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Craft Exposure

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

  • Asbestos 
    • 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
    • Welding fumes

Carman

  • Asbestos 
    • 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

  • Asbestos 
    • 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

  • Asbestos 
    • 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

  • Asbestos 
    • 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

  • Asbestos 
    • 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

  • Asbestos 
    • 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

  • Asbestos 
    • 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

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