NTSB Safety Alert: Unsecured Equipment on US Railroad Tracks

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Introduction

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a safety alert this week concerning the hazards of unsecured equipment movement on railroad tracks, following investigations into accidents between July 2024 and July 2025.

Background

The NTSB’s safety alert aims to mitigate risks to railroad employees, who are at significant risk of severe injury or death when accessing the track gauge without verifying that all track equipment is stationary and correctly secured.

Accident Investigations

The NTSB investigated five incidents between July 2024 and July 2025 where railroad employees sustained severe injuries or fatalities after being struck by unsecured equipment while working on the track.

Risk Factors

The safety alert highlighted several causes for unexpected equipment movement:

• Equipment may appear stationary but could roll unexpectedly due to accidental or incorrect brake release or the insufficient use of hand brakes.
• Rail cars coupled with locomotives may move if locomotive controls are not properly secured or if the engineer inadvertently operates the throttle, reverser, or brakes.

Safety Recommendations

The alert did not explicitly provide any safety recommendations.