Good Day, All:
Spring Equinox begins on Sunday, March 20, 2022. With spring runoff it is a good idea to check the track drainage and culverts to avoid flooding. Spring is also a good time to plan your railway training and audit requirements for the year. Booking early will ensure you receive Rail-Werx services when you need them.
As part of our ongoing effort to share safety information, the December 2021 FRA SOFA Report is available for your review. Feel free to cite, circulate, transmit, reformat, and reference this information.
Rail-Werx: Your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management development.
Download our brochure here.
| Training - Open Enrollment Course 22-23 March 2022 |
Forwarded on behalf of Knut Ohm of Rail-Werx Inc. Good Day, All: I hope you are all well and staying safe! We have a few seats left for our upcoming open enrollment Auditor training course (1.5 days) on 22 and 23 March at our Edmonton Training Centre. We follow the COVID-19 municipal and provincial health protocols that are in place at the date of the training course. To reserve your seat please contact me by phone: 780-966-4796 or e-mail knut.ohm@railwerx.ca. |
Rail-Werx: Your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management development.
Download our brochure here.
Forwarded on behalf of Knut Ohm of Rail-Werx Inc.
Good Day, All:
I hope you are all well and staying safe!
We have a few seats left for our upcoming open enrollment Auditor training course (1.5 days) on 22 and 23 March at our Edmonton Training Centre.
We follow the COVID-19 municipal and provincial health protocols that are in place at the date of the training course.
To reserve your seat please contact me by phone: 780-966-4796 or e-mail knut.ohm@railwerx.ca.
Rail-Werx: Your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management development.
Download our brochure here.
Good Day All,
With the freeze-thaw cycle that we have experienced this winter, I am sure we are all looking forward to spring!
Rail-Werx is hosting a one-day training session with classroom time and a hands-on portion out on the track. Lunch will be provided.
To book a seat on the track inspection course please contact me.
Rail-Werx: Your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management development.
Download our brochure here.
Unfortunately, this is a strong reminder of the significant hazards of working on or about tracks. Anytime we are working on or about tracks we must ensure that we are clear of any movements and expect movement at ANY TIME, in any direction. Always minimize the time foul of a track as contact with any moving on track equipment can result in severe or even catastrophic injuries.
Good
Day, All:
A recent incident on the Columbia Walla Walla Railway (CWW) on January 25, 2022, at approximately 12:30 pm, involved an uncontrolled movement when an empty propane car rolled freely down the track. The incident ensued when the crew set an empty tank car to the mainline while switching the industry. The tank car began to roll uncontrolled at speeds estimated near 50 mph.
The tank car travelled west approximately 15.3 miles on the mainline where the car came to rest and was secured. During its journey, the runaway tank car traversed an estimated 28 crossings (both private and public).
This incident could have resulted in dire consequences. We do not have any definitive information on the cause, however, some possible scenarios are: was the car left with no hand brake applied, or was the hand brake applied and no push-pull test was performed etc.
It does remind us that no car(s) should be left unattended without being properly secured.
Rail-Werx: Your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management development.
Download our brochure here.
Forwarded on behalf of Knut Ohm of Rail-Werx Inc.
Good Day, All:
I hope you are all well and staying safe!
We have a few seats left for our upcoming open enrollment Auditor training course (1.5 days) on 19 and 20 January at our Edmonton Training Centre. Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, space is limited.
We follow the Restrictions Exemption Program protocol with respect to attendees being fully vaccinated or providing a negative rapid test result within 72 hours prior to course attendance.
To reserve your seat please contact me by phone: 780-966-4796 or e-mail knut.ohm@railwerx.ca.
Rail-Werx: Your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management development.
Thank you to all our clients for your business and support during 2021 as we all face the ever-changing challenges that COVID-19 places on business practices. Sending Season Greetings and wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
As 2021 draws to a close and we look forward to spending more time with friends and family (with COVID-19 protocols in place), the Rail-Werx office will be closed from December 22nd, 2021, and re-open on January 4, 2022.
During this time, should you require immediate assistance, please call 780-395-5995 X 5 and leave a message. One of our staff will get back to you as soon as possible.
Best wishes and a Joyous and Safe Festive Season from The Rail-Werx Team.
Good
Day All,
2021 is rapidly coming to a close and with it, and the impending winter weather, comes a litany of To Dos to prepare for the balance of 2021 and what needs to be done in the New Year.
Rail-Werx is pleased to again offer an Open Enrollment Auditor Training course in Edmonton on January 19 and 20, 2022. We encourage you to book a seat on the course soonest as space is limited.
For more information and to reserve a seat, please contact me: 780-966-4796.
Rail-Werx: your
partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management
system development.
Cheers.
Good Day, All:
Rail-Werx is holding a one-day open enrollment Railcar Safety and Securement training course in Edmonton on 30th November 2021. The classroom portion will be held in the morning and the in-field hands-on training held in the afternoon.
To book a seat for the course, please contact me. Phone: 780-966-4696
Rail-Werx: your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management system development.
Good
Day All
Please share the following with your rail crews:
On October 27, 2021, at approximately 2:15 AM (EDT), a conductor (Conductor 1) with 6 months of service sustained a serious injury to his right foot while switching in a yard. The weather at the time of the incident was dark, 8 degrees Celsius and clear skies.
Conductor 1 was working in the yard and was accompanying the engineer (Engineer 1) while performing a ground inspection of three locomotives located on the scale track in the Middle Yard. Engineer 1 boarded the locomotive and Conductor 1 remained on the ground and was in the foul of the adjacent track (Middle Track 1) with his back to a shove move that was occurring on the adjacent track.
