BMWED SAFETY

BMWED Heat Stress Mitigation Recommendations for Members

Extreme heat is a serious safety hazard for railroad maintenance-of-way workers. Weather reports do not tell the full story for BMWED members working on ballast, steel rail, bridges, yards, and open right-of-way with little or no shade.

Heat stress prevention starts before the shift begins. Members should hydrate the night before, plan for water and cooling before going on track, and continue drinking water throughout the day.

Studies and rail-industry sources show that rail temperature in direct sun can run significantly hotter than the surrounding air. A Transportation Research Board paper notes that railroad heat-related operating decisions have often relied on the assumption that rail temperature may be 30°F to 35°F above ambient air temperature, while also warning that rail temperature is not simply tied to air temperature alone. Network Rail has similarly stated that rails in direct sun can be up to 20°C, about 36°F, hotter than the air temperature.

For BMWED members, the safety concern is not track structure, it is worker exposure. The real work environment includes radiant heat from steel rail and ballast, direct sun, limited shade, PPE, physical exertion, and remote work locations. OSHA also recognizes that heat exposure should be evaluated at the actual work location, and says that when work is in direct sunlight, WBGT instruments should be placed in the sun.

BMWED members should treat extreme heat as a serious hazard and use the following heat stress mitigation practices.

1. Use heat hazard job briefings

During hot weather, job briefings should include a specific discussion of heat exposure. Crews should discuss the expected heat index or WBGT when available, location of drinking water, location of shade or cooling areas, planned rest breaks, nearest roadway access point, emergency procedures, and signs and symptoms of heat illness.

2. Use cool drinking water throughout the shift

Hydration starts before the workday begins, not when the heat exposure starts. During extreme heat, members should begin hydrating the night before and continue before, during, and after the shift. Drink water regularly before feeling thirsty. During hot weather and physical work, workers should drink small amounts often. When sweating for long periods, use electrolyte replacement when available, preferably low-sugar options.

3. Use rest and cooling breaks

Take rest and cooling breaks before symptoms become serious. Heat illness can develop quickly, especially during heavy physical work, direct sun, and high humidity. Breaks should become more frequent as heat, humidity, workload, and sun exposure increase.

4. Use shade or cooling areas

Use any available shade, cooling tents, air-conditioned vehicles, cooling trailers, nearby buildings, fans, misting devices, or other cooling areas during breaks. OSHA identifies cool break locations, including shade, air-conditioned vehicles, tents, fans, and misting devices, as ways workers can recover from heat.

5. Use adjusted work practices during extreme heat

When possible, perform the hardest physical tasks during cooler parts of the day. During excessive heat warnings or dangerous heat index conditions, crews should slow the pace, rotate tasks, add breaks, and avoid unnecessary exposure.

6. Use acclimatization

Be especially careful with new employees, employees returning from time off, and employees moved from cooler locations into high heat. Workers who are not used to the heat are at greater risk of heat illness. Heat tolerance takes time to build.

7. Use the buddy system

Watch each other for signs of heat illness. Symptoms may include dizziness, headache, nausea, weakness, cramps, confusion, heavy sweating, stopped sweating, or unusual behavior. A worker suffering from heat illness may not recognize how serious the situation is.

8. Use stop-work protection when symptoms appear

Do not ignore heat illness symptoms. Stop work, get to shade or cooling, drink water if able, and report symptoms immediately. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. If a worker is confused, loses consciousness, has hot skin, stops sweating, or appears seriously ill, call 911 immediately.

9. Use electrolyte replacement and cooling supplies

Use electrolyte drinks or packets during long periods of heavy sweating. Choose low-sugar options when available and avoid drinks loaded with sugar, caffeine, or alcohol. Cooling towels, ice, misting fans, and other cooling supplies can help, but they do not replace water, rest, and shade.

10. Account for rail, ballast, PPE, and radiant heat

Remember that railroad heat exposure is not the same as the temperature reported on a weather app. Steel rail in direct sun can be much hotter than the surrounding air. Ballast, bridge decks, equipment, PPE, and lack of shade can all add to the worker’s heat load.

11. Use heat illness training

Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Make sure every member of the crew understands how to prevent heat illness, when to stop work, who to notify, and how to get emergency help.

12. Use emergency response planning

Before work begins, crews should know how emergency responders can reach the work location. Identify the nearest access point, milepost, GPS location, who will call 911, who will meet emergency responders, and how the affected worker will be moved to cooling while help is on the way.

BMWED Safety Message

Heat stress is predictable and preventable. BMWED members work in some of the hottest and most exposed conditions in the rail industry. Water, rest, shade, acclimatization, buddy-system monitoring, and emergency planning are necessary safety practices.

If members receive any pushback from management on these or other safety-related issues, they should contact their System Officer. BMWED will work through the National Safety Office to address these serious safety concerns.

No production goal, train movement, or schedule is more important than a worker’s life.