N&W in 1912--Railroaders' advice

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Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Sun., March 24, 1912

RAILROADERS' ADVICE TO RAILROAD MEN
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Clever Book of Epigrams and Sensible Pointers Has Just Been Issued
    George Bradshaw, railroad claim agent, has written a book which bears the title, "Prevention of Railroad Accidents."  The book is an excellent one and is published by the Norman W. Henley Publishing Company, Nassau street, New York City.
    Among the short sayings in the book which are intended to show how accidents may be prevented are the following:
    "Injure an experienced man, a new man must take his place. A new man is always an experiment. The new man to whom you extend the hand of fellowship today may run a car over you tomorrow.
    "Your efforts to correct unsafe conditions and prevent carelessness will make it safer for you and your fellow workmen.
    "What is most needed is automatic performances of one's duty rather than automatic mechanical devices.
    "Safely appliances are all right, but what we need is safe men to operate them.
    "A factory inspector chained to every machine wouldn't keep some men from getting.hurt.
    "It's easier to do a thing right than to explain how you did it wrong.
    "A minute of judgment is sometimes worth a day of energy.
    "You are responsible for the safety of others as well as of yourself.
    "When a railroad man takes chances, the lives and limbs of human beings are the stakes. Every man who gambles loses sometimes---generally many times---but you can't, afford to lose once.
    "You have no right to take chances. The other fellow may have to take the consequences.
    "Do things the way you are told. Then if trouble comes, it's up to the boss.
    "You are paid to comply with the rules. Have any right not to comply? Think of that when you sign the pay roll.
    "Don't think because an accident has not happened that it won't happen.
    "Do things right, then you won't have to put on gloves when you open personal letters from the boss.
    "To be careless, thoughtless or reckless means injury sooner or later to yourself or others.
    "Safety should be the first consideration of every employe.
Good Advice to Enginemen and Firemen.
    "Do your visiting before you leave the engine house.
    "Even if you do 'make it,' 'skin time' is poor clearance and risky business.
    "Don't depend too much on the water glass. Try gauge cocks.
    "Don't be afraid to blow the whistle and ring the bell. That's what they are there for.
    "Take the signals given you. The men on the ground can see better than you from the cab.
    "Never start an engine without first ringing the bell. Many serious injuries have resulted from failure to do this.
    "The book of rules says, read aloud and compare your train orders. This means just exactly what is says.
    "Spotting engines of trains at water plugs while passengers are getting on or off is liable to cause injury. Don't do it.
    "Don't fail to shove coal aprons and water plugs back into proper position when through using them. Think about the other fellow.
    "If you must go under the engine, 'hook her up on center,' open cylinder cocks and block one or more drivers. The other men may forget.
    "When running extra, sound whistle when approaching curves, where view is obstructed, to warn trackmen. It requires no effort on your part, and it means safety to men who have no other means of protection.
    "The book of rules says a signal imperfectly displayed, or the absence of a signal at a place where a signal is usually shown, must be regarded as a stop signal and the fact reported to the superintendent.  Many accidents have resulted from failure to do what this rule says. The company doesn't want chances taken. What right have you to take them?
Valuable Reminders to Trainmen and Yard Men.
    "The safe course is the best.
    "Don't try to open knuckles as cars are about to come together.
    "It takes less time to explain why you were late than to make out an accident report.
    "Never go under your train without being sure your engineer knows where you are.
    "An elderly or feeble person needs, and is entitled to, special attention, particularly in getting on and off trains.
    "When using stepping box, always say to passengers, 'Watch your step.'  It may prevent serious injury.
    "Study your schedule, but don't forget the book of rules contains some mighty important reading matter.
    ."Trainmen sometimes kick or otherwise move stepping box as passengers are about to step upon it. This should not be done.
    "When necessary to go back flagging, remember the lives of many persons are dependent upon you. You are paid to 'go back,' and there is no excuse for not going. Be sure you go far enough.
    "Be sure to warn teamsters and others working in and about cars before coupling to or moving cars. Men who are working in cars often want to remain inside while cars are being moved. Don't allow this.
    "Report all defects in equipment. It's then up to the other fellow to make necessary repairs. If an accident happens, it won't be your fault.
    "The conductor is in charge of the train. Let him and his men understand that. A good conductor sees that his men attend to business.
    "Don't get careless in walking through yards. Many experienced trainmen are run over by trains. You may be the next one if you don't use your eyes and ears when on or about tracks.
