Hiring a Signal Contractor

In recent years, the railroad industry has changed considerably as short line railroads are consolidated, and large players are moving into the contracting field. Meanwhile, many changes are taking place in the labor market, all of which are beyond the control of employers.

It’s no secret that every industry is having difficulty finding employees with the “hands-on” skills and the self-discipline needed to study and absorb in-depth technical concepts. Railroad signal contractors are not only faced with this problem. Furthermore, finding individuals with prior railroad signal and communications experience can be difficult due to the highly specialized nature of the industry.

Because it is difficult to find individuals with prior railroad signal and communications experience, it is necessary to recruit individuals who demonstrate the ability to learn and apply technical knowledge. Our experience indicates that an intensive course in basic electrical/electronic theory followed by practical, hands-on exercises and then supervision on the job for a period of time is necessary. Unfortunately, one will occasionally find signal contractors who pay lip service to the training process. Some provide just a few days training before pushing an unqualified individual into the field to service life-critical equipment. As one might imagine, the small cost savings associated with the use of unqualified personnel expose a railroad to massive liabilities.

Shortline and regional railroads should be aware of the significant liabilities associated with employing personnel who are underqualified. For example, should an accident occur in which an employee or motorist is injured at a grade crossing, the plaintiff’s attorney will do what attorney’s do best…he will dig for any data, relevant or not, that can be used to call the railroad’s practices into question, even if the signal system was functioning normally. As one insurance official said,” lawyers don’t sue coal mines, they sue railroads.” Without digging deeply into the dynamics of this FACT, it can be argued that the Class One railroads bring this upon the railroad industry by often settling out of court, thereby offering carrot rather than stick to a legal profession, which claims to do “god’s work” but at the commission of 40-percent.

The above is a long-about way to reach this simple point: When selecting a signal contractor, one shouldn’t confuse fancy advertisements with competency, nor should they look at the cost of testing and maintenance services alone. In our experience creating in-house signal departments from scratch, proper signalman training takes some time in the form of both classroom instruction and on-the-job training in which a new employee is shadowed and advised by a qualified individual.

Railroads seeking contract testing and maintenance should ask these questions BEFORE entering into a contract:

1. Are the contractor employees subjected to a background check? 

2. Have any of the current employees been dismissed from another railroad for significant safety or rules violations, failed drug and alcohol tests, or the like? While people are entitled to second chances and while people can change, company policies should be in place to make a reasonable determination of suitability for employment in a safety-sensitive, life-critical position.

3. How many weeks of training are provided for new employees? This can serve as a good barometer to determine if the required knowledge and skills are in place. It is important to understand that the ability to perform the required FRA tests is only a small portion of the signal or communications maintainer’s job. The far more important task is the ability to troubleshoot and safely correct deficiencies. These more complex skills are the ones that can result in significant safety hazards.

4. Is the training provided for the contractor’s employees from an independent third-party organization? Does the training plan include the working knowledge of basic electrical and electronic theory needed to understand complex systems and devices? Should an accident occur, a lawyer will certainly look into the training, education, and experience of the maintainers involved. If found wanting, the railroad will pay the price through joint and several liability with the contractor.

5. Has the contractor been associated with FRA violations? For example, a railroad recently reported that a well-known contractor was associated with an FRA violation involving non-secured signal equipment on more than one occasion. The task of applying locks on cabinets, gate mechanisms or electrical disconnects is certainly not a high-level task, and the failure to address this easy and common FRA requirement likely indicates the contractor’s employee was either overworked or underqualified for the job..

6. What processes are in place to assure quality control? Is a qualified (?) supervisor present on the property periodically to ensure work is performed properly? Is this specified in your contract? 

In summary. Do not confuse aggressive sales and marketing with competence in railroad signaling and communications. let’s apply an analogy; If you suffer a major heart attack and require the services of a cardiologist, are you going to seek out the medical doctor who advertises the most on television, or are you going to make inquiries to locate a cardiologist who has earned the respect of his peers? Think of this analogy the next time you write a check to a signal contractor.

Signal and Communications Associates, LLC     (844) 9SIGNAL    (844) 974-4625