Category: Safety Alert
Driverless Vehicles Raise Serious Concerns
The influx of recent headlines makes it clear: when it comes to autonomous vehicles, safety usually takes a back seat. This poses a danger to both our rail and bus members. Read on to learn how one incident in Texas reignited these concerns and why new technology must support safety and workers.
Sens Josh Hawley and Tammy Baldwin Prove Again Why SMART-TD Endorsed
A bipartisan rail safety push is gaining momentum from Senators Josh Hawley and Tammy Baldwin after the introduction of the Secure Tracks Act. Read on to learn how this bill aims to ensure automation is a tool for railroaders but not a replacement!
PRESS RELEASE: Bipartisan Railway Safety Act Delivers Critical List of Reforms
More than three years after the devastating East Palestine derailment, the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2026 aims to enact major reforms born out of the lessons learned from this disaster. Read on to learn more about what the legislation does, including why SMART-TD is proud to endorse it.
Digital Work Reports Demand Accountability Before Disaster Strikes
For years, the Locomotive Work Report has been a critical part of railroad safety. Ensuring the safety of operating crews and providing the Federal Railroad Administration with a direct compliance window, the effectiveness of these documents is now in jeopardy as carriers quietly move them to digital tablets. Read on to learn why this simple act of modernization has created a dangerous gap in accountability.
Safety Starts With Us
Rail Carriers and Transit Agencies have shifted injury and safety hazard reporting out of crew rooms and into less accessible digital systems. Read on to see how SMART-TD aims to restore real-time hazard awareness and empower members and local officers to protect one another on the job.
BNSF Seeks Dangerous RCO Waiver
BNSF has asked the FRA for permission to weaken safety for our RCO operators. Read on for details on the latest example of profits over people and how SMART-TD responded.
I’m Not Qualified =’s I’m Not Doing It!
Railroad workers are consistently pressured into taking unsafe assignments they are not trained or qualified to perform. Read on to see SMART-TD’s clear warning that no job, favor, or friendly manager routine is worth risking your life or career, and why saying no to unsafe work is both your right and your responsibility.
Railroads Have Short Memories: East Palestine 3 Years Later
Ohio State Safety & Legislative Director Clyde Whitaker reflects on the 3rd anniversary of the East Palestine derailment with a powerful commentary. Despite new laws and promises, the railroads are still playing the same dangerous games with safety. Read on to see how crews are still being pressured to ignore defect detector warnings and keep trains moving, proving that profits continue to come before people.