A second train was shoving 3 cars westward on East Yard 1 track to the Middle Track 2. Conductor 1 and Engineer 1 were operating on the yard radio channel and the other crew were operating on the road radio channel at the time of the accident. Conductor 2 that was protecting the 3-car shove was positioned ahead of the movement and did not see anyone on the ground near the locomotives. Conductor 1 was struck by the 3-car shove and suffered the amputation of his right foot above the ankle. He was transported by ambulance to the hospital and underwent surgery.
Never put yourself in a position to foul another track and be aware of your spatial surroundings.
Rail-Werx: your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management system development.
Good Day, All:
Rail-Werx is holding a one-day open enrollment Railcar Safety and Securement training course in Edmonton on 30th November 2021. The classroom portion will be held in the morning and the in-field hands-on training held in the afternoon.
To book a seat for the course, please contact me. Phone: 780-966-4696
Rail-Werx: your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management system development.
Good day, All
Rail-Werx Inc. is a proud associate member of the Railway
Association of Canada (RAC). We were honoured to be approached by RAC
concerning an article for their Newsletter featuring (among others) Rail-Werx
and our associated companies (under Traxx Group). Our
group of companies are committed to safety practices within the industrial rail
industry.
Rail-Werx: your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management system development.
Good day All:
As we are now into the fourth wave of COVID, companies are adjusting their operations to meet government regulations and develop internal protective measures.
Although it might not be relevant to your railway operation, Rail-Werx is sharing the CN Letter we received addressed to CN contractors and suppliers regarding mandatory vaccinations.
Rail-Werx is your partner in railway safety by providing auditing, training, consulting services and communicating safety issues to you our valued client!
Please contact me or traxxgroup.com if you have any requirements for the services that Rail-Werx or our associated companies Petro-Traxx (Shuttlewagon Dealer) and Ultra-Traxx provide.
Regards,
In advance of Rail Safety Week (September 20-26), Rail-Werx would like to share the information we received from Sarah Mayes, National Director of Operation Lifesaver (below). Feel free to share this information with colleagues, friends, and family.
Operation Lifesaver is committed to preventing
collisions, injuries, and fatalities on and around railroad tracks and
highway-rail grade crossings with support of public education programs in
states across the US.
Dear Operation Lifesaver partners,
With Rail Safety Week (September 20-26) fast approaching, I wanted to forward along a link to some social media messaging, graphics, and videos that we have developed for you to use in promoting the #STOPTrackTragedies campaign and our Stay Safe with Thomas Rail Safety Art Contest next week.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1bz5t62nqwj4q2g/AACoifwQ-sSXLYAyl0MVajyVa?dl=0
Sarah Mayes, National Director, Operation Lifesaver
Tel.: (613) 564-8097
www.OperationLifesaver.ca - www.OperationGareautrain.ca
Forwarded for Knut Ohm, Rail-Werx Inc.
Good Day All:
Railroading is a 24/7 operation and all involved need to pay attention to operating details. The April 2021 AMTRAK Operating Practice Advisory entitled Leaving Equipment in the Clear is a good reminder to not foul any adjacent track. History has shown serious injury or a fatality can occur when cars are left foul.
Please take the time to share with other railway personnel.
Rail-Werx: your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management system development.
Good
Day All
Rail-Werx is pleased to announce a working relationship with the Alberta Railway Museum in Edmonton. This relationship will allow Rail-Werx to provide classroom and hands on railcar mover training at the museum.
The first open enrollment railcar mover course is scheduled to take place in Edmonton on August 9 & 10, 2021.
Please call me (780-966-4796) for more information if you would like to book a seat for the open enrollment railcar mover training course.
Rail-Werx: your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management system development.
SAFETY MESSAGE TRACK SAFETY
With the extreme heat in our area for the next couple of weeks, I would recommend that your track personnel keep a close eye out for track buckles. This type of weather can put a lot of stress on your rail and track structures leading to major track buckles that can result in engine or car derailment, cause property damage or even personal injuries.
Please watch for any movement in your track. If you find any track that has buckled, you must lock it out or red flag the location until the repairs can be made.
I have attached some information and a few videos to review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxtX6y34BPM&feature=emb_rel_pause
https://railwerx.ca/docs/Buckled%20Rail.pdf
Please call me or email me at the number below, if you have any questions about track buckles or track concerns.
Thank You,
Dale Winkler
Manager of Rail Services
4218-43 Street
Camrose, AB T4V-5H4
PH:780-901-9464
E-Mail- d.winkler@necltd.ca
Good day All:
I hope this finds you well. As we continue to hear updates from the
Alberta government as to their “Open for Summer Plan”, I am sure we are all hoping
this comes to fruition.
During the pandemic, Rail-Werx has held several open
enrollment auditor courses while adhering to the Provincial Health restrictions
including a COVID-19 sign-in Questionnaire, limiting class size, 6 feet distancing,
providing masks and sanitizer in strategic touchpoint locations and sanitizing
all touch surfaces throughout the Training Centre before and after every class.
Rail-Werx is holding the next Railway Safety Management System Auditor training at our Edmonton training facility on the 29th and 30th of June, 2021. The duration of training is 1.5 days.
To reserve a seat please contact me at: knut.ohm@railwerx.ca OR Cell: 780-966-4796
Rail-Werx: always there to assist you in a timely manner with your railway training and auditing requirements.
Cheers.,
Good Day All:
The May 2021 Safety Alert from the SOFA Working Group reminds us of the tragic outcomes that can occur in a railway operation.
It reminds all involved in switching operations of the constant need to be vigilant. Please share with your railway staff.
Rail-Werx: your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management system development.
Be safe out there!
Rail Werx Inc. is pleased to welcome Ken Sieben to our Rail
Werx team.
Ken has many years of maintenance-of-way experience with CN and
now as part of the Rail Werx team, Ken will be available to conduct monthly
track inspections and also provide the rail industry with a detailed annual track
inspection report for planning purposes.
