Common injuries affecting conductors and engineers
The physical demands of train service can lead to a wide range of injuries and occupational conditions, including:
- Back and neck injuries
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Herniated discs
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Fractures
- Crush and caught-between injuries
- Hearing loss and tinnitus
- Cumulative trauma injuries
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Injuries related to whole-body vibration
- Burns and electrical injuries
Conductors and engineers may also face fatigue-related safety risks because of irregular schedules, nighttime work, long tours of duty, and the need for sustained attention. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) research has documented significant fatigue among both conductors and locomotive engineers during train operations.
How these injuries can happen
For conductors and engineers, the mechanism of injury often matters just as much as the diagnosis.
Common scenarios may include:
- Sudden or excessive slack action
- Hard coupling or train movement
- Falls while mounting or dismounting equipment
- Slips or trips on ballast, walkways, or locomotive steps
- Defective seats or poor locomotive cab conditions
- Unexpected switching movements
- Struck-by or caught-between incidents
- Train collisions or derailments
- Repetitive climbing, bending, or lifting
- Long-term exposure to locomotive vibration
- Repeated exposure to high noise levels
- Defective brakes, steps, handholds, or other equipment
The FRA also regulates occupational noise exposure for employees who operate equipment and requires hearing conservation measures when covered workers are exposed at or above specified levels.
Safety bulletin
Injured while working as a conductor or engineer? Do this now.
1
Get medical care
Seek appropriate medical attention and explain how the injury happened, including the movement, equipment, task, or working conditions involved.
2
Document the train and assignment
Record the locomotive number, train symbol or number, location, crew members, assignment, and the work being performed at the time of the injury.
3
Preserve details about the movement or condition
If slack action, a switching movement, defective equipment, a fall, or another operating condition contributed to the injury, write down exactly what happened while the details are fresh.
4
Identify witnesses
Record the names of crew members, yard employees, dispatchers, supervisors, or others who witnessed the incident or were aware of the condition involved.
5
Be accurate when reporting the injury
Describe what happened and the conditions 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 conductor or engineer injury follows a single accident.
Years of climbing on and off equipment, riding locomotives, exposure to vibration, repetitive movements, irregular work positions, lifting, and long periods in the cab can contribute to conditions affecting the back, neck, shoulders, knees, hands, and other parts of the body.
Hearing loss can also develop gradually after years of exposure to locomotive engines, horns, mechanical equipment, and other high-noise environments.
When symptoms develop over time, documenting your work history can be particularly important. Record the jobs you performed, the equipment you worked around, the physical demands of the work, the approximate years of exposure, and when symptoms first began.
How FELA may apply
The Federal Employers’ Liability Act, or FELA, allows covered railroad employees to recover damages when railroad negligence contributes, in whole or in part, to an injury. The law specifically addresses injuries resulting from negligence or defects in railroad cars, engines, appliances, machinery, track, roadbed, and other equipment.
For conductor and engineer injuries, an investigation may examine issues such as:
- Train handling and slack action
- Locomotive condition
- Equipment maintenance
- Switching procedures
- Crew communication
- Staffing
- Work methods
- Cab seating and ergonomics
- Walking and working surfaces
- Noise exposure
- Prior complaints
- Training and operating procedures
What a conductor or engineer FELA case may be worth
There is no standard value for a conductor or engineer injury claim.
The value of a FELA case can depend on the severity of the injury, medical treatment, whether the worker can return to train service, lost earnings, future work restrictions, long-term medical needs, and the evidence showing how railroad negligence contributed to the injury.
Evidence that may matter
Important evidence can include:
- Locomotive event recorder data: Depending on the incident, data may help establish speed, braking, throttle position, train movement, or other operating information.
- Radio and crew communications: These may help document instructions, warnings, switching movements, and communications before an injury.
- Locomotive inspection and maintenance records: These can be important when seats, steps, handholds, brakes, cab conditions, or other equipment are involved.
- Photos and video: Images can document the condition of equipment, walking surfaces, cabs, or other hazards before they change.
- Medical records: Treatment records can help document the injury, symptoms, restrictions, and the condition’s effects on the worker over time.
- Work and assignment records: Crew assignments, work history, hours, and other records may help establish the circumstances surrounding the injury or long-term exposure.