WHAT a prolific subject
for an engineman to spill over on! The engineman should and, of necessity does, take the
lead and set the example in the practice, if not in the preaching of SAFETY FIRST, which,
in its fundamental aspect, is the conservation of human life and limb, and property. A
colossal service to his fellow man, the public and himself !
The reason I put the engineman in such an exalted position is because of the
responsibilities placed on him. When he steps into the cab to pilot either passenger or
freight train over his district, his duty-his workhas the overshadowing demand for
protection of lives and property with the silent, but persistent demand for dispatch.
First, he must know that his engine is fit, that it can be operated safely. To this end,
he must make an inspection before a wheel is turned, to satisfy himself that all is well.
Then the orders must be read and compared. Watches likewise must be compared to be sure
that safety is not jeopardized by a second's breadth. The train ready, the run begins. The
terminal is left slowly, and the action of the engine, air brakes and train watched with
sedulous care. Not one out of line condition is overlooked. The terminal left behind, all
faculties are alert. Observance or nonobservance of obstructions on the rails, broken
rails, signals, means safety or destruction. Never for one moment is he permitted to
forget that the safety of passengers and property depends on his alertness. All orders
pertaining to track conditions must be seen and observed. He must hear and observe the
whistle signals from other trains; he must give correct signals (more particularly so
under the new book of rules, in which there have been some changes.) He must see and
observe all semaphore and switch signals. He must bear and recognize the noises that tell
of right or wrong working conditions in his engine. His air, water and steam must be at
the proper level. And then, he must watch for those poor, irresponsible things-cows and
auto drivers that take pleasure in SAFETY LAST, to the undoing of both themselves and the
silent, yet active calm of the engineman.
Disproportionate though it may seem to the average person, it is nevertheless true that
the last mentioned item is today the greatest menace an engineman has to contend with.
Modern devices and methods make the operation of the engine comparatively safe, but what
cap. an engineman do to control or forestall the advent of a darn fool in an automobile?
Pardon the language.
If it were not true that we may knock at the doors of the legislative balls and gain
entrance, only to come away bootless, for want of a law or laws that could put common
sense into the make-up of auto drivers' I would pour out my soul in supplication for
legislation to make the auto driver respect railroad crossings at grade. If there is
anyone who has the wisdom to devise such a law, let him be crowned and presented with a
gold medal.
Seriously, it is the hardest part of the engineman's safety creed to try to play safe at
highway crossings, and we will send forth a song of joy and gratitude when the solution of
the problem is gained. May it come soon!
And now, good readers, forgive a little conceit. You and I may take off our bats with a
sort of solemn reverence to these men of the road, my comrades, who hold a distinctive
place of honor in the' ranks of the great railroad brotherhood seeking to conserve life
and property. Verily, they are apostles of the creed of SAFETY FIRST.
In conclusion, though holding the engineman up as a shining example, I strongly urge on
all classes of employes the importance of supporting our safety organization, which has
for its vital purpose the bringing together of us all in this work. Not the least of its
safety activities are the safety meetings, held at different headquarters, periodically.
At these safety meetings there should be a free discussion of all the unsafe practices
that come under the observation of the employes or of conditions thought to be hazardous.
Unfortunately there has not been in the past as great an interest or activity in reporting
bad practices, as I believe there should have been, for this requires individual work,
which must be taken care of through the individual interest and help of all employees. It
should lend incentive to all who are truly interested in safety to know that of all the
suggestions presented last year, 96 percent received favorable action by our management
and were corrected. This in itself show that the management of our road is vitally
interested in our safety. Let's help them along.
|
The natural result of failing to flag around curves or keep lookout
to rear. |
