The prime object of the safety department is to teach employees
to think and act safely on the job as well as away from it. Safety
rules are stressed, but only as a basis on which to urge the men to
be alert to danger and to use their reasoning power to prevent
accidents.
Safety among military personnel or local workers in a theater
is, if possible, even more important than it is in the operation of
commercial railroads. The prevention of accidents and the fostering
of safe working methods help to assure the accomplishment of the
mission with minimum loss of manhours and greater economy of
operations.
4.8. SUMMARY
Throughout the years, railway yards and equipment have been
improved to reduce the hazards that cause damage, injury, and death.
However, a rail yard is still a place of potential personal injury
and property damage. Like modern automobiles and highways, railway
yards and equipment have reached a high degree of mechanical safety,
but the final responsibility for safety must be placed on the users.
Because of the complexity of activities taking place in a yard
involving men and equipment, the safety rules outlined in TM 55200
and DA Pam 551 must be strictly obeyed by transportation railway
service personnel. The purpose of these rules is to insure safe and
efficient work practices in military rail yard operations. To
interpret and execute rules successfully one must understand the
purpose and intent of the rules. Not only must one know the rules
but also be able to apply the proper one in a given situation.
A railroader must be alert to danger and use his reasoning
ability to prevent accidents. Volumes of rules may be written and
extensive safety campaigns waged, but unless each individual assumes
the responsibility for safety, injury and death will continue to
occur. Each person must apply the safety rules for himself, rather
than depend on others to apply them for him. The final
responsibility for safety rests directly on the individual.
4.9. CONCLUSION
A railway yard receives, classifies, and assembles cars for
departure. It may be a divided, a progressive, or a combination
yard, but it always provides for these three functions. Additional
facilities such as roundhouses, turntables, and repair tracks, and
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