped against metal hand railing
|MIR |M.51.8 Shu Sub
|Failure to keep clear of hand railing while climbing stairs within cab
|IRR
|
|
|FOPS |06-04-01 0945
|
|
|

|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|Trespasser fell between rails, train put into emergency
|Other |M.123.0 Mtn Sub
|Trespasser walking between rails, fell.
|Train stopped, ambulance called, taken to hospital and released.
|
|
| |06-07-01
|
|
|


|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------





SAFETY HAZARD REPORTS (Incomplete)

SHR0012-04: Notch Hill - west leg of wye - numerous tripping hazards on ground and scrap ties creating restricted clearance.
Action (0106) Area has been adequately cleaned up for walking safely.
MOTION TO DELETE

SHR0012-10 Unit 9561 battery overcharging - GE advises not to shut down engine.
Action (0106) Advice received from Mechanical Services indicates that the locomotive must be shut down. GE and NMC Locomotive Specialists will be advised accordingly.
MOTION TO DELETE

SHR0102-03: Lead locomotives (9000 series) - seats uncomfortable
Action (0106) Mechanical Services advises some new seats have been installed. Units should not be leaders but continue to be. Committee has exhausted all avenues, recommend elevate to Policy Committee.
MOTION TO CARRY

SHR0102-06: Moberly back track - derail installed at west end - should also be installed east end.
Action (0106) TMS Sadek advises derail has been installed.
MOTION TO DELETE

SHR0102-07: Grinding frogs - recent findings have determined that Manganese, a substance found in frogs, is contributing to Parkinson disease like symptoms.
Action (0106) On site testing completed, recommended wearing of respiratory mask.
Report attached. (hard copy)
MOTION TO DELETE

SHR0104-03: Unit CEFX 134 - bad draft from under control desk when unit moving and Conductor's window open.
Action(0106) No report received from GE. Units have not been utilized in area for some time.
MOTION TO DELETE

SHR0104-06: Connaught Tunnel - both sides hazardous walking area.
Action(0106) TMS Sadek advises ditch area has to be maintained to allow water to drain. Committee inspected and confirmed this is a major problem for walking, however there is no easy solution to rectify. Possibly elevate to Policy Committee?
MOTION TO CARRY


SAFETY HAZARD REPORTS (New)

SHR0106-01: Encountered heavy smoke and fumes MacDonald Tunnel.
Action(0106) S&C Supervisor S. Peters advises investigation revealed tunnel operation on that date was normal and no reduced time of normal purge. There was a coal train prior to train in question, possible encountered more coal dust than smoke. Committee discussed and recommended that documentation should be made as to pertinent information when
situations are encountered in tunnel to enable S&C Supervisor to investigate. J. Galloway to provide document for crews to complete.
MOTION TO CARRY

SHR0106-02: HBD 39.3 overrides portable radio communication while switching at Golden.
Action(0106) CROR Rule 12.2 and GOI Section 4, Item 7.2 covers situations encountered such as this where movement must be stopped until radio communication is restored, etc.
MOTION TO DELETE

SHR0106-03: TCS calls not on lineups.
Action(0106) Contractual issue - will be forwarded to appropriate entities.
MOTION TO DELETE

SHR0106-04: Revelstoke Yard - east end #6 and #7 switches needs adjusting and oil - hard to throw.
Action(0106) TMS Palasz advises complete.
MOTION TO DELETE

SHR0106-05: Revelstoke Yard - #5 track east end of station - ties plates broken or missing - need of repair
Action(0106) Tracks 3,4,5&6 are scheduled for new ties during June. Tracks will be monitored by ES.
MOTION TO DELETE

SHR0106-06: Revelstoke Yard - east wye - open hole in concrete pad near jumber cables (shop track).
Action(0106) Site inspected - appears to be a grate covered hole and the grate pushed down. TMS Palasz advised grating removed, straightened and re-installed.
MOTION TO DELETE

SHR0106-07: Crossing M.33.0 Shuswap Sub (public road) should be 32 ft. long, possibly a vehicle could miss or fall off the crossing.
Action(0106) TMS Palasz advises planks at this crossing were replaced in 2000, extending the crossing from 16' to 20'. Both approaches are single lane and lengthening the crossing any further would create a hazard as the approaches are 2% to the North and 4% South. Once the road authority widens the approaches and the road itself, the crossing will also be lengthened.
MOTION TO DELETE

