Railcar Loading and Unloading: Operator Daily Checklist

Items on the form template to be checked should include at a minimum: brakes, sanders, throttle, horn, windshield, mirrors, wipers, fire extinguisher, hose connections, strip charts, and recorders.

As part of operations, use this form template to promote employee health and safety during loading and unloading procedures that follow the appropriate guidelines. Use this inspection checklist to promote safe operation of a railcar on behalf of employees. Use this app to improve health and safety measures and requirements on behalf of employees through promoting environmental health and occupational health. Use this app's reporting feature to run convenient, report PDFs, exportable and shareable in real time.

Potential hazards associated with loading, unloading, and movement of rail cars at cement plants and terminals include strains, falls, contusions, hearing damage, lacerations, crushing injuries, and death. For example, hardened cement accumulated on the tops of rail cars can dislodge at any time during car loading, unloading, or movement; damage to property or injury to people can result. Also, buildup of cement sometimes affects the ability to safely open and close rail car doors. Lastly, uneven discharge of cement during unloading can cause the car to tip over unexpectedly.

The operator should test run the locomotive without cars attached at the beginning of each shift. The operator should be aware of the maximum number of empty and loaded railcars that can be attached based on the size of the locomotive. The locomotive or other approved power equipment should be operated at a safe speed at all times.