    "When flagging, don't stand near gang of men at work on track. The engineer, not being able to see the track beyond the men, may mistake the reason of the signal and make a violent and unnecessary application of the air.
    "Don't place torpedoes near where trackmen are working, if it can be reasonably avoided, and when necessary to do so, notify the men.  Don't place them very near highway crossings.  Pieces of exploding torpedoes are thrown a considerable distance, and often cause injuries by striking persons.
    "Don't go between moving cars, or engine and car for any purpose whatever. The usual reason for going between moving cars is to turn the angle cock, or lift pin, when the lever does not work. Walt, until cars stop. The few second's time required is a good investment. Many persons are injured and killed every year by failure to heed this caution.
Memory Gem's for Shop Men.
    "Never try to shift a moving belt by hand.  Don't fool with electricity. It is dangerous.
    "Don't wear loose, baggy clothing where it is liable to be caught in machinery.
    "Avoid walking on railroad tracks and before crossing any track, 'stop, look and listen.'
    "Be sure you replace all guards when through repairing machine. Think about the other fellow.
    "Don't expect your helper to be as good a mechanic as you are. He is not, or he wouldn't be a helper. A little explanation as to the way the work is to be done may save injury to one or both of you.
    "If you know of some machine not properly guarded don't wait till someone gets: hurt and say 'I told you so.'  Tell the man in charge of the shops before an accident happens, and ask him to supply proper guard.
    "Avoid jumping upon moving cars or engines. Your work does not require it, and you cannot afford to take the risk.
    "Never strike tempered steel with hammer or other metal object. Many eyes are injured or destroyed from this cause every year.
    Important Things for Truckmen to Remember and Comply With.
    "Watch out for trains. Don't depend on the other fellow. 
    "On double track move always against the current of traffic.
    "Don't operate hand car or other track vehicle at night without proper light.
    "Don't operate hand cars without one man facing forward and one backward.
    "Keep frogs, switches and guard rails properly blocked. This is very important.
    "See that spike mauls are not loose on handle. They may fly off and injure or kill someone.
    "Don't jump on or off moving cars or engines. It is dangerous, and your work does not require it.
    "See that material is kept at a safe distance from track where men on sides of cars will not be struck
    "Always bend nails down before throwing boards aside. Many serious injuries result from stepping on protruding nails.
    "Keep torpedoes, when not in use, in safe places under lock. Small children are often injured by exploding torpedoes that they find on or near the right of way.
    "Drawbars, springs, brake shoes, lumps of coal and similar litter should be kept cleaned up from yards where trainmen are liable to stumble over them. Very serious accidents happen from this cause. Don't wait till regular clean-up time to pick this stuff up. Pick it up and throw it aside in a safe place each day as you are passing back and forth through the yard.
    "In operating cars around curves where view is obstructed, stop and listen for trains. If a long curve, better send one man ahead as 'lookout.'  Trains are liable to run any time in either direction.
    "Do the best you can to keep clear of trains, but if you are about to be caught by train, don't risk your life trying to save a hand car. Every once in a while some one is killed or seriously injured in this way.
Pointers for Agents and Stationmen
    "See that steps and platform are kept free from snow and ice.
    "Don't try to take train orders and answer questions at the same time.
    "Keep roof of station clear from icicles, which often fall and cause injuries.
    "When moving baggage, where passengers are liable to be, always pull truck. Don't push it.
    "Never leave baggage truck or express truck on platform with the tongue lying down.  Fasten tongue up and put truck in safe place.  Block the wheels of trucks when not in use.
    "Keep your signals and appliances handy and in good condition. When you need them, you need them quickly.
    "Keep platforms and station premises clear of obstructions (freight, express, etc.) which passengers might stumble over.
    "See that your station lights are kept clean, that they are lighted at the proper time, and keep burning brightly at all times when necessary.
    "See that your gang planks are in good condition and properly placed and secured. Men are frequently injured by gang planks slipping, allowing them to fall or freight to fall upon them.
    "Report promptly to proper person every defective condition around your station which might cause injury, such as loose board or hole in platform, or broken or missing railing, steps, etc. Protect these conditions as best you can till they are remedied and get them remedied at the earliest possible moment."
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[I have not located an authoritative source for the date when the formal safety program began on the N&W, but some accounts place the date as some time in 1912 or 1913 as I recall.  So, it is possible that the admonitions in this article predate the first N&W safety rule book, at least one in the form that is familiar to many of us.]

Gordon Hamilton


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