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August 13, 2020: Crossett, AR – An employee protecting a shove movement 

into a customer warehouse was fatally injured after encountering a close 

clearance situation and contacting a loading dock.

October 11, 2020: Richmond, VA – An employee protecting a shove 

movement into a track was fatally injured after encountering a close 

clearance situation and contacting a box car on an adjacent track.

November 11, 2020: Tuscola, IL – An employee protecting a shove movement 

into a customer siding was fatally injured after encountering a close 

clearance situation with a fence and was struck by the equipment.

As a cross-industry collaboration for over 20 years, the SOFA Working Group has identified the Possible 

Contributing Factors for more than 210 switching operations fatalities since 1992. The SOFA Working Group 

reports its finding and emerging data trends with the goal of zero fatalities in the railroad industry. 

Take Away

While these recent cases have not yet been analyzed, the SOFA Working 

Group is concerned by the 159 injuries that occurred this 

year through August 31, 2020 and reminds all employees to 

remain vigilant during switching operations by not only 

protecting the shove movement, but also protecting themselves by 

avoiding close or no clearances hazards. Last, but not least, 

remember to always hold a job briefing whenever the job or situation 

changes.
SOFA Lifesavers

As a cross-industry collaboration for over 20 years, the SOFA Working Group

has identified the Possible Contributing Factors for more than 210 switching operations

fatalities since 1992. The SOFA Working Group reports its findings and emerging

data trends with the goal of zero fatalities in the railroad industry.

Share Knowledge ~ Save a Life ~ Zero Fatalities

Case Example: A two-person RCL crew shoved five empty cars into a snow-covered industry track. Ice build-up on the track

caused the lead car of the movement to derail. The RCL operator, riding the lead car and controlling the move, was crushed

against the side of an industry building and fatally injured. Take Away: Before starting a move, check for obstructions

that may prevent clearance for a crew member riding a car, and discuss the hazard during the job briefing.

When?

Close or no clearances can occur 

due to a fixed structure that 

remains in the same location day to 

day, such as a building, or when a 

movable object, such as a stack of 

cross ties, passes by an employee 

or an employee passes.

What?

How?

Most Common Findings in Switching Operations Fatalities

Inadequate 

Job Briefing

20%

Close / No 

Clearance

25%

Industry 

Hazard

21%

Struck by 

Mainline Train

17%

Inexperienced 

Employee

22%

1 in 4 switching operations fatalities

due to a close or no clearance

Why Avoid Close / No Clearances?

A close or no clearance is a 

permanent or temporary safety 

hazard involving insufficient or no 

space for an employee to take 

evasive action to avoid being struck 

if passing or being passed by an 

object, structure, or equipment.

Other 

Possible Contributing Factors

80%

Close / No 

Clearance

25%

So employees know when to walk, or when and where to ride, establish 

“defensive switching” standards on how to handle close/no clearance 

situations, including the following:

• Look for hazards. Encourage inspection of the work site before acting.

• Ride the side away from hazards.

• Plan for the worst-case scenario, such as a derailment, and 

prepare an escape strategy.

• Maintain focus and avoid distractions, such as holding unnecessary 

conversations, doing paperwork, or using cell phones.

• Expand job briefings to emphasize issues such as: 

o Dangers of equipment left fouling. 

o Warnings to other crews when placing oversized cars 

on tracks adjacent to their work.

o Location & potential for close/no clearances.

ü Eliminate close/no clearances, 

re-engineer where feasible, 

and/or report as required. 

ü Improve signage to be instructional,

such as “Stop and Dismount.”

ü Mark all permanent close/no clearances 

with highly visible signs.

ü Prepare employees to identify & avoid 

close/no clearances.