With the welcome addition of Ken, Rail Werx Inc is pleased to
announce a track inspection service starting May 03, 2021. To
book your monthly and annual detailed track inspections, please contact Art
Nordholm, Operators Director, at: Cell: 780-717-2052 or E-mail: art.nordholm@railwerx.ca
You can count on Rail Werx Inc as your experienced
service provider for track inspections, Safety Management System audits and
training.
Good
Day All
I hope you are all well during these trying times!
In February, Rail-Werx held several open enrollment track inspection training classes at our Edmonton training facility following COVID protocols. The classes were well received by the participants and worked well for our clients.
We are now planning to hold an open enrollment Railway SMS Auditor course on April 7 and 8, 2021 in Edmonton. Spaces are based on the current Alberta Health Orders that limit the number of attendees permitted on each day.
Please call either Art Nordholm at 780-717-2052, art.nordholm@railwerx.ca or myself at 780-966-4796, knut.ohm@railwarx.ca to book your seat for this training.
Good
Day All:
Rail-Werx is planning to hold a 1-day track inspection (open enrollment) course in February 2021 in Edmonton or vicinity. The class will be held in a facility that will allow for the required COVID separation distance. The seating and desk surfaces will be sanitized before the class. This is a two-part course: in the morning, classroom training will take place with the track inspection training portion outside in the afternoon. Please dress appropriately for weather conditions.
If you are interested, please contact either one of us:
Art Nordholm 780-717-2052 or art.nordholm@railwerx.ca
Knut
Ohm 780-966-4796 or knut.ohm@railwerx.ca
Thank you for considering Rail-Werx as your go-to training and auditing company.
As indicated by the coding in the FRA’s electronic file (6180.55a), 4 of the 6 September SIs involved acts and situations often associated with increased risk for a casualty. Two of these 4 SIs were amputations.
•
sudden/unexpected movement
• getting on
moving equipment
• getting off
moving equipment
• going between
equipment to adjust a coupler
There were 5 SIs in October. All were fractures: 3 to the leg or foot; 1 to the torso; and 1 to various body parts.
Through October there have been 43 SIs in 2020 compared to 59 for the same period in 2019. Six were amputations.
Historically since 1997, January, February, and March are among the highest months for SIs. And these three months represent the highest quarterly counts for SIs.
SIs increase in winter months. One reason is the increase in cases coded as involving slips, trips, and falls. Annually, such cases constitute 43.8 percent of all SIs. But during the winter months of December, January, and February, these cases rise to 50.5, 55.2, 49.1 percent respectively of total monthly SIs.
Rail-Werx is your go-to railway training and auditing service provider. Book early to lock in your training and auditing needs. To book any of Rail-Werx services, please contact myself at: 780-966-4796 or Art Nordholm at: 780-717-2052 or art.nordholm@railwerx.ca
Regards,
2020 Has Been a
Challenging Year for Us All
We appreciate the
opportunity to have served you this past year
And we look forward
to serving you in the coming year.
Thanks for your
business and we hope you have a Happy & Safe New Year.
From the Team at
Rail-Werx Inc.
Art Nordholm
Knut Ohm
John Armstrong
Lorretta Klein
780-395-5995 Ext 5
Forwarded by Rail-Werx on behalf of Knut Ohm:
Safety Folks,
The SOFA Severe Injury Update for July 2020 indicates there were 4 SIs. All were fractures: 3 to the leg or foot; and 1 to the torso. The SI to the torso was described by the accompanying narrative:
EMPLOYEE REPORTED HE WAS CROSSING THE TRACKS WHEN HE WAS STRUCK BY A LOCOMOTIVE AND WAS INJURED (Occurred at a yard location)
Of the 2,186 SIs that occurred since 1997, 135 (6.2 percent) were coded as being struck by on-track equipment. Nearly 72 percent of these SIs occurred at a yard location.
Always be alert to hazards involving moving equipment!
The SOFA-defined Severe
Injury Update for August 2020 reports 2 SIs. Both were
fractures: 1 to the torso and 1 to the leg or foot. Through August 2020, there
have been 32 SIs in 2020. Four were amputations.
As we are now in winter operations, it is a good idea to review your
company`s plans to reduce slips, trips, falls, and the good housekeeping
practice of having supplies on hand to treat icy walkways and snow
removal.
Rail-Werx is your first choice for railway auditing and training!
Good Day All:
This year has certainly had many challenges and has caused all of us to adapt and change the way we conduct our personal lives and the way we work.
Our priorities may have changed as well as how we do things. As a result, some things may have been overlooked. Before we know it, deadlines pass - sometimes with consequences.
If you have an Alberta Transportation Railway Operating Certificate, a condition on the approval is a requirement to conduct an annual railway audit.
As a gentle reminder, has the railway audit been conducted for 2020?
The holidays are fast approaching as well as the calendar year end. If you require an annual audit, Rail-Werx can help. Please let us know by contacting either:
Art Nordholm at 780-717-2052
or art.nordholm@railwerx.ca or
Knut Ohm at
780-966-4796 or knut.ohm@railwerx.ca
Forwarded by
Rail-Werx on behalf of Knut Ohm:
Good Day All:
The June 2020 SOFA Report notes some interesting historical occurrences data. One that stands out is that there has never been a month between January 1997 and June 2020 when zero severe injuries (SI) and amputations were reported. The other is that June, historically, has the lowest count of SIs and amputations with December and January having the highest SIs.
We are now in the fall of the year and snow and freezing rain will be our reality. Winter conditions, with inherent slips, trips, and falls result in SIs. Is your railway prepared to meet the changing conditions? Let us all be proactive and review our winter preparedness plans!Rail Werx thanks those who have utilized our Training, Auditing, and DG Security Plan development and invites others to contact us for future railway needs and resources.
Regards,
Good
Day All:
The week of 21 to 27 September is Operation Life Saver - Rail Safety Week. Every year, more than 100 Canadians are killed or seriously injured in railway crossings and trespasser incidents! The majority of these incidents are preventable.
