WASHINGTON (Sept. 21, 2026) — The National Transportation Safety Board today issued safety recommendations urging the rail industry to end the practice of requiring workers to ride rail equipment to provide point protection during shoving movements.
The recommendations call on railroads and the Federal Railroad Administration to prohibit the practice, require safer alternatives, and identify hazards before operations begin.
"Railroad workers deserve a safe workplace and should never have to risk their lives to do their jobs," said NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy. "Our investigations have repeatedly shown that riding moving rail equipment can have deadly consequences. Railroads have safer alternatives, and they should use them."
During a shoving movement, a locomotive pushes railcars while a worker ensures the track ahead is clear. Some railroads allow workers to perform this task while riding on the lead railcar.
Workers riding railcars face numerous hazards, including falls from moving equipment, being struck by vehicles at highway-railroad grade crossings, and being pinned or crushed during collisions or derailments. Employees can also be thrown from equipment or trapped between railcars and nearby structures.
Since October 2020, the NTSB has investigated 16 accidents involving workers riding rail equipment during shoving movements. Fourteen workers were killed and two were seriously injured. Since August, NTSB has opened two additional investigations.
The NTSB found that federal regulations do not adequately address these risks and do not consistently require crews to identify hazards before work begins. Important risk factors can include limited visibility, close clearances, track and walkway conditions, grade crossings, switches, and derails.
Safer alternatives are available, including providing point protection from the ground, using vehicles, cameras, and other technologies that allow crews to monitor the track ahead without riding rail equipment.
"Repeated accidents that seriously injure or kill railroad workers are unacceptable," said NTSB Vice Chairman Michael Graham. "These recommendations provide a safer path forward by reducing unnecessary exposure to hazards and strengthening pre-job hazard assessments."
The NTSB recommends that railroads conduct and document site-specific hazard assessments before work begins. The assessments should evaluate environmental and operational hazards, available alternatives to riding equipment, and the safest method of providing point protection. Findings should be discussed with employees during pre-job safety briefings.
“Railroads can better protect workers during shoving movements by requiring pre-job hazard assessments, safety briefings and alternatives to riding equipment,” said NTSB Board Member Tom Chapman. “These measures will help ensure every rail worker goes home safely.”
“This report shows that the same safety issues continue to cause rail worker deaths and injuries,” said NTSB Board Member John DeLeeuw. “Moving rail equipment safely should not expose employees to unacceptable risk.”
As a result of its investigations, the NTSB recommends that the Federal Railroad Administration and Class I railroads:
- Prohibit workers from riding rail equipment to provide point protection during shoving movements and require safer alternatives.
- Conduct, document, and regularly update site-specific hazard assessments before work begins.
- Share hazard assessment findings with employees performing the work.
- Address identified hazards during pre-job safety briefings.
The NTSB is also recommending that the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association:
- Inform its members about the risks associated with riding rail equipment during shoving movements.
The
full report is available on the NTSB website.
To report an incident/accident or if you are a public safety agency, please call 1-844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290 to speak to a Watch Officer at the NTSB Response Operations Center (ROC) in Washington, DC (24/7).
