NTSB: Crew In Fatal Accident Did Not Follow Safety Measures

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal investigators reviewing a fatal railroad accident in Minneapolis say several safety measures were not followed by the work crew.

The National Transportation Safety Board investigated the May 2015 death of a BNSF Railway foreman who was killed by a track panel as the crew worked to unload the panels from flat cars.

The NTSB says that contrary to regulations, the work crew unloading the panels did not review the job and its risks beforehand. It says the inexperienced fork lift operator continued to unload the panels, despite being alerted that a train was approaching on an adjacent track. The investigators say the guidance on protection from the adjacent track was also unclear.

The NTSB says BNSF has since formalized a training process for heavy equipment operators.

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