I have heard from many train crews that you have to wear ear plugs in some locomotives. If this is true what locomotives do you have to wear them in?
I don’t know about particular models but every time I go on a cab ride on the Union Pacific, eye protection and ear plugs are manditory. At least hard hats are not required yet (in the cab).
Earplugs are required on any locomotive.
Dave H.
We were told that earplugs were manditory if the windows were open, optional if closed.
In my service unit before I left earplugs were required within 100ft of any operating locomotive, or inside the cab with the doors/windows open. Personally…i liked them in all the time.
ear plugs are only required on locomotives with air horns that are mounted on cab roofs… horns mounting on the long hood of the body…ear plugs are not required regardless of locomotive model… also ear plugs are requried outside the cab within 100 feet of a running locomotive…
csx engineer
Are the ear plugs required because of the high decimal level? I know it sounds like a silly question, but since I have never been in a cab running at speed, I am not aware of the noise level.
As one who had ear damage as a teen, I can certainly understand the need.
ed
the horn is the issue at hand… you hear what a horn sounds like standing beside it next to the tracks…imagan being in a cab with it only a few feet from your ear for hours at a time and crossings to blow for… as far as noise in the cab…it can be loud…but not as loud as the horn… most of the time you hear a whinning sound from the engin room…and alot of rattleing of stuff that is mounted to the cab walls… but it is more of an anyoance then a hearing dammange issue…
csx engineer
I’ve been in DASH9s and SD40-2s on the BNSF,SD90MACs on the UP, and SD70s on the IC and no engineer or conductor was wearing earplugs.
I can understand that… I split my ear drum open last summer. I finnaly got that fixed in June.
Hard hats ARE required in the service facilities. The train crews don’t wear them but those who work on the mechanical side do.
I’d assume the older units are probably worse, even with the windows closed. I remember I use to see some Amtrak crews using those David Clark headsets on the old 40’s. That would probably be best, since you could still hear the radio.
Dave
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The noise level in an SD40-2 in N8 at track speed is around 85dB. Higher with the horn blowing.
The EMD “Whisper cab” is always below 80dB with the windows shut - no need for hearing protection, but I guess the RRs need a universal rule…
I know I often hear an awful racket in the background when I hear crews talking to the DS on the radio, or perhaps coordinating some switching. And that’s not counting the horn. Tends to make me wonder why ($$$ notwithstanding) the railroads haven’t embraced the kind of earphones the fire service is now using (and such has been used in small aircraft for years). They cut down ambient noise, serve as an intercom (no yelling across the cab), and can be used to talk on the radio. We have them in our pumper and love them.
I, too, have some hearing loss (not to mention some ringing) and it’s not fun. Recently saw some coverage about the dangers of “ear bud” headphones. The “rule” is that if the person next to you can sing along with the song you’re listening to, you’ve got them too loud…
Which reminds me, I should probably take some earplugs along when I go for my cab rides on the Adirondack.
Previous OSHA & State/Corporate Workplace regs are now becoming conventional wisdom…if the sound levels are 85 to 90 db for more than 6 to 8 hrs in the workplace, then hearing protection is a must.
This also goes for machine shops, factories, foundries, large equipment operation (like trains or aircraft), and the use of loud noise generating equipment (leaf blowers, lawn mowers, jack hammers).
Protection is cheaper health care than years with diminished hearing, deafness and costs associated with hearing aids.
Not all workplaces have requirements…theaters, audio/visual studios and those who use telephones all day each have to deal with issues of loudness and hearing issues. However, unlike a train with a schedule and relentless operation, those people can take brakes and moderate their exposure. Railroaders under their set of working conditions cannot.
HTH
Mark
ear plugs are required on all LOADING engines that are not GE wide body . ( as long as windows are closed) other wise ear plugs are required on all loading engines or with in 100 ft of a loading engine. and the truth be known its a good idea to wear them all the time on engines.
Here at the NSSR, earplugs are not required. A few crewmwmbers I know where them, mostly in our NW5, becasue that thing is loud! Also, being in a GP30 in N8 blowing full out for a crossing(the Leslie P5 is mounted on the cab roof) is VERY loud!
I see many crews wearing earplugs.