Is working as an electriction for the railroad dangerous?

Question

I guess I mostly just want to know how dangerous it is to work for the railroad, I don't know much about it. The two job positions in question is as labor and electrition apprenticeship. Can anyone tell me the general idea about the work conditions?

Answer 1

Being a fireman is dangerous, so is being a policeman. Many jobs are dangerous. Of course electricity is dangerous. But there's education too. People are educated and trained for these types of jobs. The more you know, the less you are at risk. Railroading is inherently hazardous. But everyone gets education and training. There's a common adage in railroading. "You don't get paid for what you do, you get paid for what you know."

Answer 2

There are some dangers in working with equipment as large as railroad machinery.

Railroads spend huge amounts of money insuring the safety of their labor force.

Employees are supplied with all necessary safety gear including personal safety equipment of hard toed boots if needed, eye protection, hearing protection and extensive training in safety issues.

All positions have danger built in but if you are alert and pay attention to the safety regulations, you are more in danger driving to work than at work.

As for the separate positions, electrical is reasonably self-explanatory, working with electricity, either on the overhead transmission lines as a lineman/electrician or inside repair facilities on locomotive or car electrical systems. Of course the lineman/electrician position has more inherent dangers but with reasonable diligence it is manageable, there are not many second chances so safety is the first thing on anyone's mind.

Laborer is a general term for entry level openings in many departments. Possibly track department, but it can also mean mechanical or signal laborer.

Answer 3

It depends. If you will be working for a RR doing 'typical' electricians work then the dangers are not that much more that any other electricians. However, if you mean working as a lineman for an electrified RR like Amtrak in the Norteast then that's a different story. They climb poles over 100 feet, work with voltages of up to 130,000V all around high speed trains. So, yes there are additional dnagers.

Answer 4

The piece of equipment is just as good as the operator...thats why carpentry can be dangerous, railroading can be dangerous, and driving can be dangerous....just follow the safety rules and you will be fine

Answer 5

I presume you mean "electrician."

There are inherent hazards, as there are in most technical jobs out in the real world.  You will be trained in the proper safety procedures and rules, and if you always do the job right, the hazards are not unbearable.  And it can be very rewarding work.

Good luck!