Whether you either work in the railway industry or know someone who does, you are a great resource to educate family members and others of the simple steps they can take to stay safe around trains and railway property. Help others stay alive when around trains by sharing this information. See the links below.
https://www.operationlifesaver.ca/
https://www.operationlifesaver.ca/initiatives/campaigns/stop-track-tragedies/
https://www.cpr.ca/en/safety/railsense
At Rail-Werx we pride ourselves in helping industry work safely. Please contact us the next time you require rail training, auditing, operations analysis or regulatory guidance. https://railwerx.ca/
Stay safe out there!
Good Day All:
Rail-Werx is helping industry with writing the required Transport Canada Dangerous Goods Security Plan. Please let me know if we can assist you in this regard or have any questions.
Please visit https://railwerx.ca/ for your railway training, auditing and resources needs.
Regards,
Click here to see previous news emails from Rail-Werx Inc.
Good Day.
Transport Canada Intermodal Surface
Security Oversight sent out e-mails to companies deemed to be dangerous goods. The emails outline the requirement of Loaders to have a Dangerous Goods Security Plan and training program
in place as of August 3, 2020.
Rail-Werx has
experience assisting companies in developing their security plans as well as
providing auditing, track inspection, rail car handling and security, rail car
mover and locomotive training.
If your company
does not have the required security plan or requires other railway training, please let me know.
Good Day All. I hope all is well with you, your family and colleagues during these trying times.
The May 2020 SOFA Report gathered interesting statistics, namely: the Body Location for 2,181 Serious Injury Occurrences and the Body Location for 286 Amputations from January 1997 through May 2020. Of particular note, there were 57.8% leg and body amputations and 40% arm or hand amputations! Way too many!
Clearly, COVID-19 has challenged us all. It should not comprise our attention to potential hazards at our worksite.
If you missed any of our past e-mails, you can read them on our Website at News.
Also see our Resource page for forms no longer available on the Alberta Transportation Website.
Stay well,
Good Day All:
I hope you are all safe and enjoying summer! As many of you are aware, I have retired from Alberta Transportation and have been busy and enjoying my time at Rail-Werx.
I thought you would find this Rail Transportation Safety Investigation Report referencing a "Main-Track Collision With Standing Cars" interesting and a resource you may wish to share at your safety meeting.
Our Resources tab on our Website has many documents that are no longer available on the Government website. We have also added new documents that were not available elsewhere before.
Let me know if Rail-Werx can assist you with your railway auditing and training needs. In the interim, I hope the rest of your summer goes well for you and your family.
All the best!
Rail-Werx is pleased to provide you with a link to the SOFA-defined Severe Injury Updates for March and April 2020.
The March Summary of Injuries are:
·
6 SIs in March 2020.
Two were amputations, both to the leg or foot. The other 4 SIs were fractures:
3 to the leg or foot; and 1 to the torso
·
January through March
there were 17 SIs in 2020, compared to 15 that occurred in the same months of
2019
·
Three of the March 2020
SIs were amputations
· Four of these March SIs involved falling while walking at ground level.
The April Summary
of Injuries are:
·
3 SIs in April 2020.
One was an amputation to the leg or foot. The other 2 SIs were fractures, both
to the torso
·
January through April
there have been 20 SIs (4 were amputations) in 2020, compared to 22 SIs that
occurred in the same months of 2019.
These Reports are also stored in our Resource Library.
Always work safely!
If your company requires any railway assistance from training to auditing, please feel free to contact me at 780-966-4796.
For
all your railway training and auditing requirements, please visit https://railwerx.ca/
In
response, Rail-Werx has added a Resource tab on our Website to house these documents and others that
are not found elsewhere on the Web. You might find this collection to be useful
in your railway operations.
An
important date to note is August 14, 2020 when Alberta Transportation's
training and auditing exemption/deferral letters expire and may not be renewed.
If you
need assistance for your training and auditing regulatory requirements, we are
here to assist you. Please see our Services tab on our website for further information.
Feel
free to call me at 780-966-4796 if you have any questions.
Knut Ohm
VP Business Development
Sad news when a railway fatality
occurs, it reminds us all that working in a railway yard has hazards and we must
always be vigilant. There is a Go Fund Me campaign set up for the worker’s
family (with the link found in the news article).
Stay vigilant and be safe,
Hello All
I am pleased to announce my next new adventure! I have joined a group of companies that provide railway services in Canada and the United States.
Rail-Werx Inc. https://railwerx.ca/
Rail-Werx has a team of subject matter experts with many years of railway operations experience. They have vast railway technical knowledge, site-specific training experience, internal and external auditing, consulting (e.g. development of SMS and GOI), and incident investigation experience.
For a detailed list of the services available, please see:
https://railwerx.ca/services.php
Petro-Traxx Inc. https://www.petrotraxx.ca/
Petro-Traxx provides trained railway personal to the Petro-chemical industry that switch railway cars and load-unload cars. They service all makes of rail car movers (RCM) in Western Canada. Petro-Traxx is an innovative company that has developed RCM attachments such as track blowers and wheeled loader to operate on railway track. In addition, Petro-Traxx is the authorized Western Canada dealer for Shuttlewagon (including sales/leases/parts/services).
Ultra-Traxx
Inc. https://ultratraxx.ca/
Ultra-Traxx conducts ultrasonic testing of railway track to detect internal rail defects that are invisible to the human eye. Ultra-Traxx tested the Churchill lines prior to opening the line after a flood that washed away a considerable amount of track. Over the last two years, Ultra-Traxx has tested track in Jersey, Vermont and other US railway tracks. This year, Ultra-Traxx will have tested track on the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic coasts!
Please do not hesitate to call me should you require any of our services or have a rail question. The call is always free.
