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Rail Yard Safety Training & Certification
Hard Hat Training courses meet all training requirements set by OSHA and Canada.
We Offer Three Types of Rail Yard Safety Trainings
Our regulation-aligned Rail Yard Safety certification courses are updated to reflect the most recent changes made to safety standards. Whether you want a certification in as little as two hours, or a more robust training, we can help! We offer online trainings that can be completed in a day, DIY training kits that provide training materials, Train the Trainer certifications that certify individuals to train others and provide training materials, or onsite training. No matter what you choose, we can get you what you want, at a price you can afford.
Online Training
Online training is for those who prefer self-paced training from any location and/or for employers who need to assign and monitor employee training progress and exam scores.
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Training Kits
The training kit is for those who want the freedom of doing the training themselves. It is an PowerPoint Presentation (PPT) that you can present yourself to a group of trainees.
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Train the Trainer
Train the Trainer courses are online and meant to certify a individual to use the training kit to train others. Training kit and materials are included with the Train the Trainer online course for no additional cost.
Purchase OptionsWhat’s in the Rail Yard Safety Training Course?
Our railcar mover safety training course is OSHA Aligned, and our online version fulfills OSHA’s classroom training requirement.
Training Scope: Each class contains the following information:
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- Safe Operations
- PPE
- On the Rails
- Near Machines
- Working On, Inside, or Under Equipment
- Blue Flag Rules
- Communication
- Flags
- Safe Operations
This presentation includes intermittent practice quiz questions to prepare for the final written exam included with the course. In addition to the written exam, this course also includes a checklist for employers to use when administering a practical exam as required by OSHA.
Estimated Training Length: Because everyone learns and progresses at different speeds, the amount of time you spend taking this training will vary. However, the estimated time for this training is 1.5 – 2 hours.
Intended Audience:
- Employees
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For most courses, we offer OSHA trainings in English and Spanish, CAL/OSHA trainings in English, and Canada trainings in English. See all of our options!
View Purchase OptionsRail Yard Safety Certification Standards
U.S. Standards
Canada Standards
Train the Trainer Certification
The Train the Trainer option is used to certify a trainer to teach others using the included training kit. It incorporates the online course with an additional train the trainer module, as well as the training kit. This option results in an regulation-aligned lifetime trainer certification from Hard Hat Training. This certification is not company-specific, meaning you can take it with you should you change employers.
Why Do I Need Rail Yard Safety Training?
In line with OSHA requirements, anyone who works with electricity must receive training prior to working on their own. OSHA requirements for refresher training related to forklifts or other processes are very specific. Most other equipment doesn’t have such specific requirements, but it’s wise to follow the same guidelines.
When it comes to refresher training, OSHA’s standard in some instances (like forklifts) are very specific: operators must be re-evaluated every three years to see if they are still competent to operate the equipment. Best practices say to apply this same rule to all types of equipment. A so-called “free-pass” cannot be awarded based on experience, age, or time on the job. The extent of the evaluation is to be determined by the employer but should include a written and practical examination that prove continued competency.
Stay Informed On All Things Rail Yard Safety
Did You Know?
It is estimated that trains kill one person every 100 minutes
Nearly 1,000 people are killed in train related accidents each year.
Occupants of vehicles that collide with a train have been calculated to be 40 times more likely to die than if they had collided with another vehicle of comparable size.
It takes at least a half mile for a train to stop, though it normally will take longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is rail yard safety training important for non-operating workers?
Trains and other heavy machinery found in a rail yard can be unpredictable and deadly. Anyone who works around such equipment needs to be aware of the hazards that surround them, even if they are not operating the equipment themselves. If they are not aware of the hazards, there could be catastrophic results.
What is the most important thing to remember when you are around a rail yard?
Always be aware of your surroundings. Anything can happen, and it only takes a split second for plans to change. You need the warning that your senses provide so that you can stay out of harm’s way.
How close can I safely get to a train or the other equipment?
It is a good rule of thumb to stay 15 feet away from trains, tracks, and other equipment. Things like rocks and other debris can get kicked up by the train and the tires of the machines on site and become projectiles that can seriously injure you. This distance also gives you plenty of time to react if train cars or equipment move unexpectedly.
How are employees protected when they are working on the tracks?
There are signs and lights that are collectively called the “blue flag signal.” This lets operators, conductors, and engineers know that there are workmen on the rails or on the equipment. These flags keep trains from entering the area where the workers are and keep the equipment being worked on from being moved.
What is the best way to move around a rail yard?
The short answer is you should move very carefully. There are certain paths that are designated walking areas. However, no matter where you are in the yard, you need to be aware of your surroundings and watch where you are going.
Why are train horns so loud?
Train horns can be anywhere from 96-110 decibels, but that is one of the most important pieces of equipment on a locomotive. Trains are surprisingly quiet without it. The horn is how the train engineer warns drivers, animals, and workers that it is coming. Especially at night, when visibility is low, the horn is the best way to warn those around the tracks that they need to make way for a train.
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For most courses, we offer OSHA trainings in English and Spanish, CAL/OSHA trainings in English, and Canada trainings in English. See all of our options!
View Purchase Options