Specification Of Safety Standards In Terminals, Yards, And Along

RIGHTS-OF-WAY OF RAILWAYS-WALKWAYS. RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING RAILROADS CHAPTER 1680-9-2 (1) In order to meet the requirements of T.C.A. § 65-3-123, every commercial railroad shall maintain working areas in a safe condition in yards, terminals, within Switching Limits, and at other points where switching may be expected to be performed in the ordinary course of business. (2) Any walkway in the area specified in sub-section (a) above shall be deemed to be safe if it: (a) Is approximately level with the top of the crossties for a distance of approximately 6 inches and thereafter slopes at no greater that 8 to 1 or approximately 7°; (b) Extends for a distance of approximately ten feet from the center line of track on both sides except where a lesser distance is otherwise provided for clearance under T.C.A. §§65-6-201 through 65-6-208. (c) Has a reasonably smooth surface. Stone or gravel surfacing next to main lines shall be such that one hundred percent will pass a 21/2 inch screen, ninety-five to one-hundred percent will pass a 2 inch screen, thirty-five to seventy percent will pass a 11/2 inch screen, fifteen percent or less will pass 1 inch screen and zero to five percent will pass a 1/2 inch screen. Stone or gravel surfaces next to walkways adjacent to yard tracks, industrial tracks, team or piggy-back tracks shall be on the mixture commonly called 3/4 inch, or may be such that one hundred percent is expected to pass a 1 inch screen, ninety-five to one hundred percent will pass the 3/4 inch screen, fifteen to twenty-five percent will pass the 1/2 inch screen and less than ten percent will be smaller than 3/8 inch. (d) Is kept reasonably free of debris or other objects which pose a hazard to normal walking in the area. (3) The safety or unsafety of any walkways in such areas which does not meet the standards specified in sub-section (2) above shall be determined by the Commission on a case by case basis under the procedures prescribed by law and the rules of the Commission. (4) “The purpose of this role is to establish standards of safety, which are to be construed not as a blanket order requiring all railroads in all circumstances to constructor reconstruct all walkways exactly in accordance with those standards, but rather as a statement of recommended practice, It is not intended to imply that other practices may not be considered safe under the circumstances of particular situations.” (Effective February 1, 1970.)