Last month, the rail industry marked the 40th anniversary of the Staggers Rail Act of 1980. This federal law was – and still is – widely seen as saving an industry that was “on the brink of ruin,” according to the trade group Association of American Railroads (AAR)....
Blog
CSX ordered to reinstate whistleblowing employee
It takes a lot of courage to blow the whistle on the company you work for. If you look at the fate of two of the U.S.’s most famous whistleblowers, you might decide to stay quiet. Chelsea Manning was sentenced to 35 years in jail for whistleblowing on American war...
Chemical, biological and radioactive exposure and the railway
As a railway worker, there is something that you may need to be cautious of. On some trains, hazardous materials could be taken from one place to another. Unfortunately, if there is a leak or you are exposed, you could be injured. It is important that all workers have...
Can a train be derailed with a penny?
As someone who works on the railroad, you’ve probably heard about the myth that a single penny or quarter could derail a train. The good news for you is that putting a penny on the tracks isn’t likely to cause the train any trouble at all. However, as a railroad...
Can you receive compensation for a railroad qui tam action?
As a railroad worker, you may be able to command a premium for the wages that you earn. Job security and a decent income are hard to come by, so a great position with a stable company can make you very reticent to take any action that might put your job at risk....
Hazardous chemical exposure on the railways
Railroad workers can come into contact with a host of materials. Some of these are hazardous materials. While there are specific guidelines for how these must be handled, there’s a chance that the workers who may come into contact with them might not be properly...
The FRSA offers rail workers protection against retaliation
The Federal Rail Safety Act (FRSA) was created to protect rail workers from retaliation. While trains are one of the safest forms of travel, accidents happen, and people get injured, be they, workers or customers. Those who work on the rail system are in a prime...
The railroad company can’t punish you for voicing safety concerns
Railroad transportation may not be as common as motor vehicle transportation or flying, but it is still one of the more common ways that people and products move around the country. Unlike buses and motorized passenger vehicles, trains can carry dozens if not hundreds...
What is the purpose of the Federal Employers Liability Act?
The Federal Employers Liability Act is important if you’re a railroad employee. FELA is the act that guarantees your coverage in case you are hurt or killed on the job. Unlike in other industries, this is not workers’ compensation. Instead, it is coverage for those...
How dangerous is railroad work, really?
The railroad was one of the foundations of America, allowing quick transportation across a massive continent. Things certainly have changed over the years, with the invention of planes and the interstate highway system, but the railroad remains a fixture of the...