Regards
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Good Day, All:
Spring Equinox begins on Sunday, March 20, 2022. With spring runoff it is a good idea to check the track drainage and culverts to avoid flooding. Spring is also a good time to plan your railway training and audit requirements for the year. Booking early will ensure you receive Rail-Werx services when you need them.
As part of our ongoing effort to share safety information, the December 2021 FRA SOFA Report is available for your review. Feel free to cite, circulate, transmit, reformat, and reference this information.
Rail-Werx: Your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management development.
Download our brochure here.
| Training - Open Enrollment Course 22-23 March 2022 |
Forwarded on behalf of Knut Ohm of Rail-Werx Inc. Good Day, All: I hope you are all well and staying safe! We have a few seats left for our upcoming open enrollment Auditor training course (1.5 days) on 22 and 23 March at our Edmonton Training Centre. We follow the COVID-19 municipal and provincial health protocols that are in place at the date of the training course. To reserve your seat please contact me by phone: 780-966-4796 or e-mail knut.ohm@railwerx.ca. |
Rail-Werx: Your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management development.
Download our brochure here.
Forwarded on behalf of Knut Ohm of Rail-Werx Inc.
Good Day, All:
I hope you are all well and staying safe!
We have a few seats left for our upcoming open enrollment Auditor training course (1.5 days) on 22 and 23 March at our Edmonton Training Centre.
We follow the COVID-19 municipal and provincial health protocols that are in place at the date of the training course.
To reserve your seat please contact me by phone: 780-966-4796 or e-mail knut.ohm@railwerx.ca.
Rail-Werx: Your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management development.
Download our brochure here.
Good Day All,
With the freeze-thaw cycle that we have experienced this winter, I am sure we are all looking forward to spring!
Rail-Werx is hosting a one-day training session with classroom time and a hands-on portion out on the track. Lunch will be provided.
To book a seat on the track inspection course please contact me.
Rail-Werx: Your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management development.
Download our brochure here.
Unfortunately, this is a strong reminder of the significant hazards of working on or about tracks. Anytime we are working on or about tracks we must ensure that we are clear of any movements and expect movement at ANY TIME, in any direction. Always minimize the time foul of a track as contact with any moving on track equipment can result in severe or even catastrophic injuries.
Good
Day, All:
A recent incident on the Columbia Walla Walla Railway (CWW) on January 25, 2022, at approximately 12:30 pm, involved an uncontrolled movement when an empty propane car rolled freely down the track. The incident ensued when the crew set an empty tank car to the mainline while switching the industry. The tank car began to roll uncontrolled at speeds estimated near 50 mph.
The tank car travelled west approximately 15.3 miles on the mainline where the car came to rest and was secured. During its journey, the runaway tank car traversed an estimated 28 crossings (both private and public).
This incident could have resulted in dire consequences. We do not have any definitive information on the cause, however, some possible scenarios are: was the car left with no hand brake applied, or was the hand brake applied and no push-pull test was performed etc.
It does remind us that no car(s) should be left unattended without being properly secured.
Rail-Werx: Your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management development.
Download our brochure here.
Forwarded on behalf of Knut Ohm of Rail-Werx Inc.
Good Day, All:
I hope you are all well and staying safe!
We have a few seats left for our upcoming open enrollment Auditor training course (1.5 days) on 19 and 20 January at our Edmonton Training Centre. Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, space is limited.
We follow the Restrictions Exemption Program protocol with respect to attendees being fully vaccinated or providing a negative rapid test result within 72 hours prior to course attendance.
To reserve your seat please contact me by phone: 780-966-4796 or e-mail knut.ohm@railwerx.ca.
Rail-Werx: Your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management development.
Thank you to all our clients for your business and support during 2021 as we all face the ever-changing challenges that COVID-19 places on business practices. Sending Season Greetings and wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
As 2021 draws to a close and we look forward to spending more time with friends and family (with COVID-19 protocols in place), the Rail-Werx office will be closed from December 22nd, 2021, and re-open on January 4, 2022.
During this time, should you require immediate assistance, please call 780-395-5995 X 5 and leave a message. One of our staff will get back to you as soon as possible.
Best wishes and a Joyous and Safe Festive Season from The Rail-Werx Team.
Good
Day All,
2021 is rapidly coming to a close and with it, and the impending winter weather, comes a litany of To Dos to prepare for the balance of 2021 and what needs to be done in the New Year.
Rail-Werx is pleased to again offer an Open Enrollment Auditor Training course in Edmonton on January 19 and 20, 2022. We encourage you to book a seat on the course soonest as space is limited.
For more information and to reserve a seat, please contact me: 780-966-4796.
Rail-Werx: your
partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management
system development.
Cheers.
Good Day, All:
Rail-Werx is holding a one-day open enrollment Railcar Safety and Securement training course in Edmonton on 30th November 2021. The classroom portion will be held in the morning and the in-field hands-on training held in the afternoon.
To book a seat for the course, please contact me. Phone: 780-966-4696
Rail-Werx: your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management system development.
Good
Day All
Please share the following with your rail crews:
On October 27, 2021, at approximately 2:15 AM (EDT), a conductor (Conductor 1) with 6 months of service sustained a serious injury to his right foot while switching in a yard. The weather at the time of the incident was dark, 8 degrees Celsius and clear skies.
Conductor 1 was working in the yard and was accompanying the engineer (Engineer 1) while performing a ground inspection of three locomotives located on the scale track in the Middle Yard. Engineer 1 boarded the locomotive and Conductor 1 remained on the ground and was in the foul of the adjacent track (Middle Track 1) with his back to a shove move that was occurring on the adjacent track.
