Safety for Authorized Visitors

Welcome to BNSF! We’re glad you’re going to be visiting our workplace. While we enjoy having you with us, there are a few rules and considerations for safety that you must be aware of before and during your visit.  While visiting, you will be under the direction of your host/escort. They will give you directions for specific concerns related to your tour, however there are a few Safety requirements that we will show you below.
 
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Depending on the scope of the visit, various items of personal protective equipment (PPE) need to be worn when on BNSF property. These include:

1. Head protection
2. Foot protection
3. Eye protection
4. Hearing protection
5. Hand protection
6. Reflective work wear: no loose clothing

   1. This should cause you to plan ahead to make appropriate purchases, such as steel-toed footwear, where necessary for your visit.

      Consult your BNSF Escort for proper attire for the area(s) you will be visiting. 

      Cell Phone, Electronic Devices Usage

      BNSF has stringent expectations on the use of cell phones and electronic devices. Visitors shall refrain from using electronic devices within 25 feet of the nearest rail. Visitors are also not to use personal electronic devices (cellular phones, notebook or laptop computers, tablets, e-readers, etc.) for other than business purposes, except when located in a predetermined place of safety.

      The expectation is that Visitors be aware of and comply with any local, state or federal laws governing the use of wireless equipment while driving; e.g., laws banning the use of a wireless phone.

      Safety Briefings

      Railroads have a wide variety of operational and environmental situations that the visitor may be exposed to.  Part of preparation for any visit or tour of the rail facilities, is planning out what you are getting ready to do.

      Safety Briefings will be completed at the start of any tour and as needed during the course of the day; e.g., personnel changes, weather changes, and/or visitor access requests.

7. Safety Briefings will include Emergency Preparedness Information and summarize the findings of Risk Assessment activities.
8. In addition to critical safety and response preparation, BNSF safety briefings discuss what “exposures” there are in the site to be visited. Consider this pictorial and how you might protect yourself from exposures during your visit. 
   
   

   Visitors should guide themselves by a “circle of safety”, extending 25 feet from an exposure.  *Make sure you have discussed any exposures with your BNSF host either during the safety briefing or as you see them during your tour. 

    

   Have a safe visit and Thank You for visiting BNSF Railway!