Tips for Snowplow Operators
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Snowplow operators should take special care when clearing snow at highway/railway crossings to protect safety. Operators should stop at least 5 meters from the tracks, look and listen for trains, and only cross when it is safe to do so with enough room on the other side. Piling snow at crossings can reduce visibility and should be avoided, and salt or chemicals should never be dumped directly on or near tracks as it can cause signal issues. Maintenance work near tracks also requires railway permission for safety.
Tips for Snowplow Operators
- 1. SNOWPLOW OPERATORS I Be especially careful at crossings without gates, flashing lights or bell. Please remember “anytime is train time.” As you carry out maintenance at a Even if there are active warning signals, and they do not indicate a train railway crossing, crossing signals may activate as little as 20 seconds before is approaching, you must look and listen to be sure it is safe to proceed; a train arrives. An average large truck can take 18 seconds to clear the track I After you have started over the tracks, if the crossing lights begin to area from a standing start. flash, KEEP GOING. It is safer to continue forward than to reverse. Emergency situations Reporting hazards If your plow stalls or gets stuck on a crossing, get out immediately and move If the plow or wing accidentally hits the rail, signage, or signal equipment, quickly to a point at least 30 metres away from the track and the truck. This report it immediately. Most railways identify crossings by a crossing number or will reduce the chances of being struck by flying debris if a train hits the vehicle. mile and subdivision indicated on the crossing signpost and/or signal bungalow Notify your dispatcher and/or contact the railway directly. Many railway companies along with an emergency phone number. You can also call local police, who post their emergency numbers prominently at crossings. If the number cannot be should then be able to direct your information to the railway’s emergency contact. located immediately, call 911 or the local emergency number. TIPS FOR Snow, salt, & chemicals Police officer or flag person at the crossing SNOWPLOW OPERATORS Avoid piling snow on or near railway crossings. Windrows must be kept to a If a police officer or properly identified railway flag person is at the crossing, minimum as they reduce visibility at crossings and may be hit by a passing train. obey directions. Remember, however, you are not relieved of the responsibility Snowplow operators frequently come into contact with highway/railway Thrown ice or hard packed snow could result in possible injury to the public. to ensure your personal safety and you must confirm it is safe to cross the crossings. Special caution is required at these crossings to protect the tracks by looking and listening for the approach of a train. TIPS FOR operator, roadway users, the railway and employees. I Do not pile snow under gate arms or mechanisms. This may result in the malfunction of railway signal equipment; For more information Laws and policies vary in each province and company – please know the I When possible, do not pile snow on access roads parallel and Contact Operation Lifesaver or your provincial safety council/league to law, regulations and policies that apply in your province and within your adjacent to the tracks; schedule a free highway/railway safety presentation. Please also consider organization! Following the plowing procedures recommended below can I When possible, “clear” crossing approaches to bare pavement joining the many volunteers across the country who have been trained to prevent needless tragedies. in order to expose railway/pavement markings. deliver Operation Lifesaver’s safety message. Approaching a crossing: Never dump salt or chemicals directly on or near any highway/railway crossing. Salt or chemicals reduce the resistant properties of track ties and rock ballast. I If required, stop the plow before reaching the crossing no closer This in turn can cause the electrical signals carried through the rails to short OPERATION LIFESAVER than five (5) metres from the nearest rail (your company policy 901 - 99 Bank Street out, resulting in activation of flashing light warning devices or malfunction may require greater distance); Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6B9 of train signals. I Before resuming, make sure there is enough room on the other side Tel: (613) 564-8100 of the track for the whole unit to clear the tracks, including your I To prevent sand from being carried onto the tracks, ensure sand Fax: (613) 567-6726 vehicle’s overhang. Know the length of your vehicle! Remember, is not applied within three (3) metres of railway crossing tracks; E-mail: admin@operationlifesaver.ca the train will be at least a metre wider than the rails on both sides; I To prevent a build-up of sand at the crossing which could contribute www.operationlifesaver.ca I Ensure it is safe to cross the tracks by looking both ways. Open to derailments, avoid or limit the use of abrasives at railway crossings. windows/doors and turn off radios or fans so as to see and hear better. Ensure you can see past obstructions such as mirrors, Maintenance considerations pillars, or attachments; Contact the railway before performing work in proximity to a crossing! I Raise the plow blade and wing or other attachments high enough to clear the tracks and signals; If maintenance requires work within eight metres of the trackage, you need I To avoid stalling, use a gear which will let you cross the tracks permission from the railway before starting in order to ensure safety and without shifting; compliance with regulations.