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Safety, Quality, and Productivity are the result of well-planned and conducted job briefings.

Step I. Plan the Job Briefing.

A. Develop your own work plan by:

(a) Reviewing work or task to be accomplished.

(b) Checking the job location and work area. Know the condition of gates, switches, derails, track conditions, close clearances, short spurs (next to end of track), bad footing, and that cars are secure before coupling.

(c) Breaking the work or task down into step-by-step procedure.

(d) Determining tool, equipment, and material requirements.

(e) Determine what safety rules or procedures are applicable. Consider close clearances and gates, etc.

B. Consider existing and potential hazards that might be involved as a result of:

1. Job and weather.

2. The nature of the work to be done. Consider switching, spotting, picking up, or setting out.

3. The job location. Consider whether yard, industry, or road.

4. The tools, equipment, and materials used.

5. Equipment to be work on.

6. Traffic conditions and visibility. Consider people, vehicles, time of day, other jobs in track or area, and obstructions.

7. Time of day. Consider whether 0300 - 0500 (alertness), or end of shift ("go home" moves).

8. Safety or personal protective equipment required.

C. Consider how work assignments will be made:

1. Group assignments. Remember that the whole crew is a team and will be held jointly responsible.

2. Individual assignments (who checks for what?). Engineers need to check with crew about the status of gates, switches, derails, hand brakes, how much room, how many cars are already there, etc.

3. Abilities and experience of individuals. Make sure that each crew member is able to do their assignments (experience, mental state, and physical condition).

Step II. Conduct the Job Briefing.

A. Explain work or task to employees.

1. What is to be done.

2. Why it is to be done.

3. When it is to be done.

4. Where it is to be done.

5. How it is to be done. Everyone needs to understand what signals will be used. If radio, know the condition of the radio and verify the correct radio channel.

6. Who is to do it. Who will open and secure gates, line switches, line derails, make the cut or joint, protect the move?

7. What safety precautions are necessary. All crew members must know that the following are done:

Gates open, switches lined, derails lined, cars not attached to the facility (plates and hoses removed), cars secured before coupling, sufficient room has been verified for the move, etc. Identify close clearances and bad footing. Engineers must not move until direction and distance has been received, and must stop within ½ the distance specified unless further instructions are received.

B. Discuss existing or potential hazards and way to eliminate or protect against them.

C. Make definite work assignments.

1. Make sure employees understand assignments.

2. Ask questions of the "how" and "why" type.

D. If special tools, materials, equipment, or methods are to be used, make sure employees know how to proceed safely.

E. Issue all instructions clearly and concisely; check to see that they are understood by all members of the crew, including the engineer.

Step III. Job Brief for Special Conditions.

A. Complex Jobs.

1. Brief only a portion of the job.

2. Give additional briefing as the job progresses.

B. Change in job conditions - when it becomes necessary to change plans and procedures as the job progresses, brief employees on these changes. (As examples: the weather condition changes, or use of a third party to relay messages)

Step IV. Follow up by Supervisor.

It is important that frequent checks be made as the job progresses to be sure that:

1. Your plans are being followed and correct work methods are used.

2. Each person is carrying out the assigned responsibilities.

3. Any hidden hazards have been identified and action initiated to eliminate them or what precautions are required.

Step V. Individual Responsibility.

All employees are responsible to see that the work plan is carried out according to the Job Briefing or modified when conditions change.

When on or in engines, cars, cabooses or other equipment, anticipate and protect yourself from sudden stops, starts, slack action, excessive lateral, or unexpected motions.When duties require moving around in equipment, be adequately braced, maintain a firm hand hold and sit down quickly and safely.  Unless duties require otherwise, remain seated when stopping, entering or leaving initial or final terminals. Stay out of cars being or about to be switched and notify all occupants before switching cars. When above normal vertical or lateral motion is detected on a locomotive, the train dispatcher should be notified.  Engineer will reduce speed to a level that provides a normal ride.

70.3: Job Briefing

Use the Job Briefing process:Before work begins, when all persons, including employees and contractors, are present. After work begins, if person(s) arrive who missed the original job briefing. When changes occur to the work plan or conditions change. When working in groups be aware of the work and movement of other group members and equipment. Each work plan must consider hazards, assign specific responsibilities, and explain those assignments.

Questions:

How can we adapt to changes to keep ourselves safe?
-Do Job Briefings insure no one is in the wrong place at the wrong time?-Does communication, job briefings, elimination of mental vacations, looking out for each other and 100 percent rules compliance help us reach our safety goals?

The 3 ingredients required to work safely.