Does investing in technology reduce railroad worker injuries?

Railroad workers face numerous safety hazards on the job. Their daily tasks often expose them to various risks, including equipment malfunction, falls and collisions. The good news is that using new technology has significantly improved workers’ safety conditions.

Here are some modern advancements that can help protect railroad workers and prevent injuries:

• Wearable technology, such as smart glasses or sensors, can monitor fatigue, prevent collisions and enhance communication.
• Machine learning can help in predicting and preventing equipment failure.
• Autonomous vehicles can transport workers to and from job sites for inspection and maintenance tasks.
• Using drones for railroad track inspection and monitoring can be a safer alternative to workers physically inspecting tracks.
• Virtual reality simulating hazardous situations in a controlled environment can provide training for workers without exposure to real-life risks.

These great new solutions are indeed beneficial. However, proper implementation and maintenance are necessary to ensure they work effectively.

Will my employer be liable if I get injured because they did not invest in these technologies?

In general, employers have a legal duty to provide their employees with a safe working environment. This includes taking reasonable steps to prevent accidents and injuries. If your employer fails to take reasonable steps to prevent accidents, which lead to your injury, pursuing a personal injury claim may be possible.

However, to successfully pursue a lawsuit against your employer, you would need to prove that your employer had a duty to invest in these technologies, that your employer breached that duty, and that this breach was the direct cause of your injury or injury harm.

It may also be necessary to establish that the technology in question was available and reasonably feasible for the employer to invest in.

If you believe your employer has failed to provide a safe working environment, speaking with an attorney who can guide your legal options may be advisable.

While these technologies offer promising solutions for preventing injuries among railroad workers, it is important to note that they are not a silver bullet. However, it will offer great benefits if employers invest in these new technologies to ensure the safety of their employees.