Page 4 - October 2021 Track N Times

FEATURE STORY

Machine Upkeep Continued

cal boxes, hydraulic leaks, loose hardware, belts/buckets/blades. This takes stress off the machine superintendent
and puts ownership and engagement back on to the crew as well. This is a win-win for everybody. We do not audit
machines once a month with an FSEA and call it good. We need to be doing visual audits daily, utilizing the whole
crew to know what to look and listen for, and getting those deficiencies fixed as soon as possible.
Clear Priorities: Safety is our number one priority. Safety depends on a safe operation and a safe machine. We
have a high emphasis on safety in everything we do from the job briefing, to KBYG, to LOTO, to Life Saving Deci-
sions, to Engaged topics hung in our cabs, to 5-step forms for maintenance tasks. Keeping the machine in the best
state of repair possible is just as important. We need work lights to be operational for night shifts, we need ladders
and walkways clear of any spills that could cause a fall, we need electrical wires unable to provide exposure to a
‘shock’, we need hot rail systems and horns to provide safety to our crews and the public. There is a reason that

machine upkeep is just as important as our on-track safety. Living this mindset can provide a lot of motivation on
keeping up on machine condition. We have a right and obligation to know how we are protected before taking the
track and while operating. We also have a right and obligation to know that our machine is safe for everyone. We
cannot have ‘on-track safety’ without a safe machine. I challenge everyone to identify and fix an issue you find on
your machine. Fleet wide, if every employee completed one fix tomorrow, that would be 800+ areas of improve-
ment that add to our safety.
The last 18 months have been extremely challenging for the fleet. From Covid related stress, to reduced manage-
ment visits, to being short on people, to new customer demands, to parts shortages, all have all added up to a very
real feeling of exhaustion. It is not going unnoticed. The fleet continues to operate at a high level despite these addi-
tional challenges. This article was a reminder that although we are mentally and physically drained, we cannot lose
focus on what is important in our operation. We are one team, and everyone in the office and in the fleet wants
our operation to succeed, and we all are willing to help in any way possible. Keep the entire crew involved, plan
your work, and then execute that plan and we will stay on the path to success.

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Volume 2 : Issue 9