Dedication: 

The FAMES Committee dedicates its efforts to all roadway workers who have lost their lives in 

the performance of duty and to the families, loved ones, and coworkers they have left behind. 

Safety

on

Railroad Bridges

Mission Statement:

The Mission of the Fatality Analysis of Maintenance-of-way Employees and Signalmen (FAMES) 

Committee is to analyze all fatalities and selected related incidents in order to make 

recommendations to reduce the risk of future occurrences and eliminate fatalities to roadway 

workers.

November 1, 2022
1 

Safety on Railroad Bridges

The FAMES Committee has reviewed the available data from 18 railroad bridge fall 

accidents, in which 17 fatalities and 1 serious injury occurred. Given that bridge workers1

constitute a small percentage of the railroad worker population, this is a significant number. 

Below are the findings and recommendations of the FAMES Committee which are intended to 

raise awareness and prevent injuries and fatalities among railroad bridge workers.

Findings:

• Between 1998 and 2021, 17 bridge worker fatalities and 1 serious injury occurred from 

falls from railroad bridges.

• In 15 (83%) of the 18 accidents, failure to use fall protection was a primary contributing 

factor.

• In 7 (39%) of the accidents (6 fatalities and 1 serious injury), the falls were caused by 

unsecured or removed walkways/gratings. 

• Drowning was the cause of death in 4 (24%) of the 17 fatal falls.

• In 11 (65%) of the 17 fatal falls, insufficient training of bridge workers was noted by 

FAMES.

• In 8 (47%) of the 17 fatal falls, insufficient management oversight was noted by FAMES. 

• Two of the fatalities involved suspended loads (12%); 1 caused a crushing fatality and the 

other knocked a worker off the structure. 

• Short line and regional railroads comprised 8 (47%) of the 17 bridge falls.

• Contractors accounted for 4 (24%) of the 17 bridge falls.

Recommendations:

• Each railroad should have comprehensive, written bridge worker safety instructions, 

and the employees will be trained and have the instructions readily accessible.

• Conduct a thorough hazard analysis of all bridge work and discuss all identified hazards 

and mitigation measures in the job briefing prior to commencing work and whenever 

conditions change. 

o The job briefing should clearly articulate when and what type of fall protection is 

required with an established rescue plan

o When required, employees must be tied off 100% of the time 

• Secure any unsecured walkways/gratings immediately or remove and protect the 

opening. Unsecured walkways/gratings, especially short sections, pose a significant risk 

due to the “trapdoor” effect. In some instances: 

o Supervisors and employees were aware of the unsecured walkways/gratings but 

did not take necessary steps to mitigate the risk.

o The deceased worker helped unsecure the walkway/gratings. 

• Every bridge worker must be trained in the proper use of fall protection before working 

on a railroad bridge. 

• Always use fall protection when working on railroad bridges twelve feet or more above 

the ground or water surface: 

1 Railroad bridge worker or bridge worker means any employee of, or employee of a contractor of, a railroad owning 

or responsible for the construction, inspection, testing, or maintenance of a bridge whose assigned duties, if performed 

on the bridge, include inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, construction, or reconstruction of the track, bridge 

structural members, operating mechanisms and water traffic control systems, or signal, communication, or train 

control systems integral to that bridge.
2 

o Where walkways/gratings are unsecured or where gaps or holes exist through 

which a person can fall;

o When working over the side of a bridge, using ladders on bridges, and when 

positioned on any elevated platform used on the bridge (e.g., truck beds and 

roadway maintenance machine (RMM) decks not equipped with sufficient 

railings).

• When in doubt about the need for fall protection, the safest course of action must be 

taken. Do not rely on the exemptions under FRA’s Bridge Worker Safety Standards (49 

CFR Part 214 Subpart B) — make sure a thorough risk assessment is done and that the 

exemptions are suitable for the work: 

o The presence of walkways and railings may not rule out the need for fall 

protection. 

o Working exclusively between the rails may not rule out the need for fall 

protection. 

• Managers, supervisors, and foremen must understand bridge worker safety requirements 

and ensure bridge worker compliance in the use of fall protection. 

• When working over or next to water where the danger of drowning exists and fall 

protection is not otherwise required, each worker must wear a Coast Guard approved life 

vest. In addition, a lifesaving boat and ring buoys must be available for water rescue. 

• When working at night, ensure that lighting is adequate for the detection of fall hazards 

and for the work being performed. 

• Use extreme caution when handling suspended loads on bridges and make certain that 

you have a place of safety in case the load unexpectedly shifts or falls.

• When workers are sharing the bridge with passing trains or RMMs, the job briefing 

must include and identify the designated place of safety for workers. 

The FAMES Committee consists of safety representatives from a cross section of rail labor, railroad 

management, and federal regulators. FAMES is a continuous improvement process that relies on the 

candid sharing of available data and the views of its participants. To enable the process, FAMES 

explicitly refrains from making any findings regarding whether any past or present practice or protocol 

satisfies any legal duty or standard of care.

The views, opinions, and recommendations contained in this report are those of the FAMES Committee 

and do not necessarily represent the views, opinions, or recommendations of any specific railroad, labor 

organization, or governmental agency.