[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 27, Volume 7]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1917.17]

[Page 193]
 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR
 
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 
                          OF LABOR (CONTINUED)
 
PART 1917--MARINE TERMINALS--Table of Contents
 
                  Subpart B--Marine Terminal Operations
 
Sec. 1917.17  Railroad facilities.

    (a) Work shall be performed in railcars only if floors of the 
railcars are in visibly safe condition for the work activity being 
conducted and equipment being used.
    (b) A route shall be established to allow employees to pass to and 
from places of employment without passing under, over or through 
railcars, or between cars less than 10 feet (3 m) apart on the same 
track.
    (c) The employer shall direct that no employees remain in railcars 
after work is concluded.
    (d) Railcars shall be chocked or otherwise prevented from moving:
    (1) While dockboards or carplates are in position; or
    (2) While employees are working within, on or under the railcars or 
near the tracks at the ends of the cars.
    (e) When employees are working in, on, or under a railcar, positive 
means shall be taken to protect them from exposure to impact from moving 
railcars.
    (f) Before cars are moved, unsecured and overhanging stakes, wire 
straps, banding and similar objects shall be removed or placed so as not 
to create hazards.
    (g) The employer shall institute all necessary controls during 
railcar movement to safeguard personnel. If winches or capstans are 
employed for movement, employees shall stand clear of the hauling rope 
and shall not stand between the rope and the cars.
    (h) Before being opened fully, doors shall be opened slightly to 
ensure that the load has not shifted during transit. Special precautions 
shall be taken if the doors being opened are visibly damaged.
    (i) If powered industrial trucks are used to open railcar doors, the 
trucks or the railcar doors shall be equipped with door opening 
attachments. Employees shall stand clear of the railcar doors while they 
are being opened and closed.
    (j) Only railcar door openers or powered industrial trucks equipped 
with door opening attachments shall be used to open jammed doors.
    (k) Employees shall not remain in or on gondolas or flat cars when 
drafts that create overhead, caught-in, caught-between or struck-by 
hazards are being landed in or on the railcar; end gates, if raised, 
shall be secured.
    (l) Operators of railcar dumps shall have an unrestricted view of 
dumping operations and shall have emergency means of stopping movement.
    (m) Recessed railroad switches shall be enclosed to provide a level 
surface.
    (n) Warning signs shall be posted where doorways open onto tracks, 
at blind corners and at similar places where vision may be restricted.
    (o) Warning signs shall be posted if insufficient clearance for 
personnel exists between railcars and structures.

[48 FR 30909, July 5, 1983, as amended at 62 FR 40197, July 25, 1997]