Common injuries affecting bridge, building, and structures workers
The physical and environmental demands of railroad bridge and structure work can lead to injuries such as:
- Falls from heights
- Back and neck injuries
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Fractures
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has specific Bridge Worker Safety Standards that address hazards such as falls, scaffolding, work over or near water, and the use of personal protective equipment for employees working on railroad bridges.
How these injuries can happen
For bridge, building, and structural workers, injuries often involve working at heights, handling heavy materials, operating moving equipment, and working near active tracks.
Common scenarios may include:
- Falls from bridges, scaffolds, ladders, or structures
- Inadequate or defective fall protection
- Workers struck by trains or on-track equipment
- Crane, hoist, or rigging incidents
- Falling tools or materials
- Scaffold or platform failures
- Slips and trips on elevated or uneven surfaces
- Defective power tools or equipment
- Electrical hazards
- Unsafe lifting and material handling
- Repetitive climbing, bending, or carrying
- Work performed over or near water
FRA workplace safety rules require protections for railroad bridge workers, including fall protection and certain personal protective equipment. FRA also regulates on-track safety for roadway workers exposed to moving trains and railroad equipment.
Safety bulletin
Injured while working on a railroad bridge or structure? Do this now.
1
Get medical care
Seek appropriate medical attention and clearly explain how the injury occurred, including the structure, equipment, height, work activity, or conditions involved.
2
Document the work area and equipment
Record the location of the bridge or structure, scaffold, ladder, fall-protection system, crane, machinery, tools, or other equipment involved.
3
Preserve details about the movement
Write down whether the injury involved a fall, failed equipment, moving train, falling material, inadequate protection, or another unsafe condition while the details are still fresh.
4
Identify witnesses
Record the names of coworkers, supervisors, equipment operators, roadway workers, or others who witnessed the incident or were aware of the condition involved.
5
Be accurate when reporting the injury
Describe the equipment, work area, protective systems, and events that contributed to the injury. Avoid guessing about facts you do not know.
6
Talk to a FELA attorney before signing important documents
Statements, releases, authorizations, settlement documents, or other paperwork may affect your rights after a serious railroad injury.
Injuries that develop over time
Not every injury to a bridge, building, or structure results from a single accident.
Years of climbing, lifting materials, carrying tools, working in awkward positions, kneeling, bending, and performing repetitive construction and maintenance work can contribute to chronic back, neck, shoulder, knee, hand, and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Long-term exposure to machinery noise, vibration, welding fumes, lead, dust, solvents, and other workplace substances may also contribute to hearing loss or occupational illness. FRA’s current bridge-worker guidance notes that some occupational hazards, including lead exposure, respiratory protection, hearing protection, welding protection, and hazard communication, may also be governed by Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements.
When symptoms develop gradually, documenting your work history can be important. Record the work you performed, the structures and equipment involved, the physical demands, the substances encountered, the years of exposure, and when symptoms first appeared.
How FELA may apply
The Federal Employers’ Liability Act, or FELA, allows covered railroad employees to pursue damages when railroad negligence contributes in whole or in part to an injury.
For bridge, building, and structures workers, an investigation may examine issues such as:
- Fall protection
- Scaffolding and work platforms
- Ladders and access points
- On-track protection
- Cranes, hoists, and rigging
- Tools and machinery
- Personal protective equipment
- Training and qualification
- Staffing
- Lighting and worksite access
- Material handling practices
- Prior complaints or known hazards
FRA regulations under 49 CFR Part 214 establish workplace safety requirements for railroad bridge workers and roadway workers, including protections from falls and moving railroad equipment.
What a bridge, building, or structures worker FELA case may be worth
There is no standard value for a bridge, building, or structures worker injury claim.
The value of a FELA case can depend on the severity of the injury, medical treatment, whether the worker can return to railroad service, lost earnings, future restrictions, long-term medical needs, and the evidence showing how railroad negligence contributed to the injury.
Evidence that may matter
Important evidence can include:
- Fall-protection and safety records: These may show what protective systems were required, provided, inspected, and used for the work.
- Scaffold, ladder, and equipment records: Inspection and maintenance records may help establish whether defective or improperly maintained equipment contributed to the injury.
- Job briefings and work plans: These may document anticipated hazards, work procedures, protection from train movements, and assigned responsibilities.
- Photos and video: Images can preserve elevations, access points, scaffolding, equipment positions, work surfaces, and other conditions before they change.
- Training and qualification records: These may help establish whether employees received appropriate instruction for bridge work, fall protection, equipment operation, or on-track safety.
- Witness statements: Coworkers, supervisors, and equipment operators may provide important information about the work setup, protective measures, and events surrounding the injury.