NYC track workers’ deaths - 25 since 1980

admin » 03 May 2007 » In NYC, Signaling devices, underground systems »

Probably about 25 more than necessary, one would think.

Two NYC Transit Authority track workers have been killed, and one critically injured, within the last month, in two incidents. Basic reporting here via NY1.

What track workers have are flashlights, reflective vests and helmets.

What they don’t have includes:

  • radios to speak with each other and supervisors
  • any sort of automated system to allow dispatchers and train operators to know they’re there (they depend on “flaggers,” colleagues with hand-held flags

Twenty-five have been killed since 1980, according to Newsday

A good 2003 piece from the New York Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH)

Gothamist’s coverage, with a lovely photograph.

I’m quite certain that I heard a WNYC report this morning that there had been reports that in one of the incidents - a supervisor had attempted to engage an electrical safety system - to turn off the third rail which had failed. Thus far, am not able to find a reference.  JS

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