Ballast dust containing crystalline silica fills the air whenever crews tamp, level, or replace track materials. Diesel fumes from tamping machines, rail grinders, and locomotives blanket work zones throughout the day. During hot weather, creosote seeps from wooden ties and coats workers' hands and arms with compounds that damage internal organs. Maintenance crews are directly exposed to chemical formulations associated with serious health risks when herbicides are applied along rights of way.
A track maintenance crew faces a number of dangers on a daily basis, including:
- Lifting and positioning rail components that herniate discs and tear shoulder muscles
- Operating tampers and grinders that transmit damaging vibrations through arms and spine
- Stepping across ties where spacing creates ankle injuries and fall hazards
- Repairing track while trains approach with minimal warning or protective clearance
- Twisting into awkward body positions that compress nerves and damage cartilage
- Using pneumatic tools and heavy equipment that cause lacerations and crushed fingers
Studies of railroad track maintenance crews reveal high rates of musculoskeletal pain and conditions, particularly in the back, neck, knees, and upper extremities, linked to repetitive manual work and vibration exposures. Research shows that track maintainers experience frequent work-related injuries, including sprains, fractures, and chronic back problems, often arising from hazards such as uneven terrain, manual material handling, and neglected safety precautions.
Longitudinal mortality research shows that track maintenance workers may experience higher than expected deaths from chronic diseases, including respiratory conditions and certain cancers, highlighting long-term health risks associated with track work exposures.
Slipping on wet ballast sends workers tumbling onto rail or equipment, causing skull fractures and broken ribs. A rail grinder's safety equipment can fail, resulting in metal fragments piercing the skin and eyes. The cumulative effect of bending, lifting, and twisting destroys spinal structures over seasons of track work. The inhalation of silica particles causes lung nodules and silicosis, reducing oxygen exchange and leaving workers breathless.
Relevant job titles
- Maintenance-of-way worker
- Trackman
- Track laborer
- Section laborer
- Roadway worker
FELA compensation for track maintenance crews
Under the Federal Employers' Liability Act, track maintenance crews who are injured or ill as a result of railroad negligence can seek damages. At ELG Law, we examine work zone safety protocols, equipment inspection logs, and shift assignment patterns that contributed to harmful conditions.
We investigate whether railroads ignored ergonomic hazards, distributed malfunctioning tools, or permitted chemical exposures without implementing proper safeguards. FELA compensation requires proof of employment with an interstate railroad and that negligence played a role in causing your condition.
Track maintenance personnel diagnosed with cancer or severe health conditions stemming from job-related exposures may be able to pursue claims. Eligibility typically requires a diagnosis within the previous three years. Cancers associated with PFAS exposure that qualify for recovery include:
Track workers who came into contact with asbestos-containing materials during their employment face continuing health threats from those exposures. Diesel fumes and creosote contact similarly create severe medical risks for maintenance crews. Other qualifying cancers include:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Throat cancer (esophageal, laryngeal, pharyngeal)
- Colon cancer
- Rectal cancer
Cancers caused by benzene:
ELG Law also provides representation for track maintenance workers who have experienced catastrophic injuries.