The Short Line Safety Institute’s materials cover a range of topics related to Safety Culture and Hazardous Materials (Hazmat). Browse our Safety Tips below for guidance on how to improve safety at your railroad, and find our Hazmat Tips here.
Several of the Ten Core Elements of a Strong Safety Culture discuss the importance of safety-related communications. This Safety Tip offers some recommendations to help railroads establish strong lines of communications and provide effective safety messaging. For instance, effective safety messaging helps team members know the correct actions to take when unsafe conditions are observed and can offer learning opportunities when discussing how previous hazards were identified and addressed.
View the Safety Tip to learn more about bolstering communication.
Communicating safety information effectively is crucial to building a strong safety culture and preventing incidents and injuries. This Safety Tip offers recommendations for optimizing safety-related communication within the organization.
View the Safety Tip to learn more about improving safety communications.
Summer heat is dangerous and can be deadly. This Safety Tip describes the symptoms of and first-aid treatments for three levels of heat-related illness. It also provides tips for preventing heat-related illness and emphasizes the importance of including information about the nearest hospital in daily safety briefings.
View the Safety Tip to learn more about staying safe in summer.
SLSI has adopted the 10 Core Elements of a strong safety culture. Element 6 discusses the importance of employees taking personal responsibility for safety, and this month’s tip offers steps employees can take to become leaders in safety.
Check out this safety tip to learn more about personal responsibility as it relates to Core Element 6.
SLSI has adopted the U.S. Department of Transportation Safety Council’s definition of a strong safety culture, which utilizes 10 Core Elements. Element 10 covers training and resources to support safety, and effective railroad training programs encompass certain steps.
Check out this safety tip to learn more about safety training as it relates to Core Element 10.
Accidents and injuries can occur not only in the yard or while operating vehicles, but also in employees’ workspaces. Utilizing good housekeeping practices can help prevent injuries and lead to improvements in morale and productivity.
Check out this safety tip to learn more about maintaining safe workplaces through good housekeeping.
Knowing about switches, derails and clearance points and best practices for operating and using them is crucial for team member safety.
Check out this safety tip to learn more about switches, derails and clearance points and how to work with and around them properly.
Good preparation is essential to personal safety when preparing for outdoor work during the winter.
Check out this safety tip to learn more about frostbite and hypothermia and how to prepare for work during cold weather to help reduce the risk of these conditions.
Blue signal usage is covered under CFR 49, part 218, and should be employed when any employee or contractor is engaged in the inspection, testing, repair, and servicing of rolling equipment whose activities require them to work on, under, or between such equipment and subjects them to the danger of personal injury posed by any movement of such equipment.
Check out this safety tip to learn more about the requirements for placement of a blue signal, and review securing a track using a locking device or a derail.
Watch a Safety Minute Video on this topic by clicking here.
Conduct job safety briefings to ensure employees are aware of the occupational health and safety risks associated with the job that they perform. Check out this safety tip to learn more.
Watch a Safety Minute Video on this topic by clicking here.
Check out this safety tip to learn more about fostering mutual trust between employees and the railroad.
Watch a Safety Minute Video on this topic by clicking here.
Check out this safety tip to learn more about Practical Drift Management.
Watch a Safety Minute Video on this topic by clicking here.
There are several steps that must be adhered to each and every time roadway workers are required to foul a track or tracks. This Safety Tip discusses basic guidance when doing so.
Watch a Safety Minute video on this topic by clicking here.
This Safety Tip discusses our perceptions. Accurately conveying the intent and purpose of rules and instructions to employees will improve their understanding of safety rules and overall work performance.
Watch a Safety Minute video on this topic by clicking here.
This Safety Tip discusses when rolling stock and on track maintenance equipment is in the clear.
Watch a Safety Minute video on this topic by clicking here.
This Safety Tip discusses who is responsible for your safety and that of your coworkers.
Watch a Safety Minute video on this topic by clicking here.
This Safety Tip provides guidance on preventing one of the most common workplace causes of injuries.
Watch a Safety Minute video on this topic by clicking here.
This Safety Tip describes the specific requirements that help keep employees and equipment safe when a shoving movement is to be made.
Watch a Safety Minute video on this topic by clicking here.
Proper back safety ergonomics and techniques are important and must be part of ongoing training. Check out this safety tip to learn more.
Watch a Safety Minute video on this topic by clicking here.