Net Zero by 2050

Share this post

Tree Down !!

netzero2050.substack.com

Discover more from Net Zero by 2050

We provide information and guidance for organizations implementing ‘Net Zero greenhouse gas’ programs. We also provide updates to do with process safety management (PSM) and the proposed changes to OSHA’s PSM regulation.
Continue reading
Sign in

Tree Down !!

Railroad Safety / Process Safety

Ian Sutton
May 1, 2023
Share this post

Tree Down !!

netzero2050.substack.com
Share
Railroad safety process safety
Credit: Ian Sutton

We have been discussing the process safety/occupational safety issues to do with railroad accidents. Posts on the topic in reverse chronological order are:

  • East Palestine Derailment: Cost to Date

  • Freight Trains, Distributed Power and Process Safety

  • Tank Cars: Process and Occupational Safety

  • Tank Car Safety

  • The East Palestine Derailment

We live on the tracks (the mainline between Florida and New England), so these issues are up close and personal — which is why there was great excitement in our neighborhood this morning. At about 10:10 a.m. (eastern time) a tree decided to fall on to the tracks: The weather was windy, but not exceptionally so.

Fortunately, a train was not going by at the time.

As you can see, the tree trunk was large, and its core was rotten. Informal estimates are that the tree is/was at 200 years old.

Railroad safety process safety
Credit: Ian Sutton

This accident is bad enough — it has shut down all freight and passenger traffic on a critical rail corridor. What would have happened had a train been going by at the time? There are at least two large freight trains going by every hour, and between 5 and 10% of the cars carry hazardous chemicals.

Here is an overhead picture of the East Palestine accident.

Railroad safety process safety
Credit: National Transportation Safety Board

At 11:52 a.m. the first train came through; it was traveling very, very slowly.

Railroad safety process safety

And here is the first freight train (there were no chemical tank cars).

Railroad safety process safety
Credit: Ian Sutton

To receive new posts consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Share this post

Tree Down !!

netzero2050.substack.com
Share
Previous
Next
Comments
Top
New
Community

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Ian Sutton
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing