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Whole-body vibration (WBV) injuries are quite common among railroad employees, and the consequences can be quite severe. As railroad trains move at high speeds along their tracks, the mechanical vibrations and shocks that are near-constant are transmitted to the crew members' bodies, resulting in cumulative-trauma injuries such as:
Constant vibration, hour after hour, whether lateral (sideways), vertical, or in multiple directions, is not a healthy part of a working environment. Any member of a train crew who experiences whole-body vibration as a regular part of the job is at risk of severe and disabling injury.
Vibration, Jolts, Shocks
In addition to vibration, a train's frequent stopping and starting often causes sudden jolts that (repeated again and again over time and coupled with the constant vibration of the moving trains) result in debilitating injuries. Such injuries usually develop over time, and their symptoms may not be clear at first. The symptoms may also come and go, and they usually get worse over time — especially when the person suffering the injury keeps on working and undergoing the damaging vibration/jolts.
Railroads Know about WBV Dangers
Railroad companies are well aware of the dangers of whole-body vibration. Internal company documents that we have obtained prove that the railroads have known about WBV injuries for at least the past 30 years, when the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) notified the railroads that they would have to dampen or otherwise decrease the levels of vibration in the locomotive cabs.
The FRA and the larger railroad companies (e.g., Union Pacific Railroad, Amtrak, CSX, Metro-North and Canadian Pacific) have identified a few types of locomotives that are particularly hard on the crew in light of whole-body vibration. These locomotives — including the SD70MACs and the SD90MACs — are the worst of the lot, but essentially all trains present the danger of WBV injuries.
WBV Contributing Factors
In addition to the train's vibrations and jolts, factors that contribute to WBV injuries include:
FELA and WBV Injuries
Both privately funded and government studies confirm the link between whole-body vibration and several types of injuries. The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) covers most WBV claims. Because theses injuries can be more complicated, since they develop over periods of time, it is crucial for injured railroad employees to consult an experienced FELA attorney before filing a claim.
For more information about your legal rights and your own unique circumstances, contact a railroad attorney today.
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