The Yellow columns and horizontal trusses support the guide rail that fall arrest devices travel on. Employees required to climb the covered hopper cars to open roof hatches for loading, wear a fall arrest harness connected to retractable life line that's in turn connected to a trolley that runs on the lower side of the horizontal trusses. If the employee falls while performing his work, to either side of the car, or between the ends of the cars, his fall is stopped. Two of the retractable cable devices are visible directly over the word (Minnesota) on the side of #2002. The employee is able to move at a walking or climbing pace, but should he trip or fall the increase in cable speed causes the device to grip the cable instantly. In most cases the employee is able to regain his perch and continue working, if he can't regain his former perch, for instance if he fell over the side of the car and the car was ice covered, then his fall is stopped and he is recoverable. These devices have prevented many serious injuries and deaths.
|
|