A second train was shoving 3 cars westward on East Yard 1 track to the Middle Track 2. Conductor 1 and Engineer 1 were operating on the yard radio channel and the other crew were operating on the road radio channel at the time of the accident. Conductor 2 that was protecting the 3-car shove was positioned ahead of the movement and did not see anyone on the ground near the locomotives. Conductor 1 was struck by the 3-car shove and suffered the amputation of his right foot above the ankle. He was transported by ambulance to the hospital and underwent surgery.
Never put yourself in a position to foul another track and be aware of your spatial surroundings.
Rail-Werx: your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management system development.
Good Day, All:
Rail-Werx is holding a one-day open enrollment Railcar Safety and Securement training course in Edmonton on 30th November 2021. The classroom portion will be held in the morning and the in-field hands-on training held in the afternoon.
To book a seat for the course, please contact me. Phone: 780-966-4696
Rail-Werx: your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management system development.
Good day, All
Rail-Werx Inc. is a proud associate member of the Railway
Association of Canada (RAC). We were honoured to be approached by RAC
concerning an article for their Newsletter featuring (among others) Rail-Werx
and our associated companies (under Traxx Group). Our
group of companies are committed to safety practices within the industrial rail
industry.
Rail-Werx: your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management system development.
Good day All:
As we are now into the fourth wave of COVID, companies are adjusting their operations to meet government regulations and develop internal protective measures.
Although it might not be relevant to your railway operation, Rail-Werx is sharing the CN Letter we received addressed to CN contractors and suppliers regarding mandatory vaccinations.
Rail-Werx is your partner in railway safety by providing auditing, training, consulting services and communicating safety issues to you our valued client!
Please contact me or traxxgroup.com if you have any requirements for the services that Rail-Werx or our associated companies Petro-Traxx (Shuttlewagon Dealer) and Ultra-Traxx provide.
Regards,
In advance of Rail Safety Week (September 20-26), Rail-Werx would like to share the information we received from Sarah Mayes, National Director of Operation Lifesaver (below). Feel free to share this information with colleagues, friends, and family.
Operation Lifesaver is committed to preventing
collisions, injuries, and fatalities on and around railroad tracks and
highway-rail grade crossings with support of public education programs in
states across the US.
Dear Operation Lifesaver partners,
With Rail Safety Week (September 20-26) fast approaching, I wanted to forward along a link to some social media messaging, graphics, and videos that we have developed for you to use in promoting the #STOPTrackTragedies campaign and our Stay Safe with Thomas Rail Safety Art Contest next week.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1bz5t62nqwj4q2g/AACoifwQ-sSXLYAyl0MVajyVa?dl=0
Sarah Mayes, National Director, Operation Lifesaver
Tel.: (613) 564-8097
www.OperationLifesaver.ca - www.OperationGareautrain.ca
Forwarded for Knut Ohm, Rail-Werx Inc.
Good Day All:
Railroading is a 24/7 operation and all involved need to pay attention to operating details. The April 2021 AMTRAK Operating Practice Advisory entitled Leaving Equipment in the Clear is a good reminder to not foul any adjacent track. History has shown serious injury or a fatality can occur when cars are left foul.
Please take the time to share with other railway personnel.
Rail-Werx: your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management system development.
Good
Day All
Rail-Werx is pleased to announce a working relationship with the Alberta Railway Museum in Edmonton. This relationship will allow Rail-Werx to provide classroom and hands on railcar mover training at the museum.
The first open enrollment railcar mover course is scheduled to take place in Edmonton on August 9 & 10, 2021.
Please call me (780-966-4796) for more information if you would like to book a seat for the open enrollment railcar mover training course.
Rail-Werx: your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management system development.
SAFETY MESSAGE TRACK SAFETY
With the extreme heat in our area for the next couple of weeks, I would recommend that your track personnel keep a close eye out for track buckles. This type of weather can put a lot of stress on your rail and track structures leading to major track buckles that can result in engine or car derailment, cause property damage or even personal injuries.
Please watch for any movement in your track. If you find any track that has buckled, you must lock it out or red flag the location until the repairs can be made.
I have attached some information and a few videos to review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxtX6y34BPM&feature=emb_rel_pause
https://railwerx.ca/docs/Buckled%20Rail.pdf
Please call me or email me at the number below, if you have any questions about track buckles or track concerns.
Thank You,
Dale Winkler
Manager of Rail Services
4218-43 Street
Camrose, AB T4V-5H4
PH:780-901-9464
E-Mail- d.winkler@necltd.ca
Good day All:
I hope this finds you well. As we continue to hear updates from the
Alberta government as to their “Open for Summer Plan”, I am sure we are all hoping
this comes to fruition.
During the pandemic, Rail-Werx has held several open
enrollment auditor courses while adhering to the Provincial Health restrictions
including a COVID-19 sign-in Questionnaire, limiting class size, 6 feet distancing,
providing masks and sanitizer in strategic touchpoint locations and sanitizing
all touch surfaces throughout the Training Centre before and after every class.
Rail-Werx is holding the next Railway Safety Management System Auditor training at our Edmonton training facility on the 29th and 30th of June, 2021. The duration of training is 1.5 days.
To reserve a seat please contact me at: knut.ohm@railwerx.ca OR Cell: 780-966-4796
Rail-Werx: always there to assist you in a timely manner with your railway training and auditing requirements.
Cheers.,
Good Day All:
The May 2021 Safety Alert from the SOFA Working Group reminds us of the tragic outcomes that can occur in a railway operation.
It reminds all involved in switching operations of the constant need to be vigilant. Please share with your railway staff.
Rail-Werx: your partner in providing training, auditing, consulting and safety management system development.
Be safe out there!
Rail Werx Inc. is pleased to welcome Ken Sieben to our Rail
Werx team.
Ken has many years of maintenance-of-way experience with CN and
now as part of the Rail Werx team, Ken will be available to conduct monthly
track inspections and also provide the rail industry with a detailed annual track
inspection report for planning purposes.
