Conductors (Railroad industry)

Conductors spend their careers exposed to diesel exhaust, silica dust from ballast, and asbestos from older rail equipment and facilities. Their materials contain asbestos fibers, and they work in rail yards where toxic fumes accumulate, during train movements they are exposed to crystalline silica, and in rail yards toxic fumes accumulate. Year after year, these exposures continue without adequate respiratory protection or proper ventilation.

Conductors are particularly vulnerable to the following dangers during their daily operations:

• Mounting and dismounting rail cars on slippery or uneven surfaces
• Coupling and uncoupling heavy equipment that can crush limbs in seconds
• Working near live tracks with limited clearance between moving trains
• Operating switches and hand brakes in all weather conditions
• Performing tasks during night operations with inadequate lighting
• Handling defective equipment, including broken ladders, steps, and couplers

A number of studies have linked long-term exposure to diesel exhaust to lung cancer in railroad workers. The risk of silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer is higher among workers exposed to crystalline silica. Asbestos exposure from brake shoes, gaskets, and insulation materials has resulted in mesothelioma and asbestosis diagnoses among conductors decades after their initial contact with the substance.

Conductors experience both acute injuries and chronic conditions that develop over time. Slip and fall accidents on oil-covered walkways lead to fractures and head trauma. Coupling operations result in crush injuries when communication systems fail or equipment malfunctions. Repetitive mounting and dismounting movements cause back, shoulder, and knee damage that worsens with each passing year. Accidents are more likely to occur when workers work long shifts without adequate rest.

Relevant job titles

• Train conductor
• Freight conductor
• Road conductor
• Switch foreman
• Transportation crew member