United Transportation Union

Report of BCRAIL Engine Cab Condition Committee Meeting

Sept. 25, 1995

by

D. Moorhouse

Attendance

GENERAL

Geoffry Clarke of Pacific Environmental Consulting presented an 18 page report of gas, particulate and noise testing that was done on the push between Darcy and Mons, June 27 and 28, 1995. Report finds low levels of harmful gases and particulates and periodic noise in excess of 100 dB. These results were lower than those obtained by CNR in 1990, ‘91. Levels tested are lower than maximum allowable standards set by government and WCB regulation. Report to be circulated among membership after it has been presented to General Chairmen.

Harry Ulch concerned about the limitation of the mandate of this committee; B. Colquhoun assured the committee it was ongoing.

L. Sopel suggested that future meetings be shorter, this was not agreed to as the members felt that previous meetings were not long enough.

Rob Nichols presented Joint Safety Advisory Committee report of investigation of a train - MOW near miss near Woodpecker. Report recommended a redesigned conductor’s work area to better organise forms, clearances etc., radio headsets, relocation of the hot plate, and relocation of the emergency brake lever among others. Most of these recommendations have been addressed by this committee and discussion of these issues took place later with this report in mind.

OUTSTANDING ISSUES

35 units done, balance by Dec. ‘95

17 done, last 7 to be done by Dec. ‘95

8 done, 9 more by Dec. ‘95

included in environmental report

-will be jack type, individual headphones ultimately to be supplied to all

-material enough to do CATs, to be done by 1st quarter of ‘96

-balance of fleet, budget priority

-Doug Hicks from Communications to attend next meeting to discuss headphone model options

subject to MOMA approval, answer by 1st quarter of ‘96

to be included on Dash 7 upgrade, more review for GM’s

3 done, 1 more to be done by Dec. ‘95

-all Dash 8’s to get flat desk, hot plate relocation, direct lighting, relocated emergency valve in the model of the 4623-26, 3 to be done in ‘95 with the 4608 1st, balance by Dec. ‘96

-options for improving the conductor’s work area with clips etc. as recommended by JASC discussed, still looking for consensus

done, report presented by Pacific Environmental

L. Sopel to request materials management to supply list of suppliers and obtain list of RR’s that use A/C for further research, R. Rutledge to continue investigation

-ongoing, Sopel to supply list of those done

-road CATs done

paper towel holders painted black

should improve with overhead desk lighting to be installed

admit it had slipped by during rear door refit, to be done on next overhaul

-D. Moorhouse indicated that the response to the Air Chief, high back, swivel seat installed in the 4619 has been enthusiastic and that future seat purchases should be of this type, exceptions being those purchased for GM upgrade due to lack of space behind the fridge and the middle seat of the Dash 7 upgrade, again for lack of space. Yard engines will be equipped with high-end model Baltaur seats on the engineman’s side only to accommodate engine operation. It was agreed to install a high back Air Chief seat into the 604 as originally intended for evaluation in the CAT road switcher engines. Moorhouse suggests head area cover that can be removed to be cleaned and better adjusting arm-rests, L. Sopel agreed to include regular seat cleaning as part of final terminal locomotive servicing.

-third seat installation in GM’s underway

design on-going

-supply problem, 70 ovens on order, to arrive Sept.-Oct. ‘95

-brackets installed on 3 Dash 9’s these to be done by Dec. ‘95

-Dash 8’s to be done by Apr. 1, ‘96

-Dash 7’s to be done during upgrade

-Harry and Rick to recommend location for CAT’s

to be supplied by year end

railway will not supply, to be forwarded to GC of A

-Dash 9’s have them, Dash 8’s subject to material, 3 done balance to be done by Dec. ‘96

-R. Rutledge presented 10 litre jugs of drinking water as water supply for sink, rejected due to health concerns

-mild liquid hand soap to be supplied in dispenser

agreed rodent proofing as required by MOMA regs impractical, possibly make submission to MOMA to change regs

side display to be installed in GM’s, Dash 7’s and road CAT’s

future tables to be made of aluminium, CAT tables behind conductors seat not satisfactory-- to be reviewed

await introduction of new brand of canned water for evaluation

await AAR approval, Sopel to contact car dept.

NEW BUSINESS

although this is not new, it had somehow slipped off the agenda. Harry Ulch presents quote from Canuck Mechanical for attitude indicators modified to suit requirements and send emergency signal and shut down engine in the event of excessive tilt or impact. Sopel to investigate this and other options from other suppliers