With the welcome addition of Ken, Rail Werx Inc is pleased to
announce a track inspection service starting May 03, 2021. To
book your monthly and annual detailed track inspections, please contact Art
Nordholm, Operators Director, at: Cell: 780-717-2052 or E-mail: art.nordholm@railwerx.ca
You can count on Rail Werx Inc as your experienced
service provider for track inspections, Safety Management System audits and
training.
Good
Day All
I hope you are all well during these trying times!
In February, Rail-Werx held several open enrollment track inspection training classes at our Edmonton training facility following COVID protocols. The classes were well received by the participants and worked well for our clients.
We are now planning to hold an open enrollment Railway SMS Auditor course on April 7 and 8, 2021 in Edmonton. Spaces are based on the current Alberta Health Orders that limit the number of attendees permitted on each day.
Please call either Art Nordholm at 780-717-2052, art.nordholm@railwerx.ca or myself at 780-966-4796, knut.ohm@railwarx.ca to book your seat for this training.
Good
Day All:
Rail-Werx is planning to hold a 1-day track inspection (open enrollment) course in February 2021 in Edmonton or vicinity. The class will be held in a facility that will allow for the required COVID separation distance. The seating and desk surfaces will be sanitized before the class. This is a two-part course: in the morning, classroom training will take place with the track inspection training portion outside in the afternoon. Please dress appropriately for weather conditions.
If you are interested, please contact either one of us:
Art Nordholm 780-717-2052 or art.nordholm@railwerx.ca
Knut
Ohm 780-966-4796 or knut.ohm@railwerx.ca
Thank you for considering Rail-Werx as your go-to training and auditing company.
As indicated by the coding in the FRA’s electronic file (6180.55a), 4 of the 6 September SIs involved acts and situations often associated with increased risk for a casualty. Two of these 4 SIs were amputations.
•
sudden/unexpected movement
• getting on
moving equipment
• getting off
moving equipment
• going between
equipment to adjust a coupler
There were 5 SIs in October. All were fractures: 3 to the leg or foot; 1 to the torso; and 1 to various body parts.
Through October there have been 43 SIs in 2020 compared to 59 for the same period in 2019. Six were amputations.
Historically since 1997, January, February, and March are among the highest months for SIs. And these three months represent the highest quarterly counts for SIs.
SIs increase in winter months. One reason is the increase in cases coded as involving slips, trips, and falls. Annually, such cases constitute 43.8 percent of all SIs. But during the winter months of December, January, and February, these cases rise to 50.5, 55.2, 49.1 percent respectively of total monthly SIs.
Rail-Werx is your go-to railway training and auditing service provider. Book early to lock in your training and auditing needs. To book any of Rail-Werx services, please contact myself at: 780-966-4796 or Art Nordholm at: 780-717-2052 or art.nordholm@railwerx.ca
Regards,
2020 Has Been a
Challenging Year for Us All
We appreciate the
opportunity to have served you this past year
And we look forward
to serving you in the coming year.
Thanks for your
business and we hope you have a Happy & Safe New Year.
From the Team at
Rail-Werx Inc.
Art Nordholm
Knut Ohm
John Armstrong
Lorretta Klein
780-395-5995 Ext 5
Forwarded by Rail-Werx on behalf of Knut Ohm:
Safety Folks,
The SOFA Severe Injury Update for July 2020 indicates there were 4 SIs. All were fractures: 3 to the leg or foot; and 1 to the torso. The SI to the torso was described by the accompanying narrative:
EMPLOYEE REPORTED HE WAS CROSSING THE TRACKS WHEN HE WAS STRUCK BY A LOCOMOTIVE AND WAS INJURED (Occurred at a yard location)
Of the 2,186 SIs that occurred since 1997, 135 (6.2 percent) were coded as being struck by on-track equipment. Nearly 72 percent of these SIs occurred at a yard location.
Always be alert to hazards involving moving equipment!
The SOFA-defined Severe
Injury Update for August 2020 reports 2 SIs. Both were
fractures: 1 to the torso and 1 to the leg or foot. Through August 2020, there
have been 32 SIs in 2020. Four were amputations.
As we are now in winter operations, it is a good idea to review your
company`s plans to reduce slips, trips, falls, and the good housekeeping
practice of having supplies on hand to treat icy walkways and snow
removal.
Rail-Werx is your first choice for railway auditing and training!
Good Day All:
This year has certainly had many challenges and has caused all of us to adapt and change the way we conduct our personal lives and the way we work.
Our priorities may have changed as well as how we do things. As a result, some things may have been overlooked. Before we know it, deadlines pass - sometimes with consequences.
If you have an Alberta Transportation Railway Operating Certificate, a condition on the approval is a requirement to conduct an annual railway audit.
As a gentle reminder, has the railway audit been conducted for 2020?
The holidays are fast approaching as well as the calendar year end. If you require an annual audit, Rail-Werx can help. Please let us know by contacting either:
Art Nordholm at 780-717-2052
or art.nordholm@railwerx.ca or
Knut Ohm at
780-966-4796 or knut.ohm@railwerx.ca
Forwarded by
Rail-Werx on behalf of Knut Ohm:
Good Day All:
The June 2020 SOFA Report notes some interesting historical occurrences data. One that stands out is that there has never been a month between January 1997 and June 2020 when zero severe injuries (SI) and amputations were reported. The other is that June, historically, has the lowest count of SIs and amputations with December and January having the highest SIs.
We are now in the fall of the year and snow and freezing rain will be our reality. Winter conditions, with inherent slips, trips, and falls result in SIs. Is your railway prepared to meet the changing conditions? Let us all be proactive and review our winter preparedness plans!Rail Werx thanks those who have utilized our Training, Auditing, and DG Security Plan development and invites others to contact us for future railway needs and resources.
Regards,
Good
Day All:
The week of 21 to 27 September is Operation Life Saver - Rail Safety Week. Every year, more than 100 Canadians are killed or seriously injured in railway crossings and trespasser incidents! The majority of these incidents are preventable.
