Railroad workers are exposed to a wide range of dangerous chemicals and fumes all the time, no matter their specific job within the railroad industry. Below, we have listed a wide range of positions within the industry, as well as the hazardous materials these individuals may be exposed to.
To download a chart with this information, simply click here.
Bridge and Building Worker
- AsbestosÂ
- Assisting with the removal and replacement of asbestos insulation
- Demolition of buildings that contained asbestos
- Installing, repairing, and removing asbestos containing building materials, i.e., asbestos floor tile, asbestos containing drywall and mud, etc.
- Asbestos covered pipes in various railroad buildings
- Diesel
- Operating diesel-powered machines and equipment
- Silica
- Dust from sand and ballast in the yard
- Other
Carman
- AsbestosÂ
- Working in close proximity to other crafts working with asbestos containing products
- Handling asbestos containing brake shoes
- Asbestos covered pipes in various railroad buildings
- Asbestos containing gloves, pads, aprons, and blankets used for welding
- Repairing and replacing asbestos containing heat shields in cabooses
- Diesel
- Idling locomotives in the yard
- Exhaust from diesel-powered machines and equipment
- Silica
- Silica dust from sand and ballast in the yard
- Other
- Welding fumes
- Using powerful solvents to clean parts, tools, equipment, and work areas
Clerk
- AsbestosÂ
- Asbestos covered pipes in various railroad buildings
- Diesel
- Diesel exhaust from idling locomotives in the yard
- Exhaust from diesel-powered machines and equipment
- Silica
- Dust from sand and ballast in the yard
Conductor/Brakeman/Switchman
- Asbestos
- Asbestos covered pipes inside the locomotive cabs and cabooses
- Asbestos containing heat shields in cabooses
- Asbestos covered pipes in the toilet area
- Dust from asbestos containing brake shoes
- Asbestos covered pipes and steam generators in engine rooms of covered wagons
- Asbestos covered pipes in various railroad buildings
- Diesel
- Diesel exhaust leaking into locomotive cab through floorboards, electrical compartments, and windows
- Diesel exhaust from idling locomotives in the yard
- Silica
- Silica dust from locomotive sanders
- Silica dust from ballast
- Other
- Working with and in close proximity to Herbicides such as Roundup
Electrician
- AsbestosÂ
- Working with asbestos-containing electrical components such as arc chutes or wire insulation
- Working in close proximity to other crafts working with asbestos-containing products
- Asbestos covered pipes in various railroad buildings
- Diesel
- Running locomotives inside diesel shop
- Diesel exhaust from idling locomotives in the yard
- Exhaust from diesel-powered machines and equipment
- Silica
- Dust from sand and ballast in the yard
- Other
- Working with or around powerful solvents to clean engine parts and tools
Fireman/Engineer
- Asbestos
- Asbestos covered pipes inside the locomotive cab and cabooses
- Asbestos covered pipes in the toilet area
- Asbestos containing heat shields in cabooses
- Asbestos covered pipes in the engine compartment
- Sweeping out asbestos dust from locomotive cabs
- Asbestos covered pipes and steam generators in engine rooms of covered wagons
- Diesel
- Diesel exhaust leaking into locomotive cab through floorboards, electrical compartments, and windows
- Diesel exhaust from idling locomotives in the yard
- Silica
- Silica dust from locomotive sanders
- Silica dust from ballast
- Other
- Working with and in close proximity to herbicides such as Roundup
Machinist/Locomotive Mechanic
- Asbestos
- Asbestos containing brake shoes
- Asbestos covered pipes on air compressors
- Sweeping up asbestos dust in work areas
- Asbestos containing gaskets
- Working in close proximity to other crafts working with asbestos containing products
- Asbestos covered pipes in various railroad buildings
- Diesel
- Running locomotives inside diesel shop
- Diesel exhaust from idling locomotives in the yard
- Exhaust from diesel-powered machines and equipment
- Silica
- Silica dust from sand and ballast in the yard
- Other
- Using powerful solvents to clean engine parts and tools
- Lead paint
Pipefitter/Sheetmetal Worker
- AsbestosÂ
- Removing and replacing asbestos covered pipes and pipe insulation
- Asbestos covered pipes and compressor lines inside locomotives
- Asbestos covered pipes in various railroad buildings
- Diesel
- Diesel exhaust from idling locomotives in the yard
- Diesel exhaust from running locomotives inside shops
- Silica
- Dust from sand and ballast in the yard
- Other
- Working with or around powerful solvents to clean engine parts and tools
Shop Labororer
- Asbestos
- Dust from asbestos containing brake shoes
- Dust from asbestos covered pipes on air compressors
- Sweeping up asbestos dust in work areas
- Working in close proximity to other crafts working with asbestos containing products
- Asbestos covered pipes in various railroad buildings
- Diesel
- Diesel exhaust from running locomotives inside shops
- Diesel exhaust from idling locomotives in the yard
- Exhaust from diesel-powered machines and equipment
- Silica
- Dust from sand and ballast
- Other
- Working with or around powerful solvents to clean engine parts and tools
- Welding fumes
Signal Maintainer
- AsbestosÂ
- Drilling holes into asbestos boards inside signal cases and pulling wire
- Asbestos dust within signal cases
- Affixing cables to asbestos pipe insulation in various buildings or manholes
- Asbestos covered pipes in various railroad buildings
- Diesel
- Working in close proximity to diesel track equipment
- Diesel exhaust from passing locomotives
- Silica
- Working in close proximity to trackmen and ballast dust
- Dust from sand and ballast in the yard
Trackman/Maintenance of Way
- AsbestosÂ
- Cutting and igniting asbestos rope for heating rails
- Asbestos pads, blankets, and gloves used for welding
- Asbestos containing brake shoes on track equipment
- Asbestos covered pipes in various railroad buildings.
- Diesel
- Operating or working close proximity to diesel-powered track machines and equipment
- Working in close proximity to diesel powered track welders
- Soaking, handling, and igniting asbestos rope
- Silica
- Dumping and working with ballast
- Dust from sand and ballast in the yard
- Operating track equipment such as ballast regulators, tampers, and brooms
- Other
- Working with and in close proximity to herbicides such as Roundup;
- Creosote-soaked rail ties
- Welding fumes
Yardmaster
- AsbestosÂ
- Asbestos covered pipes in various railroad buildings
- Diesel
- Diesel exhaust from idling locomotives in the yard
- Exhaust from diesel-powered machines and equipment
- Silica
- Dust from sand and ballast in the yard
