Fire Prevention Neal Hathaway
Annually railroad related wildfires account for 1-2% of all wild fires and cost the industry millions of dollars.
Top Five leading Causes Locomotives Carbon build up in the exhaust system Brakes on Rolling Stock Dragging Brakes, Mechanical failure Controlled Burns Loss of control Trespassers Arson, Vandalism, Unauthorized fires Rail Grinding, Cutting, and Welding Sparks, Hot Metal ignition source
Presentation Overview Planning Fire Danger Assessment and Prevention Response Improvements in prevention and suppression Initiatives Summary
Planning Fire Prevention Action Plan
Fire Prevention Plan Standardized Enhanced Job Briefing Fire Control Measures, Employee Safety Task Specific Minimum Requirements Reviewed
GENERAL STATEMENT OF FIRE SAFETY The purpose of this plan is to prevent loss of life, property and natural resources and to prevent disruption of train operations as a result of fires caused by the work JOB activities BRIEFINGS of Union Pacific's engineering employees. Before beginning any work that could cause a fire, a job briefing must be All engineering personnel and contractors must be familiar and comply with conducted to discuss the fire preventive measures to be taken in accordance with the instructions contained in this plan. They must also be familiar and comply with state these and instructions local fire control and regulations the fire suppression where they are methods working. State to be and utilized local regulations in case of may a fire. require dedicated fire-fighting equipment or other restrictions in addition to what is required in this instruction. JOB BRIEFINGS Before beginning any work that could cause a fire, a job briefing must be conducted to discuss the fire preventive measures to be taken in accordance with these instructions and the fire suppression methods to be utilized in case of a fire. The job briefing must also include a review of the Emergency Response Plan in effect for the specific work location. The Emergency Response Plan must detail the method of contacting local fire/emergency personnel, the train dispatcher and Risk Management Control Center (RMCC). The Emergency Response Plan must also include the evacuation route to be followed in case of a wildfire.
Fire Control Measures FIRE CONTROL MEASURES All employees will respond to a fire without endangering their own safety. If a fire gets out of control: 1. Contact local fire/emergency personnel, train dispatcher and RMCC, if possible. 2. Evacuate the area using the route detailed in the job briefing. FIRE 3. CONTROL Contact MEASURES others in the immediate area to alert them to the fire danger. 1. All employees will respond to a fire without endangering their own safety. If a fire gets out FIRE of DANGER control. CLASS 2.Contact local The fire/emergency National Interagency personnel, Fire Center train provides dispatcher a Fire Danger and Class RMCC, map if on possible. 3. Evacuate their website the at http://www.fs.fed.us/land/wfas/fd_class.gif. area using the route detailed in the For job purposes briefing. of these 4. Contact instructions, others Fire Danger in the Class immediate HIGH includes area to classes alert "high", them "very to the high" fire and danger. "extreme". Fire Danger Class LOW includes classes "low" and "moderate". The employee in charge of each work activity specified in these instructions must know the Fire Danger Class for the area they are working each day.
Minimum Requirements WELDING, GRINDING OR CUTTING OPERATIONS Employees or contractors involved in welding, grinding or cutting operations are governed by the following instructions. When Fire Danger Class is HIGH: 1. Track welders and switch grinders must have available a minimum of 20 gallons of water with at least 2 pump sprayers and 2 round-nose shovels with an overall length of 46 inches or longer. Track gangs must have available a minimum of 5 gallons of water with at least 1 pump sprayer and enough round-nose shovels with an overall length of 46 inches or longer for every member of the gang. Track Bridge gangs welders must working have over available timber a bridges minimum or flammable of 5 gallons vegetation of must water with at least have 1 available pump sprayer a minimum and of 20 enough gallons round-nose of water with at shovels least 2 pump with sprayers an overall and length of 46 inches enough or round-nose longer for shovels every with member an overall of length the gang. of 46 inches or longer for every member of the gang. Signalmen involved in welding electrical connections (i.e. cadweld) or grinding must have available at least 5 gallons of water with at least 1 pump sprayer and enough round-nose shovels with an overall length of 46 inches or longer for every member of the gang. Brushcutter operators must have at least 20 gallons of water with at least one pump sprayer and at least one round-nose shovel with an overall length of 46 inches or longer.
Maintenance of Way Fire Prevention Process
Risk Assessment Job Briefing
Job Briefing Assessment and Prevention Enhanced Job Briefings Fire Danger Level Fire Risk associated with work to be performed Other fire risks not associated with work Spark guards, equipment operating condition Type of fire suppression to be used Evacuation Plan Emergency Contact numbers
Fire Danger Identification Risk Assessment National Agencies State Agencies Local Fire Departments Local News Agencies Radio
Federal & State Lands Local Fire Department
Prevention Measures Risk Assessment
Prevention Measures Active Fire Control
Other Risks Risk Assessment
Maintenance of Way Response
Response
Response
Response
Response
Improvements Prevention & Suppression
Improvements Spark Shields
Improvements Tents
Improvements Suppression
Improvements Suppression
Improvements Suppression
Improvements Suppression
Initiatives Fuel Source Management
Fuel Source Management Chemical
Fuel Source Management Chemical
Fuel Source Management Mechanical
Fuel Source Management Mechanical
Fuel Source Management Mechanical
Summary Planning Prevention Action Plan Active Prevention Process Quality Job Briefings, Fire Risk Assessment Adequate Response Resources Proper Fire Suppression Tools, Prompt Notification Continuous Improvement Initiatives Ignition Source Containment (Spark Control) Fuel Source Management Mechanical and Chemical Reduction of Vegetation