After adding a car to your train, is it permissible to reach over a drawbar to operate an angle cock on the opposite side?

After adding a car to your train, is it permissible to reach over a drawbar to operate an angle cock on the opposite side?

• A. Yes, if you are within arm's reach
• B. No, you would need the red zone unless you could use a brake stick without your body crossing the plane
• C. No, never allowed under any circumstance
• D. Yes, if the train is stationary

Answer: (B)

When a car is added, you must avoid reaching over the drawbar to operate an angle cock on the opposite side because your body would have to cross the plane of the cars. That crossing creates a real risk of being caught between parts or struck by moving equipment. The safe approach is to use a brake stick from your side to operate the angle cock, or to position yourself in the red zone in such a way that you can use the brake stick without your body crossing the plane. In short, you should not reach over the drawbar with your body; operate from a safe distance with the proper tool, or be in the red zone if required to reach without crossing the plane. The other options either imply unsafe reaching across the plane or disregard the available safe method with a brake stick, and the train being stationary doesn’t remove the hazard.

When a car is added, you must avoid reaching over the drawbar to operate an angle cock on the opposite side because your body would have to cross the plane of the cars. That crossing creates a real risk of being caught between parts or struck by moving equipment.

The safe approach is to use a brake stick from your side to operate the angle cock, or to position yourself in the red zone in such a way that you can use the brake stick without your body crossing the plane. In short, you should not reach over the drawbar with your body; operate from a safe distance with the proper tool, or be in the red zone if required to reach without crossing the plane. The other options either imply unsafe reaching across the plane or disregard the available safe method with a brake stick, and the train being stationary doesn’t remove the hazard.