SHR0106-08: Poles alongside N/track M.0.3-6.1 Shuswap Sub were cut down and left with wires still attached, wire is hard to see in the brush and creates a tripping hazard.
Action(0106) S&C Supervisor A. Biggs advises for time being wires are far enough back to avoid tripping hazard, but they will be removed when equipment available.
MOTION TO DELETE

SHR0106-09: Mile 119-115 Mountain Sub - trees are touching power lines in various locations.
Action(0106) S&C Supervisor S. Peters to advise.
MOTION TO CARRY

SHR0106-10: R Taxi van crew encountered exhaust fumes inside the van.
Action(0106) R Taxi advises extension on exhaust pipe was added. Van back in service.
MOTION TO DELETE

SHR0106-11: Encountered smoke in east end MacDonald Tunnel,, unable to communicate with RTC due to poor radios. Also loss of communication with slave in Shaughnessy tunnel.
Action(0106) S&C Supervisor S. Peters advises upon checking with several trains re locotrol communication in Shaughnessy, one out of three robot trains had intermittent communication but also indicated had problems with communication away from tunnel as well. RTC call-in worked fine with regular call-in procedures as well as emergency call-in procedures. Advises more information required to investigate smoke. J. Galloway recommended document be provided to crews to provide pertinent information to allow investigation with regard to train, time, etc.
MOTION TO CARRY

SHR0106-12: Rocky Mountain locomotives 8014 and 8011 have a black compound falling through the ceiling panel.
Action(0106) These locomotives have been rebuilt and the ceiling panels have been removed and painted. The mesh holes, through vibration, are allowing fine particulate to fall within the cab of the locomotive. NMC Locomotive Specialist to advise.
MOTION TO CARRY

SHR0106-13: Glen Echo crossing has new private crossing arm on S/track which is activated by a code. On the north side there are no signs or a gate. There is a possibility of the public being on the crossing with their vehicle before activating the gate. Recommend signs, another gate on north side or key pad on the north side to leave the resort.
Action(0106) Committee agreed this is not a good situation. Letter to be sent to Transport Canada, requesting some modification to ensure a safer crossing.
MOTION TO CARRY

SHR0106-14: East back track switch Moberly - difficult from normal to reverse position.
Action(0106) TMS Sadek to advise.
MOTION TO CARRY

SHR0106-15: Rule 42 - Mi. 28-30 Mountain Sub- eastward yellow over red not in place at 0840. GBO in effect 0730. Potential cardinal rule violation.
Action(0106) ES employees are instructed to have flags displayed as soon as possible. Rule 44a is applicable. Calling the Foreman well in advance of Mile 30 would alleviate any concerns of a potential rule violation.
MOTION TO DELETE

SHR0106-16: Field Bunkhouse - lack of evacuation plan.
Action(0106) Committee recommended plan should be posted in all rooms. B. Gardali to coordinate.
MOTION TO CARRY

SHR0106-17: Watering AC4400 locomotives at Sicamous (and other location) poses a situation where a risk of falling off the locomotive because lack of handrail. Suggest a proper fitting for the hose to allow the nozzle to stay secure by itself while watering and/or apply grab iron to ensure stability while standing on the platform while watering.
Action(0106) Mechanical Services to investigate. B&B to investigate possible fittings for hoses.
MOTION TO CARRY

SHR0106-18: New metal flags hard to see, no operating bulletin in regards to their use.
Action(0106) TMS Palasz advises flags are the new Standard as per Standard Plan No.X-13-35-4. The film covering is 3M Diamond Grade Hi-Intensity covering in the appropriate color. This has been the standard since June 2000. ES have been issued a bulletin to replace all flags with the new Standard.
MOTION TO DELETE


REPORTS OF SUB-COMMITTEES:
MacDonald Tunnel - Gas Masks training - fit testing outstanding issue.
Hot Box Detector - No changes forthcoming.
Health & Wellness - Contacts have been made - moderate interest. Posters/advertising to be placed.


DISTRICT SAFETY & HEALTH ACTION PREVENTION COORDINATOR REPORT

Maganese report read and discussed - attached (hard copy).
T. Bergstrom reported Safety Walkabout scheduled for August 7/8/9.

NEW BUSINESS: Nil


Meeting adjourned 1145. Next meeting scheduled for 0830 - July 12, 2001.


L. Sali
for
D. Zatko/ B. Gardali



 

 

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