The FRA, with the help and support of the BMWE, other labor organizations and the railroad industry, established Roadway Worker Protection regulations in 1997. "These regulations have one purpose and one purpose only-to save your life and the lives of your BMWE brothers and sisters," they wrote.

Since these regulations became effective, roadway worker fatalities have been reduced nearly 80 percent, but there is little solace in this achievement. Every year since the rules were issued, at least one BMWE member has been struck and killed by a train or moving equipment. The most recent fatality occurred on March 2, 2000, when a 51-year old track foreman with 29 years of railroad experience was struck and killed by a ballast regulator. Another tragedy occurred on May 4 when a track foreman was struck by a train while cleaning switches in a yard.

These incidents point out how unforgiving the railroad environment can be and how quickly and unexpectedly tragedy can strike. However, there is something you can do to make a difference! You can play an important role in eliminating death on the tracks, especially roadway worker deaths caused by trains and moving equipment.

1) Always stay clear of the tracks unless absolutely necessary to perform your duty. This means you and your co-workers must avoid walking, standing, sitting or being in the foul of the track at any time unless it is absolutely necessary for the performance of your duties. If you are walking to or from a job site, walk alongside the track if at all possible.

2) When you must foul the track, be sure that on-track safety has been established. Be sure you know what form of on-track protection is established on the track where you will be working and, if necessary, what form of on-track protection is established to protect against movements on adjacent tracks. Remember, you have the right to challenge in good faith the on-track safety procedures in effect on the job site, and you may remain clear of the track until the challenge is resolved.

3) Always look both ways before crossing the track. Never step into the foul of the track without first taking a few seconds to look in both directions. Remember that trains and on-track equipment may approach at any time, on any track, from any direction.

"We are asking you to be a role model and mentor to those around you by following these three simple, common sense, lifesaving principles and actively encouraging everyone around you to do the same. By working together to promote roadway worker safety, we can eliminate these tragic deaths and reach our long-sought goal of zero roadway worker fatalities," Molitoris and Fleming said.

"Experience has taught us that if we work together, there is nothing that can prevent us from achieving our mutual goal. Our goal of zero roadway worker fatalities is within our reach. With your help, we can make the railroad a safer place and prevent the needless loss of life. "

The FRA and BMWE have been at the forefront of protecting roadway workers and ensuring their safety. During recent months all FRA Track and Signal Inspectors have been engaged in an On-Track Safety Campaign. FRA Inspectors have personally talked to over 6,000 railroad workers to remind them of the three roadway safety principles: 1) stay off the tracks unless absolutely necessary for the performance of your job; 2) when it is necessary to foul the tracks, be sure on-track safety has been established; and 3) always look both ways before crossing the tracks.