Shop workers (Railroad industry)

Locomotive and railcar repair workers operate in hazardous environments in which grinding sparks ignite clothing, overhead cranes fall heavy components, and pressurized systems rupture unexpectedly. A mechanic, carman, or technician crawls beneath equipment to access damaged parts, operates a lathe or mill that can catch limbs, and welds in confined spaces where fumes accumulate. The work involves lifting transmission assemblies weighing hundreds of pounds, cramping into positions beneath undercarriages, and manipulating power tools that transmit damaging vibrations to the hands and arms.

The diesel engines in repair bays emit carcinogens and particulates during diagnostic testing. Welding vaporizes metal coatings, releasing metals such as chromium and manganese into the air. In parts cleaning operations, degreasers and solvents containing benzene evaporate, and asbestos fibers are released when brake systems are serviced, and insulation is removed from older locomotives. The process of paint stripping leaves behind lead dust, which settles on the skin and surfaces.

Shop workers face the following hazards on a daily basis:

Operating grinders and cutting tools that throw metal fragments at unprotected faces
Positioning hands near pinch points while aligning heavy components
Welding in tanks and undercarriages where ventilation cannot reach
Lifting locomotive parts that rupture discs and tear rotator cuffs
Working beneath suspended loads that can fall when rigging fails
Using pneumatic impact wrenches that damage nerves in fingers and wrists

Shop workers are at risk for chronic respiratory disease, neurological effects, and certain cancers as a result of exposure to diesel exhaust, welding fumes, metal particulates, solvents, and other chemical agents. Asbestos exposure was a major risk factor for asbestosis and mesothelioma for railroad workers servicing older locomotives and brake systems. A major long-term health concern for railroad maintenance and repair workers is chronic musculoskeletal disorders caused by repetitive manual tasks and vibration exposure.

Explosions of grinding wheels can cause penetrating trauma to torsos and faces, requiring emergency surgery. Accidents involving slips and falls on oil-slick floors can cause skull fractures because heads crash into concrete or equipment. Having to bend over engine compartments for years causes spinal discs to become compressed to the point where it is impossible to stand upright without pain. Toxic particles that accumulate in lung tissue during welding operations trigger chronic inflammation and cellular mutations.

Relevant job titles

Railroad mechanic
Carman
Locomotive repair technician
Diesel technician
Railroad welder

Shop workers (Railroad industry)

Relevant job titles

FELA compensation for shop workers