Page 76 - SWD Safety & Health Handbook

difficult to apply or release, do not force it. Report it to your
supervisor.

Table 1 provides minimum guidelines for the number of hand
brakes that are required. Site-specific circumstances such as
grade, number of cars and whether they are empty or full, as
well as other conditions need to be considered. Conduct a
proper risk assessment to determine if additional hand brakes
need to be set.

MINIMUM HAND BRAKE CHART
Number of Cars in Hand Brakes
String Needed
1-2 1
3-9 2
10-19 3
20-29 4
30-39 5
40-49 6
50-59 7
60-69 8
70-79 9
80-89 10
90 + 11
Table 1

Important information on hand brakes

13-131 A single railcar must ALWAYS be left with a single hand brake
applied.

13-132 More than two cars ALWAYS require at least TWO hand brakes.

13-133 If a railcar has a defective hand brake, call Customer Service and
ensure the car is coupled to another car with an effective hand
brake and/or wheels are blocked.

13-134 Individual blocks of cars must be secured with hand brakes on
each block.

13-135 Hand brakes must be applied on cars at the low end of a
downward sloping track.

13-136 Employees are prohibited from applying or releasing hand brakes
located on the END of rail cars from a position on the ground
unless using an approved brake stick. Hand brakes located on the
END of a rail car must only be operated with the employee
positioned on the brake platform if the hand brake will be released
by hand. Proper fall prevention/protection is required when
performing work at elevated heights. When necessary to occupy
the “Red Zone” for hand brake operation, 3-Step Protection must
be provided.
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