Whether you either work in the railway industry or know someone who does, you are a great resource to educate family members and others of the simple steps they can take to stay safe around trains and railway property. Help others stay alive when around trains by sharing this information. See the links below.
https://www.operationlifesaver.ca/
https://www.operationlifesaver.ca/initiatives/campaigns/stop-track-tragedies/
https://www.cpr.ca/en/safety/railsense
At Rail-Werx we pride ourselves in helping industry work safely. Please contact us the next time you require rail training, auditing, operations analysis or regulatory guidance. https://railwerx.ca/
Stay safe out there!
Good Day All:
Rail-Werx is helping industry with writing the required Transport Canada Dangerous Goods Security Plan. Please let me know if we can assist you in this regard or have any questions.
Please visit https://railwerx.ca/ for your railway training, auditing and resources needs.
Regards,
Click here to see previous news emails from Rail-Werx Inc.
Good Day.
Transport Canada Intermodal Surface
Security Oversight sent out e-mails to companies deemed to be dangerous goods. The emails outline the requirement of Loaders to have a Dangerous Goods Security Plan and training program
in place as of August 3, 2020.
Rail-Werx has
experience assisting companies in developing their security plans as well as
providing auditing, track inspection, rail car handling and security, rail car
mover and locomotive training.
If your company
does not have the required security plan or requires other railway training, please let me know.
Good Day All. I hope all is well with you, your family and colleagues during these trying times.
The May 2020 SOFA Report gathered interesting statistics, namely: the Body Location for 2,181 Serious Injury Occurrences and the Body Location for 286 Amputations from January 1997 through May 2020. Of particular note, there were 57.8% leg and body amputations and 40% arm or hand amputations! Way too many!
Clearly, COVID-19 has challenged us all. It should not comprise our attention to potential hazards at our worksite.
If you missed any of our past e-mails, you can read them on our Website at News.
Also see our Resource page for forms no longer available on the Alberta Transportation Website.
Stay well,
Good Day All:
I hope you are all safe and enjoying summer! As many of you are aware, I have retired from Alberta Transportation and have been busy and enjoying my time at Rail-Werx.
I thought you would find this Rail Transportation Safety Investigation Report referencing a "Main-Track Collision With Standing Cars" interesting and a resource you may wish to share at your safety meeting.
Our Resources tab on our Website has many documents that are no longer available on the Government website. We have also added new documents that were not available elsewhere before.
Let me know if Rail-Werx can assist you with your railway auditing and training needs. In the interim, I hope the rest of your summer goes well for you and your family.
All the best!
Rail-Werx is pleased to provide you with a link to the SOFA-defined Severe Injury Updates for March and April 2020.
The March Summary of Injuries are:
·
6 SIs in March 2020.
Two were amputations, both to the leg or foot. The other 4 SIs were fractures:
3 to the leg or foot; and 1 to the torso
·
January through March
there were 17 SIs in 2020, compared to 15 that occurred in the same months of
2019
·
Three of the March 2020
SIs were amputations
· Four of these March SIs involved falling while walking at ground level.
The April Summary
of Injuries are:
·
3 SIs in April 2020.
One was an amputation to the leg or foot. The other 2 SIs were fractures, both
to the torso
·
January through April
there have been 20 SIs (4 were amputations) in 2020, compared to 22 SIs that
occurred in the same months of 2019.
These Reports are also stored in our Resource Library.
Always work safely!
If your company requires any railway assistance from training to auditing, please feel free to contact me at 780-966-4796.
For
all your railway training and auditing requirements, please visit https://railwerx.ca/
In
response, Rail-Werx has added a Resource tab on our Website to house these documents and others that
are not found elsewhere on the Web. You might find this collection to be useful
in your railway operations.
An
important date to note is August 14, 2020 when Alberta Transportation's
training and auditing exemption/deferral letters expire and may not be renewed.
If you
need assistance for your training and auditing regulatory requirements, we are
here to assist you. Please see our Services tab on our website for further information.
Feel
free to call me at 780-966-4796 if you have any questions.
Knut Ohm
VP Business Development
Sad news when a railway fatality
occurs, it reminds us all that working in a railway yard has hazards and we must
always be vigilant. There is a Go Fund Me campaign set up for the worker’s
family (with the link found in the news article).
Stay vigilant and be safe,
Hello All
I am pleased to announce my next new adventure! I have joined a group of companies that provide railway services in Canada and the United States.
Rail-Werx Inc. https://railwerx.ca/
Rail-Werx has a team of subject matter experts with many years of railway operations experience. They have vast railway technical knowledge, site-specific training experience, internal and external auditing, consulting (e.g. development of SMS and GOI), and incident investigation experience.
For a detailed list of the services available, please see:
https://railwerx.ca/services.php
Petro-Traxx Inc. https://www.petrotraxx.ca/
Petro-Traxx provides trained railway personal to the Petro-chemical industry that switch railway cars and load-unload cars. They service all makes of rail car movers (RCM) in Western Canada. Petro-Traxx is an innovative company that has developed RCM attachments such as track blowers and wheeled loader to operate on railway track. In addition, Petro-Traxx is the authorized Western Canada dealer for Shuttlewagon (including sales/leases/parts/services).
Ultra-Traxx
Inc. https://ultratraxx.ca/
Ultra-Traxx conducts ultrasonic testing of railway track to detect internal rail defects that are invisible to the human eye. Ultra-Traxx tested the Churchill lines prior to opening the line after a flood that washed away a considerable amount of track. Over the last two years, Ultra-Traxx has tested track in Jersey, Vermont and other US railway tracks. This year, Ultra-Traxx will have tested track on the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic coasts!
Please do not hesitate to call me should you require any of our services or have a rail question. The call is always free.
Regards
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